Wale We are currently experiencing two nearly opposite trends in the sneaker world. And yet, they often meet in one shoe. The most popular models are both 1-retro sneakers, and, 2-hyper-futuristic designs. This weekend’s releases underscore that tension like none before. Case(s) in point: Nike’s old-school Skylon 2 and Air Revaderchis, Off-White’s Air Presto, and Puma’s latest RS-0. Throw in a bunch of great-looking general releases (like an Air Jordan 10 and a handful of Air Maxes), and there’s something to pick up for almost every taste level.
Continuing the suede’s 50th anniversary celebration, Puma teamed up with California skate brand Santa Cruz for its take on the classic. The collaboration features an iteration of Santa Cruz’s flaming hand logo painted onto the suede and shaped into a graphic version of Puma’s branding. Bright red leather lines the black suede upper, which sits on top of a dark gum sole. It makes for a sneaker that is at once subtle and bold in turn, creating a unique look that fits snuggly into Puma’s aesthetic.
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The biggest release of this weekend (and next weekend, tbch) is the latest sneaker in the ongoing Off-White x Nike collection. The fan favorite of the original The Ten collection from Virgil Abloh and Nike was the Air Presto, and this weekend sees the release of an all-black pair (with an all-white version releasing next weekend). This is the shoe that every sneaker fan is jockeying for, and if you haven’t already locked down your pair, the likelihood of grabbing one is quite low. But we still think you should try!
Sneaker culture is currently in a re-calibration. It’s figuring out how to put focus back on sneaker releases that are open to the general public, instead of only highlighting super limited pairs. These Light Smoke Gray Jordan 10s are a part of that shift. It’s an offering from Jordan Brand that plays on classic colors but is still innovative in style. The retro sneaker is covered in a speckled gray, reminiscent of a cement ball court, tempered by black leather at the lacing and a black and white outsole. Everyone who wants a pair of these will be able to get them, and they’ll never go out of style.
This week, Nike is dropping two different pairs of Air Maxes that utilize camouflage patterns but balance the look with different colors and textures. The Air Max 95 features a camo of olive and gray, with hits of peach at the lacing to match the gum outsole. An olive green midsole with gray nubuck, plus netting on the upper, draw out the colors from the camo to complete the look.
For a more traditional take on camouflage, the small collection of camo-patterned Air Maxes continues on the Air Max 98. The shoe is almost entirely olive green, using both leather and a woven textile. There are small pops of peach around the branding and a bright orange in the air bubble sole for a little extra oomph.
Big Sean is back in the creative seat for Puma, pushing its release of the new RS-0 this week. The shoe features a bunch of elements that have been in the Puma archive forever (a retro toe box, the formstripe, and boxy soles), while the entire aesthetic has been pushed into the future. There’s no shortage of colorways dropping this weekend, including clean black and white versions. But don’t be afraid of the pair that has hits of hot pink; it’s a strong (but very good!) look.
Last week, we directed you to the latest Air Skylon 2 release from Nike, but it was only available in women’s sizes. This week, the Swoosh is dropping a duo of the retro sneaker in colorways made for men. The looks are much more subdued, with uppers that are almost entirely white, countered by the colorful quarters. One pair has blue fading to purple, while the second is purple fading to pink. Both pairs are ripped out of the era of ’90s jogging, but have proven to be timeless successes.
Nike continues its thematic duos with two pairs of neutral Air Maxes. The Air Max 97 / Plus uses the sole of the Air Max 97 as a base and the upper of the Plus to complete the look. The entire upper is done up in versions of cream, ranging from an almost pure white to a pearly pink. A black tongue, liner, and lace bring the look of the sneaker down to earth.
Flipping the Air Max 97 / Plus, the Plus / 97 does the exact opposite: The sneaker combines the sole of the Air Max Plus with the upper of the Air Max 97. The sole’s interplay with the upper makes for a much bulkier shoe, fitting right into the trend for large kicks. The color scheme is the same as the other sneaker in the duo, which plays with neutral tones in the lightest of pinks. Those tones may feel a little light, so the tongue, lining, and laces are done up in black.
The blasts from the past continue with Nike Air Revaderchi’s latest colorway. The shoe was originally created as a trail runner, but as time went by, the sneaker found a home in a more casual environment, too. An old-school sole sets the base for a look that almost seems like it has no identity: A boot-inspired toe is smashed together with the rest of an upper reminiscent of the Air Huarache. It’s rugged and light and from another era. The black, brown, and red-scale colors make for a really great mix.
