Thanksgiving? Black Friday? It’s all here in this week’s Sole Facts.
More balanced and less climactic than previous years, this week’s fourth quarter shopping spectacular is a mix of appealing to the masses and hitting the niche markets. Case in point, we have everything from droves of Dunks in sizes for all to collaborations from Patta and BAPE to Reebok trail shoes designed by ASAP Nast.
Something for everybody, indeed.
What’s for you? Find out by getting the details on each drop below.
11/22
11/23
Nike Dunk High White/Black
- 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 High White/Black serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Essentially another “Panda” pair, this White/Black Nike Dunk High sees contrast in the form of university red tongue tagging though otherwise sticks to the script. Leather construction remains a constant with Be True to Your School blocking also appearing.
- Releasing in womens sizing for $110, pairs are slated to pop up in US and Europe.
11/24
Patta x Nike Air Max 1 “Maroon”
- The Nike Air Max 1 debuted in 1987 and served as a landmark moment in the history of the Beaverton brand. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the former Oregon track standout looked to expose the brand’s Air technology after being inspired by Paris’ Georges Pompidou Centre.
- Patta is a Dutch streetwear brand and boutique founded in 2004. Over the course of their run, Patta has collaborated with the likes of New Balance, Nike, ASICS, Reebok, Adidas, Jordan Brand and others.
- Following other collaborative colorways, this “Maroon” makeup will hit select NSW accounts in the US, Europe and Asia for $170.
Air Jordan 9 Boot NRG Black/Gum
- The Air Jordan 9 debuted during the 1993-94 NBA Season during Michael Jordan’s first retirement. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the original AJ9 would not be worn by MJ as a member of the Chicago Bulls but it would be worn by his famous statue seen in front of the United Center and in cleated form when he played on the baseball diamond.
- After appearing at retail in 2017 and 2018, the Air Jordan 9 Boot NRG is back. Adding d-ring eyelets and a grippy outsole, this beefed up version of the ‘93 signature has been rebuilt and reimagined for winter wear.
- Look for this launch to run a steep $225.
Nike Dunk Low “Bronze Eclipse”
- The Nike Dunk first released over the course of the 1985-86 basketball season with a focus on the collegiate level. A slew of two-tone takes tied to the top college programs across the country were worn on court by bright NCAA talent and sold to the public just the same.
- Distinguished by a bronze Swoosh and matching outsole, the Nike Dunk Low “Bronze Eclipse” continues to tweak the tried and true formula of the Sportswear staple by simply adding a third color. Sport spice paneling provides plenty of autumnal flavor to this fall release.
- This pair is reported to be released in womens sizing for $100.
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. After arriving earlier this year, a restock at $190 a pair is coming with the “Camo” colorway hitting the US and Europe with the White/Black pair relegated to the US and Asia.
Nike Dunk Low “Pink Velvet”
- 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 “Pink Velvet” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Taking “Be True to Your School” blocking to new material depth, the “Pink Velvet” Dunk begins with a white upper with pink panelling. Accordingly, a silky Swoosh, velour heel hit and sole speckling all upgrade this court classic.
- This GS drop will retail for $95 across the US.
11/25
11/26
Nike Air Huarache LE “Praline”
- Debuted in 1991, Nike Air Huarache changed the world of running. Meant to be minimalist, Huarache lockdown was a case study in reduction with the name and styling deriving from South American sandals. Backed by the neoprene fit of a waterski boot and bolstered by a leather exoskeleton, the famous ads from the ‘90s asked runners, “Have you hugged your foot today?”
- Designed by Tinker Hatfield with help from Mark Parker and Hiroshi Fujiwara, the original Nike Air Huarache was an early example of the latter named HTM collective collaborating.
- An original and limited edition colorway from 1992, this “Praline” pair returns for $120 a pop at US and Europe NSW accounts.
Air Jordan 11 “Animal Instinct”
- 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.
- Continuing the almost annual theme of lifestyle Air Jordan 11 launches made exclusively for the fairer sex, this “Animal Instinct” iteration follows Air Jordan 3s of the same spirit by placing patterns seen at the zoo on a retro release.
- Pretty and premium, pairs are slated to release across the US and Europe, starting at $225 and scaled down in cost and cut all the way to crib sizing.
Air Jordan 1 Mid “Chocolate”
- 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.
- In recent years, the Air Jordan 1 Mid has been pushed to the masses through easier accessibility and the grace to release in a range of colorways. This “Chocolate” drop is amongst the more mature, dressing the AJ1 Mid in various shades of brown suede with black laces likened to boots.
- These are listed at $130 a pair.
adidas Yeezy 500 “Utility Black”
- 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 “Utility Black” colorway returns to the Adidas Yeezy 500, first seen in 2018. An all-black aesthetic finds depth through various materials on the multi-paneled upper.
- Look for these to launch at Yeezy accounts across America, Asia and Europe for $200.
Reebok Kamikaze II “Siesta”
- 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.
- An homage to the 1996 NBA All-Star Game in San Antonio, this “Siesta” style plays upon the festive jerseys worn at that year’s midseason classic. Shawn Kemp appeared in the outing, wearing the Kamikaze II while starting and scoring 13 points.
- Pairs are reported to be released online at Reebok.
11/27
Nike Dunk High & Low “University Gold”
- The Nike Dunk first released over the course of the 1985-86 basketball season with a focus on the collegiate level. A slew of two-tone takes tied to the top college programs across the country were worn on court by bright NCAA talent and sold to the public just the same.
- Both built off of bold branding, this “University Gold” Dunk drop sees High and Low takes inspired by autumnal hues and varsity aesthetics. Pairs have been likened to McDonald’s for their use of yellow, orange and red shades though there is no affiliation.
- Expect the Highs to run $120 and the Lows to retail at $110.
Pyer Moss x Reebok Experiment 4
- Continuing to collaborate, the Pyer Moss x Reebok Experiment 4 sees the latest launch from the lens of Kerby Jean-Raymond. Defined by an aggressive stance and bold color blocking, this pair packs Hexalite referencing heel DNA likened to the Instapump Fury.
- Over the years, Pyer Moss x Reebok collaborations have been well regarded for their ability to balance runway fashion with brand archive. Previous pairings have played with DMX cushioning or ‘90s color blocking.
- Pairs will be released at Reebok and Pyer Moss for $250.
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 “Faded Azure”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 700 debuted in 2017, bringing an aggressive edge to the dad shoe craze and a new approach to how Boost cushioning is showcased. Industry vet Steven Smith is said to have worked on this design that was once believed to be a shelved idea.
- This “Faded Azure” style is in many ways a blue reworking of the original “Wave Runner” rendition the 700 debuted in. Aqua suede overlays and royal toe box mesh are abundant with a deeper shade of blue on the midsole and orange accents bringing the contrast.
- Since 2017, the adidas Yeezy Boost 700 has retailed at a whopping $300. This “Orange Wash” iteration carries the modern MSRP of a lower $240, existing as the new price for the 700 moving forward.
ASAP Nast x Reebok Zig Kinetica II Edge
- Made from at least 30% recycled material, the Reebok Zig Kinetica II Edge is an outdoor-engineered sneaker backed by a Vibram outsole and Floatride Fuel midsole. Traction and trail inspiration are at a premium, seen by the textile upper and toggle lacing.
- This limited colorway was crafted in conjunction with rapper and fashion personality A$AP Nast. Previously, Nast has collaborated with Converse on the One Star, Jack Purcell Mid and Chuck Taylor, also working with Reebok on the Classic Leather Legacy.
- The A$AP Nast x Reebok drop will be released in the US and Europe, starting at $160 a pair.