School is in session, football is back and sneaker brands are bridging the seasons with plenty of pairs that reside right below high heat in fanfare but right above everyday wear in allure.
As usual in 2021, a slew of shoes play musical chairs when it comes to launch dates, appearing this week again after popping up in the past only to be pushed. This includes Yeezys, Dunks, and even a CLOT collab. On top of all that, we have a trio of retro releases from Jordan Brand and a new look from Skateboard P.
See what we’re talking about in the Sole Facts below.
9/13
adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Honey Flux”
- First released at retail in February 2020, the adidas Yeezy 700 MNVN offered the latest chapter in the storied 700 series. Sporting the same midsole tooling as the original, a sleek nylon upper replaces that of the multi-material predecessors, made sporty by reflective notation.
- This “Honey Flux” foray appears timely as summer transitions to fall, finding a deep shade of yellow scoring the shoe’s sporty base. Thus far, the 700 MNVN releases have ranged from highlighter hues to neutral tones.
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Honey Flux” will retail for $220 and launch at select Yeezy retailers in the States.
9/13
adidas Yeezy DSRT BT “Rock” & “Oil”
- Introduced in Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 6 collection, the adidas Yeezy Desert Boot carries a similar upper aesthetic to that of the Yeezy 500, beefed up as a boot. Pairs were first released in 2018, later dropping in 2019 and 2021.
- Previously released in April 2021 and debuted in September 2019, the “Rock” and “Oil” renditions are back once again for fall wear. Both tonal takes drench the entire upper and chunky sole in the topic tone with 3M trim providing the only accents.
- Look for these to launch on the adidas Confirmed App for $235.
9/14
Air Jordan 14 Low WMNS “Lipstick”
- Released during Michael Jordan’s second retirement from the NBA, the Air Jordan 14 Low debuted in June of 1999. Like previous pairs, Tinker Hatfield designed this AJ signature finding inspiration from MJ’s favored Ferrari.
- While never releasing in ladies styling during its original run, the Air Jordan 14 Low has been a somewhat staple in women’s sizing as seen by Aleali May makeups and “Cerise” colorways.
- This ladies launch will retail for $170 and launch globally at Jordan Brand stockists.
sacai x CLOT x Nike LD Waffle
- The Nike LDWaffle is a sacai introduced silo that stacks the archical Nike LDV and Nike Waffle Racer for a protruding take on retro running fit for the runway.
- CLOT has collaborated with Nike an array of times over the years, with their Air Max 1 and Air Jordan 14 Low launches recently taking place. Sacai and Nike have a long history of collaborating together with projects ranging from coveted footwear releases to fashionable yet functional outerwear pieces and even performance tennis gear for Naomi Osaka.
- This three-way collaboration will be released through SNKRS.
9/15
9/16
Nike Air Max BW “Los Angeles”
- The Nike Air Max BW, or Nike Air Max Big Window, originally launched in 1991 as an addition to the growing Air Max series. This model made at the time for performance running was designed by Tinker Hatfield.
- A new novelty, this “Los Angeles” version of the BW is new for 2021. Said to be inspired by street fashion from the Cali city in the 1990s, a black upper and orange branding appear loudly, with a purple Air unit and thematic tagging hitting the heel.
- Suggested retail is set for $140 with availability coming through SNKRS.
Nike Dunk Low “University Red”
- 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 “University Red” serving as a Nike Sportswear drop.
- Essentially a flip on the original Be True to Your School St. John’s style, this “University Red” rendition leads with white panelling atop the team tone base. In many ways, this blocking is reminiscent of the “City Attack” Pack.
- This pair is slated to launch in the US and Europe for $100 in men’s sizing with GS availability also appearing at select accounts.
9/17
size x Nike Air Huarache “ACG”
- 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?”
- Inspired by the OG Air Terra ACG and size’s Nike Lunar 180 from 2010, this purple pair mixes and matches materials over a speckled sole.
- This size exclusive will launch for $159 USD in both men’s and women’s sizing.
Air Jordan 11 IE Low “Bred”
- Essentially a B-side to the patent leather Air Jordan 11 proper, the Air Jordan 11 IE Low launched in 1996 as a summer alternative to the midtop makeup. The upper was articulated to be more breathable while still functional on the court.
