March Madness is here, and with basketball on the minds of the masses, there’s plenty of exciting sneaker releases to come. This time around, Nike and Jordan Brand are both set to make noise alongside adidas, Reebok, PUMA, MSCHF, Crocs and ASICS as a loaded week of drops is now upon us. Per usual, we’re going to review the last seven days’ top headlines from the industry before breaking down what’s to come.
Leading off with our feature lineup, we asked the question “Are Basketball Shoes (Finally) Exciting Again?” This prompted a breakdown of what was slowing the industry down and how the new guard of the NBA is bringing a much-needed boost to the state of basketball sneakers. From there, our latest entry in the best footwear trends series saw what Tokyo Fashion Week FW24 attendees had on their feet.
As for the regular slate of news, Nike kicked things off by having its much-anticipated collaboration with Bode on the Astro Grabber teased in a new colorway. From there, the Swoosh unveiled six upcoming colorways of its new Air Max Dn silhouette before we caught a sneak peek at what to expect from this year’s return of the Nike KD 4 “Nerf.” Additional first looks came courtesy of Jordan Brand as both the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Metallic Gold” and Air Jordan 4 “White Thunder” popped up. The rumor mill kept spinning as well, revealing that this year’s Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” won’t be a part of the “Reimagined” series after all.
Looking to the Three Stripes, it continued the rollout of its remaining adidas YEEZY inventory by featuring the return of the adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “MX Rock” and the launch of the long-awaited adidas YEEZY 500 “Stone Taupe.” Elsewhere, in the industry, Kyrie Irving’s new ANTA KAI 1 silhouette caught fans’ eyes once again in a new “Kaiverse” colorway that is limited to 323 pairs as a Beijing-exclusive. Lastly, another breakdown of Tyler, the Creator’s upcoming Louis Vuitton collection was shared with the reveal of various trainers designed by the artist.
With all of the latest looks and key headlines from the past week reviewed, we’ll now pivot to what ten sneakers you should have on your shopping radar this week. Once you’ve previewed what the next seven days has to offer, be sure to slide by HBX to check out what styles you can purchase today.
MSCHF 2×4 Boots
Release Date: March 19
Release Price: $400 USD
Where to Buy: MSCHF
Why You Should Cop: It’s been over a year now since MSCHF took over everyone’s timelines with the rollout of its Big Red Boots. Since then, the disruptive studio has continued to offer whimsical footwear designs (including a collaboration with Crocs for a pair of Big Yellow Boots). Adding to its arsenal, its latest original silhouette flips Timberland’s iconic 6-Inch Boot by applying the design of its sole to its various layers repeatedly.
Rayssa Leal x Nike SB Dunk Low
Release Date: March 20
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Brazilian skate sensation Rayssa Leal made history by winning an Olympic medal at the age of 13, placing second in the first-ever women’s street skateboarding competition. Instantly reaching global stardom, Leal is now being celebrated with the release of her own Nike SB Dunk Low. Featuring her favorite colors, the design is personal to her with graphic elements connecting to her journey thus far.
Air Jordan 14 “Flint Grey”
Release Date: March 20
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand is known for creating recipes for color arrangements that it presents to its various Air Jordan silhouettes. In 2001, it created the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey,” eventually bringing the same flair to the Air Jordan 8 in 2017. Now, the series continues with this “Flint Grey” rendition of the Air Jordan 14. Covered in grey, the sneaker emphasizes its suede build that toggles between rough and fine cuts to craft a premium finish.
Salehe Bembury x Crocs Saru Clog
Release Date: March 21
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: BeASpunge
Why You Should Cop: Salehe Bembury has quickly turned one hit collaborative silhouette with Crocs into a sprawling empire. Flipping the familiar Classic Clog into the newly-introduced Saru Clog, its strapless upper features a familiar shape. However, the sole is where things have been adjusted the most, as Bembury’s instantly-recognizable fingerprint motif has been spread throughout the clog’s bottommost layer. Arriving in a rust orange, lime green and taupe, it’s primed for a big debut this week.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Rookie Card – Away”
Release Date: March 21
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: After swiftly selling out last week, Trophy Room’s Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Rookie Card – Away” is now being made available via the Swoosh. Pulling inspiration from a Michael Jordan rookie card, special packaging and detailing reminisces about his legendary first season in the league. Outfitted in a leather and satin upper, black, red and white combine with Jordan’s signature at the lateral heel and a tonal Trophy Room logo at the lateral forefoot.
Hunter x Hunter x Reebok
Release Date: March 22
Release Price: $110 USD to $200 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: In a world where collaborations are more common than ever before, rocking gear referencing your favorite media is easier than it has ever been. Looking to anime specifically, footwear brands have been capitalizing on the culture by teaming up with beloved franchises, with Reebok as the latest to enter the arena with its Hunter x Hunter-themed collection. Its five silhouettes utilized include the Instapump Fury, Club C 85, Beatnik, LX 2200 and Nano X3 Adventure, offering character-referencing colorways throughout.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x adidas Superstar
Release Date: March 22
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo are celebrating their 40th anniversary hot off of the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem last year. Teaming up with adidas, the beloved squad has put the shell in “shelltoe” with this special pair of Superstars. Its upper features a textured leather that mimics their skin with special elements like a “NINJA POWER” callout at the tongue scattered throughout. To top it all off, each pair is joined by a re-print of the original TMNT comic by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.
Air Jordan 9 “Powder Blue”
Release Date: March 23
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Back in 1993, the Air Jordan 9 took center stage as the ninth entry in Michael Jordan’s lineup of signature shoes. For its initial four colorways, the Jumpman team looked back at Jordan’s time with the University of North Carolina, paying homage to his time with the school by outfitting the Air Jordan 9 in its white and blue color scheme, resulting in the “Powder Blue” iteration of the shoe. It later returned to shelves in 2010 and is now set to release once again this week. Staying true to its OG look, the pair utilizes a leather upper in white that is joined by black and blue detailing.
One Piece x PUMA Suede
Release Date: March 23
Release Price: $85 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: Beloved manga and anime series One Piece has seen its fandom continue to grow exponentially, in part thanks to Netflix’s hit live-action rendition from last year. Now, PUMA is joining in on the fun by presenting its Suede sneaker in four character-themed colorways. Referencing Luffy, Blackbeard, Shanks and Buggy respectively, each shoe is packed with playful references while maintaining the silhouette’s signature versatility.
ASICS GT-2160 UB6-S
Release Date: March 24
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: Kiko Kostadinov is no stranger to ASICS’ silhouettes, however, it’s only in the past few years that his work is finally being recognized and properly appreciated by the masses as the brand continues to soar into global prominence. Earlier this month, his studio teamed up with the Japanese sportswear brand to launch the ASICS GT-2160 UB6-S — a modernized version of the GT-2160 silhouette. Now, it’s time for the sneaker to arrive stateside as its asymmetrical pull tab and slick shape has been prepared in three distinct color arrangements.
