Get ready for a serious case of #FOMO.
If ugly sneakers were the sneaker trend of 2018-2019, sneaker collabs are proving to be the headliner for 2020. It’s almost every other week that we’re hearing of a new sneaker collaboration – Nike being the usual culprit brands are seeking to partner with, though there are Adidas, Yeezys and Vans in the mix as well.
High fashion sneaker collabs are especially the rage, with over 5 million people reportedly signing up to get dibs on the Air Jordan 1 OD Dior (aka Air Dior) kicks. While it may be the most coveted pair on this list, it’s far from the only designer sneakers to be drawing hype. Then there are streetwear giants like Supreme and Stüssy, which often receive sell-out success with any brand they cross paths with.
Here, we round up the most raved about sneaker collabs so far in 2020 that every sneakerhead wants in their collection. Disclaimer: some of these are no longer available in the brands’ stores and inventories, so you’ll have to be an expert sneaker hunter or get ready for a serious case of #FOMO.
Supreme X Nike Air Force 1
Launched in March, the classic all-white and all-black Nike Air Force 1s received the Supreme treatment in the form of Supreme logo laces and a debossed box logo at the heel under the iconic Swoosh. The cult-favourite streetwear label also lent its name for a co-branded footbed and lace lock. The first release sold out within minutes of going live – which we’ve come to expect from Supreme – but take heart, the brand has announced that restocks will be available. No word for how long though, so grab them while you can! W farfetch.com
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Air Jordan 4 X Off White SAIL
Virgil Abloh gave the world a preview of these women’s Air Jordan sneakers during the Off-White™ Fall/Winter 2020 Women’s show in Paris before it was finally released last July. Like his previous collabs with Nike, the Sail sneakers feature a deconstructed design made from full-grain leather and a grid mesh cover on the shoe’s upper in a cream palette. Tonal plastic cages and panels complete the sides and heel, accompanied by an exposed foam collar. For the finishing touches, there’s Off-White’s signature all caps “Air” branding complemented by a cable tie and Air Jordan brand tag. W nike.com
Kith X New Balance 992 & 998
New Balance stood among the Balenciaga Triple S silhouettes that ruled the dad sneaker era, and it turns out the trend hasn’t quite died off yet. Enter the New Balance 992 and 998 Spring 2, conceived under a collaboration with Ronnie Fieg’s New York-based retail store Kith. Both editions sport dark grey suede and soft, smooth tan leathers overlaying a “Steel Blue” mesh base. According to Fieg, these are the first of a five-part collaborative series – so if you’re bummed about missing out on the May launch (currently sold out), keep an eye out for more to come. W kith.com
Stüssy X Nike Air Zoom
Renowned American streetwear label Stüssy has an ongoing partnership with Nike since 2000, resulting in a range of apparel and footwear merging the best of both fashion styles. This year, the duo has launched a number of fresh Air Zoom kicks including the Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 and more recently, the Air Zoom Kukini. All releases are currently sold out on both Stüssy and Nike’s websites, however, so you’ll probably have to fork out extra to find them from resellers. If anything, it goes to show that the partnership has built up quite the fanbase – at least in the footwear department. W nike.com
Human Made X adidas Originals
Japanese streetwear label Human Made (founded by DJ Nigo, the same guy behind A Bathing Ape and a recent collaboration with Louis Vuitton) and adidas Originals are back another collab after unveiling co-branded Stan Smiths and Superstars earlier this year. Just released on August 6, their latest capsule features the adidas Originals Rivalry, Stan Smith and Campus sneakers in bold, fresh colourways. Nigo’s take on the Rivalry silhouette is especially eye-catching with the “Gears for Futuristic Teenagers” adorning the signature three stripes as well as Human Made’s heart logo adorning the medial side wall. W adidas.com
Dior X Air Jordan 1
We’ve deliberately saved the best for last, judging by resale value and limited-edition units. These gorgeous Air Diors took over the Internet and social media in the weeks leading up to its release and in the weeks after it sold out on the launch date. Only 8,000 pairs were up for grabs, while another 5,000 were reserved for loyal Dior customers and fans – the likes of Kylie Jenner, Robert Pattinson and Korean heartthrob Park Seo Jun. Tough luck trying to buy them now, unless you’re willing to part with a sum upward of $10,000 via resellers, compared to the original retail price of $2,000 (low-top) and $2,200 (high-top). Learn more here.
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Photos courtesy of respective brands
