adidas and Fear of God Athletics have officially dropped the highly-anticipated seasonal collection that includes the buzzed-about Basketball II Sneakers in a rich chocolate colorway. Introducing a new seasonal capsule of essential, sports-focused footwear, the adidas sub-brand continues to push boundaries — much like founder Jerry Lorenzo promised.

Earlier this year, Lorenzo mentioned that his collaborative label with adidas had more sneakers on the way, including a revamped pair of basketball shoes that put performance at the forefront. And while the original silhouette faced some on-court critiques, the Basketball II builds on what it started and progresses with intention; they’re allegedly much lighter and far more supportive, but still every bit as sleek as the initial design that debuted in late 2023 at the Hollywood Bowl show.

The latest spawn from these two iconic brands comes in both high- and mid-top silhouettes. Both pairs have three striking stripes and uppers doused in a muted shade named “Night Brown,” then placed atop grippy outsoles with a multi-directional traction pattern fit for the hardwood. As a finishing touch, each feature co-branding at the heel. Long-term ankle protection aside, a noteworthy difference between each design is the high-top’s collar strap for extra support.

And, if the adidas Fear of God Athletics sneakers already looks familiar to any basketball fans, that’s because they’ve already made their NBA debut. Lakers guard Gabe Vincent has been rocking them on-court all season long, so rest assured knowing your feet are in good hands if the pros are rocking this night in and night out.

Best of all, the latest sneakers from adidas and Fear of God are accompanied by a whole new capsule, highlighted by the Suede Fleece lineup’s enviously soft feel and sturdy, double-knit construction. Pieces in this collection include a mock-neck, half-zip, hoodie, and track jacket, as well as pairs of relaxed-fitting pants and shorts that compose a whole fit. No matter which combination you opt for, you’ll stay active and comfortable from the neck down.

Try to secure pieces from the upcoming Fear of God Athletics collection when it drops on December 6th, with the Basketball II available starting from $180.

adidas Fear of God Athletics II High Top Basketball Shoes

$200 Buy Now at adidas

Price upon publish date of this article: $200

adidas Fear of God Athletics II Basketball Shoes

$180 Buy Now at adidas

Price upon publish date of this article: $180

More adidas Fear of God Athletics Apparel to Shop

adidas Fear of God Athletics Suede Fleece Mock Neck

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Price upon publish date of this article: $300

adidas Fear of God Athletics Crewneck

$170 Buy Now at adidas

Price upon publish date of this article: $170

adidas Fear of God Athletics Hike 1/2 Zip

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Price upon publish date of this article: $330

adidas Fear of God Athletics Relaxed Sweatpants

$200 Buy Now at adidas

Price upon publish date of this article: $200

adidas Fear of God Athletics Heavy Jersey 3/4 Mock Tee

$180 Buy Now at adidas

Price upon publish date of this article: $180

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Meet the Author

Yoni Yardeni is a Los Angeles-based fashion, footwear and culture journalist who has written articles for publications including HiConsumption and HotNewHipHop. Through prior stints, his work ranged from curating buyer’s guides for the fashion world’s best boots, sneakers, and jackets to revisiting Lil Wayne’s quintessential mixtapes and albums.

The final “Woj Bomb” of the esteemed NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski has now been turned into a commemorative sneaker.

Isaac Okoro, whose contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers was the last scoop of Wojnarowski’s prior to his retirement from the trade, debuted the special “Final Bomb” edition of hi Holo IO:01 signature sneaker during his team’s Wednesday night over the Philadelphia 76ers. The black and red mesh and synthetic leather sneaker features a bomb graphic on the heel to invoke the nickname given to the reporter’s scoops, and only 72 pairs are being made available to purchase through pre-order.

“We really wanted to pay tribute to Woj, who is without a doubt one of the most influential NBA insiders/beat writers,” Holo Footwear chief executive officer Rommel Vega told Footwear News. “The story came together nicely with Isaac being his last ‘Woj Bomb.’ It started with a text message from our marketing firm and myself [saying,] ‘Hey we should do a limited edition last Bomb shoe to honor Woj,’ and we hit the ground running got it done in 30 days from concept to the NBA floor.”

Okoro’s first signature sneaker is also the first performance basketball sneaker from Holo, a footwear startup that launched in 2020 and had been focused entirely on the outdoors prior. An Honest Foam+ midsole is made using recycled EVA, and the laces, outsole, mesh and removable straps are all recycled as well. Holo opened up pre-orders for the model in three colorways earlier this month, and a regular release will follow November 22.

