PAUSE Picks: Top Sneaker Releases of the Week

This was never really in doubt, was it? Making an expected appearance at this week’s summit is Travis Scott’s latest release with Nike, as the Houston hitmaker opts for the trusty Air Jordan 1 Low yet again. Arriving in the long-awaited ‘Black Phantom’ colourway, the triple black pair provides a perfect everyday winter pair, with white contrast stitching, a black midsole, a mixed roughened and smooth suede composition and signature Travis Scott design hits, including his typical reverse Swoosh and Cactus Jack lettering, round out the pair’s central features. If you can get your hands on this pair, don’t let them go.

A neutral no-brainer. Our Legacy WORK SHOP refuse to miss once again as they link with Vans for a new iteration of the latter’s Sk8-Mid LX silhouette. Arriving in a neutral “Hummus” colourway, the high-top pair keep it simple as they utilise a range of deadstock materials for the sneaker’s plain organic cotton canvas upper, with alternate standouts including Vans’ classic white midfoot striping, a chunky white midsole, Vans branding on the rear heel and tongue, as well as Our Legacy WORK SHOP’s Yin Yang emblem stitched in black on the rear.

Taking yet another spot in this week’s roster are Nike and frequent collaborators AMBUSH, who have stepped forward with a vibrant iteration of the Nike Air Force 1. Debuting in it’s fan-named “Pickle Rick” colourway, the pair feature an all-green leather upper composition, with this green spreading across to the midfoot, whilst hits of ‘Citron Tint’ adorning the extended Nike midfoot Swoosh, co-branded tongue, as well as the AMBUSH lace lock and heel branding. A ‘Pine Green’ dream for Christmas.

Luxury streetwear retailer Bodega have come out of the woodwork to drop off arguably one of the year’s best New Balance collaborations- and there have been a lot of them. Taking us back in time to the 1400s, this ‘Age of Discovery’ pair incorporate shades of earthy blue, grey and brown to provide that true sense of old history, with an intricately formed mesh and suede upper composition adding a luxurious attention to detail. Additionally, a raised multicoloured midsole, brown laces, purple New Balance tongue and heel branding, and collaboratively-branded Bodega x New Balance insoles give this silhouette an even more intricately designed look.

Nike seem to be making a triumphant return to the top of the sneaker game as 2022 comes to a close, with this week’s triple threat closing out the list with a sacai collaboration. The popular duo have reunited for a chunky iteration of the Zoom Cortez, which recently got a red, blue and white makeover, to put forward another ‘Iron Grey’ version, which rocks Chitose Abe’s signature doubled-up Nike midfoot Swooshes, tongues, and collars, a carved-up midsole, as well as a co-branded sacai x Nike insole and tongue. A modern take on a classic.