Winter is no longer coming, it’s here.
The fourth quarter of the trying year that’s been 2020 is upon us with a slew of sneakers dropping each and every week. Coming into the clutch right before Christmas, we have Kanye delivering new Yeezys, J Balvin with a holiday heater, and Jordan dropping an anniversary 11.
What are the history and highlights that detail each drop? Find out below in the latest Sole Facts.
12/8
J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 High
- The J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 High is the latest musician-led collaboration from Jordan Brand, allowing the Colombian artist to reimagine the ‘85 classic in bright colors and motifs inspired by his last two albums.
- J Balvin is said to have met Michael Jordan in Paris where a conversation was had that led to MJ’s blessing on this bright collaboration.
- Other musicians to have their own Air Jordan 1 colorway release include Travis Scott in 2019 and A Tribe Called Quest in 2009. Unreleased AJ1 artist collabs include Justin Timberlake and Jay Z’s The Legends of the Summer SKUs seen in 2013 and Anthony Hamilton’s Chocolate/Gum makeups gifted in 2016.
12/9
Nike Dunk High “Black/Varsity Maize”
- The Nike Dunk High debuted during the 1985-86 season with a focus on outfitting the top collegiate basketball programs in the country.
- This “Black/Varsity Maize” take is an original colorway designed for the Iowa Hawkeyes, hailing from Nike’s storied Be True to Your School series. They are also commonly referred to as the “Goldenrod” or “Iowa” Dunks.
- Over the years, the “Iowa” Dunks have returned in 1999 as a true to form LE, in 2005 as a suede SB, and once more in 2007 with the VNTG treatment. Despite many BTTYS Dunk Highs returning in 2016, the “Iowa” edition was not included. Famously, the “Iowa” Dunks were flipped in Friends & Family fashion in 1999 with Wu Tang tagging for what still serves as a cult classic rarity.
Prada x adidas A+P LUNA ROSSA 21
- Inspired by sailing and entirely new in shape and styling, the Prada x adidas A+P LUNA ROSSA 21 is the latest collaboration between the Italian fashion house and the German sportswear giant.
- Eco-friendly, water-resistant materials define this nautical sports shoe, following up collaborative takes on the shelltoed Superstar.
- The Prada x adidas A+P LUNA ROSSA 21 will release online at Prada and adidas as well as at flagship stores worldwide for both brands. Select boutiques are also said to score this collaboration.
12/10
Nike Air Total Max Uptempo “Black/Volt”
- The Nike Air Total Max Uptempo first came out in 1997. Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller and Vince Carter are tied to this model which featured full-length Total Air. Originally retailing at $159.99 in ‘97, they were a whopping $20 more than the Air Jordan XII also on the market at that time.
- In 2009, the OG “Volt” colorway returned for the first time as a retro alongside the also OG White/Midnight Navy makeup. The OG Silver/Black pair came back in 2010 with tonal takes and House of Hoops homages to Reggie Miller also releasing around that era.
- While the OG “Volt” colorway defied NBA dress code at the time of arrival, PJ Tucker rocked the ‘09 retro release in a 2018 game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Zebra”
- Almost an annual tradition, the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the celebrated “Zebra” colorway is once again returning — this time exclusively in Europe.
- This foundational take on the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 features black and white Primeknit across the upper, mirror model tagging, heel pull tabs and an encapsulated Boost sole.
- Previously, the “Zebra” 350 V2s have released in 2017, 2018, 2019, and now 2020.
12/11
AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High
- The AMBUSH x Nike Dunk High is Yooh Ahn’s interpretation of the trending ‘80s hoop silhouette. This collaboration debuted at New York Fashion Week in February 2020 though Yoon notes the project began a year prior. Both pairs are denoted by bold, elongated branding and TPU tooling on the heel.
- AMBUSH, founded by Yoon and her husband Verbal of Teriyaki Boyz fame, came to notoriety in the late 2000s by way of their infamous POW! chains often worn by Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Don C, and others. Always a favorite of the influential, Zendaya donned the Black/White AMBUSH Dunks on the December/January cover of ELLE magazine.
- AMBUSH has also collaborated with Nike on their Zoom Flight Glove-inspired Air 180 and with Converse on a range of fuzzy Chuck Taylors and rubber boots based on the original Pro Leather and CT.
