Author: Sneaker Blogger

Name: KEEN Jasper MerkoMSRP: $135 USDRelease Date: September 3Where to Buy: KEENKEEN is reimagining its iconic climbing-inspired sneaker with the bold, ultra-minimal Jasper Merko. Designed to deliver a barefoot-inspired experience with a lighter environmental footprint, the shoe combines tried-and-true shoemaking techniques with groundbreaking sustainable solutions.Arriving in a stealthy black, muted grey and beige colorways, the upper is constructed from premium, responsibly sourced suede, utilizing a stitch-and-turn construction that creates a seamless, flexible fit that feels tailored directly to the foot. This heavily textured, low-profile sole wraps dynamically around the shoe’s sidewalls, promoting natural movement and a more connected sensory experience. Staying true to its crag-culture roots, the silhouette features a generous original fit for natural toe splay and a distinctive lace-to-toe design.For durability and sustainability, the shoe employs KEEN.FUSION, bonding the upper to the sole using heat and pressure rather than toxic glues. This also marks the brand’s first silhouettes to feature an EcoEnd bio-enhanced midsole, which allows the foam cushioning to organically biodegrade at the end of its lifecycle.

Name: adidas Originals Adistar Control 5 “Watermelon Smoothie”Colorway: “Watermelon Smoothie”SKU: TBCMSRP: $160 USDRelease Date: September 12Where to Buy: adidasadidas Originals and Bay Area artist Larry June continue their collaborative partnership with the release of the Adistar Control 5 “Watermelon Smoothie.” Serving as the second colorway following an exclusive Friends & Family drop, this iteration reimagines the early-2000s runner through a fresh lifestyle lens.Inspired by June’s personal health and wellness routines – specifically his ritual of making a watermelon smoothie – the design translates his West Coast intentionality into aesthetic cues. The “Watermelon Smoothie” colorway features an open white mesh base paired with layered tonal overlays, establishing a clean, breathable foundation. Its standout design element is a vibrant gradient finish that transitions fluidly through “Semi Lucid Red,” “Semi Solar Slime” and Clay hues, directly mimicking the refreshing tones of its namesake beverage. Custom Larry June signature branding completes the upper, adding a personalized touch to the vintage-inspired silhouette.

SummaryThe North Face and Engineered Garments debut the VECTIV Forward, a modular lifestyle-runner convertible between laced and slip-on styles.Launching September 11-12, 2026, the navy/black sneaker blends utilitarian design with performance tech like 3D Pebax plates and DREAM foam.The North Face and Engineered Garments have partnered up for their first-ever collaboration, dropping the versatile VECTIV Forward silhouette. Central to the limited-edition pair is a modular design inspired by designer Daiki Suzuki’s utilitarian approach and the outdoor gear label’s performance expertise.As sneaker silhouettes originally made for running continue to be embraced by fashion, the need to equally address both function and form is driving innovative solutions. This lifestyle-runner hybrid boasts a transformable two-way design, allowing the wearer to choose between traditional laces for serious running or swapping them out with the complementary tongue cover for a casual slip-on.Below the feet, VECTIV 3D Pebax & carbon plates and a DREAM foam midsole ensure propulsion and stability, along with the rocker structure and high-grip SurfaceCTRL™ of the outsole. Built for both strenuous runs and casual strolls, the shoe arrives in a monochromatic “Easy Navy/TNF Black” colorway for a balance of performance and pared-back style.The North Face x Engineered Garments VECTIV Forward will be released for pre-sale at THE NORTH FACE FOOTWEAR Shinsaibashi and ENGINEERED GARMENTS TOKYO from Friday, September 11th, 2026, followed by an online and nationwide release on Saturday, September 12th.