I’m a sucker for good collaborations and this week’s Hot Cakes features some of the best from 2020. While the outlook for a vaccine this year is slim, at least we can enjoy the journey and stories that these designers and brands are trying to tell with these pieces of footwear. Whether it’s a trip through the famous Antelope Canyon or inspiring the Black community to show up and vote, these kicks send a message. Let’s jump right into it.

Salehe Bembury x New Balance ML2002R1 “Peace Be The Journey”

The VP of Sneakers & Men’s Footwear at Versace has been teasing his collaborative sneaker with New Balance via IG for months and it’s finally releasing. Inspired by the beautiful colors of Antelope Canyon in Arizona, the upper is covered in hues of orange, yellow and burgundy and mixed with materials like mesh and suede. In addition to the sneakers, which comes with a photo of the canyon, there will also be an apparel collection. These are a must for me. Head over to newbalance.com and various retailers to cop.

Release Date: October 23, 2020
Retail: $150
Resell pre-release: $700 – $2,150

Comme des Garçons x Nike Air Force 1 Mid

To me, this duo can never do wrong. After countless collaborations together on all the iconic silhouettes, CDG and Nike do it again on the Air Force 1 Mid, a true New Yorker’s shoe. Rei Kawakubo takes her love for paneling and craftsmanship to elevate the white and black versions of the mid-top sneaker beloved by many and all I have to say is “take my money now.” These will be available through Dover Street Market New York so you’ll have to act fast to get a pair.

Release Date: October 23, 2020
Retail: $270
Resell pre-release: $415 – $600 (white), $445 – $600 (black)

END. x adidas EVO 4D “Dune”

Retailer END. does it again with another out-of-the-park collaboration. Inspired by nature, specifically the desert and coastline, they’ve taken the adidas EVO 4D silhouette and added a sandy Primeknit upper with gold embroidery and sepia synthetic suede to complement the bright green lattice midsole. These are one of the best adidas collaborations I’ve seen in recent years and a cop and rock for me. Head over to END. now to enter the raffle for a chance to purchase.

Release Date: October 24, 2020
Retail: $300
Resell pre-release: N/A

Denim Tears x Converse Chuck 70

Designer Tremaine Emory used the Converse Chuck 70 as his personal canvas to convey the Black experience in America. He not only wanted to encourage Black people to vote but also to encourage dialogue and change. By using the African-American flag on the sneakers for the first time, he hopes this project brings about change. Whether it’s the low-top or high-top, these are a cop for me. They are available this week through denimtears.com with a wider global release on converse.com come October 29.

Release Date: October 22, 2020
Retail: $90 (low), $100 (high)
Resell pre-release: N/A

adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Natural”

I’ll be honest, I stopped buying anything YEEZY a long time ago but these might bring me back because of how clean they are. The “Natural” nickname matches these perfectly for the mix of white and cream on the Primeknit upper that evokes sandy beaches and summer that passed by too quickly. Cop and stock for next year. Head over to adidas.com/yeezy and yeezysupply.com, you know the drill on these by now.

Release Date: October 24, 2020
Retail: $220
Resell pre-release: $340 – $470

Photos via New Balance, Dover Street Market New York, END., Converse, adidas