Turn Back Time With the Air Jordan 1 High OG "UNC Reimagined" in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

Last night was nothing short of a spectacle -- from incredible NBA and NHL Playoff action to the congregating of countless A-list celebrities for the Met Gala. While we continue to unpack the festivities, the footwear industry is prepared for a star studded week of its own as Nike, Crocs, New Balance, Salomon, adidas, and Jordan Brand have all assembled exciting launches to consider copping.

Per usual, let's look back at which headlines caught our eye last week before going through this week's drops. Starting with the Jumpman team, two new rumors stood out: word of a third fragment design x Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG colorway and a Levi's x Air Jordan 3. We were also treated to a first look at this year's Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Chicago" and a new Air Jordan 5 "Wings."

As for New Balance, it announced its "Grey Days" celebration, highlighting its many weeks of sneaker releases. It also teamed up with Aimé Leon Dore to announce their first collaborative model, the RC56. Elsewhere, Kith had its New Balance 204L leak before it officially teased its adidas Climacool project. JJJJound and NAKED Copenhagen rounded out the week with previews of their ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14 and Salomon XT-6 collaborations respectively.

Now that you're caught up with what's been happening in the sneaker space, let's get into which 10 drops you should have on your radar this week, starting with A'ja Wilson's first signature shoe with the Swoosh. Afterwards, be sure to check out HBX to shop styles that are available now.

Nike A’One “Pink A’ura”

Release Date: May 6
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: At last, A’ja Wilson and Nike Basketball’s long awaited Nike A’One arrives this week. The three-time WNBA MVP is kicking things off with the bold “Pink A’ura” colorway, offering a neon to pastel pink gradient across the upper. The court-ready sneaker features her logo at the tongue, as well as an A’ja callout at the heel while featuring motivational text debossed at the outsole.

Swarovski x Crocs Classic Clog & Bae Clog

Release Date: May 6
Release Price: $300 USD (Classic Clog) and $1,200 USD (Bae Clog)
Where to Buy: Crocs
Why You Should Cop: Have you ever wanted to spend a thousand dollars on a pair of Crocs? If so, this week presents the opportunity to do just that. The crystal cutting specialists over at Swarovski have teamed up with Crocs to present royal renditions of the Classic and Bae Clogs. The Classic Clog sees a gray finish covered in a sleek pattern of crystals. Meanwhile, the Bae Clog in black features crystal-embellished ornaments throughout its structure.

.SWOOSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Dirty Triple White” & “Triple Triple Black”

Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS (US Only)
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s web3-based .SWOOSH platform is back with two more takes on the Air Force 1 Low this week. First up is the “Dirty Triple White” -- a take on the all-white colorway that sees it covered in faux wear that is said to turn clean with wear. Its “Triple Triple Black” counterpart offers a similar experience as it goes from a dark upper to completely black with wear.

New Balance ABZORB 2010 “Vintage Khaki”

Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: New Balance is hosting its annual celebration of “Grey Days” this month, however, fans of color still have plenty to look forward to with the ABZORB 2010 making its grand debut in “Vintage Khaki.” The new runner pairs a knit mesh base with leather overlays while being supported by a segmented ABZORB sole unit. Its initial color scheme pairs forest green with light and dark browns while offering touches of grey as well.

MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Spectur 2 & XT-4 Mule

Release Date: May 7
Release Price: $405 USD (Spectur 2) and $455 USD (XT-4 Mule)
Where to Buy: Salomon
Why You Should Cop: MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon are back with the second part of their latest collaborative campaign. This expansion sees the Spectur 2 and XT-4 Mule both outfitted with MM6 Maison Margiela’s design codes, including its iconic numbers motif at the heel and toe respectively. The Spectur 2 takes on a “Sea Foam” finish that sees the fresh green joined by hints of silver and white. Meanwhile, the XT-4 Mule sees the reworked trail shoe don a combination of “Ultramarine” blue and “Rum Raisin” brown.

Willy Chavarria x adidas Jabbar Dress Low

Release Date: May 8
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Willy Chavarria and adidas
Why You Should Cop: Willy Chavarria’s debut collection with adidas is another anticipated collaboration that is dropping this week, with Chavarria’s Jabbar Dress Low putting a high fashion spin on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's signature shoe. Colorways of off-white and all-black see the shoe don a revamped shape, one that is slender and constructed of premium materials while featuring subtle co-branding above the Three Stripes and at the tongue.

sacai x Nike Zegamadome

Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Keeping things in the world of fashion, sacai and Nike are back with yet another sneaker collaboration. The two have crafted a new hybrid model, combining the Nike Zegama trail runner with 1989’s Nike Lava Dome boot. All three colorways of “Matte Silver,” “Summit White,” and “Black” are due to drop with more of sacai’s “two of everything” treatment seeing double of its Swooshes, midsole, and laces.

thisisneverthat x New Balance Made in UK 991v2

Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $270 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: South Korea’s thisisneverthat is back with a second New Balance collaboration for the year, putting its own spin on the Made in UK 991v2. Its “Rock Ridge” rendition of the shoe features various greys that suit the American sportswear brand’s “Grey Days” celebration. A combination of mesh, synthetic nubuck, and pigskin are all present with callouts to the duo located at the lateral heel and tongue tag.

Nike SB Dunk Low “Rodeo”

Release Date: May 9
Release Price: $135 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Nike SB team has once again utilized its beloved SB Dunk Low model as a canvas, this time paying homage to Black cowboys with a Western-themed take on the sneaker. Its green “Tourmaline” suede base features thematic embroidery around the heel, including a stylized rendition of the Nike wordmark at its heel tab. From there, lasso-inspired rope laces and special artwork for the sockliner and the bandana that comes with the kicks completes this pair.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Reimagined”

Release Date: May 10
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand is back with its “Reimagined” series, which has been putting unique twists on iconic looks in recent years. Revisiting the Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC,” the Jumpman team has assembled another aged version of the model that features similar detailing to 2022’s hit “Lost & Found” (aka “Chicago Reimagined”) colorway. This vintage-inspired take on the shoe features everything from distressed leather at the collar to a yellowed midsole and whitened outsole, making it look as if you’re wearing an original pair from 1985.

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