Yeezy Season is in full swing in this week’s Sole Facts.
Starting with a double drop of 380s and closing with a coveted 350 V2, the Kanye kicks keep coming as the holiday season approaches. Mr. West designs aside, we also find Salehe Bembury getting busy with New Balance once again and Jeremy Scott reviving the Wings.
Peep all of that plus new releases from Jordan, Reebok, and more in the latest Sole Facts.
10/18
adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “Pyrite” & “Stone”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 380 saga continues with “Pyrite” and “Salt” styles set for October 18th. Based in shades of grey with copper contrast touching the “Pyrite” pair, both installments are complemented by a semi-translucent milky sole.
- When first spotted on Kanye, the adidas Yeezy Boost 380 was thought by many to be the V3 iteration of the famous adidas Yeezy Boost 350 due to its Primeknit patterned upper and thick Boost sole. The 380’s stance and ankle collar provided the greatest differentiator on this model that’s all its own.
- Look for both styles to retail for $230, launching in the US and Europe.
10/19
Damian Lillard x Reebok Shaqnosis
- Worn by Shaquille O’Neal during his mid-1990s run with the Orlando Magic, the Reebok Shaqnosis is a bulky basketball shoe made for one the game’s greatest big men. Sporting zebra striped styling and Hexalite cushioning, Shaq’s PE pairs were famously even higher and backed by Pump lockdown.
- This Damian Lillard collaboration is the latest in a line of Reebok x adidas drops. For years, adidas owned Reebok, recently leveraging the relationship to merge iconic styles, technologies and partners.
- Running $160 a pair, look for these to launch at Reebok Classic accounts in the US and Europe.
Nike Dunk Low “Knicks”
- 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.
- While historically tied to the collegiate game, the basketball-born Dunk celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the NBA with a slew of team takes all allotted to the pros. Each installment will bear tones and/or logo detailing of their franchise, emphasized by commemorative tongue tagging and diamond dubraes.
- Running $100 a pair, early reports suggest the Knicks pair will debut first overseas at retailers BTSN.
1017 ALYX 9SM x Nike Air Force 1 High
- In 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 arrived as the brand’s basketball vehicle for what would become their signature tech – Air. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the high cut hoops shoe would outfit top talent in the NBA, NCAA, and the streets.
- First featured in 2018 and since releasing in several neutral styles, the ALYX iteration of the Air Force 1 High upgrades the standard strapped favorite in favor of buckle closure around the ankle. ALYX is famously fronted by Matthew M Williams who currently leads Givenchy in creative direction.
- Starting on October 19th and going through October 21st, an online raffle at ALYX will be taking place for a chance to purchase this pair.
10/20
Air Jordan 1 FlyEase
- 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 the time since, it has changed shape and structure with this FlyEase version appealing to all athletes.
- The footprints of FlyEase technology date back to 2012 when young athlete Matthew Walzer asked Nike to make shoes that didn’t need tying due to his condition of Cerebral Palsy. Working with Tobie Hatfield, brother of Tinker and long-time Nike designer, the two created FlyEase technology for Waltzer to test. By 2015, it was introduced to the market and has updated Air Jordans, LeBrons, and more ever since.
- Look for pairs to launch in men’s sizing for $140 in the US.
10/21
Nike Air Flight Lite II
- Hailing from 1992, the Nike Air Flight Lite II gained notoriety around the NBA as a performance pair for some of the game’s greatest guards and wings. Famously, Scottie Pippen and Chris Mullin rocked this silo as members of the Olympic Dream Team.
- This muted makeup is in fact an original colorway, made loud by graphic lining and trademark tongue branding. Early reports suggest more styles are on the way.
- Though an official price has not been named, expect this White/Black drop and other Nike Air Flight Lite II launches to be released at NSW accounts.
Nike Dunk Low, Air Force 1 Low & Air Presto “Halloween”
- 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 “Halloween” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- In 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 arrived as the brand’s basketball vehicle for what would become their signature tech – Air. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the high cut hoops shoe would outfit top talent in the NBA, NCAA and the streets. In 1983, the shoe would be released in low-top form for hoops and casual wear with the latter option serving as a staple for decades to come.
- The Nike Air Presto running shoe debuted in 2000 and was dubbed as the t-shirt for your feet. Using stretch styling and a snug fit, pairs were presented in shirt sizing like S, M, L, XL that could cater to a wider range than half sizes seen in sneakers. Tobie Hatfield, brother of Tinker, worked on this project that’s origin dates back to a 1996 production meeting in Korea.
- This “Halloween” collection is the latest in a long line of seasonal packs from Nike. Historically, the Air Force 1 Low has been the go-to model to makeover in October with heat around the Dunk and Presto extending the 2021 range.
