Trying to stay warm this winter with plenty of holiday heat? SoleSavy’s expert team has you covered on launch day. While you already know this, there are some significant stories and design details that make this week’s roundup of releases more than just leather and rubber.
From the Air Jordan 1’s stranger-than fiction-forays in black and gold to an SB Dunk that’s less about hype and all about love, get all the quick hitter factoids you need to decide which drops you’re going after these next seven days.
11/30
Air Jordan 1 High Black/Gold
- The Air Jordan 1 in a Black/Gold palette is one of great folklore. Allegedly first surfacing in 1985, two iterations were said to exist: a patent leather Friends & Family-run limited to 20 pairs made for Michael and an oiled leather mid makeup said to be sampled in Italy when working on the Air Jordan 2.
- In 2003, the public got its closest comp to that point by way of the patent leather mid-top, in some sense a combination of both rarities. A decade later in 2013, a patent high top with a white midsole was even closer to that of F&F OG, changing by way of a glittery gum sole.
- The 2020 take is more or less an update to the 2003 in composition, using similar color blocking despite taking up the cut to a high and blessing the ankle with a gold underlay.
12/1
Nike Air Raid “Urban Jungle Gym”
- The Nike Air Raid launched in 1992 during a renaissance of outdoor basketball as seen by Reebok’s Blacktop campaign and movies like Above the Rim and White Men Can’t Jump.
- Nike legends Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith went on location to New York City’s toughest streetball courts for inspiration on the Air Raid, building the shoe from the ground up with its sturdy sole and X-marked lockdown meant to mirror ankle taping.
- This Urban Jungle Gym colorway is inspired by the Air Raid’s 1992 ad featuring Tim Hardaway and Spike Lee. However, this is NOT an original colorway on that of the seminal Air Raid. Rather, the same theme was applied to the shoe’s sleeper sequel, the Air Raid II, in 1993. In 2014, the Urban Jungle Gym theme was released on the retro Air Raid much like the pair set to release in 2020.
New Balance 550
- The New Balance 550 recently returned from the archives by way of the Aime Leon Dore collaboration. This general release launch is similar in styling to the ALD pairing, only stripped of collabo branding and pre-aged aesthetic.
- Inspired by the 1989 original release, this pair possesses similar tooling to other late ‘80s models made by Avia, adidas, Nike and Converse. Ethos of this era all inspired Louis Vuitton’s 408 Trainer.
- At the time of the 550’s original launch, the likes of James Worthy, Roy Tarpley and Antoine Carr were wearing New Balance in the NBA. However, being big men they were playing in high tops rather than this model.
New Balance 992 “Navy”
- The New Balance 992 first released in 2006 as a somewhat sequel to that of 2001’s New Balance 991. Designed by Jonathan Bacon, the shoe played a pivotal role in propelling the brand’s famous ABZORB technology.
- Over the course of 2020, the New Balance 992 has flourished in exclusive takes from Joe Fresh Goods, WTAPS, JJJJound, Kith, and Packer Shoes.
- Though famed in collab colorways, the original grey makeup was made most famous by the late, great Steve Jobs.
12/3
Nike Dunk High “Varsity Purple”
- The Nike Dunk High first released in 1986 with a focus on collegiate basketball by releasing in a slew of two-tone takes tied to the top college programs across the country.
- While the Dunk remained in rotation in NCAA action over the course of the ‘80s, the model became a lifestyle favorite in retro form in the late ‘90s followed by a skateboarding rebrand in the mid ‘00s.
- This “Varsity Purple” pair releasing in women’s sizes bares Be True To Your School styling in regard to the two-tone upper but differs with updated steeze in the form of a jelly outsole.
NOAH x adidas Gazelle
- New York City-based menswear brand NOAH was founded by Brendon Babenzien of Supreme creative direction fame. First founded in 2002 and relaunched in 2015, the brand is based on environmentally conscious creation and consumption.
- The Gazelle collaboration serves as the latest of a long line of adidas projects done in conjunction with NOAH. While the Gazelle was first introduced in the 1960s, this pairing reimagines the oft altered shoe’s slimmer silo from the ‘80s and ‘90s when it was a style staple in NYC.
- As the late, great Gary Warnett would note for Complex, the Gazelle was worn by the likes of Oasis, Madonna, Michael Jackson and more throughout the course of history
12/4
Air Jordan 8 WMNS “Burgundy”
- The Air Jordan 8 was designed by Tinker Hatfield and debuted in 1993. Worn on court by Michael Jordan, the AJ8 carried MJ to his third straight NBA title and was the last model he wore before retiring for baseball.
- Initially, the Air Jordan 8 only released in men’s and children’s sizing. In 2007, the Air Jordan 8 released in women’s sizes for the first time via a home take on the “Aqua” original, a new “Ice Blue” motif and low top “Dark Cinder” makeup.
- The “Burgundy” Air Jordan 8 continues the model’s range of releases sized for the fairer sex, tying back to the tone’s history on other retro releases.
Frame Skate x Nike SB Dunk Low “Habibi”
- The Frame Skate x Nike SB Dunk Low “Habibi” is inspired by the theme of love as characterized by its Arabic nickname. Layering and materials used across the skate shoe are meant to symbolize unity amongst races, genders, age groups, and cultures.
- While timing and tones could signal this as a Christmas colorway, the red, white, green, and black palette actually pulls from the flag of the United Arab Emirates flag.
- Stacked Swoosh logos and double tongues liken this launch to recent sacai collaborations, making sense with the shop’s Japanese ethos despite its Dubai placement.
12/5
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Bred”
- The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Bred” is returning for the first time after previously debuting at retail in 2017.
- Also called the “Core Black” upon original release, these were rumored to return on Black Friday 2019 but did not.
- This famous V2 differs from many of its peers by packing the famous pull tab but ditching the signature side stripe. Black Primeknit and caged Boost are all intact as is the red sidewall tagging.
Air Jordan 4 SE “Deep Ocean”
- The Air Jordan 4 SE “Deep Ocean” revives the 1989 silhouette with a canvas and twill patchwork upper inspired by Japanese craftwork and design.
- While the original Air Jordan 4 was the first global launch from Jordan Brand, this retro rendition ironically will only be sold outside of North America.
- Other international exclusives from Jordan Brand over the years include but are not limited to the Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo23,” the 2009 “True Blue” Air Jordan 3, and select CO.JP retro and “Quai 54” exclusive releases.
Air Jordan 9 “University Blue”
- 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 and in cleated form on the baseball diamond.
- This “University Blue” colorway was not originally released in 1993 but it does have strong ties to the model’s roots. The OG “Powder Blue” pair was modeled by Mike in advertisements for the new Nike North Carolina uniforms while Mitch Richmond’s PE pair with the Sacramento Kings sported similar styling, save the contrasting outsole.
- Though Michael Jordan never wore the Air Jordan 9 as a member of the Chicago Bulls, he did break out retro rendition in “Cool Grey” while with the Washington Wizards.