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Nike continues one of its most prolific years in the brand’s history, and shows no signs of stopping now. Our monthly scoured guide picks out a few of our recent sneaker favorites, largely featuring old-school staples reimagined with new materials, no aesthetics, and/or new colorways.
Article Overview
Nike Daybreak Moon Particle and Light Bone
Nike’s been realizing the importance of the Daybreak’s legacy more and more in recent years. It was a staple during the running boom, popular with up-and-coming athletes and seasoned veterans alike. With its first true revival in 2022, the ‘70s-era marathon runners have been born again for a new era. They’ve now gotten monochromatic variants that look so good you might forget they’re running shoes. Returning are the signature waffle outsoles but the premium leathers upper swap now gives them a puffy new aesthetic.
Nike Air Force 1 GTX Vibram Black
Bruce Kilgore’s iconic 1982 basketball shoe has seen its fair share of variants over the years… to say the least. Now more of a lifestyle sneaker than a court staple, the Air Force 1 returns in its most adventure-friendly iteration yet. Sporting a super stealthy black leather upper with matching sole, the shoe also gets a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX membrane for inclement weather. While this is far from the first GTX-infused AF1, it is one of the first to be paired with a Vibram outsole, so you can use these just the same in the wilderness or urban jungle.
Converse x DRKSHDW ONESTR
Paris-based fashion designer Rick Owens recently put his Dark Shadow spin on the 1974 One Star skate shoe from Converse. Catching your eye with the elongated tongue and ‘70s-era avocado green upper, this distorted take on the sneaker also sports a widened base and some longer hair on the hide leather upper. The outer star gets a tail on one end, while co-branding can be found on the tongue tag.
Nike Zoom Vomero Roam
Nike decided to run back its super popular Zoom Vomero Roam that first came out a year ago. Returning in this cool Sequoia colorway, the split-horizontal sneakers are essentially a winterized, street-ready version of the brand’s popular Vomero 5 that came out in 2011. It’s been enhanced with splash-proof mudguards, a water-resistant upper lining, and toggle lacing system.
Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro “Medium Olive”
Made to evoke heritage and outdoor excursions with your family during the autumn season, this “Medium Olive” take on the fan-favorite Air Jordan 3 has also been dubbed “Family Affair.” The new colorway accentuates Tinker Hatfield’s original design (his first-ever Jordan) from 1988, which conveyed his architectural influence and was simply ahead of its time. Here, you get all the AJ3 hallmarks like the visible Air unit in the heel, the elephant print overlay towards the heel, the mud guard below the luxe leather upper, and the Jumpman logo on the tongue.
Nike x Stranger Things Collection
Honorable Mention: With the final season of the smash hit Stranger Things concluding this year, Nike has teamed up with the Netflix series for a handful of new silhouettes. Highlights include the Air Max ‘87s in Team Maroon inspired by Steve Harrington’s shoes in the show (with upside-down graphic elements inside and out), distressed Converse Weapons in white-and-blue, and distressed Converse Chuck 70s with elements from the show. There are also some cool women’s models including the LD-1000 in Fuschia Dream and retro-looking Field High General.