“We’ve been asked before, ‘Who is your consumer?’ We say, ‘Anybody that wears shoes. That means we have to keep expanding outside of the outdoor category,” Yuri Vega, the brand’s president, told FN in February story announcing the forthcoming sneaker. “There was a white space in the outdoor lifestyle category when we launched — attainable and sustainable, and great fresh product — but there’s still more opportunity out there in categories we’re not in.”

The Holo IO:01 “Final Bomb” is available now for pre-order through Holo’s website, and the company will notify you as soon as the product is read to ship. Pricing is set at $135.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

One of Charles Barkley’s most popular Nike signature sneakers will reportedly make a return in 2025.

Last seen on retailer shelves in 2016, Barkley’s third Nike signature shoe, the Air CB 34, is slated for a reissue nearly 10 years later. According to @sneakermarketro, the retro sneaker will reportedly return in its blank “Triple White” colorway during fall 2025, meaning it could arrive in stores as early as July. Devoid of color, the all-white iteration of the Air CB 34 was seen during the model’s last run of releases in ’16 alongside the original Phoenix Suns-themed “Godzilla” colorway. 

While not quite as aggressive in its design as some of Barkley’s other sneakers, the Air CB 34 is memorable for its Godzilla-inspired design. Taking a page from an early 1990s Weiden+Kennedy commercial pitting Barkley against the mythical monster, Nike leaned into the fictional theme by designing the midsole of the Air CB 34 to look like Godzilla’s feet. At the bottom, a unique traction pattern spelled out Barkley’s “Sir Charles” nickname complete with a crown graphic to represent royalty. 

Like many of Barkley’s shoes, the Air CB 34 featured a supportive midfoot strap to contain Barkley’s explosive style of play – although it was considerably toned down from the straight jacket-inspired elastics seen on his previous shoe, the Air Max2 CB 94. 

The Air CB 34 was originally released in 1995 as a follow-up to the aforementioned Air Max2 CB 94. Its first-ever retro came in 2007, followed by its most recent appearance in ’16. 

With the pending arrival of the “Triple White” Nike Air CB 34 retro, it seems like a safe bet that the original “Godzilla” colorway will also be returning, although that has not yet been confirmed. For now, ‘90s basketball and sneaker fans and Barkley devotees can expect the model to return during the second half of ’25. The ’16 iteration of the “Triple White” colorway is pictured here.

Dikembe Mutombo, the Basketball Hall of Famer known as much for his finger wagging and singular voice as his defensive prowess, passed away Monday at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer.

The Congolese-American player nicknamed “Mt. Mutombo” was a global ambassador for the sport and prolific humanitarian who who donated millions of dollars to build a hospital in his home town, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.

At 7 feet 2 inches, Mutombo held down the paint as one of the league’s best-ever defenders and shot blockers. As an Adidas athlete, he served as a rare exception to the rule that big men can’t sell shoes with his namesake model still counting among the most eccentric signature models in the history of the sport.

In a statement after his death, Adidas said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Dikembe Mutombo. He was respected and loved by so many for his skills on the court and the impact he left off the court. Dikembe was a trailblazing humanitarian who believed in the brotherhood of basketball, using his platform to promote cultural exchange from Africa to the world, furthering the game and human rights with equal fervor. We are grateful for his legacy that will continue to inspire us for generations to come.”

Below, Footwear News takes a look back at Mutombo’s sneaker legacy, including his Adidas contract and the iconic Adidas Mutombo.

Dikembe Mutombo’s Adidas Contract

In the early ’90s, Adidas was struggling in the U.S. The company’s American sales were flat at around $225 million per year compared to $3.4 billion for Nike and $2.7 billion for Reebok. Robert Strasser, the former Nike executive who helped launch the Air Jordan line and was almost single-minded in trying to take down the German rival, was named chief executive in 1993 for a new Adidas America subsidiary in Portland. Along with him came as creative director came Peter Moore, designer of the Air Jordan 1 and the Nike Dunk.

Mutombo entered the NBA in 1991 as the 4th overall pick for the Denver Nuggets after playing for Georgetown University under the legendary coach John Thompson. Having graduated with a degree in linguistics and diplomacy, Mutombo only played three seasons of NCAA basketball because he spent his freshman year playing intramural hoops before being recruited by Thompson.

