This year's Olympic Games are just around the corner and excitement continues to build as major international competitions like the Copa América, UEFA European Championship and Wimbledon all wrapped up over this past weekend. Meanwhile, the footwear industry has brewed up its own fan enthusiasm with another loaded lineup of launches thanks to Vans, New Balance, Jordan Brand, ASICS, Nike, adidas and ANTA. However, before we take you through all of this week's top drops, let's first take a look back at what news from the past seven days caught our eye.
Nike filed its latest lawsuit in an attempt to protect its brand and IP, challenging The Shoe Surgeon's "counterfeit" releases and courses that it alleges are designed to teach others how to replicate the brand's designs. Elsewhere, the Air Foamposite One continues to garner attention as collaborations with Tekken 8 and COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS made noise. We also caught what may be a sneak peek of the return of Patta's Nike Air Max 1 "Chlorophyll."
As for Jordan Brand, Travis Scott rocked a new pair of Jordan Jumpman Jacks, appearing in red with a gum sole. The Air Jordan 39 is set to launch this month and its official images were unveiled. Looking ahead to releases set for later in the year, we caught first looks at this year's Air Jordan 3 "Black Cement" and the Air Jordan 1 High OG "Satin Shadow." The AJ1 was also active in the rumor mill as a new Swarovski project involving the high-top surfaced.
Looking to the rest of the industry, plenty of collaborations served as key points of discussion. The latest chapter of Sandy Liang's work with Salomon was unveiled while NEIGHBORHOOD and Clarks Originals teamed up for their own range of footwear. As for Salehe Bembury, he teased a new partnership with PUMA.
Now that you're up to speed with the latest and greatest from the sneaker space, let's go ahead and review this week's most exciting sneaker releases, starting with UNDERCOVER's OTW by Vans project. Afterwards, don't forget to check out HBX to shop styles that are available now.
UNDERCOVER x OTW by Vans Sk8-Mid and Era
Release Date: July 16
Release Price: $95 USD to $100 USD
Where to Buy: Vans
Why You Should Cop: OTW by Vans launched earlier this year as a rebranding and repositioning of the Vault by Vans line. Its latest collaboration sees UNDERCOVER reconnect with Vans, this time taking on the Sk8-Mid and Era. Having launched both shoes in two different colorways each last week, Vans is hosting its own drop of the Sk8-Mid “Black/Red” and Era “True White/Black” this week. The former revisits UNDERCOVER’s “ANARCHY IS THE KEY” motto while the latter hosts the sinister D-Hand motif across the shoe.
The Whitaker Group x New Balance 1906U “Willful Bias”
Release Date: July 19
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: TWG Retailers
Why You Should Cop: James Whitner’s The Whitaker Group announced a multiyear partnership with New Balance last year when the two debuted their first project together by outfitting the 9060. Now, two 1906U colorways of “Electric Teal” and “Sand Dune” have been prepared to drop this week. Both pairs combine their signature hues with gray as the former also sprinkles in “Gulf Red” and “Olivine” notes while the latter sports “Washed Amber” and “Team Red” accents.
Air Jordan 3 “WNBA”
Release Date: July 19
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The WNBA season will pause this week as it’s time to recognize the league’s all-stars with the annual WNBA All-Star Game. In celebration of this, Jordan Brand has assembled a WNBA-branded “Desert Camo” colorway of the Air Jordan 3. Its textile upper has been camouflaged in brown while Jumpman branding adorns the heel and tongue. The lone callout to the WNBA comes at the sockliner, which sees the league’s logo depicted in orange.
Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS GEL-FLAMMAE
Release Date: July 19
Release Price: £235 GBP (approx. $305 USD)
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: Laura and Deanna Fanning, co-creative directors of the women’s side of Kiko Kostadinov’s eponymous label, introduced the world to the ASICS GEL-FLAMMAE last week. Now, it’s time for the shoe’s global release in both the “Gunmetal” and “Mako Blue” colorways. Combining elements of the GEL-WAHINE II, GEL-NETBURNER IGS II and GEL-KIRIL, both pairs are familiar yet distinct as modern runners.
Nike Air Safari “Black and Monarch”
Release Date: July 19
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: 37 years after Tinker Hatfield introduced the Nike Air Safari, it is back in its OG “Black and Monarch.” Combining with various other safari-themed sneakers that Nike is releasing around this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, it sticks to the iconic color composition across the leather upper with the original safari print detail around the mudguard and heel.
adidas AE1 “Ascent Pack”
Release Date: July 20
Release Price: $110 USD to $120 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Anthony Edwards brought out a low-top version of his hit signature shoe -- the adidas AE1 -- at the end of the last NBA season. Now, it’s finally arriving on shelves alongside its mid-top counterpart in the “Ascent Pack.” Both colorways sport YEEZY-esque “MX” detailing at their signature TPU overlay, with the AE1 rocking a gray and black finish while the AE1 Low favors brown, gray and black throughout.
Above the Clouds x ASICS GT-2160 “Cream/Chocolate Brown”
Release Date: July 20
Release Price: $167 USD
Where to Buy: Above the Clouds
Why You Should Cop: Australia’s Above the Clouds serves as one of the region’s premier boutiques -- offering a wide variety of designers and labels. On top of this, it’s built a close relationship with ASICS, presenting unique takes as a duo across various silhouettes over the years. Now, the shop has drawn inspiration from the Japanese maple tree with its “Cream” and “Chocolate Brown” rendition of the GT-2160 that serves as a follow-up to 2023’s “Shamrock Green.”
Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 RM “Grandma’s Driveway”
Release Date: July 20
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: At last, the Air Jordan 4 RM is here. The new low-top's long awaited debut sees Nigel Sylvester present his green and black rendition that serves as an homage to his grandmother's driveway. Equipped with "Bike Air" branding, including at the heel, the sneaker utilizes the Air Jordan 4's sole unit while remixing its upper with a lower cut and unique cage.
ANTA KAI 1 “Garden State”
Release Date: July 20
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: ANTA
Why You Should Cop: It may be the offseason for the NBA, but there are still plenty of court-ready sneakers being introduced each week. For Kyrie Irving, his ANTA KAI 1 -- his debut silhouette with the Chinese sportswear brand -- is set to continue its run by arriving in a "Garden State" colorway. Its composition nods to Irving's time in New Jersey as its jade green finish and plant-themed detailing reference the state's green landscapes.
Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Barons”
Release Date: July 20
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The original low-top shape of the Air Jordan 1 is back at it with another familiar colorway this week as it handles the "Barons" treatment. Previously, the look has graced everything from the Air Jordan 9 to the Air Jordan 13 while also hitting the high-top version of the AJ1. Its white leather base is joined by soft gray overlays while black detailing arrives at the Swooshes, heel tab and laces.
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