TOP 10 SNEAKERS WEEK 2 OF SEPTEMBER 2021 ( SNEAKERS UPDATE)
1Nike Air Max Genome
A mix of greys colors the mesh and leather uppers for an understated base. The most notable feature is the splashes of hot pink that make their way onto the midpanel to imitate the “Infrared” aesthetic. To further make the midpanels pop, a black outline animates the white leather Swoosh on the lateral side. As seen on the AM 90, the Genome also opts for a clean white midsole. Underfoot, a full-length Air unit and black outsole round out the old-meets-new look.
2 Nike Waffle Trainer II
The textile upper is composed of metallic gold knits and is paired with stark white leather accents—specifically the lacestays, profile Swooshes, and heel tab. Cracked gold materials that were previously seen on the AM 97 now make up this Waffle Trainer 2’s toe and heel overlays. Unlike the Max Air proposition, this offering also invites silver to tint the laces and branding on the tongue label. This mixed-metal look is complete with a golden yellow foam midsole with an iconic Waffle rubber outsole underfoot.
3 Nike Blazer Low Platform
A dark gold dubbed “Sunset” tints the textured uppers and is complemented by the brighter “University Gold” applied to the leather overlays and lacestays. Hairy suede materials continue onto the heel tab, which sees a dusty pink coloring and maroon branding. The dark red also makes its way onto the corduroy profile Swooshes for an autumn-ready look and feel. An exposed foam tongue and a platform rubber sole unit round out the look for a new women’s offering that gets playful with fall tones and textures.
4 Nike Air Max Plus "Cordura"
To better prepare for the upcoming Fall/Winter season, the offering does more than just upgrade its construction. The colorway itself is rendered in near full black, protecting against many a stain. And to avoid being entirely color-less, the upper is crowned with gold accents, these finishes directed mostly towards the exterior cages, midfoot, and branding. Finally, to call out the Cordura name, their branding hangs along the heel’s added tab.
5 Nike Air Max 90 "Alter And Reveal"
At first glance, the pair seems to rep a mix of neutrals that includes beige mudguards, grey suede accents, and black leather overlays. However, continued wear exposes the AM 90’s true colors—a bold, color-blocked proposition. The seemingly black toe and profile Swooshes hide a bold orange and royal blue underneath, respectively. Additionally, the beige mudguard becomes a vibrant yellow through wear. Special “Alter and Reveal” branding on the tongue and unruly stitches near the laces round out the design for a fun, unruly look full of surprises.
6 Nike Air Max 97
But at a glance, that’s not at all apparent. Before it sees any distressing, the pair appears pristine, grounded by way of the top line’s standard mesh and synthetic overlays. It’s only along the bottom half that the core concept takes shape, starting first with the leather mudguard. Dyed in navy, this fixture will gradually fade to a much brighter blue, complementing well the layers underneath whose exterior coat turns pink. Moreover, as an accent to the aesthetic as a whole, extra stitching is darned onto the heel.
7 Air Jordan 36 "Psychic Energy"
Appearing for the first time via official images, the “Psychic Energy” is rather subdued at a glance but bold in certain places. The upper is primarily constructed of white mesh, matching its leather trims and midsole adjacent. Black, textured leathers, then, compose the rest of the lace unit and collar, creating a two-toned look that’s accented additionally with red-dressed branding and foxing.
8 Gundam x Nike SB Dunk High
One part of a two-piece set, this “White/Amarillo” colorway mirrors the aforementioned with evident respect. The white leather base and bright red decals are designed like the mech itself, inching ever-closer with its custom toe box, collar, and heel counter. What’s more, if the homage wasn’t clear as is, the “RX-0” stamp marks the heel adjacent to the much larger Unicorn insignia. Additional stickers are included in the box for further tweaking and the V-Fin reminiscent Swoosh is entirely detachable.
9 Nike Waffle One
Even the tooling veers into this inspiration, its colored scraps not too unlike coral. Behind, the lighter, aqua backdrop plays further into these themes just like the heel clip and Swoosh whose navy nods to darker waters. Above, an entirely different shade of blue dresses the suede and mesh, while the laces contrast in pearly white.
10 Nike Air Force 1 Shadow "Sisterhood"
But while it may touch on themes of femininity, the colorway thankfully avoids the usual tropes. Instead, bold hits of mustard yellow take the helm, coloring in the heel as it does the toe. Touches of blue, then, support adjacent, though they’re largely overshadowed by the aforementioned as well as the black leathers that fill in the rest of the upper’s blanks.