The long-awaited summer starts with May and if a clear out of your winter wares is on the cards – why not start with your footwear collection? Give your shoes a spruce with the latest launches.
Each month, we compile our favourite footwear drops to have on your radar, so mark your calendars. There’s collaboration and sneaker anniversaries aplenty with the limited-edition shoes to go alongside them.
From Veja to Nike, we have gathered the trainers worth investing in to take your sneaker collection to new heights, including covetable collaborations you will want and need to cop ASAP.
Set to be instant sell outs – run, don’t walk.
VEJA The Impala
You can count on Veja to produce a fitness trainer that will look as stylish on the city streets as it would in the gym. The Impala is the brand’s first indoor training shoe and retains the signatures of the label – namely the V embroidery at the side and the sustainability credentials that the brand is known and loved for (the shoes are crafted using recycled polyester and bio-based materials). They are ultra-lightweight, weighing in at 245g, and so will work best for gym classes, from boxing to crossfit.
Timberland GreenStride Solar Wave ST collection
Whether your summer plans consist of trails and hikes, or beer garden hopping, the Solar Wave ST silhouette has you covered on the shoe front. They are designed to be like a sandal in their breathability but with the tracked outsole, you can wear them for outdoor adventuring. There are also functional design details like the bungee and hook-and-lace closures for a secure fit. Best of all, they are available in vibrant, eye-catching designs.
pgLang for Converse
Founded by Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free, pgLang has redesigned two of Converse’s most instantly recognisable shoes – the Chuck 70 and the Pro Leather – with minimal and subtle flourishes in a celebration of storytelling and exploration. The pgLang for Converse Chuck 70 has a hiking-style eyelet addition, asymmetrical rubber varnish and cryptic text graphics as well as the logo embossing of both brands. The Pro Leather is covered in suede with the same embellishments as the other shoe.Converse
Saucony Jazz Court Premium
You are no doubt familiar with Saucony’s classic tennis shoe silhouette but just in time for summer, it has been given a luxury makeover in full-grain white leather with suede overlays and contrasting pops of red or yellow hues at the heels tab.Saucony
Vans Gingham Block Collection
Synonymous with the warmer weather, gingham has a way of making us feel all summery and the classic picnic print is set on the Vans Authentic, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On shoes. There’s a mismatch of colourful gingham juxtaposed alongside each other references the label’s iconic checkered designs but in playful pastel hues.Vans
M&M’s Brand Forum Low 84 Shoes
Fresh from M&M’s female characters’ rebrand, the multi-coloured chocolate button brand has teamed up with Adidas to redesign the sportswear giant’s Forum silhouette in their iconic shades. Choose from six hues of blue, red, yellow, orange, green and brown where each has a peanut-coloured lining, a character on the sockliner and groove lines to mimic the iconic brand’s bags.Adidas
The recent drops to have on your radar…
Converse x PLAY Comme des Garçons Chuck 70 with Red Midsole
Everyone’s favourite Converse collaboration sees a new twist. As part of the ever-growing and ever-popular collaboration with Comme des Garçons, the Chuck 70 has been treated to a red midsole and foxing. For added intrigue, there’s also a contrast pinstripe to match the canvas colourways i.e. black on the black, white on the white. The shoe is available at both hi and lo.Converse
END. x Diadora V7000 “Limoncello” & “Grappa”
If you’re not jetting off to the Amalfi Coast, this footwear collaboration between End Clothing and Diadora may be the next best thing. The two-piece collection consists of shoes inspired by two Italian liquors; Limoncello and Grappa. Set on the V7000 silhouette – a running shoe first launched in 1990 – Grappa has a light green hue, while Limoncello is a striking yellow. The shoes are crafted in smooth leather and velvety suede.End Clothing
Maison Margiela x Reebok Memory Of Club C + Classic Leather
The next release in Reebok and Maison Margiela’s evolving collaboration is a more pared back design. In tonal black or tonal white, creative director John Galliano has given his signature twist to a classic shoe from the American sportswear brand. The detailing is subtle but tackles the idea of visual perception with a cross-check design that has been peeled off to leave just the punch-hole marks. The heel piece has also been stripped off to show the structure below as is a common motif with the Parisian fashion house.Reebok
Timberland x Bee Line Solar Ridge Low Hiker Gore-Tex
Set to take your hiking gear to new heights, Bee Line and Timberland have joined forces for the second time for a collection of apparel and footwear in a bid to create more responsibly made products. The Solar Ridge Hikers have specialised cushioned soles that are crafted from 75 per cent renewable materials like sugar cane and responsible rubber, while the footbed is 70 per cent made from a bio-based material.
Veja x Marni
Collaborations are nothing new in the sneaker space but that doesn’t stop us from admiring when two legendary labels come together and create something playful, fun and most of all, covetable as is the case with Veja x Marni. The Milan luxury fashion house has brought their signature creative flair to the V-10 and high-top V-15 silhouettes with a colourful scribbled design on the upper. The laces are made entirely from recycled polyester and the leather comes from Uruguayan farms and tanned in Brazil at a gold certified tannery, reducing water waste. The soles are also composed partly with recycled rubber.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star CX FlyEase
Nike-owned Converse has borrowed elements from the sportswear giant in this updated silhouette. For the first time, the Chuck Taylor All Star features Nike’s FlyEase technology that will make it easier than ever to slip them on and off. At the back of the shoe, you will notice a cage made from thermoplastic elastomer with flexing and rebounding properties that allows for a hands-free experience. The shoe also has a canvas upper and padded stretch-canvas collar with a foam insole for a secure and comfortable fit. There are three colourways available.
