Nike and Adidas are battling it out again in our weekly top five, but we’re going to have to hand the crown to Nike yet again. Granted, it’s not an actual crown because we’re a bit tight on cash with the holidays (it’s more like one of those old, Burger King paper crowns), but hey, a win is a win! And this week, we’d give more than one glittering piece of headgear to the Nike team for managing to grab multiple spots on the list. Good for you Air Force 1 (two of our picks), you’re an icon.
It wasn’t the most exciting week for shoe drops — it seems as though the brands are winding down for the end of the year — but these five still managed to shine and they’re no less striking for slipping in before the year ends. Here are the best sneakers dropping this week, happy holidays!
Adidas Yung-1
The reintroduction of this Adidas 90’s era favorite has given us quite the year. Sporting a wide, chunky shape, the Yung-1 is a roomy sneaker with a lightweight sole. Featuring a mix of real and synthetic leathers, this particular drop comes in a preppy black and purple colorway, as well as a more understated grey on grey with amber accents. The argyle pattern is a nice touch and makes this particular colorway a lot less sporty than other iterations.
The Adidas Yung 1 drops today and retails for $114. Grab a pair at the Adidas online store or select Adidas retailers.
Nike Air Force 1 A-Cold-Wall
The Nike A-Cold-Wall collaboration is known for their iconic deconstructed look and the use of Nike Flyleather. 50% of these sneakers are made from recaptured leather fibers that were previously destined for landfills, making it a slightly more sustainable shoe. We aren’t saying buying this shoe will save the planet, but at least you’ll look good while the rest of the world is falling apart. Coming in both a white and grey, as well as a black and charcoal colorway, the ACW Air Force 1s feature a deconstructed swoosh and ACW branding on the lateral toe and tongue.
The Nike Air Force 1 A-Cold-Wall will drop on December 21st and will retail for $209. Pick up a pair at the Nike online store or select Nikes retailers.
Adidas Dragonball Z Shenron
This is the hands-down best of the entire Adidas and Dragon Ball Z collaboration. We still aren’t entirely sure who asked for this collab, but regardless it’s been receiving buzz for each drop. Making use of the EQT silhouette, these kicks feature a prime-knit upper and embroidered heel that references everyone’s favorite magical anime dragon. These are Adidas’ most subtle Dragon Ball Z shoes, taking the place of the inaugural Goku’s released earlier in the year.
The Adidas Dragonball Z Shenron will drop on December 22nd and will retail for $130. Pick up a pair at the Adidas online store or select Adidas retailers.
Nike Air Force 1 x Off-White
Even though the Air Force 1 silhouette is already receiving love from us this week, we had to double down. The Nike Virgil Abloh collaborations always fly off the shelf, so we felt obligated to give you the heads up this time. And honestly, if Nike dropped five killer Air Force 1s in one week they might steal the entire list — they’re that iconic. As far as Air Force 1s go, we aren’t looking at a whole lot of a different feel than what Off-White usually delivers: Helvetica fonts and deconstructed elements, but this time they’re giving us two slightly understated colorways (as understated as Abloh could ever be) with this weeks introduction of the Black and Volt varieties.
The Nike Air Force 1 x Off-White will drop on December 19th and retail for $170. Grab a pair at the Nike online store or select Nike retailers.
Nike Zoom LeBron 3
It’s been 12 years since Nike brought us the LeBron 3s and we’re only now seeing a reissue of the OG Black/Metallic Gold colorway that launched with the shoe. Featuring a nubuck leather upper, striking metallic gold eyelets, and accents on the heels and branding, the LeBron 3s have a strangely ominous and imposing tone. Some people like to wear shoes that make them feel powerful, and it seems like these aim for that crowd!
The Nike Zoom LeBron 3s will drop on December 20th and retail for $175 at the Nike online store and select Nike retailers.
