This year’s Olympic Games officially came to a close this past Sunday, forcing millions around the world to now acclimate to life without a constant stream of incredible athletic performances taking place. For anyone dealing with the post-Olympic blues, perhaps one of this week’s most anticipated sneaker releases from the likes of New Balance, Nike, adidas, Converse, ASICS, Jordan Brand and Rigorer could cheer you up. Before we let you know which pairs to look out for in the next seven days, let’s recap what went down in the sneaker space this past week.
Looking first at our most recent footwear feature, we sat down with There Skateboards founder Jeffrey Cheung to discuss the team’s first collaboration with Nike, taking on the SB Dunk Low. We also took the time to chat about inclusivity at the Olympic Games, the parallels between art and skateboarding and more.
As for the regular slate of news, the Dunk continued to make noise as a preview of two of three rumored “What The Duck” Dunk Lows popped up alongside a first look at The Wizard of Oz x Nike SB Dunk Low and release details for VERDY’s Nike SB Dunk Low “VISTY.” We also caught an early glimpse at another “Halo”-themed pair of Kobes, featuring the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro.
Looking to the Jumpman team, it was the subject of several eye-catching rumors — the Off-White™ x Air Jordan 1 High OG “Canary Yellow” may finally release in 2025, a $1,000 USD Swarovski x Air Jordan 1 Low OG is expected to drop next May and Union LA is said to be reworking the Air Jordan 1 High OG again. The Air Jordan 1 Low also graced headlines by appearing in its “Black Cat” colorway for this year’s Halloween festivities. As for our final first look related to Jordan Brand, Jayson Tatum took to the Olympic courts in his upcoming Jordan Tatum 3.
Elsewhere in the industry, word of three BAPE x adidas Dame 9s surfaced, including a preview of two pairs. New Balance stayed in the news with Action Bronson teasing his FuelCell Rebel v4 “Foxtrot” project and Salehe Bembury flexing a new collaborative rendition of the 991v2. Bembury also drew attention with the announcement of his Crocs Pollex Juniper “Tahini” coming in early September.
Now that you’re caught up on the latest and greatest from the footwear industry, let’s go ahead and review this week’s ten most important releases, starting with our headliner, New Balance’s MADE in USA Fall/Winter range. Afterwards, slide by HBX to shop styles that are available to purchase now.
New Balance MADE in USA Fall/Winter Collection
Release Date: August 15
Release Price: $200 USD to $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Teddy Santis and New Balance are back at it again, with the ALD founder this time returning to his MADE in USA line to assemble a tight collection of footwear for Fall/Winter 2024 that is joined by complementary apparel. Featuring both the 990v6 in two colorways and the 993 in one, each pair features a mixed material composition that includes mesh, suede and nubuck detailing throughout their layered uppers. Off-white and gray pervade the range as autumnal brown notes grace this 993 in particular.
Nike Sabrina 2 “Mirrored”
Release Date: August 15
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: With the 2024 Olympic Games coming to a close on Sunday, Sabrina Ionescu was presented her first gold medal. The sharpshooter may not have landed any shots in the Gold Medal Game, but considering her continued success in the WNBA, she’s sure to have another chance to shine next time the Games roll around. In the wake of Team USA’s triumph, Ionescu’s second signature shoe is set to drop in this “Mirrored” colorway that has been prepared with a slick black base that carries gray and silver detailing.
adidas AE1 Low “Night Indigo”
Release Date: August 15
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Anthony Edwards is another Olympic gold medal winner, having conquered France this past Saturday thanks to incredible performances from Team USA’s veterans. In celebration of Edwards’ involvement in his first Olympic Games, the new low-top version of his first signature shoe with the Three Stripes has been prepared in a patriotic “Night Indigo” that sees a rich navy joined by red detailing at its base and white at the tongue branding.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander x Converse Weapon
Release Date: August 15
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Converse
Why You Should Cop: While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of Team Canada remain disappointed with the team’s defeat to France, SGA can take his mind off of the grind by honing in on his upcoming work as Converse Basketball’s creative director, beginning his tenure in September. Before he officially takes on the new role, he has a special vintage-inspired pair of Weapons hitting the market this week. Donning a rich white leather with cracked leather detailing in pink, the sneaker further balances its retro influence by carrying an aged off-white at its sole unit.
THE MUSEUM VISITOR x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14
Release Date: August 16
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: South Korea’s THE MUSEUM VISITOR has put its own spin on the red-hot ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14 and in case you missed out on the regional release, ASICS is set to bring the sneaker to the world this week. Presenting the GEL-KAYANO 14 in looks of “Illusion Blue,” “Mineral Brown” and “Glacier Grey,” each shoe sports co-branding, including a “THE MUSEUM VISITOR” hit at the lateral heel and ASICS’ “A” logo on the duo’s special fold-down tongue.
Nike Giannis Freak 6 “Roses”
Release Date: August 16
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: As much as Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated in this year’s Olympic Games, it wasn’t enough to push Team Greece past the Quarterfinals against Germany. Not only did Antetokounmpo sport his Nike Zoom Freak 5 during his Olympic run, but he also sported his new Nike Giannis Freak 6 in its debut “Roses” colorway too. His new signature sneaker is set to arrive with Cushlon 2.0 foam alongside a forefoot Air Zoom unit, as well as a traction-focused Freakprint outsole. This “Roses” iteration serves as a tribute to his late father with floral detailing spread throughout the upper of the taupe and red composition.
P. Andrade x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14
Release Date: August 17
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: ASICS has built a streak of exciting collaborations involving the GEL-KAYANO 14 this year, with P. Andrade serving as the second of two anticipated projects involving the shoe this week. Pedro Andrade’s eponymous label has made great use of the sneaker’s layered structure, applying a vivid arrangement of colors across its many different overlays. The toe combines a bright green with a dark, iridescent toe detail as teal, gold, silver and black all accompany the arrangement elsewhere.
Air Jordan 11 Low “Diffused Blue”
Release Date: August 17
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to color selection, Nike and Jordan Brand have a knack for finding a particular hue that can adorn several different silhouettes with ease. For “Diffused Blue,” it returned in 2023 by covering the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 5 and later struck the Air Ship this year. Now, before touching down on the Air Jordan 3 in 2024, it has landed on the patent leather mudguard of the Air Jordan 11 Low, combining with white for a fresh finish.
Rigorer AR1 “Year of the Dragon”
Release Date: August 17
Release Price: $100 USD
Where to Buy: Rigorer and KICKS CREW
Why You Should Cop: Most Lunar New Year celebrations took place back in February, but Rigorer and Austin Reaves are gearing up to commemorate the Year of the Dragon once again as the duo has prepared Reaves’ Rigorer AR1, his first signature shoe, in a “Year of the Dragon” colorway. Its vibrant composition sees a flurry of colors enliven the sneaker as a dragon scale pattern graces the upper, flame detailing hits the forefoot portion of the midsole and dragon graphics appear at the heel.
Nike Air Foamposite One “DMV”
Release Date: August 17
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Just like that, the Nike Air Foamposite One has been ushered back to center stage once again. Having just released and teased collaborations with COMME des GARÇONS and Tekken 8 respectively, Nike is continuing to back the classic model and is set to drop this “DMV” colorway that pays homage to the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Its signature shell dons a bright pink as a “DMV” note arrives at the heel tab and the sockliner rocks a cherry blossom-covered sockliner.
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