One week of the 2024-25 NBA season is in the books and it’s shaping up to be a year to remember for basketball. Meanwhile, ’tis the season for spooky times as Halloween is just around the corner and continues to serve as a focal point for the footwear industry, which is back with another 10 sneaker drops to look forward to this week. Nike, ASICS, New Balance and Jordan Brand have all contributed to the latest lineup of kicks, however, before we go through the roster, let’s review what news caught our eye the past seven days since our previous installment in the series.
Two features touched down on the site, including an interview with none other than Rihanna herself. Our conversation with the superstar centered around her new Fenty x PUMA Avanti and touched on topics like football and family. We also connected with Scoot Henderson ahead of his 22-point season opener to chat about his new PUMA Scoot Zeros II, what to expect from him in his sophomore season and more.
Nike stood out on the traditional news side of things by unveiling its collaborative campaign with the Wu-Tang Clan for the return of its beloved Dunk Highs from 1999. The Nike Kobe line continues to make noise as first looks at the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba” and Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Beethoven” caught our eye. We were also treated to Nike’s official imagery of Yuto Horigome’s upcoming SB Dunk Low “Asparagus” project. Speaking of anticipated campaigns, word of a fragment design x Union LA x Air Jordan 1 for 2025 caught the industry by surprise. That’s not all for the AJ1 either, two “Rare Air” colorways surfaced alongside a better look at their AJ4 “Rare Air” counterpart. Rounding things out for the Swoosh, word of an Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 popped up.
Elsewhere in the sneaker space, adidas and KoRn are back with their third collaboration, presenting looks involving the Superstar and adilette Slides. It was a big week for brand ambassadors as Converse announced Charli XCX as a new face of the brand while Reebok shared that Angel Reese’s debut signature shoe will be here in early 2026. Last but not least, UNAFFECTED offered a complete preview of its forthcoming ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20 campaign, featuring three monochromatic colorways.
Now that you’re up to speed on what’s been going down in footwear, let’s check out what sneakers are due to drop this week, starting with two GORE-TEX takes on the Nike Air Max Sunder. Once you make your way through the list, be sure to slide by HBX to shop styles that are available now.
Nike Air Max Sunder GORE-TEX “Black” and “Hyper Crimson”
Release Date: October 29
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Leading off this week’s edition of best footwear drops is a release that was originally scheduled for early 2025 — the Nike Air Max Sunder GORE-TEX. Unveiled during this year’s SNKRS Showcase, colorways of “Black” and “Hyper Crimson” are sure to keep your feet dry this season. The former arrives in all-black with reflective detailing at the upper while the latter pairs its signature bright red with black detailing and the same reflectivity.
HAL STUDIOS® x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20
Release Date: October 29
Release Price: $300 AUD (approx. $197 USD)
Where to Buy: HAL STUDIOS®
Why You Should Cop: HAL STUDIOS® and ASICS are back at it with an out-of-this-world take on the GEL-KAYANO 20. The duo have teamed up several times in the past and are this time recounting the retrofuturism associated with the Space Age. Their unique take on the silhouette sees a new three-strap system adorn the upper, offering a smoother experience when putting on and taking off the pair.
Nike BOOK 1 “Halloween”
Release Date: October 30
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Spooky season is about to conclude but there’s still time for Devin Booker and Nike Basketball to celebrate with this “Halloween” edition of the BOOK 1. The new colorway features a black suede upper that is adorned with thematic detailing, including white contrast stitching around the Swooshes, special “Chapter One” text at the heel and a glow-in-the-dark sole.
Up There x New Balance 860v2
Release Date: October 30 and November 1
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: Up There and New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Australian retailer Up There is set to drop its own take on the New Balance 860v2 this week, presenting the sneaker in a multicolored arrangement that features notes of lime green, blue, pink and brown. It is delivered in its own ripstop carrying bag and comes with a removable zippered lace shroud that further differentiates it from other pairs. Absent of co-branding, the sneaker instead maintains the traditional New Balance and 860v2 callouts.
Nike Air Flightposite “Metallic Gold”
Release Date: October 30
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: 25 years after first arriving on shelves, the Nike Air Flightposite “Metallic Gold” is back and ready to shine brighter than ever. The unique sneaker was last spotted in this eye-catching colorway back in 2008 and is finally returning in its original form. Its iridescent shell is joined by a black sleeve system and zip-up shroud, matching the outsole while silver sneaks in at the lateral midfoot.
JJJJound x ASICS GT-2160
Release Date: October 31 and November 2
Release Price: €160 EUR (approx. $173 USD)
Where to Buy: JJJJound and ASICS
Why You Should Cop: While JJJJound’s various ASICS designs have never been boundary-pushing, there’s no denying their influence on the sneaker space. The duo’s 2022 campaign featuring the GEL-KAYANO 14 not only helped the silhouette catapult into prominence, but similar GR colorways were met with strong demand too. This time around, the GT-2160 takes center stage in two new color compositions. The first sees white, silver and gray accented by lime green at the tongue while the second includes an all-black finish that is backed by silver notes throughout.
Aminé x New Balance 740v2 “BTEE740”
Release Date: November 1
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Club Banana
Why You Should Cop: Portland’s very own Aminé has always shown love to his hometown, whether featuring the city in music videos or even creating sneakers influenced by it. Teaming up with New Balance once again, he has paid homage to his time at Benson Polytechnic High School, specifically its KBPS radio program — the station that inspired him to become the artist he is today. The bold sneaker captures the school’s colors of blue and orange while additional nods to Aminé arrive via the heel’s “CL” and “BN” hits, as well as the custom Club Banana-branded tongue tag.
Nike LeBron 22 “Crown Jewel”
Release Date: November 1
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: LeBron James is about to turn 40 years old and he continues to prove that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. The veteran star just began his 22nd season in the league as he leads the Los Angeles Lakers, equipped with his 22nd signature shoe, the Nike LeBron 22. After months of teasers, the latest performance shoe from King James is here in its debut “Crown Jewel” colorway that pairs neon green and pink with black and gray.
Action Bronson x New Balance “Baklava Performance” Collection
Release Date: November 1
Release Price: $150 USD to $170 USD
Where to Buy: Specializing In Life
Why You Should Cop: “PERFORMANCE IS MY LIFESTYLE,” exclaimed Action Bronson earlier this year when discussing his orange New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 collaboration. As it would turn out, he’s all-in on it as his latest New Balance collection sees not only the aforementioned running shoe involved, but a blue iteration of the M10 Minimus Trail as well. That’s not all either, complementary apparel has been assembled by the duo, bringing Baklava performance to the world.
Awake NY x Jordan Air Ship “Game Royal”
Release Date: November 2
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Awake NY
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand teamed up with Awake NY earlier this year to produce a new take on the Air Ship. Many months after the initial “University Red” take on the sneaker touched down on shelves, the duo have announced that a “Game Royal” pair is set to drop alongside an apparel range. The sneaker features silver Swooshes with a blue outline that matches the blue of the snakeskin collar. Awake NY’s “A” logo graces the lateral midfoot while the midsole favors an aged finish to complete the design.
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