Two years ahead of its 40th Anniversary, the Nike Air Force 1 has adopted and popularized technical and design innovations from the Swoosh.Taking on a similar aesthetic as the previously revealed Air Force 1 Low in black and silver, the upcoming 3M x Nike Air Force 1 High is dressed in the same colorway, albeit in a high-top rendition. For its latest endeavor, the 1982 silhouette doesn’t deviate much from its inaugural look, but taps 3M for its signature reflective detailing. Predominantly clad in “White,” the forthcoming pair is, at face value, much more understated than the safari options to recently arrive to the Air Force 1 By You platform.Helping to dress the sneaker’s black-out outfit are 3M reflective overlays on the rear and silver-coated tongue tabs. Although the luminous panels have appeared on previously-surfaced takes on the Air Max 90 and Air Max 95, its inclusion on this tall Air Force 1 is unaccompanied by high-vis orange and green hues. Instead, the silver components are left to indulge in the spotlight (quite literally) by themselves.
Although 2020 has seen much of the Nike Air Max line’s endeavors focused on its silhouettes from 1990 and 1995, the revolutionary range of sneakers has added several new models to its roster throughout the year. Among them, the newly-surfaced Air Max Zephyr, New Drop Jordans which features visible Air units across its upper. The LeBron 18 raised some eyebrows when it was first teased in Orlando, Florida due to the Airbags on the tongue. In comparison, the latest Air Max model, which takes its name from the Greek personification of the west wind, boasts two large, angular units at its profiles. Similarly shaped accents throughout the textile upper complement the design choice, while simultaneously injecting a sporty aesthetic to the pair. From a bird’s eye view, the silhouette resembles the Zoom BB NXT given its jewel-like branding on the tongue and amply-passed tongue and collar. Sockliners are stamped with warped “NIKE AIR” logos, tread underfoot is replete with ostensibly playful patterns and cushioning is reminiscent of the Air Max 720. As evidenced by the “Dark Smoke Grey/Life Lime/Iron Grey” pictured below, the Air Max Zephyr’s design lends itself to eye-catching arrangements.
Jordan 2020 Release still in the earliest stages of its lifespan, the Air Jordan 35 already has a busy schedule ahead of itself involving a wealth of upcoming releases. Some are tailored to specific Jumpman athletes such as the “Bayou Boys” iteration for Zion Williamson, as well as the “Warrior” makeup for Rui Hachimura, while others are categorized to the GR family. The latter, after officially uncovering a forthcoming “Bred” proposal, is now adding another option to its Fall/Winter lineup, and its certainly the most pattern-heavy installment we’ve seen to-date. Bold in design, the court-ready iteration comes outfitted with bright gold lateral/medial overlays and midsoles, the former of which carry blocky patterns. This, paired with the tonal Chinese lettering that backdrops the Jordan insignias on the tongues may hint that this colorway is derived from Eastern influence. On top of that the ankle collars and throat come swathed identically with black exteriors, while supportive accents of red sprinkle to the branded tabs and teals coat the entire outsole.
