Month: August 2023

It’s no secret that the Calm Slide has been a key offering in Nike’s summer arsenal this year. Upon reveal, it was quick to draw attention with its minimalist build (which some compared to adidas’ YEEZY SLIDE) that slid into the slip-on trend with ease. Since then, the Swoosh has expanded on the Calm family with the reveal of the Calm Mule and Flip-Flop.Now, following the reveal of the fall-ready “Rugged Orange” that hit the net at the end of last week, a bold orange colorway has popped up. Per usual, it leans on the straightforward build to host the signature shade across the entirety of its build. Supporting this, simple Swoosh hits are scattered throughout.Hang tight as no release details regarding this orange take on the Nike Calm Slide has been disclosed by the Swoosh. Look for it and additional colorways to touch down on shelves in the coming weeks via Nike and select retailers at a starting price of $50 USD.Stay tuned for updates regarding the popular silhouette and for more of the latest news from the world of footwear, Drake’s Nike NOCTA line is back with yet another new sneaker — revisiting the Air Zoom Drive in a black and white colorway that features prominent co-branding.

WTAPS and New Balance have officially presented their third sneaker collaboration: a subtle grey-and-white take on the 990v6 that’s resplendent in its restraint. When the two brands first joined forces smack-dab in the middle of New Balance’s red-hot 2020 — one of the most impressive years by any footwear brand in recent memory — their partnership caught the sneaker world off guard, and the 992 they produced was one of the year’s very best shoes. Its follow-up, 2021’s 990v2, was much more subtle, and WTAPS is following that “less is more” ethos once again on the 990 family’s latest model. Upon a side-angle glimpse, the WTAPS 990v6 looks much like an in-line pair, blending multiple shades of grey across its suede, nubuck and mesh upper. The only hint it isn’t is served by the “USA” graphic towards the rear of the lateral side, and the shoe’s minimal hits of WTAPS branding, which replace the US flag on the heel and can also be seen on the insoles. Final touches include tonal NB tongue branding and a tri-color ENCAP midsole with FuelCell cushioning technology. WTAPS is only the second collaborator to re-work the 990v6 after Action Bronson’s “Baklava” and “Lapis Lazuli” colorways, as most of the shoe’s special releases have come from the Teddy Santis-curated MADE in USA line.Expect the WTAPS x New Balance 990v6 to release in Japan on Friday, August 25, priced at a tax-included ¥44,000 JPY (roughly $301 USD). Info on a global drop has yet to be announced. For more from the world of New Balance, check out the Numeric division’s recent skate-ified upgrade to the classic 480.

The partnership between Ye and adidas saw plenty of soaring highs and swooping lows alike over its decade-plus-long run, but one constant of the relationship between the bombastic artist and the German sportswear brand was compelling samples that never saw the light of day. From a wild signature shoe for Derrick Rose to camo-printed GORE-TEX boots, a high-top iteration of the YEEZY BOOST 700, the YEEZY 450 Slide and dozens (if not hundreds) of unreleased colorways with subtle design differences, there was always a cornucopia of conceptual product to be observed. Even as the partnership winds down, selling through its final stock before fading into the ether, those samples continue to roll out — and we’ve now been given a thorough look at what appears to be YEEZY’s take on adidas Originals’ ultra-popular Samba, a sneaker dubbed the YEEZY 150. Though the sneaker was first seen in brief, blurry 2019 leaks, a new set of images from @chaseseesghosts gives a proper look at all of its details. Dressed in black and gum, the YEEZY 150 Samba features a full suede upper and a chunkier construction than the slim football silhouette it was based on, combining the vibe of a Samba with that of adidas Skateboarding’s popular Busenitz Pro. Besides the construction, the midfoot’s standard Samba branding is replaced by a “Wyoming” hit that’s presented in a much thinner and sharper font. Overall, the shoe’s ethos seems to be similar to that of the YEEZY Powerphase: a new iteration of an adidas classic, sprinkled with just enough collaborative magic to increase its spotlight.Don’t hold your breath waiting for the adidas YEEZY 150 Samba to hit shelves, but if you’re pining for some more Yeezy in your life you can expect a swath of new releases to touch down in the coming weeks.For more from the world of footwear be sure to check out Sole Mates, a weekly Hypebeast series that focuses on notable individuals in street culture and the connection they share with their favorite sneakers.