Fashion, New Products

Rock, Stock or Flip? This week’s sneaker releases

words by: Matt Peng
Dec 16, 2020

It’s another busy week for retailers and both Nike and adidas as they pump out sneakers for the holiday rush. This week’s Hot Cakes will introduce some classic silhouettes as well as some brand new flair to add into your rotation (or the rotation of a loved one). If you’re able to, we’d also like to recommend donating extra sneakers or even one of these following pairs to someone in need this holiday season. Also, please be mindful that delivery times are slower than normal as all the various shipping companies are dealing with lots of orders and the COVID pandemic. Just take a second to thank your delivery person if you see them, it’ll probably make their day. Now let’s jump right into it.

 

Nike Air Max 95 OG “Neon Yellow”

There’s just something about the neon AM95 that just draws you in. Maybe it’s the fact that the original inspiration was the human body, or the fact that the contrasting hues of grey and black are offset by the brightness of the neon yellow, or maybe it’s just the exposure of all the Air units. Either way, these babies were ahead of their time 25 years ago when they first released and they still hold a place in the sneaker ethos today. With a full size run set to release, these are an automatic cop and stock until next summer. Hit up SNKRS app and select retailers for these.

 

Release Date: December 17, 2020
Retail: $170
Resell pre-release: $250 – $365

 

sacai x Nike VaporWaffle “Tour Yellow & Gorge Green-Sail”

Almost exactly a month ago, Nike and sacai dropped off the first two colorways of their VaporWaffle silhouette. Now, two brighter and iterations are ready to adorn your feet. First up is a green and yellow variant. With yellow mesh and green suede overlays complementing white and black on the midsole, outsole and tongue, these remind me of the old school Brazil Dunk colorway that retroed earlier this year but was first introduced back in 2001. Head over to SNKRS app and select retailers to test your luck on these, they’re gonna go quickly.

 

Release Date: December 17, 2020
Retail: $180
Resell pre-release: $510 – $835

 

Kid Cudi x adidas Originals Vadawam 326

I love the fact that Kid Cudi named a sneaker he built from the ground up with adidas Originals after his daughter, Vada. Arriving in black and white variations, the Vadawam 326 instantly makes me think of moonboots – probably what Cudi was going for since the design was inspired by space exploration, sci-fi and NASA among other things. I also really like the fact that he’s brought back Velcro enclosures alongside laces. These will drop via adidas.com so keep your eyes peeled if you’re looking to shoot for the Moon come 2021.

 

Release Date: December 17, 2020
Retail: $180
Resell pre-release: $500

 

 

Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low “Holiday Special”

StrangeLove Skateboards collaboration designer Sean Cliver has been in the skateboard design game for a long time. After the shop’s collaborative Nike SB Dunk Low released earlier this year, Cliver’s sights were set on the Dunk Low silhouette once again for a special holiday edition. This time around, he incorporates velvety suede in a light blue on the upper alongside white leather and gold and silver accents on the Swoosh and laces respectively to remind us of tinsel. A sparkly translucent outsole as well as small details like the snowflake-shaped toe box and elf insole complete the holiday theme. These go super hard for me so they’re a must cop via SNKRS, select retailers and local skate shops.

 

Release Date: December 19, 2020
Retail: $110
Resell pre-release: $630 – $2,000

 

END. x New Balance 1500EUC “Rainbow Eucalyptus”

I know New Balance‘s new 327 silhouette has been a hit this year with collaborators but the 1500 model was the OG when it comes to the most fire New Balance collabs of all-time (that’s a conversation for another time though). Taking the “Made in England” classic, END. has given the sneaker a makeover inspired by Southeast Asia. A plant that’s indigenous to the Philippines and Indonesia, the rainbow eucalyptus’ trunk is translated into bright pink and green hues incorporated with pigskin suede along the upper. The tree is further honored with a unique box that resembles its bark and even a eucalyptus scent inside the box. This pair will be available through END. via raffle so hurry and sign up.

 

Release Date: December 19, 2020
Retail: $179
Resell pre-release: N/A

 

adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Sand Taupe”

If you’re explore page on IG features tons of kicks like mine does, I’m sure you’ve come across the one where it has 30-40 colors each with a different name for how Kanye West sees color versus how people like us do. Well, this adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 is another example of that. A beige and pink variation to my eyes becomes “Sand Taupe” in the eyes of a creative like ‘Ye. The Primeknit upper being covered in multiple shades of earthy tones along with the pink makes for a unique color palette and the extremely dark brown outsole and orangey midsole add additional flavor that makes this pair one of the better colorways to come out of the YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 camp lately. Head over to adidas.com/yeezy and download the adidas app to purchase.

 

Release Date: December 19, 2020
Retail: $220
Resell pre-release: $290 – $665

 

sacai x Nike VaporWaffle “String & Black-Villain Red”

Originally, both pairs of the new sacai x Nike VaporWaffle colorways were set to drop on the same date. But now, the second pair will release a few days later, probably so we all have a chance to try to get both – at least that’s my wishful thinking of the situation. Anyways, the deep burgundy, slightly DIY and rustic yellow on the back clip of the midsole and the bright green on these remind me of the outdoors and running – just like the model intended. I’ll be honest, I like these better than the other pair so I’ll be waiting on SNKRS app and entering all my retailer raffles.

 

Release Date: December 21, 2020
Retail: $180
Resell pre-release: $420 – $810

 

Photos via Feature, Nike, END., adidas