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Footnotes: A fresh drop of sneaker news

All of this week's best announcements, releases, collabs, and more

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Weekly updates


Footnotes is a weekly wrap-up of everything that’s happening in the world of sneakers. It’s your cheat sheet to the latest news like new drops, collabs, sales, store openings, and anything else related to what you put on your feet.

01. Balenciaga x Crocs

In a year that has seen Pornhub collabs, blood and semen Supreme, high-fashion Uggs, and many other unholy unions—the outright most offensive garment of the year has surfaced. What can best be described as the most intentionally uncool ‘cool’ sneaker of the past 2017 years was spotted on the illustrious runways of Paris. Walking in similar footsteps to Christopher Kane, the sky-high Platform style upcoming Balenciaga x Crocs collaboration was spotted in the brand’s Spring 2018 women’s show. The much beloved feature of normal Crocs which allows for pins and bedazzlement to be added to a perforated upper has not been lost on the Balenciaga iteration. A number of plastic pins will be included for a truly customisable experience. Heralding as the Michael Jordan of ugly shoes there has been no official release date confirmed as of yet, but we can expect these in the not so distant future. 2017 proves once again to be the year that keeps on giving—what a time to be alive.

02. Converse X Engineered Garments

Converse and Engineered Garments are set to team up in a collaborative effort taking on the beloved One Star silhouette. The line itself is said to play on the affinity for reinventing and reengineering classics that founder and creative director Daiki Suzuki holds dear. The collection will be available in four different colours including black, olive, navy, and white. Each is leather-lined with an Engineered Garments branded logo illustrated on the shoe’s sockliner and housed in Engineered Garments premium packaging with tonal cotton laces. Launching on Saturday October 7 from www.converse.com.au, Up There Store, and Highs & Lows for $140.

03. Nike Air Force 1 Low NBA sneaker

To celebrate Nike’s first season partnership with the NBA, the Nike Air Force 1 Low NBA sneaker has reached Australian shores after a not so patient wait. First released in 1982 the Air Force one has truly proven a tour de force of staying power, remaining as relevant today as it was originally. Laying claim to the title of Nike’s first basketball sneaker to feature the Nike Air technology, it now takes a seat at the table of streetwear icons. The latest addition to the AF-1 legacy, the AF-1 low offers a premium leather upper, a rubber outsole with a pivot point for traction and durability. A soft, yet durable midsole with a full-length air sole unit and perforations to enhance ventilation. The nod to the game comes full circle with the original, 1982 Jerry West NBA logo on the heal. Available now at Footlocker Stores and Nike.com for $170.

04. Chuck Taylor All Star x Nike Flyknit Ox Collection

If you suffer from the criminally unrecognised and so aptly named “swamp feet” affliction during summer, or throughout the year, then consider your prayers answered. With the warmer months just around the corner, the folks over at Converse and Nike have blessed us with a weather appropriate and innovative iteration of the Chuck Taylor Icon. This new collection aims to bring style, comfort, and breathability together. Featuring a flyknit upper and TPU fused toe cap, a Lunarlon sockliner, and a welded micro suede upper the apparent perspective shift is a welcome change. The limited edition unisex collection will be available in black, white grey, and red from www.converse.com.au, Converse stores and other selected retailers for an RRP of $140 as of October 6.

05. Adidas SpeedFactory AM4

Adidas have finally revealed the first major product from their SpeedFactory headquarters in Germany: the AM4. Sounding like something akin to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, except for athletes and sneaker lovers the world over Adidas have noted that the SpeedFactory is, “a facility that will allow adidas to explore, test and co-create with consumers, as well as constantly invent and reinvent design and define the future of how the brand creates.” The new robotically crafted and individually designed AM4 series will appear in several cities including London, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and will be made specifically for the given location. The truly unique design process behind the AM4 saw local runners/consumers who were knowledgeable on the geographical conditions and requirements of London and implemented these needs into the final product. This could very well be the comfiest shoe ever made if you’re a lucky native of the listed cities. You can expect the London version of the AM4 to release on October 26. Stay tuned on release dates for other city specific editions.