We're gearing up to cross the midpoint of December and holiday spirit is peaking. While there's still time to place some last minute gift orders, New Balance, Nike, Crocs, Mephisto, Jordan Brand and adidas are all offering notable options on the footwear front this week. Before we give you the full rundown on which pairs you should consider copping, let's look back at last week's top headlines, starting with our latest footwear feature, a design breakdown of the special Procell x Mephisto Match collaboration featuring none other than Brian Procell himself.
It was a notable week for the Nike SB Dunk Low as not only was The Wizard of Oz collaboration officially revealed alongside its launch details, but we caught an early preview of what to expect from Supreme's five-part collaboration involving the silhouette too. We also received a full preview of the "Baroque Brown" colorway of NIGO's Air Force 3 ahead of its drop later this month. The Jumpman team stood out as next year's fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG leaked alongside a first look at the Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Year of the Snake." It was a notable week for the Air Jordan 11 as well, having rumors surrounding the return of the "Gamma Blue" and introduction of a "Rare Air" pair being shared.
Elsewhere in the sneaker space, JJJJound made a return with a preview of its latest New Balance project, once again equipping the 2002R with a GORE-TEX upper. New Balance was also highlighted with a preview of its latest CNCPTS collab, showcasing an orange and green take on the 740. The latest in AI technology was showcased with PUMA's new AI-backed Inverse sneaker that launched. Last but not least, Westside Gunn took to Instagram to unveil his Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4 that he discussed earlier this year.
Now that you're up to speed with the latest and greatest from the sneaker space, let's dive into which shoes you should have on your radar this week, starting with New Balance's latest take on the 1906L. Once you make your way through all 10 sneakers, be sure to hit up HBX to shop styles that are available now.
New Balance 1906L “Magnet”
Release Date: December 11
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: New Balance's divisive sneaker loafer, the 1906L, is back at it this week with a new colorway. Appearing in "Magnet," the unique shoe sees dark brown and navy collide across its slip-on build. Branding elements remain subtle with a small "N" logo at the toe and a "1906L" callout at the lateral heel. Whether you're looking to dress the pair up or down, it's sure to stand out.
NOCTA x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Love You Forever”
Release Date: December 11
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Drake's NOCTA brand is back with another set of Nike footwear, revisiting his "Love You Forever" design for the Air Force 1 Low by presenting it in three colorways. The tonal looks range from a subtle "Palest Purple" to a bright "Citron Tint," as well as a return of the original all-white pair from 2022. Notable adjustments to the AF1 include "Love you forever" text at the lateral midsole, a co-branded sockliner and the NOCTA logo at the left shoe's heel tab.
Dingyun Zhang x Crocs Diffuser
Release Date: December 12
Release Price: $85 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Chinese designer Dingyun Zhang has made a name for himself in the fashion industry thanks to his forward-thinking design language that has been showcased by not only his eponymous label, but with his previous work with the YEEZY team as well. Now, Zhang's footwear presence grows once again as he has assembled a new silhouette for Crocs this week, introducing the Diffuser. The sports car-inspired build debuts in all-white this week and is straightforward and slick with a sizable sole unit for elevation.
Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Christmas”
Release Date: December 12
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It's been nearly four months since Nike Basketball brought back the Kobe 9 Elite via its Protro series, introducing the model's low and high-top versions in an all-white "Halo" look. As the rollout of the silhouette continues, it is time for the "Christmas" colorway to make a return for its 10th anniversary. Red, white and black all collide across this festive rendition of the sneaker.
Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Cypress “Mallard”
Release Date: December 12
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: BeASpunge
Why You Should Cop: Salehe Bembury's ever-growing catalog with Crocs is expanding yet again as the duo introduce the Pollex Cypress as their first boot together. Arriving in a Fall/Winter-ready "Mallard" look, it begins with a green canvas layer that sports a co-branded tongue tag. From there, a chocolate brown hue enters the mix at the upper's lower level and Bembury's fingerprint motif returns at the prominent gum outsole.
Procell x Mephisto Match
Release Date: December 12
Release Price: $425 USD
Where to Buy: Procell’s NYC Storefront
Why You Should Cop: Lower East Side vintage shop Procell has teamed up with French footwear brand Mephisto to produce a special collaborative colorway of the Match silhouette. Its autumnal green graces Mephisto's signature Velsport suede and Oregon leather, with each pair crafted by hand in France. Various subtle shoutouts are included throughout the pair, including nods to Procell's home of NYC, as the release is limited to a mere 100 pairs.
Stash x Nike Air Max 95 & Air Force 1 Low
Release Date: December 13
Release Price: $160 USD to $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: American graffiti artist Stash has made a name for himself not just in the art world, but the sneaker world too. The New York-based designer teamed up with Nike several times in the 2000s, creating blue palettes for the Air Classic BW, Air Max 95 and Air Force 1 Low. After well over a decade since releasing, the latter two looks are making their return this week with slight material adjustments and branding changes, offering a chance to own two modernized gems.
AURALEE x New Balance 990v4 MADE in USA
Release Date: December 13
Release Price: ¥44,000 JPY (approx. $293 USD)
Where to Buy: AURALEE
Why You Should Cop: Japanese label AURALEE has a global reputation for perfecting the ordinary -- bringing premium craftmanship to everyday silhouettes. This ethos has informed its recent expansion into footwear as the brand continues to team up with New Balance for fresh finishes of its silhouettes. This time around, the duo took on the MADE in USA line's 990v4, presenting it in blue with off-white detailing and a sandy brown.
Air Jordan 11 "Legend Blue"
Release Date: December 14
Release Price: $230 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It's been 10 years since Jordan Brand last treated sneakerheads to the Air Jordan 11 "Legend Blue" (aka "Columbia"). This is finally being remedied as the sneaker makes its grand return this holiday season, taking on the white color scheme with light blue accents located at the heel's Jumpman branding, the tongue and semi-translucent outsole, offering a great opportunity to cop the 1996 colorway.
Bad Bunny x adidas Adizero SL72
Release Date: December 14
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Bad Bunny is back with yet another adidas campaign, this time taking the Adizero and SL72 silhouettes and crafting a new hybrid look that pairs the two together. The resulting fusion sees a layered structure leveraged with colorways of off-white, blue/yellow and maroon/orange. This new build features "Para Bad Bunny" text at the lateral Three Stripes while the heel carries both the adidas Originals Trefoil logo and classic Three Stripes logo.
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