Air Jordan 35 “Sisterhood”
- The Air Jordan 35 is the newest member of the Air Jordan signature franchise, first worn in the 2020 NBA and WNBA Bubble.
- While a wealth of women’s colorways have graced retro release from Jordan Brand over the years, the Air Jordan 35 “Sisterhood” is the first featured colorway from the flagship line to launch exclusively in ladies sizing.
- Previously, the Women’s Air Jordan OG debuted in 1998 as a flip on the AJ13 and an extension of the newly formed Jordan Brand.
Stüssy x Nike Air Force 1 Low
- The latest in a long line of storied Stussy x Nike collaborations, the Air Force 1 finds the ‘82 favorite redressed in all-over hemp construction.
- Over the years, Stussy has redressed many Nike classics to include but not limited to the Dunk, the Court Force, the Blazer, and the Air Max 95.
- While hemp is most commonly known for scoring a series of SB Dunks, the popular plant has appeared on an array of Air Force 1s to include the tribute to Laker legend Mychal Thompson, father of Warriors star Klay Thompson.
12/11 + 12/12 Yeezy 380s
Taking a page from the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 book, the adidas Yeezy Boost 380 is dropping in three regional release colorways. On 12/11, pairs will release in standard fashion with reflective variations launching the next day on 12/12.
adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “LMNTE” & “LMNTE Reflective”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “LMNTE” and “LMNTE RF” feature gum outsoles which has become somewhat of a favorite on the 380.
- Rich earth tones reside on this slip-on style birthed from the brand grown in Wyoming, with performance aspects like Primeknit and Boost contrasting tech innovation via soil shades.
- Both “LMNTE” styles will release exclusively in Africa and Asia.
adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “HYLTE Glow” & “HYLTE Glow Reflective”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “Hylte Glow” returns the Primeknit upper and chunky Boost bottom DNA of the outlier model with the ante upped via a Glow-in-the-Dark upper.
- This colorway follows the “Calcite Glow” makeup, appropriately released on Halloween, and is the second 380 makeup to come alive with the lights out.
- Previous Yeezys with glow-in-the-dark detail include but are not limited to the “Grey Gum” adidas Yeezy Boost 750, the “Glow in the Dark” Yeezy Boost 350 V2, and original releases from the Nike Air Yeezy franchise excluding the famed “Red October” 2s.
adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “Azure” & “Azure Reflective”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 380 “AZURE” and “AZURE RF” are both exclusive to Europe.
- Burgundy Primeknit scores the majority of this pair limited to the other side of the pond, fittingly contrasted with ocean blue sidewall contrast.
- When first spotted on Kanye West in the “Alien” color code, the Yeezy Boost 380 was thought to be the Yeezy Boost 350 V3 due to the striking similarities between what we now know as the 380 and the very popular Yeezy Boost 350 V2.
12/12
Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee”
- 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.
- This “Jubilee” iteration celebrates the model’s 25th anniversary and nods OG samples with Jordan text tagging the eyelets.
- This is not an original Air Jordan 11 colorway. Other non-OG AJ 11 Mid releases include 2001’s “Cool Grey,” 2010’s “Silver Anniversary,” 2013’s “Gamma Blue” and countless others in recent years.
adidas Ultra 4D 5.0 “Core Black”
- Since touching down in 2016, “Triple Black” Ultra Boosts have become somewhat of a winter tradition from adidas.
- The adidas Ultra 4D 5.0 features a Primeknit upper based on older versions of the Ultra Boost, backed by adidas’ futuristic 4D cushioning.
- Aside from this 4D foray, adidas will be releasing a slew of “Black Future” Boosts backed by Pharrell, Parley, and the 2020 UB.
Under Armour Curry 8
- The Under Armour Curry 8 is the latest signature shoe for Warriors guard Steph Curry and the first release under the new Curry Brand umbrella which sets out to bring athletic assistance to communities in need starting with Oakland.
- The Under Armour Curry 8 is the first signature for Steph to feature the new Curry Brand logo in place of that of the typical UA shield.
- Players at Steph’s alma mater, Davidson, debuted the Curry 8 in this year’s Maui Invitational with new uniforms also bearing the new Curry Brand logo.