KROST x FILA
Streetwear label Krost already has a long list of celebrity fans that includes Dwyane Wade and more but it’s continuation of its collaboration with Fila is set to reach a new pool, especially with the Renno shoe. Using the iconic heritage colourways of white, red and navy, you can immediately tell this is a Fila hoe and yet it’s given a refined aesthetic in line with Krost and references the brand’s community engagement through its moniker “Support Your Friends” as well as committing 10 per cent of all sales to the American charity Good Sports.
Saucony Peregrine 12
There’s a new version of the Peregrine in town. The shoe named after the fastest bird on earth has been updated to be more lightweight (30g less) and speedier than ever. The sole is kitted out with a trademarked PWRTRAC rubber that encourages more traction and grip as well as an improve rock plate to wick away the moisture and allow for better flexibility. No matter the track conditions – be it rain or shine – this shoe has got you covered.
Toms The Fenix
Toms may be best known for its espadrilles but the brand’s sneakers should not be sniffed at. The newly launched Fenix can be slipped on/off or there’s a lace-up variation – both of which feature a vulcanised sole and a cushioned insole and padded collar for comfort. They are of course kitted out with all the Toms signatures including the canvas upper.
Kurt Geiger x Crocs
Minimalists, look away. This footwear collab is one for the maximalists. The accessory label has teamed up with the ever-divisive footwear brand to create two limited-edition shoes that are set to take the world by storm. The classic Crocs silhouette has been souped up with a wedge and playful embellishments. One sees the shoe punctuated with rainbow crystals, while the other has a faux fur trim.
Vans x Tierra Whack
Tis the season and so tick off your Christmas gifting list with Vans’ latest collaboration. Rapper Tierra Whack and her stylist Shirley Kurata have created a footwear and apparel line inspired by the 80s. The colourful collaboration mixes colours, shapes, patterns and motifs. Set on the Old Skool and Style 36 silhouettes, it juxtaposes white uppers with blue elements, and eco-suede with puffy laces.
FILA x LN-CC x Flock Together
This charity collaboration pairs Fila, the retailer LN-CC and Flock Together (a exploration collective for people of colour) for a bold, bright and statement shoe where 15 per cent of all sales will help fund the education of young people about nature and the environment. The unisex collab is made up of cosy fleeces as well as the Trailblazer hiking shoe – given an exotic colour twist inspired by the Kingfisher bird. It has pops of blue, green and orange as well as technical features like the treaded rubber sole.
New Balance XC-72
This latest shoe from New Balance comes as part of the Shifted collection that includes the hugely popular 327 and 237 models. The XC-72 also has retro 1970s feels with a futuristic twist. While it does take inspiration from the archive, it is packed with contemporary, sustainable elements that include chrome-free leather and crinkle nylon uppers.
size? Vans Anaheim Factory Authentic ‘Needlework’ Pack
The sneaker specialist retailer has unveiled a world exclusive; these intricately embroidered Vans. The Authentic Style #44 has long been an icon for wearers to get creative and these styles are no different. They are available for men and women with stitching techniques inspired by the sports brand’s early custom-made designs, which were popular among crafters during the 1970s and 1980s. The shoes come in either a white or brown colourways with a Californian boho inspired floral look and a vintage feel.
Air Jordan WMNS x Billie Eilish 1 Retro AJKO Ghost Green
Billie Eilish’s first collaboration with Nike was unsurprisingly a very speedy sell-out but you can still get your hands on the shoe at Klekt. The classic Air Jordan silhouette has a neon Lime Green colourway that is bright and bold as well as her logo on the tongue. They have also been crafted with sustainable materials using 20 per cent recycled fabrics.
K-Swiss CannonCourt sneaker
Heritage American tennis brand K-Swiss is celebrating 55 years since its inception with a campaign entitled ‘How We Move’ highlighting movement and individuality that has always been in its DNA. Far more than just a tennis shoe, the CannonCourt has cross function appeal from the court to the streets with its vibrant colourway in shades of yellow, green and white with a traditionally tennis silhouette.
Saucony Originals Pearl Shadow 6000
This new launch from Saucony goes back to the brand’s archives with one of its most iconic designs. The Shadow 6000 is turning 30 and the limited-edition Pearl shoe is a treat for its loyal fans with a white leather structure, mother of pearl insets and mesh detailing.
Malone Souliers Sneakers
Known for its handcrafted pumps, contrasting strap detail and the utmost attention to details, Malone Souliers has added to its extensive footwear offering with trainers. The range has begun with two silhouettes both of which are unisex and take inspiration from the 60s and 70s. The Deon and Musa are clean, simple styles with geometric embellishments.
Anine Bing Dina trainers
Beloved for its fashion-forward collections that hit staple dressing on its head, Anine Bing has ventured into the realms of trainers for the first time with the Dina sneakers. They are crafted entirely from leather and mesh in neutral tones of grey, white and beige. The sole gives a height boost with a thick sole and the design has a retro 90s nod with an athletic logo detail.
