The Nike Kobe 9 EM Joins the “Mambacita” Series in This Week’s Best Footwear Drops

The NBA Playoffs are getting increasingly intense, with two teams from each conference having already swept their first rounds. Meanwhile, three underdog teams face elimination tonight. Meanwhile, sneaker brands are also in a fierce competition as they try to win over sneaker enthusiasts. Jordan Brand, Nike, Crocs, ASICS, and adidas have all prepared a stellar lineup of new footwear releases.

Let’s start by reminding you about the significant sneaker news from the last week before we delve into this week’s details. The long-awaited official campaign for sacai and Nike’s Zegamadome sneakers was finally unveiled after being teased last summer. Additionally, the Swoosh revealed the return of the ACG Phassad, a 2002 outdoor runner, which will be available for the first time since its initial launch. We also got an early peek at Nyjah Huston’s upcoming Nike SB Nyjah 4 shoe. In the Air Jordan family, another fragment design x Union LA x Air Jordan 1 High OG colorway emerged, featuring a “Black/White” design. Furthermore, a detailed presentation of UNDEFEATED’s Air Jordan 4 has increased anticipation for its upcoming release.

In other areas of the sneaker industry, Supreme released their Vans Skate Grosso Mid collaboration from 2022, with artwork by frequent collaborator Nate Lowman. COMME des GARÇONS reimagined the BAPE STA in honor of BAPE’s fifth anniversary at the COMME des GARÇONS Osaka flagship. Action Bronson unveiled a New Balance 992 collaboration through his Baklava Megastore pop-up in NYC, and previews for thisisneverthat’s New Balance Made in UK 991v2 surfaced online, along with the New Balance 1500 “London Marathon” sneaker that was launched.

As a devoted sneaker enthusiast, let me steer you towards the top 10 drops you should keep an eye on this week! Kick things off by marking your calendar for the latest colorway of Travis Scott’s iconic collaboration with Jordan Brand. Once you’ve gone through the list, don’t forget to check out HBX for instant access to the styles that are already up for grabs!

Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack “Bright Cactus”

Launch Date: April 30th
Launch Price: $200 USD
Where to Purchase: SNKRS
Why You Need Them: Travis Scott recently dominated Coachella and is now collaborating with Jordan Brand again, unveiling a fresh colorway of his Jordan Jumpman Jack sneakers. Dubbed “Bright Cactus”, these shoes feature off-white, black, and green shades, and boast a unique design that includes a reversed lateral Swoosh, midfoot strap, heel logo featuring Scott’s face, and a leather and canvas build.

Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 “Honey Blacks”

*Launch Date:* 30th April
*Launch Price:* $190 USD
*Where Can I Buy:* Corteiz
*Why Should You Get It:* In 2023, Corteiz and Nike made a significant impact on the sneaker scene with their Air Max 95 colorways collaboration. This week, they’re continuing their partnership by showcasing the silhouette once more in a joint campaign, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The “Honey Blacks” edition of the shoe sports a black finish and is adorned with “Tour Yellow” co-branding. Additionally, it includes a tonal nod to London’s coordinates at the heel, a motif that has been used by both parties previously.

Nina Chanel Abney x Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Clog

* Launch Date: April 30th

* Launch Price: $95 USD

* Where to Purchase: BeASpunge

* Why You Should Acquire: Designer Salehe Bembury’s Crocs Pollex Clog has been one of his favorite canvases, but he started a new series last year called “Art Friends Thumbs Up Good Job.” This edition was created for artists. After Futura and Jonas Wood, Nina Chanel Abney has now joined in with her own unique design. The clog features a checkerboard pattern in black and white, but with a twist – the left shoe showcases a repeated face design while the right one maintains the traditional squares of the board, slightly elongated. Pink details accent the pair, and there are also “NCA” markings on the strap and footbed.

