The year is quickly coming to a close, but before we start unpacking a new year of releases, there are more holiday drops to look forward to courtesy of contributions from New Balance, Nike, Salomon, adidas, and Jordan Brand. Per usual, we’ll walk you through last week’s top footwear headlines before diving into this week’s top releases.
On the feature side, we announced this year’s cohort for Hypebeast100, with the collaborator of the year award going to Levi’s. Meanwhile, we also offered a round-up of the various kicks Steph Curry has been wearing since declaring his sneaker free agency.
As for the news, UNDEFEATED continued the Nike Air Max 95 anniversary celebration by announcing a city-exclusive pack of colorways. The rumor mill came with two big Swoosh-related headlines as well: a One Piece x Nike Air Max Plus “Devil Fruits” collection and an Air Jordan 4 “Pink Thunder” colorway. Jordan Brand also had its rumored Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Banned” leak.
Pivoting to the Three Stripes, Jerry Lorenzo confirmed that the Fear of God x adidas Era is officially ending this month. Hartcopy also reunited with the brand, covering the EVO SL in polka dots as an F&F-exclusive. For New Balance, the 2002R has been readied in a new set of “Protection Pack” looks that all feature GORE-TEX. CNCPTS prepped another footwear collaboration, this time teaming up with Birkenstock for a Boston “Felt” pack. Rounding out the week, Avirex and Timberland came together to rework each other’s most iconic designs.
With all of last week’s major moments revisited, let’s look ahead at which drops are expected to take place this week, starting with the latest from Rich Paul x New Balance. Afterwards, be sure to hit up HBX to see which styles you can cop today.
Rich Paul x New Balance ABZORB 2010
Release Date: December 17
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Rich Paul is more than just LeBron James’ agent. He’s grown Klutch Sports Group into an influential sports agency, began a partnership with New Balance, and most recently, created a new podcast with Max Kellerman. In continuation of his work with New Balance, the two have prepared a take on the ABZORB 2010. “Plum Brown” and “Burgundy” go back and forth throughout this premium mixed material build that incorporates sturdy leather and diamond mesh.
Palace x Nike Air Max Dn8
Release Date: December 17
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In case you missed out on Palace’s debut of its three Air Max Dn8s, SNKRS is set to bring back two of them this week. The new duo brought a lightning motif to the shoe’s upper, with “Safety Orange” accenting each pair. The pairing that’s set to drop again is the “Safety Orange and Particle Grey,” as well as the “Black and Safety Orange.” Shouts to Palace are included at both the forefoot and tongue, the latter of which sees a Tri-Ferg intersected by a Swoosh.
Carhartt WIP x Salomon X-ALP
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Salomon & Carhartt WIP
Why You Should Cop: Carhartt WIP and Salomon are a perfect match that we haven’t seen collaborate enough. The two fashion-forward entities have DNAs rooted in the outdoors and are now connecting on the X-ALP sneaker. Built for city and trail life, this take on the shoe leans on black for most of its palette, emphasizing its layered build of leather, rubber, and synthetics. Meanwhile, a duck camo is interspersed throughout the collar and tongue. Subtle nods to Carhartt WIP come courtesy of the branded pull tab at the heel and the co-branded sockliner.
New Balance RC56 “Ice Wine”
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $165 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: After Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance debuted their co-designed RC56 sneaker earlier this year, the American sportswear brand has continued to keep the silhouette available via in-line launches. Adding to the list of looks for 2025 is this new “Ice Wine” colorway. Per usual, its upper combines perforated leather and nylon mesh. What sets this look apart is the monochromatic mixture of gray, white, silver, and black accents.
Brain Dead x adidas Taekwondo, Techwondo, & Climacool 2
Release Date: December 18
Release Price: $140 USD to $180 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Brain Dead and adidas kicked off their new partnership last year with various playful footwear designs. Since then, the two have continued to grow closer by maintaining a steady output of campaigns. This week, the two have taken to the Taaekwondo and the Climacool 2. Looking first at the former, a co-branded black, white, and off-white composition is joined by a silver “Techwondo” pair that is inspired by the adidas Micropacer and features its own tech-based tongue shroud. As for the Climacool 2, it carries an eccentric, retro-inspired build of green, yellow, silver, and black.
Chase B x Jordan Jumpman Jack
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Travis Scott’s first signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Jordan Jumpman Jack, is getting its first collaborator this week. None other than Scott’s very own right-hand man, DJ Chase B, has prepared his own take on the sneaker. Black and light gray trade places throughout the upper with pink and 3M detailing bringing a pop in select places. Meanwhile, a glow-in-the-dark green outsole ensures this pair stands out.
.SWOOSH x Nike ReactX Rejuven8 Slide “Touch Grass” Pack
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $75 USD to $85 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In a world that’s become so preoccupied with screens, we now see people insulting those obsessed with the digital world by telling them to “touch grass.” This very phrase is the center point of .SWOOSH’s latest campaign. Nike’s gaming-oriented platform has embraced an authentic edge this year and is continuing this with the ReactX Rejuven8 Slide “Touch Grass” pack. Two pairs of the slide embrace the motto quite literally. The first favors a shaggy “Kelly Green” exterior that is said to be “FOR INDOOR USE ONLY” at the outsole. Meanwhile, the second has dead grass printed atop it, offering a “Wheat”-like finish.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4 “Dark Mocha”
Release Date: December 19
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: A Ma Maniére
Why You Should Cop: As promised, there is one final A Ma Maniére x Jordan Brand release on the way in 2025. Rounding out another big year for the duo is an Air Jordan 4 “Dark Mocha” colorway. Serving as the second of the two-part “Built For This” story, this sneaker builds off of the momentum the two stirred up with their Air Jordan 6 campaign from last month. With the Air Jordan 4, a fine nubuck upper hosts the dark tone while a refined take on the silhouette’s iconic netting and wings complements the color scheme. AMM’s beloved quilted interior detail is back alongside subtle co-branding to round out the pair.
Nike GT Future “Metallic Silver”
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike Basketball’s “Greater Than” series has always been about performance. However, that changed when the brand revealed the GT Future at NBA All-Star Weekend back in February. Since then, Wale has kept the sleek, futuristic sneaker in the conversation as a style-forward design as he continues to pop out in new looks. Now that the masses have access to the sneaker, its rollout is continuing with the previously-teased “Metallic Silver” pair that combines the shiny finish with gray and black detailing.
Air Jordan 8 “Bugs Bunny”
Release Date: December 20
Release Price: $215 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand is once again the closer this week, with its next Saturday drop scheduled to feature the return of the Air Jordan 8 “Bugs Bunny.” Last spotted in 2013, this ’90s throwback pair nods to Michael Jordan’s Space Jam co-star Bugs, who wore this exact colorway back then. A white leather upper is accented by a black collar strap and various “True Red” accents. For any Hare Jordan fans out there, this is one drop you don’t want to miss.
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