PAUSE Picks: Top Sneaker Releases of the Week

The Comme des Garçons x Nike ACG Mountain Fly Low 2 takes this OG collaborative partnership to new levels as this hiking classic gets a reimagined look. The low-top pair are built for the most uneven of terrains as a thick ridged outsole unit adorns the bottom of the shoe, with a black and white colour scheme keeping the pair wholly monochromatic. Keeping things minimal, stripped back branding makes this a subtle flex, whilst a toggle lace system ensures optimal convenience.

Putting forward a Dover Street Market exclusive, New Balance have put in one last all-black entry as we head into the more vibrant months ahead, opting for a darker colour palette on their signature 991v2 Made in UK London. Like you might expect, this tonal pair camouflages the signature “N” New Balance emblem along the midfoot – which boasts a suede, leather and mesh composition – whilst placing a typical “991” hit along the heel. Going out with a bang, the pair instil a more spring appropriate dose of colour on the midsole unit, inserting shades of orange and lime green.

Nobody should give up on Salomon’s ACS Pro just yet, especially when this “Sulphur Spring” edition is up for grabs. The eye-catching pair utilise various neon yellow tones across the entirety of the mesh pair, with a TPU caged midfoot unit, tactical laces, mudguard, heel tab, and tongue all staying true to the “Sulphur” theme. The significant tread outsole bind the pair to their hiking roots, whilst a navy gradient feature makes its presence known across the midsole unit as well as across various heel accents. A solid conversation-starting pair for any modern rotation.

Despite an unexpectedly slow start to 2024, PUMA look like they’re starting to hit their stride as they debut their new Mostro Ecstacy sneaker. With the rise of the ‘runner’ trend, there’s no reason this PUMA effort can’t be a frontrunner, especially as this all pink iteration hits storefronts. The cherry on top of this sneaker is undoubtedly its large tread outsole, which spills over into the upper, whilst a tightly woven mesh adds a smooth consistency across the rest of the pair and sits pretty as a base for PUMA’s suede midfoot emblem.

Taking things up a notch quality wise, Nike’s Air Max 1 ’87 utilises the finest of materials here as a “Velvet Brown” colour scheme takes us way back. Looking to capture the ‘lightning in a bottle’ vintage stylings of yesteryear, this pair opt for a neat speckled midsole unit, a domineering brown suede overlay, as well as a tonal cream leather overlay across the tongue and sock lining area, with a retro stitched Nike Swoosh and a white canvas underlay keeping this new set clean.