With a complete week of the NBA Playoffs in the books, the distinction between pretenders and contenders is being made as the Phoenix Suns were the first team to fall, being swept by the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves. In the meantime, the footwear industry has kept sneakerheads busy with a constant flow of releases, which continues this week thanks to contributions from Nike, Jordan Brand, New Balance and adidas. However, let's go ahead and review what went down on the news side of things before we outline the 10 drops to look forward to across the next seven days.
Looking first at Nike's headlines, the Swoosh was able to settle its trademark infringement lawsuit against BAPE, prompting the Japanese streetwear brand to cease production of select models, as well as redesign its BAPE STA and SK8 STA sneakers. It was also noted that Caitlyn Clark's new deal with Nike is reportedly worth up to $28 million USD. As for its sneaker-related updates, an official breakdown of Futura's Nike SB Dunk Low was revealed alongside a release date for Coach Prime's revamped Nike Air DT Max '96. The Jordan Brand team had two key first looks surface as well, depicting both an off-white-colored version of Travis Scott's Jordan Jumpman Jack and the Air Jordan 1 High OG in "Midnight Navy."
Elsewhere in the industry, Anthony Edwards, amidst his dominating sweep of Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns, had his adidas AE1 revealed in two YEEZY-esque colorways: its high-top in "MX Fuchsia" and its low-top counterpart in "MX Grey." Closing out the week, two key projects were properly unveiled -- Kiko Kostadinov's ASICS US5-S GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC and JJJJound's three suede-covered Reebok Club C 85s.
With all of the past week's key updates reviewed, let's go ahead and dive into what to expect from footwear brands this week as we gear up for another exciting lineup of launches. Don't forget to stop by HBX afterwards to shop styles that are available now.
Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack “Sail and Dark Mocha”
Release Date: April 30
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: While many eagerly awaited the debut of Travis Scott's Jordan Jumpman Jack last week in "University Red," it ultimately did not arrive when expected. Now, that leaves the "Sail and Dark Mocha" pair to serve as the first iteration to properly hit the market. Donning a color composition of white, off-white and brown, not to mention sprinkles of red at its branding elements, it arrives in classic La Flame fashion. Its canvas base is joined by full-grain leather and nubuck at the upper as Scott's signature shoe sports a reverse Swoosh at the lateral and special "JACK" text at the gum sole.
Bode x Nike Astrograbber
Release Date: May 1
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In case you missed out on the duo’s debut drop -- one met with an overwhelming amount of demand -- Bode and Nike have returned with a second chance to pick up their collaborative take on the Astrograbber. Revisiting the football silhouette from 1974 for the first time since its inception, Bode’s signature whimsy has been applied to the sneaker with its playful charms and vintage looks.
Nike Kobe 8 Protro "Mambacita"
Release Date: May 1
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Nike Basketball crew is set to pay tribute to Gigi Bryant once again with a “Mambacita”-themed colorway of the Kobe 8 Protro arriving on her birthday. Its black, white and gold color composition sees a butterfly motif spread throughout its upper -- nodding to her alongside “GIGI” and “2” hits at the heel and a mambacita motif at the tongue’s interior that matches its special gold hang tag and unique shoe box.
Nike LeBron 21 “Multicolor”
Release Date: May 1
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: At age 39, LeBron James continues to prove that he's still one of the NBA's most capable playmakers. At the same time, his signature shoe line with Nike, which hit 21 entries this season, remains one of the brand's most popular. Since pivoting to the lower-cut builds with the LeBron 20, his various releases have been much sleeker as a result. Though when it comes to the "Multicolor" iteration of the shoe, it doesn't hold back on presenting an eye-catching color palette that is sure to turn heads.
Supreme x Nike SB Darwin Low
Release Date: May 2
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Supreme
Why You Should Cop: At this point, Supreme and Nike go together like bread and butter. The two have collaborated countless times over the years, with just this season seeing the two not only debut the new Nike Air Max Dn together, but also release an expansive apparel range as a duo. Now, after leaked looks at the project appeared throughout last year, the Supreme x Nike SB Darwin Low is set to drop in its four colorways of "White," "Chartreuse," "Camo Print" and "Black." The '90s basketball model carries its signature reverse Swooshes alongside Supreme branding at the lateral stitched tag and the co-branded tongue tag.
New Balance MADE in USA 993 “Chive” and “Purple”
Release Date: May 2
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Teddy Santis and his team at New Balance MADE in USA have once again assembled a seasonal rendition of the 993 for the springtime -- presenting not just one, but two new looks. Both the “Chive” and “Purple” colorways see the model constructed with an upper of mesh and nubuck in their respective hues. From there, the ABZORB-cushioned midsole goes from white at the toe to off-white towards the heel to complement the new arrangements.
Patta x Nike Air Huarache 20Y24
Release Date: May 2
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Another key restock from the Swoosh this week is the re-release of its hybrid design featuring elements of the Air Pegasus and Air Huarache Plus with Patta. Dubbed the Air Huarache 20Y24, the two aforementioned silhouettes have been combined for a unique take on Nike’s runners. The Air Huarache Plus is referenced with the upper’s strap system and inner sleeve while the Air Pegasus sees its sole unit support the sneaker. Colorways of “Saffron Quartz and Sand Drift” and “Black and Cool Grey” are ready to be the focal point of any outfit.
Nike Dunk Low “Ultraman”
Release Date: May 3
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s been 25 years since Nike’s special CO.JP (Concept Japan) line brought forth the “Ultraman” colorway of the Dunk Low. Now, it’s time for the sought-after look to finally make a return. Equipped with a leather upper, its “Varsity Red” base is joined by “Silver” at its overlays, including the Swooshes, as the beloved character is recreated across the sneaker.
Air Jordan 4 “Industrial Blue”
Release Date: May 4
Release Price: $215 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Air Jordan 4 began with four original colorways, one of which being the “Military Blue” look that is now hitting shelves for the fourth time, though under a new name: “Industrial Blue.” While the swap in official names has been made, the sneaker does still refer to its signature blue hue as “Military Blue” on the shoe box, a name sneakerheads are likely to stick with despite this adjustment in messaging. Once again, a white leather upper is joined by matching netting while its bright blue adorns the shoe’s wings, the uppermost portion of its midsole, the heel tab and its tongue’s Jumpman logo. From there, white “Nike Air” branding is situated atop the heel while a clean gray enters the mix at the mudguard and outsole.
NANZUKA x Star Wars x adidas Superstar XLG
Release Date: May 4
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: May 4 (aka May the Fourth to Star Wars fans) marks a special holiday for the Star Wars franchise, one that is always filled with exciting new releases, including a plethora of merchandise. The team over at adidas has once again assembled its own Star Wars-themed project, this time tapping Tokyo contemporary art gallery NANZUKA for art from Hiroki Tsukuda that reimagined the legendary droids R2-D2 and C-3PO. Spreading the unique work across the Superstar XLG's upper, the black and white graphics are accompanied by off-white detailing at the shell toe and oversized sole unit.
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