This Weekend's Essential Sneaker Drops: Week Of December 12 2015

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It’s just not a true holiday sneaker season without the hysteria of another Air Jordan XI release. This year, Jordan Brand has decided to release an XI inspired by the legendary 72-win 1996 Chicago Bulls, the year Jordan returned from his self-imposed (*cough*) baseball adventure and crushed the Championship dreams of the entire NBA. Taking a side-step from the usual nylon mesh uppers that are a feature of most XI’s, the 72-10 features a thick black tumbled leather upper, similar to the all-white 25th Anniversary XI retro, mixed with the trademark patent leather. Offset by a red Jumpman on a new neoprene heel, it all sits on top of an all-white midsole and milky white outsole. Rumoured to have been produced in incredibly high volumes, expect for these to still sell out quickly worldwide, as there’s nothing quite like an Air Jordan XI to make the world lose their minds.

When? 12 December, 2015 Where? Nike (Nationwide), Foot Locker (Nationwide), Kickz101 (Melbourne), Sure (Melbourne), Supply (Sydney), Laced (Brisbane), Highs & Lows (Perth) 

Legendary streetwear brand, A Bathing Ape, have experienced a 2015 renaissance, with collaborations coming thick and fast throughout the year. This streak of collaborations reaches its apex this weekend with a monster collaborative effort with German sporting power, Puma. A full streetwear collection featuring puffer jackets, football jerseys, tees and bags, the whole drop is really driven by four footwear pieces that are certain to cause chaos at stores worldwide.

Three tonal pairs (a Black R698, Black Disc Blaze and a white Blaze of Glory) dressed in subtle BAPE camo provides a foundation of easy to wear streetwear staples (HAL will only be stocking the Blaze Discs and Blaze of Glory). The crown jewel of the collection is the second Disc Blaze, blessed with the original military green BAPE camo. The camo serves as the base for the upper, with black suede draped over the top and features white highlights on the heel and formstripe. Sitting on a speckled black sole, these are arguably the best BAPE collaboration effort of the year.

BAPE branding is featured throughout all four pairs (and apparel pieces) and is sure to be an instant sellout. If the Japanese release last week is anything to go by, the Green Camo Disc is going to disappear in seconds. Good luck!

When? 12 December, 2015 Where? Highs & Lows (Perth) (footwear only)

Scottish sneaker legends Hanon close out the year with yet another tasty offering, this time with French sporting house Le Coq Sportif. Wrapping the LCS R1000 in pigskin nubuck and closed mesh on the vamp, Hanon have dressed the shoe in their recognizable ‘Wildcat’ colours of brick red and vibrant orange.  Utilising luxe cotton jersey on the tongue and lining, Hanon branding is found on the tongue, footbed and of course, the Hanon flame on the heel. The shoe is finished with a laminated calfskin footbed, making this feel just as good as it looks on foot. 

When? 12 December, 2015 Where? Up There (Melbourne), Laced (Brisbane), Highs & Lows (Perth)

Catering for the ladies and the little ones this holiday season, Jordan Brand release the GS (and under) Air Jordan VII "Mulberry" across the nation this weekend. The upper consists of contrasting Durabuck panels of mulberry and black, while subtle pops of fuschia and wolf grey provide a nice break from the mainly dark-hued sneaker. These are a perfect alternative to kitting out the rest of the family in Jordans when you don’t want to go the whole family set route.

When? 12 December, 2015 Where? Foot Locker (Nationwide), Nike (Nationwide)