With so many sneaker releases happening each month, it's easy to forget all that's even come out. Often, the everyday enthusiast's Saturday pickup is forgotten for the following weekend's crop of sneakers. Reflection at each calendar flip can help cement some of those that are worthy of being remembered. Need a refresher on all the great sneakers that came out this month? Here, the Sole Collector staff share what were their favorite sneakers that launched in the month of November.
With so many sneaker releases happening each month, it's easy to forget all that's even come out. Often, the everyday enthusiast's Saturday pickup is forgotten for the following weekend's crop of sneakers. Reflection at each calendar flip can help cement some of those that are worthy of being remembered. Need a refresher on all the great sneakers that came out this month? Here, the Sole Collector staff share what were their favorite sneakers that launched in the month of November.
Air Jordan 3 Retro "True Blue"
Gerald Flores, Editor-in-Chief
If you would've told me two years ago that an OG colorway of the Air Jordan 3 was going to come back out with "Nike Air" on the back I would've immediately been prepping myself to catch an L and have to pay reseller prices. Fortunately, the good folks at Champs Sports hooked it up, but more importantly a full size run of the sneaker is still available at most retailers right now. What a glorious time for the Air Jordan purist.
Nike Air Force 1 NYC "Knicks"
Brendan Dunne, News Editor
I am willing to admit that I have fallen victim to Nike's heavy marketing push around the Air Force 1. It feels a bit weird to be focusing on a retro shoe like this in the era of the HyperAdapt, but this just-flashy-enough colorway was too much to pass up. I got lucky grabbing a pair at the opening of the Nike Soho store, and was even tempted by the black/white one that released at Kith. Next up is the Linen retro but I know that's going to be an impossible get.
Air Jordan 9 Retro "Kobe"
Zac Dubasik, Managing Editor
First things first, I am not a Kobe Bryant fan in any way, shape, or form. I also think the Air Jordan 9 is one of the worst models from the “good ol’ days" of the line. And I don’t even think the execution on this release was all that great when compared to the original PE. At best, the "Kobe" Air Jordan 9 was a consolation prize for the AJ3/8 pack that never launched at retail. But at the end of the day, it’s what the shoe represents that was so exciting to me—hope that more unreleased gems from the Air Jordan archive will see the light of day.
Adidas AlphaBounce "Xeno"
Brandon Richard, Senior Writer
The Adidas AlphaBounce started with a bang, flamed out after the initial drop, but is picking up steam again heading into 2017. Not only is the Engineered Mesh version of the shoe generating buzz, but the Xeno-accented "Blackout" pair may have been Black Friday's best release. With Yeezys, Ultra Boosts, and NMDs, the AlphaBounce is often overlooked, but it's also a testament to how strong Adidas' offerings have been this year.
Air Jordan 1 High Retro "Top Three"
Rich Lopez, Release Dates Manager
I'll have to admit, that when I first heard of a "What The" Air Jordan 1 mash-up, I was appalled. How could Jordan Brand ruin such a classic sneaker? How could they sully the sneaker that started it all with some Frankenstein-like amalgamation? And now that the sneaker released, I also have to admit that the Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Top Three" is one of my favorite sneaker releases of 2016. I was expecting the worst and even though the sneaker is definitely not for everyone, I'm happy that Jordan Brand did just enough without doing too much. The alternating theme and color placement works well and pays tribute to three of the best Air Jordan 1 colorways ever.