Welcome to Sneaker News #72. This week, it’s Jacquemus’ collaboration with Nike that’s making headlines with one of the brightest shoes of the year. Elsewhere, Nike is aiming for innovation and ultimate comfort with the Air Max Scorpion while sustainability is at the top of the list for its collaboration with Billie Eilish. There’s also a new 580 drop from New Balance as well as a collaboration between Reebok and A$AP Nast. Check that all out plus more below.
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Nike Air Humara x Jacquemus | Image: Nike
Nike Air Humara x Jacquemus
Nike has teamed up with Paris-based label Jacquemus for a bold, vibrant take on the Air Humara. Mountain air and runway flair is the vibe that Jacqemus is going for with its Nike collection and it achieves it here, bringing together the ACG trail shoe aesthetic with a bright pink colourway. This is a premium pair of shoes in every sense, displaying an impressive amount of detail. The most noteworthy is the textile-wrapped midsole undercut by a gum outsole. Get ready to cop these when they drop 31st December – one final pair of shoes for the year.
Nike Air Max Scorpion | Image: Nike
Nike Air Max Scorpion
Nike is aiming for ultimate comfort with its latest Air Max iteration – the Scorpion. The sole is built around the concept of “point-loading” which is designed to be responsive while delivering a better sensation and ultimate cushioning. You can tell by looking at these too. The chunky silhouette is futuristic, dialled back by a neutral colourway on the light prime knit upper. The Air Max has been going since 1987 but this may be one of the most visionary drops yet. Cop a pair from Nike right now.
Nike Air Jordan 11 ‘Varsity Red’ | Image: Nike
Nike Air Jordan 11 ‘Varsity Red’
The Air Jordan 11 is a legendary silhouette. First worn by MJ in 1995, he won 72 games wearing them and they have since become a staple for any Air Jordan fan. Now, Nike is bringing back the ‘Varsity Red’, a classic colourway that tips its hat to Chicago with glossy red joining stark white on the upper. For those who are in it for comfort, the sole features full-length air cushioning so you can get around in them on and off the court. You can try your best to nab a pair from Nike on 10th December.
Nike x Billie Eilish Air Force 1 Low ‘Mushroom’ | Image: Nike
Nike x Billie Eilish Air Force 1 Low ‘Mushroom’
The Nike and Billie Eilish collaboration keeps on giving. This time, she turns her attention to the Air Force 1, giving it a mushroom makeover. The upper of this release features scraps left over from her previous AF-1 High. Meanwhile, she also uses sustainable materials like Nike Grind in the outsole and foam scrap in the sock liner. She does so without sacrificing the aesthetic at all. The upper is a geometric, experimental mix of materials that elevates the neutrality of the shoes. Nike will have these available from 14th December.
adidas NMD S1 x Philllllthy ‘Ambient Sky/Crew Navy’ | Image: adidas
adidas NMD S1 x Philllllthy ‘Ambient Sky/Crew Navy’
adidas has teamed with Brooklyn-based designer Phillip Leyesa to create a visionary version of the NMD S1. The Philllllthy brand focuses on distressed, rebuilt and remade denim. This NMD S1 release takes inspiration from that featuring an upper made of mottled prime knit. Blue, grey and beige meet in a knitted pattern overlaid with translucent blue TPU panels. The ragged feel is topped off by the rope laces made of a chenille textile.
New Balance 580 ‘Honeycomb and Raw Cashew’ | Image: New Balance
New Balance 580 ‘Honeycomb and Raw Cashew’
New Balance recently reissued the 580, an adaptation of the 585 that was originally a regional release just for Harajuku. The silhouette has since become a New Balance fixture as one of its most modern, chunky designs. Here, it arrives with a mixed-textile upper that almost matches the original release. Shiny honeycomb mesh overlays are balanced out by nubuck leather overlays that are topped off by a metallic New Balance logo on the side. They’re as comfy as they look too delivering both an ABZORB midsole and C-CAP midsole cushioning.
Reebok Zig Kinetica 2.5 ‘Dark Brown/Core Black/Classic Burgundy’ | Image: Reebok
Reebok Zig Kinetica 2.5 ‘Dark Brown/Core Black/Classic Burgundy’
Reebok continues its collaborative partnership with A$AP Nast, expanding its Zig collection. Brown and black meet on the upper in this dark release as brown mesh is overlayed with black patent leather. The only interruption to those two colours is the burgundy tongue and heel as well as the yellow Vibram branding. The outdoors aesthetic is carried across these shoes from the rugged outsole to the optional waterproof coat that can be added. Head over to Subtype now to cop some of the last remaining pairs.
