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The footwear game moves at a breakneck pace — one wrong step and the hottest drops from brands like Nike, New Balance, Adidas and more will pass you by. That’s where we come in. We’ve consistently monitored the markets for any and all footwear heat, and laced them up into a handy weekly roundup of best sneaker releases. This week: Louis Vuitton impresses with a buttery soft leather trainer, Buck Mason taps Chamula for a seasonally-appropriate huarache and Tyler, The Creator’s long-awaited archival Converse release finally lands.
Louis Vuitton LV Buttersoft Sneaker
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Louis Vuitton
Need to Know: Louis Vuitton’s latest has Pharrell written all over it. The new LV BUTTERSOFT Sneaker falls somewhere between a retro sneaker and a stay-puff marshmallow, with a playful inflated padded upper and chic branding across the style. The flagship silo is avalible in lambskin or calf leather and a variety of tonal colorways.
Nike Air Max 90 x Patta “Sapphire and Particle Grey”
Release Date: June 24
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Need to Know: Nike and Patta are back. A follow-up to the coveted 2021 Air Max 1, the Amsterdam-based brand is giving the Air Max 90 a makeover, with a shiny black mudguard slapped onto a duo of excellent “Particle Grey” colorways. The lenticular Air Max-Patta tongue logo is admittedly pretty slick, too. The pair drops June 24 on SNKRS — they’ll go quick.
Chamula x Buck Mason Crepe Sole Cancun Huarache
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Buck Mason
Need to Know: Who better to deliver a premium take on a classic summer style than Buck Mason? The vegetable-tanned leather footwear was made in Mexico in collaboration with Chamula, who generally champion ethical working practices and make a killer pair of crepe-soled Huaraches.
Adidas x Clot Stan Smith by Edison Chen
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Adidas CONFIRMED
Need to Know: Part of the ongoing partnership between CLOT designer Edison Chen and the German sportswear giants, these Adidas Stan Smiths notably include a contrast-color beaded heel tab, along with forefoot text detailing to spice things up.
Converse 1908 Jogger
Release Date: June 20
Where to Buy: Converse
Need to Know: Converse is reaching deep into the archives for their latest Tyler, The Creator-lead project. The 1908 collection features two unique issues from Converse’s century plus of history, the trackstar Jogger (seen above) and deck shoe-esque Naut-1, in a variety of very Le Fleur pastel colorways.
Rothy’s The Penny Loafer
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Rothy’s
Need to Know: New from shoe brand Rothy’s, The Penny Loafer transposes the brand’s signature thread knit (recycled from plastic water bottles) onto a round-toe loafer for a preppy, breathable and generally killer summer footwear option. Available in three seasonal colorways, the style comes in women’s sizing, but is as unisex as they come.
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Nike Total 90 SP “Quit The Rage”
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Need to Know: After relaunching the iconic indoor soccer shoe this spring, Nike’s .SWOOSH gaming subdivision lined up a metallic black and green color-blocking, complete with “your opponent has forfeited the match” sockline and shattered T90 logo. Naturally, it sold out immediately.
Stone Island x New Balance Numeric 272
Release Date: June 18
Where to Buy: Stone Island
Need to Know: There’s no question about it: Stone Island and New Balance are making an early play for sneaker of the year with their forthcoming Numeric 272. The tri-colorway drop (the collection offers off-white, a blue-navy hybrid and rain-boot yellow) is nothing like we’ve seen before, with a vulcanized suede and a light-reactive poly canvas upper that laterally bisects the shoe and a rubberized Stone Island Marina heel branding that all equate to perhaps the most skate shoe-looking skate shoe ever. Prepare for the bank account to take a hit.
JJJJound x ASICS Gel-Kayano 14
Release Date: June 14
Where to Buy: End Clothing, JJJJound
Need to Know: After originally teaming up for the collab that really propelled Asics into pole dad shoe position, JJJJound and the Japanese label are finally back with another pair of the bulbous Gel-Kayano 14. The white, silver and black colorway is tastefully muted, while the baby blue-detailed version adds a pop of summery color to an otherwise subtle retro-inspired trainer. Both launch June 12 and June 14 on JJJJound’s and Asics’ webstores, respectively.
Norda 008 Slide
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Norda
Need to Know:
Canadian label Norda has been making waves in the trail running community with their tough-as-nails trainers, but their latest release, the 008 Slide, turns its focus to the recovery side of running footwear. The slide, built with dual-density foam and a custom Vibram Ecostep EVO outsole, channels the same protection and durability as the brand’s other silos, albeit in a more relaxed, comfort-foward manner. The initial launch features four earthy colorways: “Sage,” “Oud,” “Hinoki,” and “Névé.”
Nike Cortez “Perforated Leather”
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Nike
Need to Know: It doesn’t get much more iconic than the Nike Cortez, but Nike is still finding unique ways to innovate on the style, as seen on the new “perforated leather” variant. While staying faithful to the Cortez’s instantly-recognizable silhouette, the new drop introduces a swoosh stapled directly into the leather upper, making them perfect for the encroaching summer months. The full collection drops in a variety of hues later this summer, but small-footed fellas can scoop the women’s sizing of the “White” and “Pale Shade” colorways right this instant.
New Balance TDS MT10T
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: New Balance
Need to Know:
If you haven’t heard of New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio, you’re not alone. The sub-label, which has quietly churned out a mess of fascinating experimental designs (Niobium hive, rise up) for more than a decade, has gone criminally unnoticed among most sneakerheads, something the brand is clearly trying to change with the latest launch of the New Balance TDS MT10T. Borrowing from the 2010s MT10 minimalist trail shoe, the TDS MT10T swaps laces for an open upper and toggle system that combines both the current obsession with ballet sneakers and the ongoing demand for outdoor-ready footwear styles. Cop the Vibram-soled sneaker in either all-black or stark white while you still can.
Adidas Italia 60s Made In Italy
Release Date: Available Now
Where to Buy: Adidas
Need to Know: Somewhere between on-trend retro and quiet luxury kick, the Adidas’ Italia silo is getting the made-in-Italy makeover. The athletic shoe, originally made in Rome in 1959, has been retooled with ultra-soft leather, a premium lining, rubber outsole and metallic “adidas Italia” branding. They seem like something Harry Styles would wear, and that’s the ultimate compliment.
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