Image via Nike
With Memorial Day Weekend 2021 in the books, that means that summer is unofficially here. If you are in need of some new sneakers to add to the rotation for the warmer weather, there are plenty of worthwhile options to choose from this week.
Things kicks off on Wednesday with the “Laser” Air Max 90 and “Higher Learning” Mimi Plange x LeBron 18 Low. On Thursday, shoppers can look forward to two more retro colorways of the Dunk Low and the return of the OG “Court Purple” Air Jordan 1. Friday morning will see the arrival of the “Miami Nights” LeBron 8 V2 Low and “Stepover” Reebok Answer 4 retros. The releases wrap up over the weekend with the “Taupe Light” Yeezy 500, Nike “Ky-D” collection, “Electric Green” Air Jordan 6, and Fragment Design x Nike Dunk High.
Take a detailed look at all of this week’s best sneaker release below.
Nike Air Max 90 'Laser'
Price: $200
When: Wednesday, June 2 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The Air Max 90 arrives in a unique new colorway this Wednesday. The one-piece tan leather pair has been covered in laser-etched patterns to mimick the usual panels of the retro runner. The premium upper sits atop a white midsole and milky outsole.
Mimi Plange x Nike LeBron 18 Low 'Higher Learning'
Price: $170
When: Wednesday, June 2 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: For the latest LeBron 18 Low, Nike has collaborated with Ghanian-born designer Mimi Plange. The “Higher Learning” colorway is inspired by high school letterman’s jackets. It features a white, burgundy, and yellow upper with chenille patchwork details like lions, basketball hoops, and Swooshes to mimick the traditional look of the jackets.
Nike Dunk Low
Price: $100
When: Thursday, June 3 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The Dunk Low is dropping in two colorway this Thursday that nod to the interstate collegiate rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State. A navy and maize option represents the Wolverines, while the second option features a white and green leather upper inspired by the colors of the MSU Spartans.
Image via Nike
Women's Air Jordan 1 'Court Purple'
Price: $170
When: Thursday, June 3 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Another OG colorway of the Air Jordan 1 returns this week. This time, it is the “Court Purple” option. The pair features a white tumbled leather upper with metallic purple detailing. The pair has been given a subtle remix with the introduction of a purple satin liner as well.
Nike LeBron 8 V2 Low 'Miami Nights'
Price: $180
When: Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Another fan-favorite from LeBron James’ signature line is getting the retro treatment this week. The “Miami Nights” LeBron 8 V2 Low is making a comeback for the first time since its limited launch in 2011. The pair features a Miami Vice-esque teal and pink speckled upper that nods to the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. It is believed that the pair was originally intended to celebrate LeBron’s first championship parade in Miami, but that achievement would have to wait until the following season. Nevertheless, the pair is still one of the most memorable LeBrons of all time.
Reebok Answer 4 'Stepover'
Price: $140
When: Friday, June 4
Where: reebok.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The black and white colorway of the Answer 4 is making its return this Friday. The simplistic color scheme is most known as the pair worn by Allen Iverson during Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals when he hit the stepover over Tyronn Lue, one of the most iconic moments in NBA Finals history.
Adidas Yeezy 500 'Taupe Light'
Price: $200
When: Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
Where: Yeezy Supply, adidas.com, and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The Yeezy 500 returns in another earth-toned color scheme. Dubbed the “Taupe Light” colorway, this tonal variaton of the chunky low top sports a mix of tan mesh and suede across its upper.
Nike 'Ky-D' Collection
Price: $130-$150
When: Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The Brooklyn Nets are poised to make a deep run in this year’s NBA Playoffs in large part to the play of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In celebration of the two superstars being teammates, Nike is dropping the “Ky-D” collection. It consists of a KD 14 and Kyrie 7 each inspired by popular colorway’s from the other player’s signature archive. The KD 14 has been dressed in a color scheme smilar to the “Dream” Kyrie 1, while a “Weatherman” KD 4-esque look has been applied to Kyrie’s seventh signature model.
Image via Nike
Air Jordan 6 'Electric Green'
Price: $190
When: Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Jordan Brand is continuing its recent trend of releasing Air Jordan retros inspired by collegiate PEs. The latest example is the “Electric Green” Air Jordan 6. The pair sports a black nubuck upper with bright green detailing to mimick the “Oregon” Air Jordan 6 PE gifted to the Ducks football team back in 2018. As per usual, the official Oregon branding hits have been omitted.
Fragment Design x Nike Dunk High
Price: $150
When: Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Hiroshi Fujiwara’s latest Nike collab is a Dunk High inspired by the “Beijing” pair he created back in 2010. This Fragment Design collaboration features a black and purple upper with a white fragment logo stamped on the lateral heel. The main difference between the upcoming release and its predescessor is that the new pair features symmetrical colorblocking, while the source material featured inverted colorblocking on each foot.