With April officially in the rearview mirror, it's time to get into the first batch of May's best sneaker releases. Over the course of this week, there's new takes on classic Air Jordans, collaborations from adidas and PUMA, and heritage-inspired signature Nike basketball sneakers — in short, something for everyone. Before we dive into this week's best drops however, let's briefly recap everything that went down over the past seven days.
As die-hard adidas fans may recall, May 2015 was the first time Kanye West was spotted in the UltraBOOST, so HYPEBEAST took a look back at how the UltraBOOST saved adidas lifestyle footwear by exploring its impact from four different angles. Apart from this deep dive into a modern-day classic, we also rounded up eight sneaker styles that are perfect for summer.
Nike Dunks of the SB and Sportswear variety were the silhouette du jor. Last week's biggest waves were caused by the unveiling of a 7-Eleven x SB Dunk Low, a totally unexpected style equipped with the beloved convenience store's signature colors and recognizable logo. On the sportswear side, the Swoosh announced summer release dates for a three-pack of immediately recognizable Dunk Lows: "Brazil," "University Red" and "Champ Colors." Mo'Wax and UNKLE founder, James Lavelle, also sat down with size? for the latest installment of its Conversations series, during which he showed off ultra-rare samples and riffed on the process of creating the legendary SB Dunk High "Unkle."
An autographed pair of Michael Jordan's original black and red Air Ship PEs — the exact style banned by the NBA in 1984 — surfaced, delighting Jordan fans in between episodes of ESPN's wildly-popular The Last Dance. Elsewhere, we were given a look at an ultra-limited Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG PE for the Michigan Wolverines. In the great outdoors, Nike ACG premiered its Summer 2020 collection, centered around the revitalized Deschutz sandal.
Moving from Beaverton to Herzogenaurach, adidas and Parley's push towards sustainability entered its next chapter with re-worked UltraBOOST DNAs and a new PRIMEBLUE iteration of the UltraBOOST 20. On the lifestyle side of the spectrum, Round Two head Sean Wotherspoon showed off his upcoming Superstar collaboration. Lastly, adidas Running creative director Sam Handy — who also contributed to the aforementioned UltraBOOST retrospective — lead the second installment of adidas's Creator U class.
Caught up? Let's get right into a dozen of this week's very best releases. Please note that these dates may be pushed back due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, and to see everything hitting shelves over these next few days be sure to head over to our Drops page.
Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 "Triple White"
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS JP
Why You Should Cop: It's been an undeniably strong start to 2020 for the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2, and this "Triple White" makeup will help bring the summer in with style. Featuring a tonal palette that plays up its breezy construction and beefy Zoom Air unit, the "Triple White" is perfect for the warm days ahead.
The Hundreds x PUMA "Cliques" Collection
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $60-$140 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: Inspired by high school crews in the '90s and the evolution of streetwear, The Hundreds x PUMA "Cliques" offers Clydes, Performer Mids, Palace Guards RS Pures and Leadcat sandals for everyone from jocks to preps to nerds and more. The collection is colorful — yes, all the Clyde images you see above are from one shoe — bold and offers a rich backstory, all traits synonymous with the long-standing West Coast brand's collaborative projects. Last week saw a limited release on The Hundreds' webstore, but this week marks the collection's full global arrival.
Air Jordan 34 Low "Heritage"
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $165 USD
Where to Buy: Nike and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Although the Air Jordan 34 Low is one of Jordan Brand's latest and greatest performance silhouettes, it's looking back to the Air Jordan line's genesis with this new "Heritage" makeup. By equipping a timeless black and red color scheme plus traditional suede accents while retaining performance-geared pieces like its Eclipse Plate, this low-cut Air Jordan 34 simultaneously showcases the Jumpman's past and present.
Nike Air Max 2090 "Retro Futurism" Pack
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Nike and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Nike's Air Max 2090 already combines the past, present and future of Max technology, but the "Retro Futurism" pack takes that ethos a step farther. Offering three bold styles inspired by retro-futuristic art and conceptual modes of transportation, the pack's designs are sure to stand out during summer 2020 and beyond.
Reebok Question Low "Oatmeal"
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: Reebok
Why You Should Cop: Back for the first time since 1999, the Reebok Question Low "Oatmeal" is an apt choice for any and all summertime fits. With lifestyle-geared tan accents, icy blue soles and the DMX cushioning tech that made it iconic, this low-cut take on Allen Iverson's most famous signature shoe is equally at home off and on the court.
On Cloudnova "White/Umber" & "Black/Eclipse"
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: On
Why You Should Cop: Swiss footwear company On is already well-known for its high-end performance running products, but it's aiming to step further into the lifestyle market with the new Cloudnova. A chukka-like casual silhouette that's set to debut in "White/Umber" and "Black/Eclipse," the Cloudnova is technical, comfortable and unique, all while retaining the signature CloudTec and Speedboard cushioning setup that makes On's runners so popular.
Nike LeBron 17 "Uptempo"
Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: Paying tribute to Scottie Pippen's most famous signature sneaker, LeBron James's new Nike LeBron 17 "Uptempo" is full of classic Chicago Bulls flair. With a vivid color scheme and alternate branding it's both a look back and a step forward — one that's decidedly fit for two of the best small forwards to ever do it. It's already released overseas, but the stateside drop is set to take place this week.
424 x adidas Originals Collection
Release Date: May 8
Release Price: $140-180 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: Continuing a long-running partnership, Guillermo Andrade's 424 and adidas Originals have readied another footwear-heavy capsule. Consisting of four shoes in total, the offerings include white/black and black/white takes on the Pro Model, plus crisp white SC Premiers and Superstars — the latter of which is dubbed the "Shelltoe." Each also features special subtle 424 branded embellishments. Although select pairs dropped at 424 early last month, this marks the collection's global launch.
adidas 4D Run 1.0 "Iridescent"
Release Date: May 8
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: adidas's 4D Run 1.0 is continuing its mission to normalize once-lofty 4D tech with a new "Iridescent" style. Although this airy white makeup is undeniably similar to past iterations like the "Big Game" with its crisp white uppers and "Aero Green" midsoles, it differentiates itself — and earns its nom de guerre — with a shimmering iridescent heel clip.
Air Jordan 1 "Royal Toe"
Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $170 USD (Men's)/$130 USD (Kids)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS and Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: An updated iteration of the OG "Royal," the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Royal Toe" (also known as the "Game Royal") is the latest installment in Jordan Brand's seemingly endless slate of AJ1 releases. Using a "Bred Toe"-style color scheme but swapping out red accents for blue, the "Royal Toe" also adds new-age tongue branding for a sporty summertime look. This is sure to delight new-age Air Jordan fans, and may even find favor with some purists.
New Balance 327 "Blue/Orange" & "Grey/White"
Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Serving up '70s style for the modern day, New Balance's 327 combines details drawn from the 320 runner and 355 trail shoe for a compelling retro look. Although it recently premiered via a well-received Casablanca collaboration, these wild "Blue/Orange" and mild "Grey/White" colorways mark its official in-line debut.
adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 "Flax"
Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: After first releasing in February and restocking on the adidas EU app at the tail end of March, the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 "Flax" is set to drop for a third time. Much like its debut release it'll be a regional exclusive — limited to the Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East and India — so the rest of the world will have to make other arrangements. However, lucky sneaker lovers from these locales will have another chance at securing this soft tan and yellow YEEZY.
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