The Holiday season is officially upon us and, as is tradition, sneaker brands across the board are filling up the shelves with some of the most anticipated drops of the year. Among them all, Nike and Jordan Brand are coming on strong as we head into 2019.
In addition to bringing back several iconic sneakers, some of which haven't release in nearly two decades, the Jumpman will also introduce a number of all-new styles, while Adidas has plans to drop multiple Yeezys in the coming weeks.
Scroll down for a rundown of the most popular sneakers set to drop before we ring in the new year.
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Collection
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: <a href=
Release Date: December 14 (SNKRS)
Retail Price: Ranges from $90 to $190
Nike recently introduced their 2018 Doernbecher Freestyle Collection, featuring six different sneakers designed by six brave kids, with 100 percent of the proceeds from the sales of the collection to benefit OHSU Doernbecher.
The 2018 collection includes an Air Jordan 15 ($190), Nike Air Force 1 Low ($90), Nike Air Max 97 ($170), Nike Air Max 270 ($150), Nike SB Dunk Pro Low ($90) and Nike Zoom Fly SP ($170). Adult and youth sizes will launch December 14 in SNKRS North America, and the full apparel collection will launch December 15 on nike.com and at select Nike retail and partner stores.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 14
Retail Price: $160
In celebration of Marvel's upcoming Spiderman movie "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," Jordan Brand will be releasing a limited edition "Origin Story" Air Jordan 1. The exclusive colorway pay tribute to the film’s character, Miles Morales, who wears the kicks during the movie.
The Air Jordan 1 "Origin Story" utilizes the familiar "Chicago" colorway but the upper is much more decorative, featuring a 3M reflective textile upper accompanied by a glossy black Nike swoosh. Additional details include an icy blue outsole and a specially designed box commemorating the Marvel x Jumpman collaboration.
Matching the pair seen in the film on Miles Morales, the Air Jordan 1 High OG "Origin Story" puts a twist on a classic colorway.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 14
Retail Price: $220
More than a year after they originally debuted, Kanye West and Adidas have announced that the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 "Semi Frozen Yellow" colorway will be back in stock globally on Friday, December 14.
The gaudy low-top Yeezys feature the "Semi Frozen Yellow" hue throughout the primeknit upper, accompanied by "Raw Steel" streaks and hits of red on the familiar 'SPLY-350' text. Additionally, the yellow detailing extends onto the rubber midsole covering the beloved Boost cushioning, while a timeless gum outsole sits beneath it all.
The kicks will be available on adidas.com/YEEZY, select retailers and Yeezy Supply. A full list of retailers can be found at adidas.com/YEEZY.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 14 (cncpts.com), December 15 (select retailers), December 17 (SNKRS)
Retail Price: $100
Boston-based Concepts has teamed with Nike SB yet again for a new "Purple Lobster" Dunk Low, following in the footsteps of some other highly coveted crustacean-inspired collabs.
Concepts and Nike SB first released a red "Lobster" Dunk Low in 2008, followed by a blue rendition and an elusive yellow pair in 2009. Now, they've teamed up to release a "Purple Lobster" colorway which is styled just like its predecessors featuring the a checkered inner lining and a rubber band around the toe.
Concepts and Nike have officially announced the kicks, priced at $130, will release this Friday, December 14 at Concepts stores and cncpts.com at 11am ET. Additionally, the limited edition Dunks will drop on Saturday, December 15 at select retailers and on December 17 via Nike SNKRS.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 15
Retail Price: $395
Nike’s first collaborative project with Fear of God founder and creative director, Jerry Lorenzo, is officially set to launch in mid-December and will include the court-ready basketball sneaker that was recently worn by Houston Rockets' forward PJ Tucker.
The high-top kicks, dubbed the Nike Air Fear of God 1, are highlighted by a double-height Zoom Air heel unit and a TPU cage that is inspired by the beloved Huarache Light.
“It is a shoe that should only be judged by the emotion it gives the kid when he first sees it — however it makes him feel,” says Lorenzo, per Nike. “We live in a day and age when images are leaked left and right, and products are leaked without consideration and emotional attachments. I’m aiming to give a visceral experience whether the kid sees it first on Ben Simmons coming into the arena or worn by his favorite athletes on court.”
The Nike Air Fear Of God 1, retailing for $350, will release alongside a collaborative range of apparel on December 15 at NikeLab, SNKRS, FearofGod.com, and select retailers.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 15
Retail Price: $190
Detailed images of the 2018 version of the "Mocha" Air Jordan 3s recently surfaced and they're looking just as sweet as they did 17 years ago.
The kicks, which have not released since 2001, are built on a crisp, white tumbled leather upper accompanied by mocha brown accents on the elephant print, Jumpman branding, upper eyelets and outsole.
Slated to drop on Saturday, December 15, these classics have surprisingly flown under the radar thus far but the hype will pick up now that the "Concord" Air Jordan 11 release is out of the way.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 15
Retail Price: $180
Adidas has today unveiled their most unique Ultra Boost to date - the Ultraboost 19 - which will initially launch in a limited-release "Laser Red" colorway this Saturday, December 15.
The kicks has been completely rebuilt from 17 parts to focus on these four cutting-edge components:
Optimized BOOST – with 20% more BOOST in the midsole compared to the first-generation adidas Ultraboost, this updated technology brings even more energy return
Torsion Spring – a lightweight construction for enhanced support on landing and a snappy transition to propel runners forward
Primeknit 360 – feels like a second skin, combining pure comfort with lightweight performance
Updated 3D Heel Frame – a stripped-back design cradles the heel, bringing the perfect mix of adaptability and support
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 19
Retail Price: $170
December 19 will see the release of two Off-White x Nike AF1 Low collabs, including a vibrant volt rendition. The kicks features a volt base and bold, black Nike swooshes along with a combination of nylon, canvas and suede throughout the upper.