- This “Bred” original was worn by Michael Jordan in NBA action during the spring of 1996. Previously, this colorway has returned with an elephant print aesthetic on the mudguard as a nod to its “Cobalt” counterpart, finally coming back with a flush finish.
- Retailing at $170, look for these to release on SNKRS and at Jordan Brand accounts.
Nike Kyrie 7 “Daughters”
- The Nike Kyrie 7 is the latest signature shoe for Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving. Designed by Ben Nethongkome, the Kyrie 7 features Zoom Turbo cushioning and is listed as lighter than the Kyrie 6.
- A general release colorway with a collaborative feel, this “Daughters” makeup carries a violet mesh upper with pink pops appearing on the forefoot and speckling shown on the midsole.
- The Kyrie 7 “Daughters” will be released at select Nike Basketball retailers.
adidas Humanrace Sichona
- Pharrell Williams is a producer, rapper and singer famous for his work as a member of The Neptunes and NERD. Having worked with adidas since 2014, the multi-talented artist has revised classics like the Superstar while introducing new models such as the NMD Hu and Crazy BYW.
- New for 2021, the Human Race Sichona draws from the Dakota term tied to connecting with the earth. Thus, the shoe features an anatomical approach that’s barefoot in intention from its sock-styled Primeknit upper to its curved TPU sole.
- This new silo will debut on the adidas Confirmed App.
Jaden Smith x New Balance 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.
- Teaming with brand partner, Jaden Smith, this surplus style leans into the multi-hyphenate and his love of sustainable style. Scrap and recycled materials come together in DIY fashion, lowering the collaboration’s carbon footprint and making sure no two pairs are alike.
- Retailing for $120, these will launch online at New Balance.
9/18
Air Jordan 13 “Obsidian”
- The Air Jordan 13 hails from the start of Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan’s last season in Chicago. The Tinker Hatfield creation first debuted in 1997 and was inspired by MJ’s black cat persona as represented by the panther paw inspiration on the sole.
- A first for the 13, this “Obsidian” style borrows the palette introduced on the Air Jordan 12, carrying the deep blue tone on the upper with complementing powder blue branding and a white leather sidewall.
- This Air Jordan 13 retro will launch at US doors and online in full-family sizing.
adidas Yeezy FOAM RNNR “Ochre”
- First released in 2020, the adidas Yeezy Foam Runner introduced Kanye West’s interpretation of the foam injected styling made famous by Crocs. Using similar design language to that of the ovular 700 series, this sculpted style proved popular and polarizing from the start, launching for a low price point but also in very limited quantities.
- A new “Ochre” style follows that of the “Ararat” debut, bringing to life a bold aesthetic in a brownish hue – first thought to be yellow – that leans autumnal in nature.
- While still unconfirmed to this drop date, reports have these releasing soon at Yeezy stockists for $80 a pair.
Quartersnacks x Nike SB Dunk Low
- Though rooted in basketball, the Nike Dunk crossed over to skateboarding in 2002 by way of the Nike SB Dunk Low. Denoted by a fat tongue for added cushion, the rebranding redefined the hardwood icon for a new generation of skaters and sneakerheads.
- Previously dropping a Dunk Low SB collab in 2014, this Little Debbie Zebra Cake-inspired pair reimagines the iconic “NYC Nike” font seen on Air Force 1s and more with that of QS25 tagging on the heel.
- Pairs are expected to launch on SNKRS and likely select Nike SB doors.
Social Status x Nike Dunk Mid “Strawberry Milk”
- 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 Mid serving as a Nike Sportswear drop, originally debuted in the mid-2000s as a strapped SB.
- This Social Status collaboration is one half of the “Free Lunch” Pack, paying tribute to both the back-to-school season and the beauty in the struggle. This “Strawberry Milk” makeup sports soft pink hues on the perimeters, set off by a bright blue lining and milky Swoosh of the oversized jewel variety.
- Pairs are reported to be released at Social Status and on SNKRS.
adidas Yeezy 500 “Clay Brown”
- 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 leaning into earthy hues through tonal depth.
- Look for these to retail for $200, releasing at select Yeezy stockists in the US.