Nike sneakers graced the feet of Mutombo for the majority of his rookie season, as they did in college, until he signed a deal with Adidas worth more than $1 million putting his compensation in line with Michael Jordan. His agent, Sony Vaccaro said in a newspaper story announcing the deal: “The one thing Dikembe has is he can have a signature line. That’s the key. The merchandise bears his own logo and brand, and he gets back royalties from these particular items. To get royalties is a major cause.”

Mutombo instantly became the face for Adidas Basketball when it had fallen dramatically behind the sport. The ’90s marked a golden era for big men in the NBA, but Patrick Ewing had already left Adidas in 1989 and launched his own label, Ewing Athletics. Reebok locked down Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, and Nike released signature models for David Robinson and Charles Barkley during the time period in addition to the star of all stars, of course, in Jordan.

In the lead-up to the release of his first signature sneaker, the first of many memorable Mutombo ads (from Adidas and otherwise) aired him with him preparing to block a shot beneath the rim with a soundtrack of drums and the sound of an airplane. “Man does not fly in the house of Mutombo,” he said in a deep voice that became even more gravely with age. The ad is widely seen as a subliminal shot at Jordan and Nike, given the language of flight they’d used since the genesis of the Air Jordan line.

Details of Mutombo leaving Adidas have been lost to history, but in 1998 he began playing in Nike sneakers once again — which he’d continue to do until his retirement in 2009.

The Adidas Mutombo

Designed by Moore, the Adidas Mutombo launched in 1993 for $80 during the center’s second season in the NBA. The bulky high top was made to support Mutombo’s massive frame — he wore a size 22 shoe — and was deeply personal, especially for its time, through a number of elements invoking his home country of Congo (then known as Zaire).

The Adidas Mutombo’s launch colorway mixing black and white with green, red and yellow represented the Zairian Flag but can also be seen as an invocation of that of the Pan-African movement. A beefy tongue hosts a shield logo making use of both the letter “M” and Mutombo’s no. 55, and the shoe’s sidewall is defined by a geometric pattern pulling from the cut-pile raffia textiles of the Kingdom of Bakuba, which sat at the heart of Congo in the 17th to 19th century.

In a 2013 interview with Sole Collector looking back on the shoe’s history, Mutombo said: “I remember the designing process and how much I was involved. adidas wanted to find the true identity of Mutombo, where I come from, and something that would represent my country of birth. They wanted to represent the African continent and what I stood for as a player. It was about representing me as a defensive player and my shot blocking career, as someone who always protected. And that’s what it’s about. The shield is about protecting my kingdom.”

The Afrocentric look of the Adidas Mutombo was well timed, as colors and patterns from the continent grew more popular in a ’90s America in part because of streetwear and hip-hop. This trend could be seen in brands such as Cross Colours and acts including A Tribe Called Quest and Brand Nubian. On the inner cover for the album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” Raekwon can even be seen wearing the Adidas Mutombo while the rest of the members are wearing boots.

A second, more performance-driven Adidas Mutombo 2 followed in 1994 but was not received nearly as well as the first and would end up being Mutombo’s last.

Adidas brought back the original Mutombo as a retro for the first time in 2013 to commemorate the shoe’s anniversary. It also reissued the Mutombo 2 a year later, but once again the fanfare was much more muted compared to its predecessor.

More than 30 years since the Adidas Mutombo entered the world, it remains one of the most particular and personally-driven signature sneakers to grace the hardwood. By focusing on telling the story of Mutombo, the shoe’s bold pattern and colors have more in-common with the lifestyle-driven shoes that would emerge with the rise of sneaker culture in 2000s than the other performance basketball models of the time.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Shaquille O’Neal’s eponymous Shaq line is famous for offering affordable sneakers, but the former NBA superstar and current president of Reebok Basketball may have outdone himself with this one.

The newest line of Shaq footwear includes three performance basketball shoes priced from $40 to $50 and a lifestyle model retailing for $35. Available primarily from Kohl’s, creation of the sneakers was led by Shaq senior footwear designer Kyle Barbuti, who elaborated on the process on Instagram.

Speaking to the Shaq Raq Low model, which is priced at $45, Barbuti said he aimed to create a shoe suited for O’Neal in today’s style of basketball. According to Barbuti, the knitted textile upper is reinforced with TPU allowing it to be flexible but withstand force, while a ’90s-inspired EVA foam midsole adds underfoot cushioning. A herringbone traction pattern and lateral outrigger keep the wearer’s foot in place, and Barbuti said the low-cut design “should perform better than any other shoe on the market under $100 if not higher.”

