The Top Sneaker Drops You Need to Know This Week

Release Date: September 12

Price: $160

At the top of the shortlist for sneaker of the year winners, designer Chitose Abe’s Sacai x Nike LDWaffle returns this weekend in three new colorways. Undeniably the most Instagrammed sneaker of 2019 will go from two colorways to five on September 12, as “Black,” “Summit White” and “Pine Green” iterations release at select global retailers. This will be the hardest sneaker to secure this weekend, but also the most valuable if you can manage to get your hands on a pair.

Release Date: September 13

Price: $350

Nike’s ambitious plan to extend its auto-lacing technology to each sporting vertical hits the lifestyle market this weekend with the retail debut of the Adapt Huarache. Following the success of the basketball-focused Adapt BB, the Adapt Huarache makes adaptive fit power-lacing stylish and functional for every day. The shoe’s sock-like upper borrows from the OG Air Huarache originally released in 1991, but in a contemporary manner that allows wearers to feel how the future of footwear will fit. Spoiler alert: it’s cozy.

Release Date: September 13

Price: $180

Los Angeles-based label Undefeated has always straddled the line between street and sport. The latter, when paired with their California roots, has always made for special collaborative releases with Nike and Kobe Bryant. This weekend, Undefeated offers a sleek “Black Mamba” iteration of the Performance-Retro (Protro) Nike Kobe 4. Honoring Bryant’s famed nickname, the largely noir-centric shoe is highlighted by an iridescent finish that represents the scales of a snake.

Release Date: September 14

Price: $250

Celebrating translucency, proportion and LeBron James—whom he deems to be the greatest athlete of all-time—John Elliott offers two new iterations of his highly coveted Nike LeBron Icon this weekend. Led by what was once a friends and family only pair and anchored by a Fushcia edition, this collaboration continues to be among the most enchanting in sneakers. Wear them with sweats, above-the-knee shorts or your favorite tailored trousers, John Elliott’s Nike LeBron Icon is one of the most desired transitional styles. The much anticipated “Parachute Beige” pair will release next month on October 9.

Release Date: September 13

Price: $90 to $220

A resounding pronouncement of women’s empowerment as told through sneakers, champion-of-the-people Pharrell Williams persists in using his Adidas partnership to uplift everyone. Williams’ “Now Is Her Time” range offers both subtle and vibrant variations of the Adidas NMD Hu Trail, NMD Hu Solar, Crazy BYW and more. And although the collection is meant to honor the bold voices of women, the entire collection is unisex, so fellas can participate, too.

Release Date: September 14

Price: $190

Many times, the story of Michael Jordan is written only in the number of Larry O’Brien trophies he raised and NBA Finals MVPs he tallied. However, it’s extremely careless to gloss over Jordan’s many worthy adversaries. None are more important than the New York Knicks, who squared off against Jordan’s Chicago Bulls many times. The Knicks often pushed the Bulls to the brink of elimination thanks to their bountiful talent and hard-nosed competitiveness. To honor one of Jordan’s most noteworthy rivals, the Air Jordan 3 “Knicks” drops this weekend in ode to the Madison Square Garden home team.

Release Date: September 14

Price: $300 

4D sneakers are still having a moment in style culture. This weekend’s release of the Adidas ZX 4000 4D “I Want I Can” is proof of that notion. The contemporary sneaker leans heavily into two Adidas proprietary technologies: Primeknit fabrication and 4D midsole tooling. “I Want” and “I Can” is scripted across the side paneling of each shoe in glowing orange and blue hues as a roaring motivational call and an ode to 90s sneaker design language. This clever balance of new tech and retro styling puts yet another win on the board for Team Three Stripes.