Nike Kobe 9 EM “Mambacita”

Launch Date: May 1
Purchase Price: $180 USD
Where to Get It: SNKRS
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out: Every year on Gigi Bryant’s birthday, Vanessa Bryant and Nike Basketball collaborate on a special “Mambacita” edition of a Kobe model. This tradition began in 2022 with the Kobe 6 Protro and now continues with the Kobe 9 EM. The upper features a white to black gradient, while golden details can be found on the Swooshes, tongue branding, and heel as a tribute to Gigi. The shoes also come with a golden Mambacita hangtag for added authenticity.

Nike Air Max 95 “Pink Foam”

Launch Date: May 1
Launch Price: $180 USD
Where to Purchase: SNKRS
Here’s a reason why you might want to buy: Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 95, this week sees the release of the “Pink Foam” edition, exclusively for women. This version boasts design elements inspired by the original “Big Bubble” tooling from 1995, providing a more authentic replica of the original design. The shoe’s unique anatomy-based structure is presented with a gradient effect, transitioning from dark gray at the base to lighter shades as it moves upwards. Various shades of pink are also integrated throughout the shoe.

Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS UB10-S GEL-KAYANO 20

Launch Date: May 2
Retail Price: Approximately $183 USD (equivalent to ¥26,400 JPY)
Where to Purchase: ASICS Store
Why You Might Want to Buy: Kiko Kostadinov has been instrumental in boosting ASICS’ presence in the fashion world. He has redesigned and modernized various silhouettes, including the UB10-S GEL-KAYANO 20, a revamped version of the original GEL-KAYANO 20 from 2013. The updated design features a mesh and synthetic construction with three new colorways: “Moss/Gunmetal,” “Indigo/Sea Glass,” and “Plum/Beet Juice.” Each colorway offers a distinct aesthetic, ranging from green to blue and a blend of orange, purple, and red.

adidas Climacool “Off White”

Launch Date: 2nd of May
Purchase Price: $140 USD
Where to Get: adidas
Why You Might Want To Buy: adidas is renowned for its pioneering work in 3D-printing technology within footwear. This week, they’re unveiling another groundbreaking 3D-printed design – the new Climacool sneaker, available in a sleek “Off White” monochrome colorway. The shoe features an intricate wavy lattice structure that enhances breathability. Despite its minimal branding, it makes a strong impact with its innovative design and construction.

Air Jordan 4 “Forget Me Not”

Launch Date: May 3
Launch Price: $215 USD
Where to Purchase: SNKRS
Why You Might Want to Buy: This year, Jordan Brand is honoring Mother’s Day with the release of the “Forget Me Not” colorway of the Air Jordan 4. The shoe features a beautiful “Blue Tint” design, with blue and white colors gracefully distributed throughout the shoe. What sets this pair apart is a detachable chenille flower lace accessory embedded in the lacing system, aligning with the theme.

atmos x BAPE x adidas SSTAR V

Launch Date: May 3
Launch Price: Approximately $193 USD (27,500 JPY)
Where to Purchase: atmos
Why You Might Want to Buy: Fresh from hosting atmoscon, Japan’s biggest sneaker event of the year, this retail release includes some of their exclusive collaborations. Among them is a reinterpretation of the adidas Superstar by BAPE, who previously worked on the “SSTAR V” earlier in 2021. This revamped shoe showcases ABC SOLID CAMO embossing in black across the upper, along with white BAPE STA and Three Stripes branding at the midfoot, both featuring atmos’ special “G-SNK” treatment – a glowing snakeskin-inspired material.

CSEF x Nike SB Dunk Low

Launch Date: May 3rd
Launch Price: $135 USD
Where to Purchase: SNKRS
Why You Should Buy: This pair of SB Dunk Lows is a tribute to the College Skateboarding Educational Foundation (CSEF), established in 2017, which helps skaters pursue higher education. The design incorporates school themes with black and white colors, accented by green, yellow, and pink hues. Notable features include a scantron-inspired woven tongue tag, athletic typography at the heel tabs, a ceremonial CSEF graduation tassel, and a white skate-away upper that reveals an “Eraser Pink” underneath.

2025-04-29 20:56