To O’Neal and Barbuti’s credit, the Raq Low has received strong marks from basketball sneaker review platform WearTesters. 

“The materials are where I get surprised, not only with the cushion, but that material is package is like, ‘How is this on $45 worth of shoe? It doesn’t compute,’” WearTesters founder Chris Chase said.

But the Raq Low isn’t the only budget-friendly performance basketball Shaq model that can be found at Kohl’s. The newly revamped line also includes the Shaq Speed Demon ($40) and the Shaq H.O.F. ($50). In addition to those, a slip-on lifestyle shoe dubbed the Shaqival is priced at $35. The Raq Low, Speed Demon, and Shaqival models all come in kid’s sizing as well.

Prior to the new line being stocked at Kohl’s, O’Neal’s budget-priced Shaq shoes could be found at Wal-Mart. In 2016, he took to social media to reveal that the Shaq brand had “sold over 120 millions pairs of affordable shoes for kids” at Wal-Mart.

O’Neal appeared Wednesday on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to promote his new Shaq-a-licious XL gummies candy. During the show, O’Neal elaborated on his penchant for paying $1,000 for pedicures. 

Readers can shop the full Shaq sneaker line at Kohl’s stores and from kohls.com. Select models can also be found from Shoe Dept. Encore stores and shoeshowmega.com.

After a period of teasing throughout the offseason, Jaylen Brown has formally announced the launch of his own performance sneaker brand, 741.

741’s first sneaker, the Rover, is now available for pre-order with deliveries scheduled to begin in late-November. The sneaker with jewel-like embellishments had previously appeared in Instagram posts from this year’s NBA Finals MVP but with little known about it. Unspecified product will also go on sale on October 22.

According to a press release, Brown turned down more than $50 million in endorsement brands from unnamed sneaker brands in order to launch his own. The company’s name is derived from the numbers 7, 4 and 1 appearing frequently throughout his life, and Brown plays with the no. 7 for the Boston Celtics.

“Kobe [Bryant]’s journey taught me about being fearless and pushing sports, along with society, to new heights,” Brown said in the release. “That’s the mindset I’m bringing to 741.”

The 741 Rover features two layers for its upper, as an engineered knit cover made with abrasion-resistant yarn sits above an inner layer with arch bandage that doesn’t stretch and a dynamic lacing system.External and internal heel counters, both of which are molded and heat-sealed, hold the foot in place. The latter is said to provide as much stability as a hiking boot and distributes the pressure underfoot to optimize the effective ness of the “hyper gravity critical” EVA foam midsole. A proprietary translucent rubber makes up the outsole, which is abrasion-resistant and features flex grooves and torsional flexibility.

Men’s sizes are priced at $200 and big kids’ at just $70, which 741 says is at least 40 percent lower than its competitors. “I want 741 to be a brand that gives back and makes sure kids of all walks of life can have shoes they love, without the crazy price tags,” Brown said.

741 outlined four core goals that it says will be groundbreaking for the sneaker and apparel industry. It seeks to make technologically advanced, performance-driven products without compromising design or functionality, introducing a new economic model to give endorsed athletes more ownership and control, ensuring an affordable price point and providing career opportunities in underserved communities.

Although no athlete endorsors beyond himself have been announced, Brown wants to offer better financial terms and more creative freedom. “741 is more than just a sneaker brand,” Brown said. “It’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.

Brown had been a sneaker free agent since 2021, and even though he’s tended to favor Nike sneakers on the court, he’s had them customized to remove branding and has criticized the brand publicly on a number of occasions. His critiques began when Nike dropped Kyrie Irving because he had shared a documentary to social media with anti-semitic views and dragged his feet before apologizing.

This summer, Brown suggested that he hadn’t received an invite to play for Team USA at the Olympics because of the influence of Nike, the team’s outfitter.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Getting a sneaker endorsement deal is something that many will only dream of, but there’s still an opportunity to live out the fantasy virtually on the recently released NBA 2K25 video game. 

The game offers various ways to wear dozens of sneakers from today’s top brands. Whether players want to choose from a selection of shoes from their favorite company to be worn by their customized MyCareer, change an NBA/WNBA player’s sneakers or customize a pre-existing design, the options are aplenty.

