PAUSE Picks: Top Sneaker Releases of the Week

Cactus Plant Flea Market, thank you for always being you. CPFM x Nike has made its return, and it’s as textured as ever. This “Swamp Sponge/Orange Olive” take finds the beauty in contrast as various furry textures vie for the spotlight, all the while the colour wheel is completely thrown out the window. An exposed yellow foam across the pair give this new release some distinct personality, being one of the duo’s most rough and ready entries. We’re living for this “straight off the cutting room floor” aesthetic, and so are the sneaker heads.

Despite New Balance’s 9060 drawing from the Y2K hype, this is firmly a pair that is looking forward to the future. The robust, action-ready silhouette continues to propel NB forward whilst refining existing design codes. Harkening back to the notes of the classic 99X series, the 9060 warps around a mostly futuristic vision, boasting striking sway bars, which are taken from the 990, wavy lines, and exaggerated proportions to platform the cushioning of the ABZORB and SBS features. This particular “Slate Grey/Calcium” version of the 9060 is just quintessential New Balance, allowing the pair to express itself through shape whilst maintaining a casual – and adaptable – neutrality. Chunky excellence.

Okay to be fair, we weren’t too hot on the first few iterations of the Nigo x Nike Air Force 3 Low, but bringing Levi’s into the mix? That’s a game-changer. To be honest, we’re a sucker for a denim shoe. It really shouldn’t work, but it just does.

Again, animal print is kind of a “love it or hate it” choice for many, but PUMA’s Speedcat Ballet “Leopard Print” is just one of those exceptions. Hold up, we’re having a vision… it’s Tyla rocking the hell out of these. This is a sleeper, 100%.

It’s Rick Owens x LN-CC’s 15th anniversary, and to celebrate the dynamic duo have dropped an exclusive Vintage Sneaker (we are so back). Reimagined in a supple leather, the simple but effective entry rocks an 100% leather composition, a rounded toe, a road-ready rubber toe cap, classic lace-up fastening, a contrasting suede panel construction, as well as an off-white riveted contrast sole unit. We fear this might HAVE to creep into our rotation.