Year: 2022

Reebok undoubtedly left a good impression on the sneaker world in 2021 with a multitude of new collaborations, retro bring backs and fresh colorways and more, and it’s poised to have another big year in 2022. This January, the vector brand is kicking off its footwear initiatives with the release of more Zig Kinetica II “Edge” colorways, both of which are executed with a collection of earthy tones that are inspired by an urban jungle and the ways in which society interacts with nature.There’s a duo of iterations involved in this SS22 launch, one that is a unisex pair and one that is geared towards the women’s demographic. Both pairs are designed with intricately styled uppers as they feature woodgrain patterns across the side panels — a noticeable shift from the traditional warped graphics that we last saw on A$AP Nast’s collaboration — along with perforated leather overlays in the forefoot and quilted overlays towards the rear. The unisex offering bears a mostly muted gray upper and sits adjacent to pink, brown, green and orange accents while the iteration for the ladies is crafted with a lighter gray base layer with cream, bright blue and yellow notes. Both installments come fitted with chunky, off-white midsole pieces and black treading as well as toggle laces to stress its trail-ready personality.Reebok has both of these colorways dropping on January 15 for $130 USD a pop.In case you missed it, Cardi B’s second Reebok collaboration has been unveiled.

Puerto Rico’s multi-hyphenate rapper Bad Bunny first teased his partnership with adidas Originals in 2020, and has since gone on to produce various takes on his rehashed Forum Low as well as an unreleased ZX 8000 “Ice Cream.” Now, the duo is back together as rumors being to circulate surrounding the release of another pair, this time around seeing the Response CL get the Bad Bunny treatment.Reintroduced in September 2020, the Response CL is yet another one of adidas Originals’ throwbacks to the early 2000s, celebrating its chunky dad shoe and noughties running heritage. Naturally, it’s fitted with adiWear and adiPRENE technology in the sole unit, while nods to the EQT lineage frequent throughout the Response CL’s design language.As for this Bad Bunny take, it’s served in a reserved palette of cream base mesh that’s overlayed with synthetic white ‘leather’ and metallic silver details, in places dripping onto the sole unit in the rapper’s usual playful manner or twisting and turning around the upper to create more retro-inspired lines and shapes.Elsewhere, we find blue and silver Three Stripes, melting love heart-shaped embroidery on the toe — which is further echoed with embroidery on the vamp and eyestay placket — as well as an eye on the rear of the shoe, retro adidas EQT branding on the tongue, and dual-branded insoles.Very little is known about the release status of this pair, however, it has surfaced on Consortium and some region-specific adidas sites. It’s expected to cost £130 GBP (or $175 USD), and will most likely drop later this month or before spring.In case you missed it, check out this week’s issue of Sole Mates.

Nike is celebrating 40 years of the Air Force 1 silhouette with a limited edition colorway. Blending both Eastern and retro design influences, this pair of Nike Air Force 1 Low “Shapeless, Formless, Limitless” takes after the “Nai-Ke” pair, highlighting East Asian aesthetics.This particular pair sports unique ornaments resembling that of jade adornments on the back of the heel. At the core of the shoe, the Nike Air Force 1 sports an alternating pink and a light aqua suede upper and features new branding on the insoles and tongues as a nod to “Shapeless, Formless, Limitless.” Additionally, the NIKE INTERNATIONAL branding can be seen on the tongue as well as the individual number of the shoe, showcasing that there are only 2022 pairs made. Embroidered patterns are marked into the suede upper. Metallic hardware rests on top of the translucent aqua outsole, similar to the jade motif to round out the design.Nike Air Force 1 Low “Shapeless, Formless, Limitless” are expected to release in 2022 in select retailers and on Nike.Elsewhere in Nike Air Force 1 Low, the “Year of the Tiger” comes styled with striped Swooshes.