This Weekend's Essential Sneaker Drops: Week Of May 21 2016

Those Slam Jam x ASICS tho.

May 18, 2016

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Already over the working week? Don’t worry, the big sneaker players have got you covered if you want to escape to a different time, place or even dimension. ASICS releases the heaviest hitter of the week with a 5th Dimension Slam Jam collab, adidas goes neo-retro with a Primeknit remix of '90s classic, while Nike and Jordan Brand celebrate two of their greatest stars in MJ and Kobe. 

Nike Air Jordan 2 Low (Chicago)

As much as I think the Air Jordan 2 silhouette is under-appreciated, Jordan Brand has gone a bit off the rails with trying to make the Air Jordan 2 Low more popular among the masses. This time around, they’ve gone and chopped the ankles of the ‘Chicago’ colourway (can’t go wrong with varsity red/white/black on any Air Jordan) and given us a sleek low-cut model. A mainly white upper with varsity red highlights on top of a black sole, it’s a nice looking shoe, but they just need to pump the brakes a little here. A premium leather Air Jordan 2 Low would’ve been a better bet. Or even better – BRING BACK THE MELO 2!

When? 21st May, 2016

Where? Nike (Online), Foot Locker (Nationwide)

Slam Jam Socialism x ASICS “6th PRLLL”

Now, usually I’m not a huge fan of taking old colourways and flipping them around into a new-but-not-really colourway, but this drop from Italy’s Slam Jam Socialism is on an entirely different dimension. Taking control of yet another collaboration with ASICS, the team from Milan have dug up their legendary “5th Dimension” Gel Lyte III from 2010 and completely inverted to negative the colour palette. Inverting the colours from the sporting aesthetic of the original has produced a hyper-aggressive model, that looks incredible. Sure to be a neck-snapper with every wear, you can guarantee the line-up for these is about to get underway (if not already!)

When? 21st May, 2016

Where? Highs & Lows (Perth), Laced (Brisbane), Prime Athletic (Melbourne), Above The Clouds (Sydney)

adidas EQT Guidance 93 Primeknit

Having previously thrown a Boost sole onto the classic '90s EQT collection with their 93/16 packs, adidas again channel their Dr Frankenstein vibes and rework the EQT Running Guidance 93 with an all Primeknit upper. Taking my personal favourite EQT Torsion sole and pasting on a one-piece Primeknit upper in an OG Sub-Green colourway, adidas has created thing of beauty. While not every time-bending hybrid has worked for adidas, this attempt has hit the bullseye and shines a well-earned spotlight on the classic EQT range.

When? 21st May, 2016

Where? Up There Store (Melbourne), Highs & Lows (Perth), USG (Adelaide), Laced (Brisbane)

Nike Kobe XI EM Low “Carpe Diem”

Even though the Black Mamba has given us one last hurrah for the ages, the Kobe line of sneakers continues to live on. Releasing in a Lakers-inspired colourway, the low-cut version of Kobe’s final shoe (well, during his playing time) switches in Engineered Mesh to replace the popular (and more expensive) Flyknit material seen on the Elite versions. Dressed in black with a golden swoosh featuring purple highlights, the EM upper sits on an icy translucent sole that is unmistakably Lakers.

When? 21st May, 2016

Where? Nike (Online), Foot Locker (Nationwide)

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