The first full week of May is here. As we approach the midpoint of the spring season, this installment of Sole Facts finds brands leaning all the way into low tops.
An atmos collaboration with King James jumps off the below the ankle arrivals, with Jordan Brand also returning a famous spring style hailing from 2001. Around the way, we also see A Bathing Ape and adidas dropping one of their best pairings yet, while a L’Style retro release from 2006 is back for the first time.
Get the drop dates and details in the Sole Facts below.
5/4
Atmos x Nike LeBron 18 Low “Viotech”
- The Nike LeBron 18 Low is the latest below ankle iteration of the flagship signature franchise from Nike and LeBron James. Unlike the midtop makeup, new Knits take a holiday on the upper while the 18’s Air Max meets Zoom Air sole is carried over in translucent fashion with a more protruding heel outrigger.
- This atmos collaboration is an homage to the 2003 atmos x Nike Air Max 1 “Viotech” release. The pair was the second collab ever from Nike and atmos, denoted by a soft purple Swoosh across the sidewall, earthy tones on the upper and a mini Swoosh on the mudguard.
- LeBron James has shown a deep reverence to Air Max history on his signature line over the years to include his “Air Max 95” LeBron 15, “atmos Safari” LeBron 16 Low and “Air Max 95” LeBron 12 Low among others.
Air Jordan 1 High “Shadow Rust/Patina”
- The Air Jordan 1 debuted on the feet of Michael Jordan during his 1984-85 rookie campaign. Designed by Peter Moore, the concept of selling MJ as a signature athlete brought to Nike by Sonny Vaccaro completely changed the sportswear industry and laid the foundation for what we now know as Jordan Brand.
- This “Patina” pair pays homage to the original “Shadow” colorway, offering a distressed take on the foundational favorite.
- While based on the original “Shadow” High, deconstructed tongue branding separates this style noticeably while a metallic, rusty patina effect graces that of the Swoosh and forefoot panelling.
5/5
Jordan Zion 1 “ZNA”
- The Jordan Zion 1 is the first signature shoe for former Duke standout and #1 NBA Draft Pick Zion Williamson. Debuted this spring by the All-Star forward, the shoe features bold Z branding on the sidewall as a nod to his haircut.
- Designed for his point forward play, the mid cut sneaker features Air strobel cushioning with Zoom Air in the forefoot. A padded tongue and collar feature additional branding specific to Zion and Jordan.
- Learn more about the impact of Zion Williamson on the future of Jordan Brand in our Generation Zion feature.
Nike Air Max2 CB 94 “USA”
- 1994’s Nike Air Max2 CB 94 was a transcendent signature shoe for NBA All-Star Charles Barkley. Designed by Tracy Teague, this truly iconic model made the most of Barkley’s wild personality by drawing creative inspiration from a straightjacket.
- This “USA” colorway is not an original makeup but has become consistent in retro life. Honoring Sir Charles and his time with both the ‘92 and ‘96 Dream Teams, this theme was seen previously in 2015.
- Fun fact: Charles Barkley led both the ‘92 and ‘96 Dream Teams in points per game.
5/6
Air Jordan 11 Low “Citrus”
- The Air Jordan 11 Low first popped up in PE pair fashion by Michael Jordan during the 1995-96 season. However, the patent leather proper Air Jordan 11 Low did not debut at retail until 2001, releasing in a slew of spring-ready colorways.
- A highlight proved the “Citrus” colorway, debuted on April 14, 2001. This women’s exclusive colorway was beloved at the time, growing in fanfare in the years since.
- This 2021 take is the third time this pair has released to the world, first seen in 2001 and last seen in 2015.
Nike Dunk Low “Free.99” Pack
- Designed by the great Peter Moore, the Nike Dunk debuted in 1985 as a way to bring color and team spirit to college basketball. Since then, the shoe has crossed over to various categories with the Nike Dunk Low “Free.99” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Both black and white installments of the “Free.99” Dunk Lows pay homage to bodegas via their price tag insoles and colorful uppers.
- Over the years, the Dunk Low has received many memorable multicolor makeups to include the “eBay” SB Dunk Low and the “Viotech” Dunk Low SP.
5/7
adidas Ultra Boost ZX/DNA Pack
- The adidas Ultra Boost was first unveiled in January 2015 at a global press event in New York City. By pairing Primeknit on the upper with full-length Boost cushioning, the German based brand had created what they considered the ‘greatest running shoe ever.’
- This pack pays homage to the ZX 9000, ZX 6000 and ZX 8000, bringing the classic colorways associated with the timeless retro runners to that of this modern performance pair.
- All three styles will release on May 7th for $180 a pair at select retailers such as END.
New Balance Tokyo Design Studio 574
- The New Balance 574 is amongst the most revered and released models in the brand’s rich history. Created for running in the 1980s, the shoe has been a staple in the lifestyle realm at some point in every decade since.
- This revised take on the 574 courtesy of Tokyo Design Studio removes the sidewall branding and adds a dress shoe outsole for a genre-blurring hybrid that’s rich in both heritage and style.
