Blog

Extra Butter is dropping a new 2002R “Protection Pack” collaboration with New Balance. The New York-based boutique has been churning up recent collaborations with fellow sportswear houses such as the adidas UltraBOOST 1.0 “Happy Gilmore” and Asics Kayano V OG “Tomcat.”Composed of three neutral colorways, the design was inspired by New Balance’s designer Yue Wu who thought up a concept of a redefined future. Extra Butter visualized the idea by incorporating the Y2K “Kaybug” aesthetic with eroded panels and pre-distressed details through a blend of premium hairy suedes, leather and mesh.The three offerings are paired with a line of apparel that takes on the same Y2K phenomenon by showcasing graphics related to the archaic technology of the time. Three t-shirts, a trucker hat and crew socks are strung together in the collection with a limited edition 45-min “Refined Future” Y2K mixtape, produced by Extra Butter and mixed by Darling Chuck that will be obtainable by fans who are privy to the advance release.The Extra Butter x New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack” to retail for $150 USD each is set to release on August 13 at Extra Butter locations while the brand’s official website and mobile app will see the release on August 14.Elsewhere in footwear, Kiko Kostadinov’s FW21 Jehtra Boot gives off amphibious-utility vibes.

Unveiled back in 2018, new images of the Air Jordan 4 PE “Oklahoma Sooners” have surfaced on the internet thanks to the Instagram account yankeekicks. With past collaboration releases such as the Air Jordan 1 PE and Air Jordan 5 PE variations, the Sooners have been racking up player exclusive Jordans in the past few years.Right before the 2018 Orange Bowl where the Sooners were shut down 45-34 by the Alabama Crimson Tide, OU received a new pair of Air Jordan 4 PEs that’s constructed of full red suede on the uppers and translucent speckled lacewings. The Oklahoma Sooners branding tops the tongue label while Jumpman logos detail the heels against a white and red speckled background. The red midsole with the same speckled design is sandwiched above an icy translucent outsole.A public release date has yet to be announced by the Jordan Brand.Elsewhere in footwear, Travis Scott teases potential Nike Air Trainer 1 Mid collab.

Despite Kiko Kostadinov’s success with his eponymous label, the designer is better associated with his work with ASICS — but that doesn’t mean his in-house footwear should be overlooked. Take this new pair of Jehtra boots for Fall/Winter 2021 for example — not only are they a step-up visually from SS21’s Renaissance-inspired Chelsea boots, but they also go to show the designer’s more technical side (which he explored with his work with AFFIX).The boot itself is served up in a colorway called “Dragonfly,” sporting a dark grey mesh base that’s overlayed with grey and black rubber, grey leather, and green leather. At the front, we find a wavy, almost tadpole-like rubber designer that overlays the mesh on the front-quarter, leading the eye towards the mid-panel where you’ll find the green leather section that connects to-and-around the tongue.That tongue is made from mesh and features green rubberized Kiko Kostadinov roundel branding alongside rope laces that have been covered by the asymmetrical fastening strap. A touch of black leather hits up the rear-quarter before more tadpole shapes grace the rear, while a thick, curvaceous, black sole unit rounds out the pair.Kiko Kostadinov’s Jehtra boot in “Dragonfly” retails for £540 GBP (approx. $750 USD) and can be bought from stockists such as Dover Street Market London now.In case you missed it, check out this week’s issue of Sole Mates. This time around, we speak with Paperboy Paris founder James Dridi about the New Balance 920.