The month has been packed with some… interesting drops, maybe some to consider copping to change up your summer rotation. Let’s get into it; I’ve been dying to cut ass on some of these.
Union x Nike Dunk Low
The Union x Nike Dunks dropped earlier this month, and if you didn’t cop or haven’t, you should. These in anybody’s summer rotation, if done correctly, would be straight fire. It’s the small details like the blue upper with the red/orange stitching on the “Argon” pair and the white upper with the yellow stitching on the “Court Purple”, that really pop. It’s not overkilled to the point where you must tone down what you put on to let the kicks make the statement. The ripstop on both kicks is such a perfectly done treatment. Again, no such thing as overkill here. Everything is done so perfectly.
What did it for me personally with this drop was the packaging. I’m a packaging design nerd, so when I saw the box, I saw the thought process and details that I missed seeing with sneaker drops growing up. I haven’t seen it in a little hot minute. The box is designed to look like a boarding pass and a hangtag that looks like a baggage claim tag is also included.
Release Date: April 7, 2022
Palace x Calvin Klein x Vans Authentic “Calvans”
We had the pleasure of seeing these in action when we stopped by Broadway-Lafayette a couple of weeks ago for their pop-up event, and this was a genius collab. Check out our recap.
I’m hoping the idea to merge the two iconic logos started as a light joke because seeing that idea come to life and be it this effortlessly simple and smart af. It must be amazing.
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Nike Air Max Golf Trio
Nike decided to step into the jungle to play some golf. Let me keep it a buck and admit, I don’t know shit about golf (open to learning some rich people activities though!) but these are sure to look fire inside and outside the golf course. Let’s go left to right with these.
First up, we have the Nike Air Max 1 Golf “Tiger”. The tiger print upper features a faux pony hair texture, giving it a hairy look. The swoosh is the perfect light minty green to compliment everything that’s going on around it with the patterns and textures. It’s not a corny easter green.
Second, we have the Nike Air Max 97 Golf “Zebra”. The zebra print upper also features a faux pony hair texture, continuing with the hairy look. We also see the hair texture on the tongue. The midsole and outsole follow the zebra aesthetic, keeping it black and white.
Last, we have, the Nike Air Max 90 Golf NRG “Leopard”. The leopard print upper features a faux pony hair texture. Making it essential to the trio. We also see the hair texture on the tongue. The swoosh is similar in color to the one seen on the Nike Air Max 1 Golf “Tiger”.
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Polaroid x Nike SB Dunk Low
Polaroid and Nike have joined forces to give us these SB Dunks. The swoosh is done to reflect the iconic Polaroid colors. The colors are forced to be a focal point with about a good 80% of the shoe being black. I can’t be mad at these. It’s hard to make an all-black sneaker that isn’t giving serial killer energy or working at Duane Reade energy (this is my personal trauma coming out, please ignore)
Release Date: April 12, 2022
Kawasaki Ninja x adidas ZX 5K Boost
Iconic motorcycle brand Kawasaki (IYKYK) and Adidas have partnered up, created, and delivered this sleek pair of kicks. These are part of a duo meant to enlighten and tell a story about the past and present of the brand, and one of its most known bikes. The Kawasaki green pops so well against the all-black upper. To give it the same futuristic look that the Kawasaki Ninja has, they’ve added a chrome heel counter that again, looks so fire.
Release Date: April 14, 2022
Air Jordan 1 Elevate Low “University Blue”
My first thought when I saw these: “WHAT ARE THOSE!?” With a side of “dam them shits look heavy af”. Jordan decided to give the people what no one was asking for. A pair of Air Jordan 1’s with a thick midsole in the university blue colorway. Issa no from me.
Release Date: April 15, 2022
Tyga x MSCHF Wavy Baby
Now, these babies have probably been the most talked-about sneaker of the month. I’ll be the first to admit, when I first saw these, I said WTF!? NAA! HOW?! I had plenty of questions. But then I saw them being rocked and my previous opinion went out the window. These look fly. Now, if you don’t know, Vans took a good look at these, and speed-dialed their lawyers. Both Tyga and MSCHF are currently being sued by Vans for “trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition, in addition to trademark dilution.” Don’t think Tyga or MSCHF are too worried since these sneakers sold out in less than 10 minutes.
Release Date: April 18, 2022
Air Jordan 6 “Acid Wash Denim”
First things first, if I see anyone with these outside, I’m flaming them. I know somebody’s uncle going through a mid-life crisis might pop up at the family BBQ with these. It’s your duty to cut ass on them in my honor. These just aren’t it. It’s acid wash denim overkill. If it was done in a more minimalistic way, maybe these would pass a fit check. But this all-over denim vibe is just too much.
Release Date: April 22, 2022
Billie Eilish x Nike Air Force 1 High
Off rip, I’m going to start off by saying these give my feet claustrophobia. They make my feet feel as if they’re going through something with all the velcro. All the straps remind me of a straitjacket. The overall sneaker tonal colorway is visually pleasant. Can’t say the same for the staps.
Release Date: April 25, 2022
WMNS Air Jordan 11 Low “Pure Violet”
Now, these babies right here, these babies right here, though? Are *chefs kiss* a perfect addition to a summer rotation. The super-light purple “Pure Violet” combined with the white base gives off a spring-clean vibe. It just feels like once you step foot in these, your soundtrack for the day might as well be “So Fresh, So Clean” by Outkast.
Release Date: April 28, 2022
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