Jeremey Scott x adidas Forum Wings Low “Money”
- The adidas Forum High debuted in 1984 as a luxury basketball shoe set to tip the scales by retailing at a then-outrageous $100. In the ‘80s, the Forum High was a status symbol in the streets thanks to its prestigious price point and a go-to favorite on the court for Patrick Ewing as a rookie on the New York Knicks. Much like the Nike Dunk of the same era, the Forum found fame in the 2000s off the court by way of below ankle skate styling and countless casual collaborations.
- Back with the brand, this collaboration reintroduces Jeremy Scott’s polarizing partnership with adidas. This “Money” makeup was originally released in 2003 to the tune of 100 pairs, later launched in Wings 2.0 fashion in 2015. In recent weeks, the model has come back as a high, now touching down as a low.
- Pairs are set to retail for $160 and be released in the US.
10/22
Salehe Bembury x New Balance 574 Yurt
- 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.
- Dramatically re-engineered by designer Salehe Bembury, this Yurt installment is defined by its functional heel whistle to drive home the outdoor aesthetic. References to other archival New Balances of the trail and running variety beef up the typically sleek 574, bringing more life to hybrid theory.
- Starting at $160, pairs are reported to release in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Sean Wotherspoon x adidas Superstar “SUPEREARTH”
- 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.
- This colorway’s collaborator, Sean Wotherspoon, rose to fame in the last decade as the co-founder of vintage empire Round 2. His prominence in the sneaker world came first from dipping Supreme x Air Jordan 5s in red paint all the way to winning Nike’s On Air contest with his corduroy Air Max 1/97 collaboration.
- Following other “SUPEREARTH” releases, this conscious collaboration will retail for $110 at select US and European adidas accounts.
Saquon Barkley x Nike Air Trainer III
- Built with Bo Jackson in mind, the Nike Air Trainer III continued the cross-training legacy as originated by Tinker Hatfield on the debut Nike Air Trainer. A ¾ cut, heel Air cushioning, and forefoot strap all played well to multiple athletic endeavors from the track to the weight room to the court.
- This Saquon Barkley pair pays homage to football’s newest hero in the backfield. The Giants running back is honored through #26 tongue tagging and a construction aesthetic that nods to Saquon’s new home of New York.
- Releasing through SNKRS and at select NSW accounts, pairs will retail at $140.
Nike SB Dunk High “Strawberry Cough”
- 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 “Strawberry Cough” Nike SB Dunk High is new for 2021.
- Leaning towards lozenges in theme, this “Strawberry Cough” colorway features an embroidered heel hit as a comical nod to the candy meets medicine.
- Contact your local US, Europe, or Asia SB account for availability on this pair.
Air Jordan 1 Low “Green Toe”
- Peter Moore’s transcendent Air Jordan 1 originally launched in high-top, low-top, and canvas KO form. While reports vary as to whether the Air Jordan 1 Low debuted at retail in 1985 or 1986, the shoe has remained in and out of Jordan Brand’s rotation of releases since the early 2000s.
- This “Green Toe” take is referential to the “Pine Green” AJ1 High from 2018. Slightly different in shades and shape, this low top launch sports a gold Jumpman on the tongue with white base tone as opposed to sail styling seen on the highs.
- Priced at $100 a pair, look for these to launch at US-based Jordan Brand accounts.
Air Jordan 36 “Psychic Energy”
- The Air Jordan 36 is the latest signature shoe from the historic performance series. Said to be the lightest Air Jordan yet, the mid-top model features a breathable mesh upper, wrap-around TPU midsole ribbon, and double-stacked Zoom Air cushioning.
- This “Psychic Energy” colorway is the first retail release for the Air Jordan 36 to feature somewhat of a Chicago scheme. Following PE pairs for Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic, this clean colorway relies on white weaving, red piping, black tooling and iced-out soles.
- Expect the Air Jordan 36 “Psychic Energy” to retail for $185 and also launch in GS sizes.
Awake NY x Vans Sk8-Hi
- First released in 1978 as the Vans Style 38, the Vans Sk8-Hi was introduced as a high-top alternative to that of the Style 36. Canvas construction and waffle sole are the standard, often taking to lux materials when released in LX or Vault fashion.
- Awake NY is a New York-based clothing company launched in 2012. Fronted by Angelo Baque, the Queens’ creative has recently done colorful work in footwear with ASICS.
- Following previous availability, the Awake x Vans Sk8-Hi will be released at Foot Locker on October 22nd for $90 a pair.
10/23
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “MX Oat”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 is the second generation of the famed 350 Boost. First released at retail in 2016, the model has remained on the market every year since and has seen a slew of styles touching a variety of themes, regions and sizes.
- This “MX Oat” colorway is the latest of an “MX” theme, preceding the upcoming “MX Rock” variation on the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2. Each swirled style is big in contrast for an even earthier take on the favored 350 V2.
- Expect these to hit select Yeezy accounts for $220.