To obtain a signature sneaker endorsement in the game’s MyCareer mode, players must complete the “First Endorsement” quest. The brands available in this mode are Converse, Jordan Brand, New Balance, Nike, Puma and Under Armour. Each option offers different incentives for one-year deals, with a bonus of being able to wear any of the brand’s on-court shoes for free.

In total, 16 athletic footwear brands are featured in the game — more than any previous ‘NBA 2K’ title.

Players can choose between sneakers from Nike, Jordan Brand, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma, New Balance, Converse, Reebok, Anta, Li-Ning, And 1, Peak, Rigorer, Qiaodan, 361 Degrees, and a new addition to the game, Skechers. Numerous popular models spanning both performance basketball and lifestyle are included. 

Nike highlights include signature sneaker lines from LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Ja Morant, Sabrina Ionescu and more. Retro basketball models such as the Air Foamposite One, Air Foamposite Pro, Air Max 2 CB 94, and Air More Uptempo are included, as are other throwback shoes like the SB Dunk High and Air Max 1.

Jordan Brand’s options are highlighted by nearly the entire Air Jordan range from 1 through 38 as well as modern performance models worn by Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić and Zion Williamson. Special styles like the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low collaboration are also included in the game.

Many of Adidas’ current top names are represented including Anthony Edwards’ AE 1 and AE 1 Low as well as signature sneakers worn by Donovan Mitchel and Damian Lillard. Some of the brand’s retro basketball shoes such as the Crazy 1 (formerly known as the Kobe 1), Crazy 8, Forum and Superstar are also options.

Under Armour selections include the full Curry Brand line and others.

For New Balance, the brand’s current basketball sneakers like the Two Wxy 5 and Fresh Foam BB V2 are included, but there’s also a number of on-trend lifestyle shoes such as the 990v6, 1906R, 550, 327 and 574.

Puma’s offerings include the full LaMelo Ball MB line as well as Breanna Stewart and Scoot Henderson’s signature shoes.  

Converse is represented by classics including the Chuck Taylor All-Star and Weapon as well as the All Star BB Prototype worn by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Reebok’s in-game sneakers are all retro models headlined by signature lines from the brand’s president and vice president of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson. 

Anta’s in-game presence is led by Kyrie Irving’s Kai 1 and also includes Klay Thompson’s signature line.

Li-Ning’s shoes include the signature sneakers of Jimmy Butler and C.J. McCollum as well as Dwyane Wade’s Way of Wade line.

Only one Rigorer shoe is included in the game: Austin Reaves’ signature AR1. 

WNBA All-Star Weekend Orange Carpet 2024: All the Shoes

View Gallery 27 Images

With the new NBA season just over a month away, New Balance has unveiled the newest iteration of its Two Wxy basketball sneaker.

The New Balance Two Wxy v5 differs more in appearance than technology from its predecessor. A combination of FuelCell and Fresh Foam X cushioning that debuted on the Two Wxy v4 continues with the v5, as the latter material is targeted at the heel and ball of foot for impact protection. A high collar with a more dramatic tongue profile locks in the ankles, and zonal cushioning at the toe box adds a feeling of plushness. The engineered mesh upper then opts for a more continuous look than past models, as well as greater definition for the “N” logo.

Jamal Murray continues as the face for the Two Wxy series, and his “Blue Arrow” nickname is celebrated through a black, red, yellow, blue and white “Bullseye” colorway with an “X” marking the spot through its incorporation into the tongue and lacing. The second launch variant, “Ultra Pink,” combines its namesake color with shades of purple for a cotton-candy-inspired look.

“The Two Wxy v5 takes direction from our athletes on what refining features would elevate their competitive experience,” Myles Williams, assistant product manager for New Balance Basketball, said in a press release. “Whether players are creating space or defending in the open floor, our team refined the balance of comfort and control through these dynamic moments. Adding athlete-led innovation to this franchise helps take Jamal’s — and any hooper’s — game to the next level.” 

In addition to the Denver Nuggets star, Dejounte Murray, Aaron Nesmith and Darius Bazley will wear the Two Wxy v5 for the 2024-2025 NBA season.

The New Balance Two Wxy v5 “Bullseye” and “Turbo Pink” will release Friday, September 13, through New Balance’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $120.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Update: Sept. 11, 2024 at 12:40 p.m. ET:

It’s been several months since Nike confirmed the return of Penny Hardaway’s fan-favorite Air Foamposite One in its original “Dark Neon Royal” style and now, the reissued sneakers are almost here.

