The sneaker game can be cruel. So many fire releases, but so few pairs to go around. But, when you’ve taken yet another inevitable L on the raffles and launches, there’s always eBay. The eBay Authenticity Guarantee means you can cop with confidence on the OG marketplace, with experts inspecting your purchase to get fakes out of the paint.
Now, I know you're hear for last month's round up, and we're just about to get to that. But if you've enjoyed reading this column for the last six months, then boy, do I have something for you—a little treat, if you will. That's right, Sneaker of the Year is back, and you could win one of the ten $1000 vouchers on offer for literally just ... voting. So go!
And now, back to our regularly shceduled programming, here are four of November's best releases, as determined by me, The Weekly Drop’s Newsletter Guy.
HAL Studios x adidas Velosamba
Big shoutout to the team at HAL Studios for this one. When I first got word that HAL Studios were working on a Samba, I must admit I was a little confused. The cool guys, fresh off their Gel-1130 masterpiece, working on the sneaker challenging the Panda Dunk Low to capture the hearts and minds of Westfield shoppers across the suburbs of our great nation. But then I was told it’s a Velosamba. And then I googled what that is because, as I’ve said many times, I know quite a bit about shoes but I don’t know everything. And, family, I had never heard of a Velosamba.
I soon discovered this was a cycling shoe. And then I saw the product images and I was like hell yea, the cool guys made the Samba cool. They went with the lesser-known, bike-commuting alternative, dipped it in premium materials, gave it a little exposed stitching here, a suede heel tab there, and shot some lifestyle images in Paris, no less. The result was, for the first time in my life, I really wanted a pair of cycling shoes. There were only 300 pairs though so, of course, I missed out. But that’s where eBay comes in, amirite?
Looking for a pair? Get on ya bike and hit up eBay.
Air Jordan 12 ‘Cherry’
So, let’s address the elephant print in the room here. No, these are absolutely not one of the four best sneaker releases from the month of November. No way. But, there’s more to see here. We’re in a wild economic time right now, you guys. And, just like any other market, the sneaker world is feeling the pain. Jawns are dropping left and right, but nobody’s buying. Classics are being left to sit on the shelf. People are prioritising things like grub and shelter over rubber and leather. But, somehow, in these uncertain times, the Air Jordan 12 ‘Cherry’ drops and inexplicably sells out at almost every retailer. Up There? Sold out. Highs And Lows? Sold out. Subtype? Sold out. Even Foot Locker, with its many locations nationwide and presumably gargantuan allocation of this sneaker, is down to only three sizes left (two of which are 7 and 14, which don't count because who tf is a 7 or a 14).
Even when the Air Jordan 11 – the Air Jordan 11! – dropped in Cherry this time last year, they sat. The AJ12, though? The sneaker problematically inspired by the Japanese Imperial Flag? The sneaker Michael Jordan wore when he suffered the most famous hangover of all time? The sneaker with no discernable personality, wedged between the all-time classic 11 and very cool panther-inspired 13? That very same Air Jordan 12 drops in Cherry and people just have to have it. I’m stunned. Speechless. Flabbergasted. The sneaker game ain’t dead, it’s just getting WEIRD and personally I love it. I want everyone to buy up the next Nike ISPA release just for laughs and really turn this game upside down.
Sold out everywhere but you can get yours on eBay.
Sean Wotherspoon x adidas Gazelle indoor
Who doesn’t LOVE a good redemption arc? In one corner, we’ve got adidas. Absolutely bloodied and bruised after years of being the 2015 Meek Mill of the sneaker game. Just sprawled out on the canvas clinging to life after copping a 2-piece to the grill from Kanye hate speech and then the bombshell that they knew he loved Nazis the whole time but released his sneakers anyway. Insane stuff. And that’s just this year! This brand has been on life support since they decided decades of brand heritage meant nothing when you can just put a sock upper on a Boost sole. Remember the 50th Anniversary of the adidas Superstar? No? Neither does anyone else.
In the other corner, Sean Wotherspoon. Wow. One great Air Max release, then a quietly acrimonious split with Nike, followed by signing with adidas, the big reveal that he said previously he doesn’t like adidas at all, a few extremely mid collabs, and finally hitting rock bottom with a pair of Hot Wheels slides. What a ride.
Earlier this year, the duo combined on an excellent and kinda slept on Orketro release and a fun, floral-printed Gazelle which also went under the radar. Then, this month, they drop this very textural, concentric-patterned, embroidered Gazelle Indoor release and it’s the hottest thing out. Adidas is back in their heritage bag, bringing back their classic Terrace flavour to score two out of the four best releases of the month, and we’ve all forgotten Sean Wotherspoon needs to shave his neck. 10/10 redemption story. Excellent work.
Cop your pair now on eBay.
Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Wheat’
I’ve said a lot here, you guys. Probably too much. So let me finish up with one of my favourite sneakers from the last few weeks. The Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Wheat’ isn’t gonna run you as much as the more high-profile April and Tightbooth SB collabs from November, but man they’re gonna look just as good on your feet. Great colour, tonal upper, nice fabric, black midsole and wheat-coloured sole. Sometimes they just nail it, and this is one of those times.
All gone at retail, but cop now on eBay.
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