Is there any purchase more alluring than a fresh set of sneakers? If there is, we’ve yet to discover it. No matter how many pairs line your shoe rack, there’s always room for more. But with so many new releases hitting the shelves every day, it can be time-consuming to whittle it down to the ones truly worthy of your hard-earned cash.
To speed things up, we’ve handpicked the cream of the footwear crop and packed all the best bits into a clear-cut weekly edit. So, whether it’s the latest Nike x Supreme collaboration, or a fresh take on your favourite retro runners, rest assured you’ll find it right here.
Nike SB x Supreme Dunk Low
While it’s the rumoured Air Force 1 drop in 2020 that really has the sneakerheads salivating, this latest joint venture from Nike and Supreme should keep them happy in the meantime.
From the Swoosh’s skateboarding arm, Nike SB, the Supreme Dunk SB is a puffier, more padded take on the classic TEXTHEREbasketball shoe from 1985. Now, for 2019, it’s been reimagined by the skate brand in three two-tone, metallic colourways.
Of course, as with any hyped drop, you’ve got more chance of nailing jelly to a wall than getting your hands on a pair. However, if you think you’ve got what it takes to pull off the bling, your best bet is to have your finger trigger trained on TEXTHEREStockX this weekend.
Rarity Rating: 9/10
Design History: A skate-focused version of Nike’s iconic Dunk basketball shoe, with a Supreme twist
Best For: Flexing at sneaker expos
New Balance x Engineered Garments 990v5
To quote New Balance’s latest ad campaign, the 990 has long been “worn by supermodels in London and dads in Ohio”. And now, thanks to its most recent update, literally everyone else, too.
The 990v5 is, without a doubt, the hottest sneaker of the year, thanks to its masterful blend of minimalism and maximalism. Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any more tasteful, Daiki Suzuki and his New York-based label Engineered Garments swoop in to deliver some trademark asymmetric tweaks and texture.
Available in three tonal colourways, using multiple types of leather for tactility, the Engineered Garments 990v5 is a masterclass in restraint and a must-have for those who demand more from their sneakers.
Rarity Rating: 8/10
Design History: Engineered Garments’ take on the latest shoe in NB’s revered 900 line
Best For: Low-key fashion points
Adidas Stadt
One for terrace fashion aficionados, the Stadt is a brand new silhouette from the Three Stripes for 2019. Meaning ‘city’ in German, it’s not actually part of the Adidas City Series – a hallmark of the casual subculture – but draws heavily on it for inspiration.
Sat atop a gum rubber sole, the sneaker is introduced in two striking colourways, “Real Purple/Solar Yellow/Gold Metallic” and “Glow Green/Gold Metallic”.
Those familiar with classic Adidas models will recognise hints of the Tobacco and the Trimm Trab, while the bold and vibrant colours steer the shoe in an overall punchier direction.
Rarity Rating: 5/10
Design History: A brand new model based on Adidas’s terrace fashion classics
Best For: Stomping around the local boozer with a football scarf draped around your neck
Nike Daybreak SP ‘Lavender Mist’
Originally released in 1979, the Nike Daybreak is hardly the most technologically advanced sneaker on the market. Still, even today’s cutting-edge kicks have struggled to outrun it in the hype stakes over the course of the past year.
Revived thanks to a string of high-profile collaborations – most notably with Sacai and Undercover – the Daybreak is back, in all its stripped-back, retro glory.
This latest batch sees the throwback favourite rendered in three new eye-catching colourways, but it’s this smouldering purple haze that caught our eye. Perfect for adding a subtle splash of colour to transitional outfits as the autumn months roll in.
Rarity Rating: 5/10
Design History: A fresh new colourway for one of Nike’s oldest running shoes
Best For: Those who like to look of the Daybreak but aren’t into the weirdness of the 2019 collabs
Palace x Salomon Speedcross 4
One’s a gritty skatewear brand, born and raised in London Town. The other is an alpine sports brand, hailing from the foothills of the French Alps. On paper, it’s not an obvious match, yet when you unpack the details, it’s a hookup that makes perfect sense.
Both Palace and Salomon unwittingly stumbled into the high-fashion spotlight. The former’s tricked-out trail-running shoes have become firm favourites of fashion insiders, while the latter’s unconventional take on skate apparel has seen it become one of the defining brands of the haute-couture/streetwear crossover.
This collaborative effort sees the two labels unite via a street-friendly take on Salomon’s most recognisable silhouette, the Speedcross 4. Just don’t attempt to skate in it.
Rarity Rating: 9/10
Design History: Palace’s take on Salomon’s most popular trail-running shoe
Best For: We honestly don’t know