The Nike Air Foamposite One “Dark Neon Royal” is confirmed to be released Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. ET on Nike’s SNKRS app and will also be available from select Nike Sportswear retailers. The sneakers are priced at $240 retail. In addition to the adult pairs, a big kids’ Little Posite One will retail for $180, little kids at $100, toddler sizes at $80 and infants at $60. 

Originally released in 1997, the Nike Air Foamposite One is in the midst of a renaissance of sorts. This year, the retro basketball sneaker returned in its coveted “Eggplant” style, got a new-look Comme des Garçons Homme Plus collaboration, was given a video game collaboration with “Tekken 8” and most recently, was released in a “DMV” colorway which paid homage to the region that helped popularize the model. And in 2025, the “Galaxy” Air Foamposite One from 2012 will be rereleased for the first time ever.

It’s worth noting that the colorway is nicknamed “International Blue” by some sources, but the official colorway listed on the shoebox — “Dark Neon Royal/White/Black — matches that of the original ’97 pair.

What We Originally Reported on June 16, 2024

One of the most storied sneakers in Nike’s vast archive is set for a comeback soon — and the brand paid extra attention to detail for this retro.

The Nike Air Foamposite One “Dark Neon Royal” returns this fall for the first time since its 20th anniversary in 2017. Made famous by Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway during his playing days with the Orlando Magic, the Nike Air Foamposite One debuted in 1997 and was a groundbreaking sneaker that not only shook up basketball footwear design, but had a lasting impact on street style.

Although not originally intended to be a Penny signature shoe (designer Eric Avar had instead planned for Scottie Pippen to wear the sneaker), Hardaway is said to have seen an early version of the Air Foamposite One during a Nike meeting and decided to make it his own. Before he had a chance to do so during the ’97 NBA postseason, he was beaten to the punch by Mike Bibby, who laced up the shoes while leading the Arizona Wildcats to the NCCA men’s championship.

The original “Dark Neon Royal” style of the Nike Air Foamposite one has been rereleased four times thus far: first in 2007, again in 2008 as a House of Hoops exclusive, a third time in 2011 and most recently, in 2017.

What makes this retro unique is Nike’s attempt to mimic an early prototype of the Air Foamposite One, which featured small design differences. Previously unavailable to the public, the pair was featured in a memorable “1-800” number advertisement and includes subtle tweaks such as a two-tone carbon fiber shank and a blue-outlined toe Swoosh logo.

This Nike Air Foamposite One “Dark Neon Royal” is due to release Fall 2024, meaning it could start hitting retailers as soon as late July or early August. Official product images (below) are now accessible on Nike’s e-commerce site, which is often indicative of a near-future release. A retail price of $240 is expected.

Shop More Nike Air Foamposite Sneakers

Nike Air Foamposite 1 Sneakers

$240 Buy Now at nike

Portland-based outdoor footwear company Keen has expanded its offerings as of late by entering into the market of limited-edition collaborations and lifestyle sneakers. Now, the brand has put an unexpected spin on classic basketball sneakers and turned them into OSHA-friendly safety work shoes. 

Recently released, the Keen Overton Work Shoe is equipped with many of the key features one would need for being on their feet all day at a job. It has a carbon fiber toe which Keen says is 15 percent lighter than steel, an outsole that is oil and heat resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 572 F, materials that offer protection from electrical hazards and a heel guard that shields against abrasion. 

Featuring what Keen describes as a “throwback-inspired” design, the brand says the Overton Work Shoe is best suited for warehouse and assembly line work, carpentry, light manufacturing, framing and trucking. In a promotional video, Keen dubs the Overton Work Shoe “the safety shoe that doesn’t look like a safety shoe.”

Offered in colorways such as “Star White/Black” and “Salsa/Black,” it’s clear that Keen took inspiration from retro athletic models. The white-and-black style is reminiscent of Nike’s unescapable “Panda” Dunk sneaker, while the red iteration of the Overton Work Shoe bears an undeniable resemblance to Michael Jordan’s “Bred” Air Jordan 1. 

Despite these similarities, Keen has made demonstrable changes that should prevent any potential legal action from other brands. In recent years, Nike has been particularly litigious when it comes to protecting its Dunk and Air Jordan 1 trademarks. 

The Overton Work Shoe sneakers are offered in both low and mid-top variations as well as regular and wide sizing. The Overton Work Shoe is priced at $140, while the Overton Mid Work Shoe sees a slight increase to $145. Men’s and women’s styles are available now from Keen’s website.