The year is coming to a close and all the top brands are looking to cap off the fourth quarter with a slew of last-minute hits.
In this installment of Sole Facts, we detail drops ranging from a timeless retro runner from the Swoosh to an archival Air Jordan PE turned GR. On top of that, we have kicks from Kanye, an updated style from Sacai and a new model from Mike debuted in The Last Dance.
Get the origin, inspiration and story behind each drop this week in the Sole Facts below.
12/15
Nike LeBron 8 “Lakers”
- Introduced in 2010, the Nike LeBron 8 is receiving the retro treatment in 2020 with more colorways set to come out in 2021.
- This “Lakers” launch proves the first, featuring a new and timely purple and gold motif. Tumbled suede and Flywire technology score the upper with full-length Max Air 360 unit resting beneath.
- The original LeBron 8 was the first model King James wore when taking his talents to South Beach. This “Lakers” scheme is the V1 version of the LeBron 8 with the V2 version proving lighter and leaner by way of more mesh.
12/17
Nike Air Max 95 “Neon”
- Nike designer Sergio Lozano made the leap from ACG and tennis to that of running with the task of the Air Max 95. Lozano’s lens on the annual Air Max was a departure from previous pairs as Nike Running wanted to bring in new blood and take a risk.
- The model’s famous gradient upper is both an homage to erosion and the natural beauty it forms – notably seen on the walls of the Grand Canyon – and a functional component meant to appear cleaner when running in wet weather.
- This “Neon” colorway is an original and the shoe’s famed launch colorway. Lozano used the bright accent to highlight the model’s technical components while contrasting the runner’s grey based body which at that time was thought to be a slow seller.
Nike Air Presto “Origins”
- 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.
- The “Origins” pair is a “What the” motif of sorts, paying tribute to the original advertisements and themes that covered the first run of Presto releases. Rather than stack shades, this collage colorway tiles the art tied to the irreverent OGs.
- The five dots featured on the midsole are the marking of Nike’s Alpha Project design category which includes famous favorites like the Kukini, Flightposite franchise, original Shox series and countless oddities.
sacai x Nike VaporWaffle “Tour Yellow”
- First seen on the feet of models at sacai’s Paris runway show, the VaporWaffle has released in a range of colorways over the course of 2020 with the University of Oregon leaning “Tour Yellow” launch proving the latest.
- The VaporWaffle combines that of the 1983 Pegasus running shoe with that of modern Vaporfly technology. The result is a stacked silo with plenty of personality and nostalgic materials met with overemphasized cushioning and stance.
- 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.
Kid Cudi x adidas Vadawam 326
- In correlation with the release of Man on the Moon III, Kid Cudi and adidas have teamed up on the Vadawam 326 which serves as Scott Mescudi’s first signature model from the Trefoil brand.
- Named after Cudi’s daughter, Vada, this model puts a space-age spin on ‘90s basketball models like the Artillery Hi and EQT B-Ball.
- Over the years, Cudi has released sneaker collaborations with adidas, Giuseppe Zanotti and APC.
12/18
Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low “Holiday Special”
- After working with Nike SB on Dunks like the “Strangelove,” “Disposable” and “Krampus” colorways, the Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low “Holiday Special” is the latest launch from the industry vet. A “Krampus” sequel of sorts, this pair plays off snowy scenery and winter festivities.
- Sean Cliver got his start in skateboarding as a designer and artist in the late 1980s. Over the course of the next few decades, Sean would go on to be a writer and producer on shows like Jackass and Wildboyz.
- The Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low will drop on 12/18 at select skate shops with an online launch taking place on 12/19 via SNKRS.
12/19
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Sand Taupe”
- 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 “Sand Taupe” take employs a patchwork Primeknit upper introduced on “Static” styles in late 2018 and serving as somewhat of the most standard panelling ever since.
- In recent years, “Clay,” “Flax” and “Linen” launches have proven similar to this “Sand Taupe” release with details like hue, contrast and pull tabs serving as the biggest differentiators.
Air Jordan 13 “Hyper Royal”
- 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.
- While the “Hyper Royal” release is not an OG colorway, it still packs plenty of history. Inspired by a Quentin Richardson PE worn by the Jordan Brand shooting guard as a member of the Magic, this general release does not feature Q-Rich’s personalized tongue branding but bears the same hues, hologram and metallic mesh upper.
- Not the first nod to the Knuckleheads Podcast host, in 2018 a white-based “Hyper Royal” release also offered homage to Richardson’s PE pairs in Orlando.
Nike PG 4 “Christmas”
- Paul George’s signature Nike PG 4 is undergoing a holiday makeover by way of this “Christmas” colorway. Dressed in red velvet with green accents, this is the first “Christmas” themed PG to release at retail.
- In previous Christmas Day games, George has worn PE colorways on his signature series, “Playstation” pairs and “NASA” collaborations.
- George and the Clippers play the Nuggets on Christmas Day as a chance for revenge on their lost series in the bubble.
12/21
Air Jordan Centre Court
- The Jordan Centre Court is an entirely new model from Jordan Brand with plenty of retro roots. This lifestyle launch features the iconic Air Jordan 1 sole said to be updated with Zoom Air cushioning for comfort. As an homage to the AJ1, the famous Wings logo is reinterpreted in cloud stitch fashion around the ankle with tongue tagging playing to heritage font.
- First seen in The Last Dance on the feet of Michael Jordan, the pair was previewed in close-up form on the feet of the GOAT in episode one of the famed docuseries.
- Michael Jordan was the first person seen with this shoe with Jordan Brand later seeding pairs to select friends and family of the brand. Fans stateside will have a chance to cop these on 12/21, though Europe and Asia based shoppers will have a chance before that on 12/15.
adidas Yeezy 700 V3 “Clay Brown”
- First released in December 2019, the adidas Yeezy 700 V3 is the third generation of the progressive lifestyle running series with Waverunner roots. Unlike the V1 and V2, the V3 does not feature Boost but rather EVA foam.
- This “Clay Brown” colorway continues a running theme of earth-inspired schemes, once again juxtaposing technical design and innovative materials with that of natural hues.
- Mark Miner is said to have worked on the design of the Yeezy 700 V3 with previous creative credits including Nike Free favorites.
Images 1 – 4, 6, 7, 9 – 11 via Nike
Images 5, 8, 12 via adidas