- Set to release alongside accompanying clothing, the TDS 574 will launch on May 7th at T-HOUSE.
Air Jordan 11 Low “Legend Blue”
- The Air Jordan 11 debuted in rogue fashion by Michael Jordan in the 1995 NBA Playoffs. MJ was not meant to wear the pair that early as it was not ready for production and had been designed in secret by Tinker Hatfield during Jordan’s first retirement.
- While worn in PE pair fashion by Michael Jordan during the 1995-96 season, the patent leather proper Air Jordan 11 Low did not debut at retail until 2001, releasing in a slew of spring-ready colorways.
- This all-new “Legend Blue” Air Jordan 11 Low derives from the original “Columbia” Air Jordan 11 Mid from 1996. The North Carolina-inspired palette saw a name change to “Legend Blue” in 2014 due to legality issues but is otherwise intended to be OG in execution.
A Bathing Ape x adidas Superstar
- The adidas Superstar was born as a basketball shoe in 1969. At one point in the 1970s, over 75% of the NBA was playing in the shoe. By the 1980s, the model was a staple of street culture thanks to its rich history and renowned rebranding by Run-DMC.
- A Bathing Ape came to fame in the mid ‘90s and early ‘00s, founded in Japan by NIGO but gaining American fanfare due to wear from The Notorious BIG, Pharrell, The Clipse, Jay Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and more.
- This very literal dual branded collaboration features both brand’s markings on opposing lateral sides and heels, dressing the upper of the Superstar 80s in the Japanese company’s ABC Camo. The two titans of sportswear and streetwear have collaborated on the Superstar countless times, bringing UNDFTD in the fold in 2015 and releasing the Superskate in 2003.
5/8
New Balance 1500 “Desert Scape”
- Hailing from 1989, the New Balance 1500 entered the market as a running shoe boasting enough width for training use. Since its entry, the shoe has been beloved as a retro release, taking to premium construction whether made in the US or the UK.
- This “Desert Scape” style hails from the Flimby Factory in the UK, sporting sandy brown and taupe tones all over the suede, leather and mesh upper.
- At the moment, pairs are slated to launch at select European retailers such as Asphalt Gold for what equates to $204 USD.
Air Jordan 7 “Flint”
- Debuted at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, the Air Jordan 7 served as the signature shoe for Michael Jordan as he grabbed his second NBA title and second Olympic Gold Medal. The Tinker Hatfield design brought a Huarache sockliner to the Air Jordan franchise while also riffing off Afropop art.
- First released on April 22nd, 2006, this “Flint” LS launch debuted at retail on the same day as the first retro release of the original “Cardinal” colorway. More of an acquired taste and harder to acquire, this L’Style launch was only available at Urban Accounts, playing more towards fashion than sport.
- This re-retro release returns the white tumbled leather overlays, grey nubuck underlays and court purple pops that distinguished that of the ‘06 Lifestyle launch. This 2021 take will retail at a higher price point but release in great abundance.
adidas Yeezy 500 “Enflame”
- Famous for finding itself as the first adidas Yeezy without Boost, the adidas Yeezy 500 features adiPrene+ cushioning and lifts the Feet You Wear sole seen on Kobe Bryant’s 1999 signature shoe, the adidas KB8 III.
- This all-new Yeezy 500 colorway once again sees the Kanye footwear franchise juxtaposing hearty earth tones with that of primary blues.
- Still set to retail at $200, pairs of the “Enflame” adidas Yeezy 500 are slated to launch in the US, Europe and Asia.
Reebok Kamikaze II Low
- Loud and electric, Shawn Kemp’s Reebok Kamikaze II was a linear progression from its predecessor bringing even more boldness in design. Incredibly in line with Reebok’s headlining models from the same season, the stark contrast of dark nubuck and white leather was fundamentally the same as that of the Shaqnosis, Blast and Big Hurt.
- This Black/White colorway is archival in origin, however, its low cut is not. Only released in midtop form back in 1995, the shoe saw a low top launch in 2014 for the first time.
- In 2014 and since, the Reebok Kamikaze II has launched as a low, honoring originals, collaborating with skate brand Dime and even seeing PE pairs for Isaiah Thomas during his time with the Sacramento Kings.
5/10
Stingwater x Nike SB Dunk Low “Magic Mushroom”
- Touching down during the 1985-86 NCAA basketball season, the Nike Dunk has since seen its wings spread to lifestyle and skateboarding takes. Officially crossing over to skateboarding in 2002, this Stingray x Nike SB Dunk Low is the latest launch for 2021.
- Fronted by skateboarder Daniel Kim, Stingwater lives in the apparel space thanks to Kim’s unique and off-kilter items.
- This “Magic Mushroom” collaboration features safari paneling as a nod to the psychedelic plant, contrasted by jewel logo branding, embroidered collaborator tagging and icy outsoles.
Images 1, 3-6, 9, 12, & 15 via Nike
Image 2 via StockX
Images 7, 10, & 13 via adidas
Image 11 via New Balance
Image 14 via Reebok