Image via Nike
This week of drops features new pairs from Nike celebrating the NBA Playoffs, new models from Adidas and Puma, a ton of exclusives from Jordan Brand, and more.
The round of releases starts on Wednesday with the "Dark 23" Nike LeBron Solider 12 inspired by LeBron's annual social media blackout during the NBA Playoffs. Nike's offerings continue on Thursday with the "Rude Awakening" Air Force 1 High inspired by Rasheed Wallace, the latest pair from the brand's "Art of a Champion" pack, as well as the second colorway of the Acronym x Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2. Also releasing Thursday is five monochromatic pairs of Tyler, the Creator's Golf le Fleur sneaker with Converse One Star that make up the "Mono" pack.
Friday's drops consist of an Air Jordan IX inspired by Carmelo Anthony's 2003 NCAA National Championship with Syracuse and a womens-exclusive Air Foamposite One in a premium "Particle Beige" color scheme.
On Saturday, Adidas and Puma debut new silhouettes, the Kamanda and Thunder Spectra, respectively, New Orleans-based boutique Sneaker Politics drops a special pre-release of the "Katrina" Air Jordan III, Atmos' "Jade" Air Max 95 from its "We Love Nike" pack releases exclusively in Tokyo, and the "Cool Grey" Air Jordan XI Low is also hitting shelves. Finishing off the weekend is another pair from Nike's "Art of a Champion" pack, the "Pass the Torch" Air Jordan I paying homage to Kawhi Leonard's performance in the 2014 NBA Finals.
Two more deliveries from Jordan Brand are also scheduled for early next week. The Air Jordan I Flyknit is releasing in a "Clay Green" color scheme likely inspired by JB's "Best Hand in the Game" pack that consists of four Air Jordan Is and commemorates MJ's career milestones. Two pairs are North American exclusives, while the remaining two will be exclusive to other specific regions around the world.
For a full breakdown of all of the pairs, here's a Complete Guide to This Weekend's Sneaker Releases.
Nike LeBron Soldier 12 'Dark 23'
Price: $140
When: Wednesday, April 25 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: With the 2018 NBA Playoffs underway, that means Nike is beginning to release colorways for LeBron's latest addition to his lower-priced Soldier line, the LeBron Soldier 12. Appropriately inspired by his customary social media blackout during the postseason, the "Dark 23" Soldier 12 is covered in an all-black upper. A Battleknit-like material composes most of the upper, while nubuck is used on the toe box and heel. Instead of a traditional lacing system, a singular strap is used to provide lockdown and support.
Nike Air Force 1 High 'Rude Awakening'
Price: $130
When: Thursday, April 26 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: This Air Force 1 High is a part of Nike's "Art of a Champion" pack. Inspired by noted supporter of the Air Force 1 High, Rasheed Wallace, this pair pays homage to the former Detroit Pistons forward's 26 point, 13 rebound performance in Game 4 of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. A white patent leather upper is accented by royal blue hits on the Swoosh, strap, heel, and midsole. Details include a Sheed silhouette embroidered on the lateral heel and a strap etched with his signature "Ball Don't Lie" catchphrase.
Acronym x Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2
Price: $225
When: Thursday, April 26 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The second colorway of Errolson Hugh's re-imagined Nike Air VaporMax Moc 2 releases this week. Sporting the same camo pattern seen on the Flyknit upper from the first drop, this time the runner is covered in a black and volt green color scheme. A black elastic band across the midfoot, speckled midsole, and volt overlays act as finishing touches for this collab.
Tyler, the Creator Golf le Fleur 'Mono' Pack
Price: TBD
When: Thursday, April 26
Where: converse.com, golfwang.com, and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Departing from the usually colorful iterations that have become common on Tyler, the Creator's Golf le Fleur sneakers, the latest offering delivers five toned-down, monochromatic options of the reinterpreted Converse One Star. Golf Wang fans will be able to choose between Black, White, Greener Pastures, Limoges, and Rhubarb suede uppers with white contrast stitching. As always, Tyler's special flower branding can be seen on the side panel and tongue.
Image via Converse
Image via Converse
Image via Converse
Image via Converse
Air Jordan IX 'Melo'
Price: $190
When: Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: In celebration of Carmelo Anthony leading Syracuse to the school's first and only NCAA National Championship as a freshman back in 2003, Jordan Brand is releasing a special pair of the Air Jordan IX. A white leather upper is detailed with woodgrain and metallic gold to symbolize the trophy Melo hoisted after the victory. Melo's jersey number '15' replaces MJ's '23' on the heel and Syracuse orange is used for the midsole's Jumpman branding and insole.
WMNS Nike Air Foamposite One 'Particle Beige'
Price: $230
When: Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m.
