Month: May 2026

Name: Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Low “Daybreak”Colorway: Summit White/DaybreakSKU: IB0018-102Retail Price: $120 USDRelease Date: May 21, 2026Where to Buy: NikeWhile Kobe Bryant’s signature performance line continues to dominate on the basketball court, Nike is ensuring the Black Mamba’s legacy stays just as strong in the lifestyle space. Adding another chapter to the ongoing “Mamba Forever” footwear lineup, the Swoosh has unveiled official images of the next Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low. Arriving in a beautifully clean “Daybreak” colorway, the release provides fans with a versatile, everyday sneaker deeply rooted in Bryant’s enduring legacy.Building off the foundation of previous releases in the collection, this upcoming pair keeps the signature Mamba-inspired construction completely intact. The classic Air Force 1 upper is treated with a premium, textured snakeskin-style finish, giving the crisp “Summit White” base a sharper, more aggressive identity. To break up the tonal look, Nike introduces soft “Daybreak” blue accents across the inner collar, heel tabs, and the durable rubber outsole.The true magic of this silhouette, however, lies in its subtle tributes to the late Hall of Famer. The heels of the sneakers feature alternating “8” and “24” graphics, honoring the two iconic jersey numbers Kobe wore throughout his legendary 20-year career in Los Angeles. Unlike the story-heavy, school-based themes seen on the “Lower Merion Aces” makeup, the “Daybreak” edition opts for a more straightforward aesthetic, allowing the premium materials and iconic numbering to do the heavy lifting.Sometimes a clean color update is exactly what a classic silhouette needs. Whether you are a die-hard Kobe collector or simply looking for an elevated Air Force 1 to add to the summer rotation, this release is a fitting and stylish tribute to one of the game’s greatest. Fans can expect the sneakers to hit shelves and the SNKRS app later this month.

Name: ASICS GEL-1130 Mule “Black/Silver,” ASICS GEL-1130 Mule “Silver,” ASICS GEL-1130 Mule “Silver/Brown”Colorway: Black/Silver, Silver/Cream, Silver/BrownSKU: 1203B048-001, 1203B048-101, 1203B048-020MSRP: TBCRelease Date: July 2026ASICS is reportedly bringing the GEL-1130 Mule to market this July, a backless rework of one of the brand’s most consistently in-demand retro runners. The silhouette keeps what made the original worth buying — GEL cushioning, a mesh and synthetic upper, and the tech-inspired proportions that defined early-2000s running footwear — and trades the heel collar for an open construction that puts it closer to a sandal than a sneaker in terms of daily practicality.The GEL-1130 has had a steady run as one of ASICS’ more accessible retro options, sitting below the hype ceiling of the GEL-Kayano 14 or GEL-NYC while still carrying enough visual interest to hold its own in a crowded market. Its mix of mesh paneling, synthetic overlays, and GEL cushioning gave it a broad appeal across both dedicated ASICS fans and general retro runner consumers who responded to the early-2000s running silhouette without needing the most talked-about pair in the room. That base of familiarity is what makes the mule conversion a reasonable proposition rather than a gimmick.What ASICS has done here is surgical rather than transformative. The heel collar comes off, the rest of the shoe stays largely intact. Standard laces still run across the forefoot, meaning the fit remains adjustable and the shoe keeps its structural relationship with the foot. The open-heel format handles the rest, allowing the GEL-1130 Mule to function as a genuine slip-on without requiring the wearer to compromise on support across the top of the foot. It is a modification that respects the original rather than cannibalizing it, which separates it from the kind of novelty mule conversions that read as a styling exercise with no practical follow-through.The broader context matters here too. The mule format has been gaining traction across the sneaker industry for several seasons, with brands ranging from Nike to New Balance introducing backless versions of their heritage runners to meet a consumer appetite for footwear that transitions between indoor and outdoor use without fuss. ASICS entering that space with the GEL-1130 rather than a more premium or collaborative silhouette is a smart call, and the Mule sits at a point where it functions as a practical daily option rather than a considered purchase, which is exactly where a slip-on runner should live.The shoe is expected to arrive in at least three colorways, covering neutral and contrasting options that keep the palette consistent with the GEL-1130’s existing range. The mesh and synthetic overlay construction carries over from the original, and the GEL unit underfoot ensures the comfort proposition holds up regardless of how the shoe is being worn.

SummarySalomon has partnered with Baltimore-based skate brand Carpet Company for a bold new take on the XT-Whisper Void silhouetteThe striking design draws direct inspiration from the “Habibi Express,” Carpet Company’s signature 1995 Honda Acty Street van, featuring high-gloss red finishes and iridescent TPU detailingThe release is strictly limited to 1,720 individually numbered pairs globally—a clever nod to the address of Carpet Company’s Baltimore warehouse where the van is storedThe intersection of high-performance outdoor gear and gritty, independent skate culture has yielded one of the most exciting footwear collaborations of the season. Salomon has officially joined forces with Carpet Company—the beloved Baltimore-based skate brand founded in 2016 by brothers Ayman and Osama Abdeldayem. Known for their self-taught, instinct-driven DIY approach to screen-printing and board design, Carpet Company is injecting its signature irreverent energy into Salomon’s technical XT-Whisper Void, resulting in a shoe that completely challenges convention.Rather than looking to the trails for inspiration, the Abdeldayem brothers looked straight into their own driveway. The design of the collaborative XT-Whisper Void is heavily anchored by the “Habibi Express,” Carpet Company’s iconic 1995 Honda Acty Street van that serves as a daily fixture in the brand’s universe.Translating a vintage Japanese microvan into a wearable sneaker is no easy feat, but the execution is flawless. The shoe features a vibrant, high-gloss red finish perfectly matched to the vehicle’s paint job. To mimic the reflection of the van’s windows, the upper utilizes striking iridescent TPU overlays. The design is rounded out with custom graphics and Carpet Company’s signature devil horns, effectively turning Salomon’s utilitarian base into a highly personal, tongue-in-cheek statement piece.To make the release even more special, the brands are keeping the production numbers incredibly tight. Only 1,720 individually numbered pairs have been produced worldwide. The highly specific production run is a direct homage to 1720 Llewelyn Ave, the address of Carpet Company’s Baltimore warehouse where the “Habibi Express” resides, cementing the shoe as both a functional runner and a rare collectible.As Salomon continues to successfully expand into cultural spaces where community and design intersect, this Carpet Company link-up proves that technical footwear doesn’t have to take itself too seriously. With only 1,720 pairs in existence, the XT-Whisper Void launches May 16 exclusively atCarpet Company retail, followed by a release on carpetco.us on May 17 at 8 p.m. EST, and a global release on May 21 at Salomon.