With so many sneaker releases happening each month, it's easy to forget what's even come out. Often, the everyday enthusiast's Saturday pickup is forgotten by the next weekend. Reflection at each calendar flip can help cement some of those sneakers that are worthy of being remembered. Need a refresher on all the best releases that came out this month? Here, the Sole Collector staff share their favorite sneakers that launched in the month of June.
With so many sneaker releases happening each month, it's easy to forget what's even come out. Often, the everyday enthusiast's Saturday pickup is forgotten by the next weekend. Reflection at each calendar flip can help cement some of those sneakers that are worthy of being remembered. Need a refresher on all the best releases that came out this month? Here, the Sole Collector staff share their favorite sneakers that launched in the month of June.
Converse x Jordan Brand 'The 2 That Started It All' Pack
Gerald Flores, Editor-in-Chief
It's no secret that Jordan Brand has been digging deep in the crates for Michael Jordan stories to tell on their sneakers. Some have been hits (Shattered Backboard 1s), while others have been misses (On Air 1s). The Jordan x Converse "The 2 That Started It All" pack was right on the money for a couple reasons. It released 30 years to the day of the 1987 UNC Alumni game. It also comes right off the heels (no pun intended) of UNC's 2017 national title. Most importantly, it's an organic story that doesn't feel completely forced or made up.
Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yard 2.0
Brendan Dunne, News Editor
I'm conflicted about the Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yard 2.0. I still have a deadstock original pair, and I'm not a huge fan of collab projects like this that feel so special and unique coming back out, especially with the time gap here being relatively small. That being said, Sachs' explanation of the redux makes sense from a functional standpoint, and I'm happy to have the new pair while I continue to let the old one sit in the closet.
John Elliott x Nike Vandal
Zac Dubasik, Managing Editor
The Vandal isn't my favorite shoe in the Nike archives, and I don't own any John Elliott gear, but sometimes a shoe just works. On paper, it's a sneaker with a description would make me yawn, yet there I was on both Elliott's site and Mr. Porter as I unsuccessfully attempted to cop either pair of the collaboration. Rumor has it that these will be hitting Lab doors this Fall, so I'll be looking forward to striking out a third time until then.
Nike Air VaporMax 'Be True'
Brennan Hiro Williams, Social Media Editor
Nike continues to show that, even during turbulent times, it's not afraid to speak out on important social issues affecting its employees, athletes, and consumers. On the "Be True" VaporMax, Nike's support for the LGBTQ community aligns with its premiere product for what might be the best colorway of the sneaker yet.
Reebok Answer 4 'Step-Over'
Brandon Richard, Senior Writer
Growing up, my favorite two players were Shaq and Allen Iverson, so watching the 2001 NBA Finals was bittersweet. Ultimately, the Lakers had too much firepower and were able to repeat, but somehow Iverson emerged from the series with the most iconic moment. The crossover, stepback, and step over is a play that's stuck with both Iverson and victim Tyronn Lue throughout their respective careers. And during this year's NBA Finals, Reebok served up a well-timed retro of the Answer 4 colorway the former was wearing at the time. The only issue I had with this release is that after years of anticipation, Reebok didn't do enough to hype it up as a big deal.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 'Zebra'
Rich Lopez, Editorial Producer
Kanye West, in my opinion, has almost single-handedly transformed Adidas. Sure, the product outside of Yeezy is good, but without Ye I don't think many people would be paying attention. With that said, I haven't been much of a fan of his Yeezy Boosts. I respect them. I understand them. But they haven't really been for me. The Zebra Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 changed all of this for me. It is, in my opinion, the best Adidas Yeezy release ever and I might even go so far as to say the best Yeezy sneaker ever.