Where: nike.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Nike is dropping another Air Foamposite One exclusively for the ladies. This time around, the '90s basketball silhouette is dressed in a premium "Particle Beige" colorway. Beige leather replaces the traditional Foamposite shell on the upper, black suede on the eyelets, and mesh on the tongue and inner lining. Other details include green and blue-striped pull tabs, as well as a blue and green Penny logo on the tongue and brush stroke design on the heel that add to the overall premium feel of this pair.
Adidas Kamanda
Price: $150
When: Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
Where: adidas.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Adidas will debut its new soccer-inspired silhouette, the Adidas Kamanda, this weekend. Suede uppers with white leather heel tabs and traditional gold side branding are placed on uniquely-sculpted gum midsoles. Black and burgundy colorways will be the first two pairs available for purchase.
Image via Adidas
Puma Thunder Spectra
Price: $120
When: Saturday, April 28
Where: puma.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Perhaps in an effort to capitalize on the current "dad shoe" trend that has taken over the sneaker world, Puma is debuting its own chunky silhouette. The Thunder Spectra takes cues from retro Puma runners, while providing a chunkier structure. For the debut color scheme, a majority black mesh, leather, and nubuck upper is accented with bright hits of red, yellow, and teal. Outward Puma branding comes in the form of the classic side stripe, as well as tongue and heel logos.
Air Jordan III 'Katrina'
Price: $190
When: Saturday, April 28
Where: Sneaker Politics x Jordan Brand Block Party (New Orelans, LA)
What You Need to Know: Although the global release date for the first retro of the "Katrina" Air Jordan III will not take place until May 12, New Orleans natives will get first dibs at the anticipated retro this weekend. NOLA-boutique Sneaker Politics has partnered with Jordan Brand to host a special block party this Saturday. Those who attend the event will have the exclusive privilege to purchase the "Katrina" Air Jordan III. Giving New Orleans an special release of the model only seems right given that the colorway was originally auctioned off to aid Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Atmos x Nike Air Max 95 'We Love Nike/Jade'
Price: ¥17,000 (app. $156)
When: Saturday, April 28
Where: Atmos Tokyo
What You Need to Know: Atmos is releasing the first pair from its "We Love Nike" collection of Air Maxes this weekend. The "Jade" Air Max 95 will be releasing exclusively in-store at Atmos Tokyo and come packaged in a special box. The pair itself puts a spin on the familiar Air Max 95 by adding an all-over Nike box pattern to certain side panels. Jade detailing accents the Swoosh, Air bubble, and eyelets. Other pairs slated to drop in the coming weeks include another Air Max 95 colorway, as well as an Air Max 90 and Air Max 1 as well.
Air Jordan XI Low 'Cool Grey'
Price: $175
When: Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: One of this Saturday's Jordan Brand releases brings the fan-favorite "Cool Grey" colorway to the Air Jordan XI Low. More commonly seen on the original Air Jordan XI silhouette, this pair uses the same approach with a cool grey nubuck upper, patent leather overlay, and icy blue outsole.
Air Jordan I 'Pass the Torch'
Price: $145
When: Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Along with a Sheed-inspired Air Force 1 High, Nike is also releasing the "Pass the Torch" Air Jordan I from its "Art of a Champion" collection inspired by San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. This limited edition colorway pays homage to Leonard's MVP performance in the 2014 NBA Finals and sports a metallic silver, black, and white color scheme that goes perfectly with the Spurs uniforms. As an added nod to the NBA superstar, his personal logo dons the left tongue.
Air Jordan I Flyknit 'Clay Green'
Price: $175
When: Tuesday, May 1 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Jordan Brand's latest rendition of the modernized Air Jordan I Flyknit is in the "Clay Green" colorway. Acting as a counterpart to the "Best Hand in the Game" pack releasing on the same day, this pair sports a clay green Flyknit upper with multicolored blue, red, yellow, and black Swooshes that borrow their shades from the pack's individual colorways. A gum outsole is a welcomed touch.
Air Jordan I 'Best Hand in the Game' Pack
Price: $160
When: Tuesday, May 1 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Jordan Brand's four-pack of Air Jordan Is that make up the "Best Hand in the Game" collection are inspired by MJ's various career achievements. Playing card graphics on the insole represent each milestone (and unofficially represent his love for gambling), while black and white leather uppers resembling the familiar "Black Toe" AJ1 are differentiated by red, green, yellow, or blue nubuck on the heel and Swoosh. The "Blue Moon" and "Clay Green" versions will be North American releases, the "Track Red" will be available in Greatest China, and both the "Track Red" and "Yellow Ochre" will exclusively hit retailers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.