We're already halfway through the month of October and it's starting to truly feel like fall as excitement surrounding many sports continues to peak and pumpkin spice lattes are running amok. The footwear industry continues to mirror this development as several seasonal collaborations are returning in this week's best footwear drops, which involves ASICS, Nike, New Balance, Crocs, Salomon and BAPE. Before we walk you through the specific drops that you should consider picking up, let's go ahead and look back at what news hit the net in the past seven days since our last edition of Best Footwear Drops.
The season of fright is upon us and Nike is capitalizing on the Halloween fun by gearing up to launch not only two sneakers with skull-shaped toe caps, but an Air Force 1 Low with perforations that recreate the legendary Jason Mask from Friday The 13th. Meanwhile, Devin Booker hit the practice court in a new "Sunset" colorway of his Nike BOOK 1. As for Jordan Brand, we received word that an Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1 High OG is scheduled to drop next year. We also caught a first look at a "Bruce Lee" colorway of the Air Jordan 4 RM and reported on a rumor that the Air Jordan 5 "Fire Red" will be dropping again in 2025.
New Balance made plenty of noise this past week as DTLR launched its 1906R "Starry Nights" project, Action Bronson again previewed his forthcoming FuelCell Rebel v4 "Foxtrot" and a closer look at the Up There x New Balance 860v2 hit the net. Elsewhere in the sneaker industry, Nikola Jokic's first signature shoe with 361° has been announced as the JOKER 1 and will arrive by the end of the year. Another exciting announcement in the footwear space involved Westside Gunn revealing a new partnership with Saucony that is set to feature shoe collaborations between the two. As for adidas, a new collaboration involving not only Bad Bunny, but Lionel Messi as well, surfaced.
Now that you're up to speed on what went down in the sneaker industry across the last week, let's go ahead and preview what sneaker releases have us ready to pull out our wallets this week, starting with the latest collaboration between Cecilie Bahnsen and ASICS. Afterwards, don't forget to hit up HBX to shop styles that are available to purchase today.
Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS GEL-TERRAIN
Release Date: October 16
Release Price: €230 EUR (approx. $255 USD)
Where to Buy: Cecilie Bahnsen
Why You Should Cop: Copenhagen's Cecilie Bahnsen is one of several ASICS collaborators that have been instrumental to the brand's prominence in recent years. She's presented floral renditions of various ASICS runners during her runways shows for the past few years and, after hosting a pop-up at 41 Division last month, is now bringing her three GEL-TERRAINs directly to her audience. All three monochromatic makeovers see tonal flowers atop each glossy upper.
Nike Air Max Sunder “Black/Metallic Gold”
Release Date: October 16
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The return of the Nike Air Max Sunder continues this week as the unique silhouette dons a “Black/Metallic Gold” composition that shines bright with each step. As indicated by the colorway name, it sees black accented by gold across its mudguard and heel. Its zipper system returns, hiding the shoe’s laces, while reflective detailing adorns the paneling on each side.
New Balance 740 “Marsh Green”
Release Date: October 16
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: New Balance has derived a simple recipe for success -- start with one of its early '00s models and modernize it with contemporary technology and colorways. Its latest take on the approach sees the 740 updated with a new trim while sporting the same synthetic detailing and metallic overlays as its originator. Arriving first with "Marsh Green" accents, the budget-oriented silhouette carries a white base with silver accents scattered alongside the aforementioned green hue.
Pokémon x Crocs Classic Clogs
Release Date: October 17
Release Price: $70 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Get ready to catch ‘em all as Pokémon and Crocs team up once again. This time around, the duo has outfitted the Classic Clog in not just one thematic colorway, but four. Fan-favorites from the original 151 are represented with Charizard, Jigglypuff, Gengar and Snorlax all appearing with unique Jibbitz, Poké Ball details at the strap and footbed, as well as the Pokémon logo at the center of the strap.
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “X-Ray”
Release Date: October 17
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Vanessa Bryant teased many unique Nike Kobe colorways at the beginning of 2024, including an "X-Ray" look for the Kobe 5 Protro that was initially thought to just be a PE. As it would turn out, the pair is actually releasing on shelves, paying homage to Nike's Kobe-themed "X-Ray" tees that celebrated his fifth NBA championship in 2010. The colorway itself sees the Kobe 5 Protro appear in blue with a skeleton motif covering a majority of its upper.
Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog “Manta”
Release Date: October 17
Release Price: $85 USD
Where to Buy: BeASpunge
Why You Should Cop: If Pokémon isn’t your speed, Salehe Bembury is back with his Crocs Pollex division rolling out a new iteration of the Pollex Clog. The beloved slip-on has been wrapped in a “Manta” hue that sees a sky blue present throughout. Per usual, the pair stands out with its fingerprint motif giving ample texture to the clog.
MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-Mary J
Release Date: October 17
Release Price: $410 USD
Where to Buy: Salomon
Why You Should Cop: MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon have been bringing a sense of newness to the footwear scene each season as the duo continues to work closely together, reimagining Salomon silhouettes through MM6 Maison Margiela's point of view. This time around, the XT-Mary J puts a cute spin on the XT-4 as a trail sole contrasts with the delicate presentation of the upper. Subtle MM6 Maison Margiela branding can be spotted at the toe and the strap while the color options of black and multi-color offer two distinct flavors to consider.
Bricks & Wood x New Balance 1906U “Echoes of a Butterfly”
Release Date: October 18
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: After an initial launch last week, Bricks & Wood's third New Balance project -- the 1906U "Echoes of a Butterfly" -- is now coming to a global audience. The colorful pair begins with a black base and sees it accompanied by hits of yellow, green, mint, orange and pink detailing throughout its overlays, drawing inspiration from the butterfly effect. It also sees a butterfly emblem present in pink at the tongue, matching the lateral heel's "BRICKS & WOOD" callout.
Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 1906L
Release Date: October 18
Release Price: ¥49,500 JPY (approx. $332 USD)
Where to Buy: Junya Watanabe MAN Stockists such as HBX
Why You Should Cop: One of the highlights of Paris Fashion Week back in January was Junya Watanabe MAN debuting the New Balance 1906L. Converting the sneaker into a sneaker loafer, the resulting design was instantly polarizing, leaving many to eagerly anticipate the pair and just as many in disgust. Whether you’re excited or not, it’s worth noting that pairs will be spotted in the wild after this week as it finally hits shelves with its leather upper and co-branding at the tongue tag.
BAPE SHARK STA “CORE PACK”
Release Date: October 19
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: BAPE
Why You Should Cop: The year is 2024 and it's officially been two decades since BAPE introduced its iconic SHARK FULL ZIP HOODIE. To commemorate the exciting anniversary, the Japanese label has created a new sneaker, the SHARK STA. The chunky footwear option combines mesh, leather and rubber for its construction while taking shape with a shark fang-inspired look at each side of the upper, just above the sole unit that sports the brand's "STA" motif.
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