Additional details include the familiar, small orange tab on the swoosh and "LOGO" text on the heel tab, which is positioned just above a unique production code. As always, "AIR" text is stamped on the midsole in black while the familiar Off-White branding is etched into the instep.
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Nike LeBron 3 White/Navy
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 20
Retail Price: $175
LeBron James' third signature sneaker, the Nike LeBron 3, is slowly but surely making a comeback. The limited edition "Christ The King" LeBron 3 PE unexpectedly dropped back in September, and now it's is being reported that the "White/Navy Blue/Silver" colorway will be returning before 2019.
The kicks, which first released in 2006, are built on a white and navy blue leather upper accompanied by white patent leather overlays and silver accents throughout.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 22
Retail Price: $190
Jordan Brand recently introduced a handful of "Tinker" Air Jordans, some of which are inspired by another classic Nike sneaker such as this upcoming "Air Raid" Air Jordan 8.
The kicks, inspired by the classic "Urban Jungle" Nike Air Raid, feature a black nubuck upper with Light Concord, Aloe Verde, and University Red accents reminiscent of the Air Raid's vibrant graphics. Additional details include a colorful chenille tongue logo, a green inner lining, a splash of yellow on the outsole and yellow “Live Together” text on the black heel tab.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 22
Retail Price: $190
Months ago it was reported that Jordan Brand had plans to release a special edition "NBA Pack" consisting of Air Jordan 6s, 8s, 10s & 12s - in celebration of some of the brand's signature athletes. Among the kicks rumored to release was an Air Jordan 6 in honor of four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.
However, it appears that the rumored Air Jordan 6 no longer carries the "Jimmy Butler" moniker and is simply being dubbed "Diffused Blue" as a nod to the sneaker's color code: "Diffused Blue/Diffused Blue-Court Blue." The kicks feature the "diffused blue" hue throughout the suede upper, while the lace lock, Jumpman logo, midsole and heel tab stripe come in court blue.
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CNCPTS x Nike Kyrie 5 "Ikhet"
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 26
Retail Price: $130
The CNCPTS x Nike Kyrie 5 "Ikhet" is inspired by the point guard's Hamsa tattoo, featuring a beige colorway that references ancient pyramids as well as hieroglyphics detailing.
Per Nike: With Irving, the Concepts idea draws from the all-seeing eye within the athlete’s Hamsa hand tattoo. Rather than replicate it (given that the tattoo is a major theme of the KYRIE 5 heel counter and box), Concepts Creative Director Deon Point decided to dig into the history of Egypt’s ancient pyramids.
“I found out the mortar used remains a mystery to scientists — they still can't figure how it stuck together, but it's some of the strongest stuff ever made. I learned that the limestone glowing in the sun made the pyramids glow brighter than a diamond. And one thing that really got me: there was a 20-ton door on one of the pyramids that was so precise, you can’t squeeze a credit card through the seams — but it can be opened with one hand,” he says.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 27
Retail Price: $220
While the newly unveiled "Static" Yeezy Boost 350 V2 sports the same low-top silhouette as other Yeezy 350s of old, this particular pair is unlike the others in that the primeknit design is much more intricate. Additionally, the Static Yeezy Boost 350 V2 utilizes a semi-translucent upper in place of where the sneaker’s familair “SPLY 350” branding and midfoot stripe.
Sneaker source @TheYeezyMafia has revealed the kicks will launch on December 27.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 27
Retail Price: $160
One of the final Air Jordan releases of the year draws on inspiration from MJ's first Sports Illustrated cover during his rookie year.
The 1984 SI cover in question featured an airborne MJ putting up a shot in traffic as he is surrounded by several Bucks players along with the caption, "A Star Is Born."
Using that image as inspiration, the upcoming Air Jordan 1 features the familiar white, black and red color scheme as a nod to the Chicago Bulls uniforms, as well as a green-striped Nike Swoosh inspired by the detailing on the Bucks' uniforms. Additionally, the inside of the ankle collar reads, "A Star Is Born."
The Air Jordan 1 "A Star is Born" remembers MJ's rookie Sports Illustrated cover 🐐 pic.twitter.com/x6xmyXnWFY
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 29
Retail Price: $300
According to sneaker source @TheYeezyMafia, the Yeezy 700 V2 "Static" is officially scheduled to launch on December 29. The kicks, retailing for $300, feature a combination of white and grey hues on the premium leather and mesh upper, complete with hits of reflective detailing throughout - as seen in the IG post embedded below.
Holiday Sneaker Release Guide: Air Jordan 3s, Nike SBs, Yeezys & More
Release Date: December 31
Retail Price: $200
The all-new winter-friendly Air Jordan 12s are built on a durable weather-resistant upper decked out in black from heel to toe, accompanied by a black nubuck mudguard and an ultra soft terry cloth inner lining. The overall construction and all-black color scheme make these kicks a perfect winter option if you're not a fan of rocking clunky boots for the next couple of months.
The kicks, available in sizes for the whole family, will be available just before the new year on December 31.
<b>Sports & Sneakers Writer</b>
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New York born and raised. Long-suffering Knicks, Mets & Jets fan who fell in love with sneakers when Allen Iverson laced up the 11s at Georgetown. Commissioner of one of the premier fantasy football leagues in the USA.
