While it remains the offseason for many sports, the sneaker industry never sleeps as Jordan Brand, New Balance, Crocs, Nike, adidas, ASICS and PUMA are all back for this week’s edition of best footwear drops. Before we let you know which ten drops you should consider copping, let’s go ahead and review what went down on the news side of things this past week.
Kicking it off with our latest feature from the footwear vertical, the HBX team caught up with norda’s Nick Martire to chat about the brand’s breakthroughs in the footwear space, its parallel in the car space and more.
Onto more typical news, Nike’s Air Max Sunder was teased in a new “White/Burgundy” finish that had sneakerheads talking. G-Dragon’s PEACEMINUSONE also officially unveiled its colorful Nike Air Force 1 Low “Para-Noise 3.0” while we caught first looks at the Nike Ja 2 in Christmas and Halloween-themed looks. A Ma Maniére also shared its 10th anniversary plans, which includes a “While You Were Sleeping” collection involving collaborations with Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse. Looking closer at the Jumpman side of the Swoosh, J Balvin flexed a custom pair of Rayo-themed Air Jordan 4s and the release of another fragment design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG hit the rumor mill.
Elsewhere in the industry, adidas shared its 75th anniversary collection, a slick range of footwear involving the Samba, Gazelle, SL72 and Handball Spezial. Meanwhile, Crocs returned with another fun collaboration — unveiling a Batmobile-themed take on the Classic Clog. MUJI entered the sneaker mix with the reveal of its Reebok Club C 85s. Lastly, Stephen Curry’s Under Armour Curry 12 made its debut with the “Podium Pack” — two patriotic colorways that Curry sported during his dominant run in this year’s Olympic Games.
With all of the key headlines from the past seven days recapped, let’s dive into what sneakers you can look forward to dropping this week, starting with A Ma Maniére’s Air Jordan 3 “W.Y.W.S.” Once you’ve taken the time to work through the list, don’t forget to stop by HBX to shop styles that are available now.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3 “W.Y.W.S.”
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $225 USD
Where to Buy: A Ma Maniére
Why You Should Cop: For the first time since Off-White™ made history as the first brand to collaborate with Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse for one collection, A Ma Maniére has teamed up with all three to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Dubbed the “While You Were Sleeping” collection, the rollout begins with this “Black/Violet Ore” rendition of the Air Jordan 3. Its premium build combines a black leather upper with rough gray suede at the mudguard and the aforementioned “Violet Ore” at the collar and eyestays. Hints of off-white also arrive via the heel branding and midsole, resulting in a refined color palette that can be dressed in a myriad of ways.
Air Jordan 4 RM “Black/Light Bone,” “Oxidized Green” and “Light Legend Brown”
Release Date: August 21
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s finally time for the Air Jordan 4 RM to make its in-line debut. The sneaker was first introduced by Nigel Sylvester, who dropped two different pairs that swiftly sold out. Now, three colorways are set to hit the market this Wednesday. First, a “Black/Light Bone” sees the two hues balanced across the low-top. The second look is an “Oxidized Green” pair that hosts the dark green hue across its upper while off-white covers the sole unit and branding elements. A women’s-exclusive “Light Legend Brown” rounds out the three-part range as it dons the soft brown shade throughout its build.
The Basement x New Balance 1906R
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: London-based collective The Basement has been making waves in the streetwear scene for over a decade now. As a result, it has teamed up with some of the industry’s most prominent sneaker brands, including Nike and New Balance. Looking closer at the latter duo’s work, The Basement revisited the 2002R last year and is now set to drop its own 1906R in “Black/Silver” and “Grey/Silver.” Both feature a “BSMNT” hit across the tongue while shimmering overlays set this pair apart from its contemporaries.
Jonas Wood x Crocs Pollex Clog
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $95 USD
Where to Buy: BeASpunge
Why You Should Cop: Salehe Bembury has quickly made a name for himself in the Crocs history books as his debut Crocs Pollex Clog silhouette quickly grew into an entire Crocs Pollex line that he now leads. As Bembury continues to introduce new models, his fans remain treated to a fun array of Pollex Clogs each year, with 2024 bringing forth the new Art Friends Thumbs Up Good Job series, tapping artists to create special designs limited to 1,000 pairs. For the series’ latest look, Jonas Wood brought his stippling technique to the Pollex Clog, resulting in a playful texture across the slip-on.
CAYL x New Balance 1906R
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: South Korea’s CAYL is joining forces with New Balance once again, this time utilizing the 1906R and outfitting it in an air permeable mesh. Colorways of “Floating Blue” and “Fire Gold Yellow” each offer distinct arrangements while both give nods to CAYL via the brand’s mountain logo positioned at the lateral heel.
Nike Kobe 9 Elite Protro “Halo”
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Kobe Day is nearly upon us and Nike Basketball is celebrating with yet another edition in its “Halo” series, which previously spotlighted the Kobe 8 Protro for last year’s event. The white colorway now graces the Kobe 9 Elite Protro, with its low-top “Halo” version expected to drop next month as well, and sees the court-ready sneaker make its return for the first time since 2015.
CLOT x adidas Gazelle “Blue Bird”
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: CLOT and adidas have already found a great rhythm in working together, having only teamed up officially at the end of last year. A key model backing their partnership thus far has been the Gazelle, which is set to return this week in a new “Blue Bird” rendition that revisits the espadrilles-inspired build featured in the duo’s previous Gazelle launches. Accented by blue beadwork and stitching, the khaki upper is sure to catch even more eyes this time around.
Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS UB7-S GT-2160 “Dark Neptune” and “Lava Orange”
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: Kiko Kostadinov continued his work with ASICS this year by remixing the GT-2160, converting it into the ASICS UB6-S GT-2160 with a sleeker shape and raised tongue. Now, the UB7-S GT-2160 is set to make its debut with a diamond-shaped mesh pattern that has been applied to the UB6-S GT-2160. Leading with colorways of “Dark Neptune” and “Lava Orange,” the new model is set to arrive in the GT-2160’s boldest looks yet.
Air Jordan 4 “White Thunder”
Release Date: August 24
Release Price: $215 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Air Jordan 4 expanded its colorway lineup in 2006 by dropping in a “Lightning” look that dropped alongside a “Thunder” pair. From there, a “Red Thunder” hit the market in 2021 and now Jordan Brand is treating fans to a new “White Thunder” look that has only narrowly avoided the notorious “Panda” nickname. Its black nubuck build is served with heavy contrast delivered via the white underlays, wings and midsole.
Skepta x PUMA Forever “Black Ice”
Release Date: August 24
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: Skepta and PUMA have been making noise as a potent duo within the sneaker scene this year. The two debuted the PUMA Forever back in May and are now set to release their third colorway this week, switching it up from its darker presentations to a new “Black Ice” finish that sees a khaki upper joined by the shoe’s signature tread outsole in black and chrome detailing at the midfoot, heel and tongue.
