While sports fans look ahead to the return of the NBA and American football seasons, it’s time for the US Open. The beloved tennis tournament has officially begun, and joins this week’s list of best footwear drops as something to look forward to. We have notable contributions from Nike, Salomon, Jordan Brand, New Balance, Reebok, adidas, and ASICS in the round-up this week.
Per usual, let’s start by taking a look back at which headlines stood out to us from the sneaker space this past week. News of Nike suing CLOT’s Edison Chen caught us by surprise. The Swoosh remained busy, officially revealing its Yu-Gi-Oh! x .SWOOSH x Nike Air Max 95 collaboration. It also saw its upcoming Cav Empt collaboration featuring the Air Max Dn8 fully unveiled.
Elsewhere in the industry, New Balance continues to make waves with the unveiling of new looks, presenting a “Black Croc” version of the 1906L and a “Community Blue” version of the 993. Meanwhile, Crocs announced a multi-year partnership with the NFL, crafting clogs for each franchise. It is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Microsoft with a Windows XP-themed Classic Clog.
Tyrese Haliburton was one of several brand ambassadors to make headlines last week, teasing a blue version of his upcoming PUMA Hali 1. For ASICS Skateboarding, it teamed up with Gino Iannucci to bring the new Leggerezza FB stateside. We now have confirmation of Angel Reese’s first signature shoe with Reebok dropping next month as well. Rounding out this recap, SZA and Vans announced their new partnership.
With all of the past week’s key news revisited, let’s switch gears to looking ahead at what’s to come. Afterwards, don’t forget to check out HBX to shop styles that can be purchased today.
Nike Air Max 1000 “Oat” & “Black”
Release Date: August 19
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS (“Oat”) and Zellerfeld (“Black”)
Why You Should Cop: A new chapter of Nike Air arrives this week with the first global launch of Zellerfeld and Nike’s Air Max 1000 sneaker. The 3D-printed shoe has been teased for nearly a year and is now ready for the innovative design to undergo mass adoption. Presented in monochromatic renditions of “Oat” and “Black,” the shoes are accented by orange and neon green Air units respectively and feature a wavy build that is not only engaging visually, but responsive as well.
Salomon XT-Whisper Void
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Salomon
Why You Should Cop: Salomon closed out its 2024 run by reintroducing the XT-Whisper, a women’s model from 2000 that has since starred in several campaigns. Now, it has morphed into the XT-Whisper Void. Its performance-oriented roots remain intact as it takes on a new visual identity that blends ethereal palettes with contemporary linework. Four colorways of “Black/Silver,” “Dynasty Green,” “Alloy/Silver,” and “Vanilla Ice/Silver” each give the model a chance to shine.
Air Jordan 40 “Blue Suede”
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $205 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Amidst the many retro Air Jordan releases of the month is the steady rollout of the Air Jordan 40. The understated performance shoe debuted in its “The Classic” colorway last month and is back now in a “Blue Suede” that sees a soft blue present across the suede build, with black and white adding contrast to the shoe. As with its predecessor, you can look forward to the latest in Nike technology to be present, such as a full-length Zoom Strobel unit that rests atop full-length ZoomX foam.
New Balance ABZORB 2010 “Brighton Grey” & “Triple Black”
Release Date: August 20
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: As New Balance assembles the next generation of its footwear arsenal, an emphasis has recently been placed on its newer styles over its classics. For the ABZORB 2010, it returns to our best footwear drops round-up once again this week, offering two fresh compositions of “Brighton Grey” and “Triple Black.” The former connects various grays with off-white throughout its mixed material build while the “Triple Black” pair stays true to its name.
Nike SB Air Max 95 “Cactus Flower”
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike SB is offering another chance to pick up its newest model revamp as the SB Air Max 95 hits the SNKRS platform this week. The skate-oriented version of the sneaker is set to drop again in its debut “Cactus Flower” composition, which combines a gray gradient across its human anatomy-inspired upper with an eye-catching purple at the lace loops, Air unit, tongue branding, and the heel’s Nike SB callout.
Tobe Nwigwe x Reebok CHUKWU ABUO
Release Date: August 22
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: Tobe Nwigwe has quickly ascended the ranks of Reebok collaborators, having debuted his first shoe, the CHUKWU OTU, earlier this year. He’s now set to follow this up with the introduction of the CHUKWU ABUO this week. Sleek linework sees various suede panels come together for a contemporary finish in “Mint” and “Chalk” colorways that stick to their respective hue throughout the shoe, save for the gum outsole.
Pharrell Williams x adidas VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: $300 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: One of the year’s most anticipated sneakers is finally here. Pharrell Williams and adidas have teased the VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish since Paris Fashion Week in January and have made the most of Williams’ appearances since then, highlighting various upcoming colorways of the multi-layered shoe. The gelatinous marine animal informs the shoe’s design as exaggerated dimensions host a combination of black, orange, off-white, and white.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard”
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Another long-awaited, orange-colored sneaker is dropping on Saturday. Jordan Brand is turning back time by a decade as it reintroduces the beloved Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard” for the first time. Constructed with a tumbled leather upper, its fusion of black, orange, and off-white is ready to captivate the sneaker world once again.
SHUSHU/TONG x ASICS GEL-KINETIC FLUENT
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: ASICS’ presence at the most recent edition of Paris Fashion Week was highlighted by the reveal of upcoming launches, including SHUSHU/TONG’s two delicate takes on the GEL-KINETIC FLUENT. The modern runner is as graceful as ever, sporting lace across the midfoot and heel. Colorways of blue and silver and black and blue offer opposing viewpoints of light and dark, with co-branding scattered throughout.
Nike Kobe 3 Protro “Halo”
Release Date: August 23
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Aside from being stacked with sneaker launches, August 23 is Kobe Bryant’s birthday, a day Nike Basketball continues to celebrate annually with the reintroduction of one of his signature shoes. For 2025, that model is the Kobe 3, which is arriving in Protro form for the first time. As with the last two years’ releases, it will drop in an all-white “Halo” colorway. Key upgrades to the 2008 sneaker include a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit with Cushlon 3.0, a refined mesh package, and new padding.
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