August is here and summer continues to bring sunshine. Footwear brands are also bringing the heat as Nike, Crocs, PUMA, Salomon, New Balance, HOKA, and Jordan Brand have all prepared drops to look out for this week. Before diving into what to expect from the next seven days in the sneaker space, let’s look back at which headlines stood out to us this past week.
On the feature end, the Hypebeast team traveled to Puerto Rico to capture a first look at the Bad Bunny x adidas “The Archive” exhibit, highlighting nearly 150 pairs that are mostly unreleased. Meanwhile, Nike had a big week for itself with LeBron James teasing the Nike LeBron 23 and Lil Yachty unveiling three Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Swamp Sponge Dunks. Delta Airlines surprised sneakerheads with its employee-exclusive take on the Air Force 1 Low. Another collaborator to make noise with the Swoosh was COMME des GARÇONS HOMME PLUS, which had its two Air Rejuven8 colorways officially presented. Rounding out the Nike news, we spotted two Billie Eilish-themed Air Jordan 4s on the superstar’s feet, as seen during her world tour.
Circling back to adidas, Edison Chen offered a first look at a CLOT x adidas Anthony Edwards 1 Low, which is covered in blue flames. Brain Dead’s adidas Japan Los also made an appearance while we took a closer look at the neapolitan-esque Bad Bunny x adidas Adizero SL72. Elsewhere, Salehe Bembury announced his latest Crocs launch: a “Tetra” colorway of his Pollex Cypress boot. Two basketball shoes were also spotted: LaMelo Ball’s PUMA MB.05 and Kyrie Irving’s ANTA KAI 2 Speed.
Now that you’re caught up with the latest news from the footwear industry, let’s take a look at what’s to come, starting with another Nike Ja 3 release. Once you complete your walkthrough of our latest list of launches, don’t forget to hit up HBX to see which shoes you can pick up today.
Nike Ja 3 “Light Show”
Release Date: August 5
Release Price: $125 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Ja Morant and Nike Basketball introduced the Nike Ja 3 last month, leading with the “NY vs NY” colorway. Now, a similar graffiti-inspired look is set to drop this week, sporting a “Light Show” theme that nods to Morant treating every game like it’s showtime as he packs highlight reels with special moments each night. The colorful “JA” callout at the lateral rests atop a gray-on-gray color scheme that is present throughout the shoe.
Krispy Kreme x Crocs Classic Clog
Release Date: August 5
Release Price: $90 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Crocs’ Classic Clog has never looked sweeter. The slip-on specialists have teamed up with Krispy Kreme to glaze the beloved clog. The donut-inspired look pays homage to the chocolate iced with sprinkles donut on the left shoe and strawberry iced with sprinkles on the right. Meanwhile, special thematic Jibbitz and co-branding at the strap and footbed tie together the unique look.
FENTY x PUMA Avanti “Pale Plum” & “Black/Tan”
Release Date: August 6
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: Rihanna’s FENTY x PUMA partnership continues to drive success to the German sportswear brand. The duo is not afraid to make a statement and is back this week with two new takes on the Avanti sneaker. The football-inspired silhouette dons colorways of “Pale Plum” and “Black/Tan,” offering a leather upper with its co-branded fold-over tongue present alongside a translucent TPU heel.
JJJJound x Salomon XT-6
Release Date: August 7 (US/Europe) and August 8 (Global)
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: JJJJound and Salomon
Why You Should Cop: The tastemakers over at JJJJound have finally reconnected with Salomon for the duo’s second collaboration. This time, the pairing has moved on from the XT-Wings 2 to the XT-6. The popular model has been presented with JJJJound branding visible at the tongue and heel. Meanwhile, compositions of blue and black offer two opposing viewpoints: bold and subtle.
The Whitaker Group x New Balance MADE in USA 990v4 & 998 “Willful Bias”
Release Date: August 7 (JAIDE) and August 8 (All TWG Stores)
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: JAIDE
Why You Should Cop: The Whitaker Group, which manages prominent retailers A Ma Maniére, Social Status, APB, Prosper, and now JAIDE, is back with its third New Balance release. This time around, the MADE in USA line’s 990v4 and 998 are the subject of the “Willful Bias” campaign, honing in on the excitement of the end of college semesters. Both pairs feature “Jade Green” mixed material builds that carry white, off-white, and black detailing.
Nike Air Max 95 “Cool Grey/Blue Spark”
Release Date: August 8
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The 30th anniversary celebration of the Nike Air Max 95 continues this week with yet another “Big Bubble” launch. “Cool Grey” and “Blue Spark” collide on the classic sneaker, offering a gray gradient at the human anatomy-inspired upper and blue detailing located at the lace loops, tongue branding, Air unit, sockliner, and lateral Swoosh.
HOKA Speed Loafer “Birch” & “Walnut”
Release Date: August 8
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: HOKA
Why You Should Cop: Hybrid shoes serve as great ways to balance familiarity and newness, with the sneaker loafer trend adding spice into the mix with its many provocative silhouettes. For HOKA, it introduced the Speed Loafer this year, combining a Vibram Megagrip outsole with Speedgoat 5 tooling and a loafer-inspired upper. It’s back this week in “Birch” and “Walnut” colorways that are ready for fall.
Air Jordan 40 “The Classic”
Release Date: August 9
Release Price: $205 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: In case you missed out on the Air Jordan 40’s debut last month, Nike has prepared a restock of its lead “The Classic” colorway. The latest addition to the Air Jordan legacy features full-length ZoomX foam beneath a full-length Zoom Strobel unit, a first for the brand. Premium leather in white is contrasted by black at the collar and tongue. Meanwhile, a new herringbone traction pattern backs every drive, jab, and leap.
Air Jordan 4 “Denim”
Release Date: August 9
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand’s standard Saturday sneaker launch is a doubleheader this week as the ladies are being treated to a new women’s-exclusive take on the Air Jordan 4. This “Denim” colorway, officially given the “Worn Blue” name, follows three denim-covered Air Jordan 4s made in collaboration with Levi’s back in 2018. Its two-tone denim build is complemented by off-white notes, a gum sole, and golden “Jordan Family” dubraes. Not to mention, it comes in a denim-inspired shoe box to complete the theming.
Demon Slayer x Crocs Collection
Release Date: August 11
Release Price: $80 USD to $95 USD
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: It’s been nearly two years since Crocs teamed up with the Demon Slayer franchise to offer four character-themed looks dedicated to Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. Now, the entire range, which includes three Classic Clogs and an Echo Clog for Tanjiro, is back alongside a new fifth pair: a Shinobu-inspired Classic Clog that is covered in her signature butterflies.
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