Image via Nike
Virgil Abloh's latest Air Jordan collab, a fuzzy Nike SB inspired by the Grateful Dead, a handful of sustainable releases, and plenty other notable collabs highlight this week's sneaker drops.
Things kick off on Wednesday with the latest Gatorade-inspired Nike PG4. The following day marks the debut of the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Crater, VaporMax 2020 Flyknit, "Drew League" Air Force 1, and an Adidas Stan Smith celebrating the 40th anniversary of Stars Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. On Friday, the final two colorways from the Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk Low pack hit select retailers along with the Stüssy x Nike Air Zoom Kukini, Eric Emanuel x Reebok Question Mid, Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer, and "University Gold" Air Jordan XII.
This week's releases wrap up on Saturday morning with the "Sail" Off-White x Air Jordan IV, "Naija" Air Zoom Freak 2, and "Blue Oat" Yeezy Boost 380 all being available to purchase. Check out a detailed look at all of this week's best sneaker releases below.
Gatorade x Nike PG4 'GX White'
Price: $120
When: Wednesday, July 22 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Ahead of the long-awaited return of the NBA in a few weeks, Nike is dropping its latest PG4 collab. This time, Paul George's fourth signature has been covered in an orange version of the previously seen Gatorade Gx theme. The bright upper is encapsulated by a semi-translucent shroud.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Crater
Price: $95
When: Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The Converse Chuck Taylor is the latest shoe to be given the sustainable Space Hippie treatment. The Chuck Taylor All Star Crater debuts in three colorways this Thursday. Each sports an upper crafted from re-purposed scraps and recycled polyester. Crater foam is used to form the midsole.
Image via Nike
Image via Nike
Nike Air VaporMax 2020 Flyknit
Price: $220
When: Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Nike is introducing the latest installment to its VaporMax series this week, the VaporMax 2020 Flyknit. The standout aspect of this pair is its commitment to sustainability with recycled Flyknit yarns used to construct the upper and a Grind rubber outsole. Each pair is made up of at least 50 percent recycled materials. Laceless Flyease technology adjusted with a thick pull tab wrapping the heel completes the forward-thinking runner.
Nike Air Force 1 'Drew League'
Price: $110
When: Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Following a slight delay, Nike will be dropping its "Drew League" Air Force 1 on Thursday. The simplistic white-on-white pair with Drew League branding stamped on the tongue and lateral heel celebrates the massively popular summer basketball tournament in Los Angeles.
Star Wars x Adidas Stan Smith 'Luke Skywalker'
Price: $120
When: Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m.
Where: adidas.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The latest release from the ongoing Star Wars x Adidas collection is a Stan Smith inspired by protagonist Luke Skywalker to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. It features a white canvas upper, blue heel tab, dubraes that read "Star" and "Wars," an image of Skywalker replacing Stan Smith on the tongue, and an icy sole. Fans of the legendary sci-fi franchise will appreciate the special insoles printed with a shot of Skywalker from the film and galaxy-inspired packaging.
Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk Low Pro
Price: $110
When: Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Following a super limited release of the orange colorway exclusively at San Francisco skate shop FTC, the two remaining colorways of Nike SB's highly-anticipated Grateful Dead collab arrive this Friday. The furry pairs are a nod to the group's signature dancing bears that can be seen prominently featured on the tongues and insoles. A jagged Swoosh outline mimicks the collars worn by said bears. A stash pocket in each tongue is another notable detail. The yellow colorway will be the most widely available, while the green pair will only be stocked at select skate shops.
Stüssy x Nike Air Zoom Kukini
Price: TBD
When: Friday, July 24 at 1 p.m.
Where: stussy.com and select Stüssy Chapter stores
What You Need to Know: Stüssy is following up its trio of Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2s that released earlier this year with a hybrid verison taking cues from the cult-favorite Kukini. The pair strips down the upper of the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 and covers it in the Kukini's signature plastic cage. It sits atop the midsole tooling of the former design. The collab is set to arrive in two colorways: white/red and black/yellow.
Eric Emanuel x Reebok Question Mid 'Pink Toe'
Price: $150
When: Friday, July 24
Where: ericemanuel.com
What You Need to Know: After various teasers, Eric Emanuel will be releasing his "Pink Toe" Reebok Question Mid collaboration later this week. The pair is very similar to the OG "Red Toe" color scheme, but replaces the red hits on Allen Iverson's debut signature sneaker with bubblegum pink. Emanuel's "EE" logo is also featured prominently on the heel. The pair will release exclusively via Emanuel's web store before getting a wider launch the following week.
Jaden Smith x New Balance Vision Racer
Price: $150
When: Friday, July 24
Where: newbalance.com and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Jaden Smith's first first sneaker collaboration with New Balance, the Vison Racer, is set to debut at the end of the week. Like many new sneakers hitting the market these days, this pair emphasizes sustainability with an upper constructed partially of recycled materials. The all-blue lifestyle option sports a mesh upper with suede overlays. Its standout feature is its platform-esque, chunky sole. "Vision" is written across the outsole in a pink font similar to the one seen on Smith's most recent album, ERYS.
Air Jordan XII 'University Gold'
Price: $190
When: Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The "University Gold" Air Jordan XII is the newest colorway of Michael Jordan's 12th signature sneaker to hit retailers. The black leather upper with a yellow shroud is similar to a PE worn by Gary Payton throughout his 2003-2004 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Off-White x Women's Air Jordan IV 'Sail'
Price: $200
When: Saturday, July 25 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: Virgil Abloh's latest collaborative effort with Jordan Brand is a "Sail" colorway of his reinterpreted Air Jordan IV. The tonal pair features a mix of leather and the same grid mesh first spotted on Abloh's Air Jordan V collab across its upper. Translucent hits can be seen on the cage side panels, straps, and "Nike Air" heel tab. Signature details from Abloh's ongoing partnership like quoted text on the midsole and laces, a medial branding stamp, and a zip tie compete the upcoming release.
Nike Air Zoom Freak 2 'Naija'
Price: $130
When: Saturday, July 25 at 10 a.m.
Where: Nike SNKRS and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The debut colorway of Giannis Antetokounmpo's Zoom Freak 2 is inspired by Nigeria, the homeland of the reigning MVP's parents. The upper is covered in colors and patterns inspired by the kits of the Nigerian international soccer team. A large black Swoosh and various Greek Freak branding hits complete the look.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 380 'Blue Oat'
Price: $230-$250
When: Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: adidas.com, Yeezy Supply, and other select retailers
What You Need to Know: The latest colorway of the Adidas Yeezy Boost 380 is dubbed the "Blue Oat." The pair sports a rust-colored Primeknit upper with a bright section of blue appearing on the lateral side. It sits atop a brown midsole and gum outsole. Reflective and non-reflective versions will be be available.