The Summer Olympics are upon us and brands across the board are looking to cash in on the patriotism of sneakerheads who want to support the USA, despite the fact that many of them probably won't be tuning in for the Men's 400M Individual Medley or the Women's Single Sculls Rowing event.
Needless to say, there are plenty of "USA" colorways of sneakers releasing this month, including a special edition "Olympic" Air Jordan 7 that Michael Jordan originally turned down in favor of the classic "Olympic" 7s that he wore during the Dream Team's run in 1992.
Additionally, Jordan Brand and Adidas will be releasing some more inclusive Olympic-themed kicks inspired by the medals that will be handed out throughout the next two weeks.
There are plenty of sneakers dropping in August but we've narrowed the list down to our 10 favorites- hit the slides to see what release dates you need to keep your eye on.
Note: The "Barons" Air Jordan 12 GS, as the name suggests, will only be releasing up to a size 9.5 so I've kept it off the list. That said, it's definitely one of the best sneakers releasing this month so if you can squeeze into a 9.5, you can find everything you need to know about that release right here.
Air Jordan 7 "Tinker Alternate"
Release Date: August 6th
Price: $190
The Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics begin tonight, August 5th in Rio [assuming the Zika virus doesn't ruin everything] and in celebration of the event Jordan Brand will be releasing this special edition "Olympic Alternate" Air Jordan 7; a sneaker which Tinker Hatfield originally designed back in 1992.
With its design, Tinker Hatfield initiated some firsts: removing the Nike Air branding visible on the previous six Jordan models and adding a neoprene Huarache bootie for support. Hatfield also sought to add a new, more international flare to the line through the incorporation of a fresh geometric pattern inspired by a poster for the long-running Afropop Worldwide radio program.
“To make a long story short: I stopped in my tracks, saw the poster and thought ‘That’s it,’ that should be the inspiration for the next pair of Jordans,” remembers Hatfield.
Styled in patriotic colors like the iconic "Olympics" Air Jordan 7, the sneakers include Michael Jordan's Team USA #9 on the heel along with a revamped star spangled heel tab.
Similar to the "Olympics" Air Jordan 7, this upcoming "Olympic Alternate" rendition also includes gold aglets, gold text on the tongue and a gold Jumpman on the upper ankle.
“This one was in the works for a while,” says Hatfield of the patriotic basketball version of the Air Jordan VII. “I did one that was more white based and one that was much more contrasted. My recollection is that MJ thought the contrasted one was really cool. Ultimately, I left it up to him.”
Of course, MJ opted for the white-based version which left this more contrasted version in the Nike vault until now.
Air Jordan 1 "Premium Essentials"
Release Date: August 6th
Price: $160
In addition to the new "Olympics" Air Jordan 1 and the returning "Banned" Air Jordan 1, Jordan Brand is rolling out two pairs of the "Premium Essentials" aka "Yin Yang" Air Jordan 1s this weekend.
The yin yang themed kicks feature alternating colorways of white and black with matching red "Nike Air" tabs on the tongues. Of all the Air Jordan 1s releasing later this year, this "Premium Essentials" collection might be the cleanest of them all- especially that white pair.
As we've said time and again, keeping it simple is often what works best and that goes double for the iconic Air Jordan 1 silhouette.
Adidas UltraBoost "Triple White" & "Core Black"
Release Date: August 10th
Price: $180
Both the "Triple White" and "Core Black" Adidas UltraBOOSTs have already released a number of times but fans of the super comfy kicks will have another chance to cop this month at major retailers like Foot Locker.
The UltraBOOST is far and away one of the most popular, and comfortable, sneakers on the market right now so you can expect these classic colorways to be snatched up the second they release, again.
Air Jordan XIV "Indiglo"
Release Date: August 13th
Price: $190
The Air Jordan XIV has flown under the radar this year thanks to plenty of Air Jordan 12s releases, and a number of other classic Js.
But fans of the XIV silhouette will be happy to know that Jordan Brand hasn't forgotten about the beloved kicks and the rare "Indiglo" XIV, which hasn't been seen since it debuted way back in 1999, will be returning this month.
Official images of the returning Indiglo XIV showcase the sneaker's OG look- constructed on a combination of leather and nubuck, highlighted by indiglo green accents.
If you're a lover of the ferrari inspired Air Jordan XIV, you'll be happy to know this Indiglo pair will be returning next weekend for $190.
Reebok Question Mid "A5"
Release Date: August 12th
Price: $140
In 2001, Reebok produced one of the greatest sneaker commercials of all-time featuring Jadakiss and Allen Iverson in promotion of the Reebok Answer 5. Many of you can probably still recite some of Jadakiss' bars from the ad which was voiced over a beat consisting of squeaking sneakers, a bouncing basketball and the sweet sound of swishes.
15 years after that iconic commercial, Reebok is paying tribute with this special edition "A5" Question.
Styled like one Iverson's go-to colorways of the Answer 5, the "A5" Reebok Questions are built on a black leather upper with supporting grey accents and hits of red on the sole, inside of the tongue and Question branding.
Adidas UltraBoost "Olympic Medal Pack"
Release Date: August 18th
Price: $180
With the Summer Olympic games kicking off tonight it's only fitting that Adidas rolls out a special edition pack featuring their most popular silhouette on the market- the UltraBoost.
The "Olympic Medal" Pack features three similarly styled Adidas UltraBoosts, each built on black uppers with the familiar, white boost soles. As you'd expect it's the gold, silver and bronze accents on each of the sneakers' heel counter that separates them from each other.
Adidas NMD
Release Date: August 18th
Price: TBD
The Adidas NMD is one of the most popular sneakers on the market today and Adidas continues to please their consumers with more and more colorways of the beloved shoe- including the upcoming collab with BAPE.
The latest news about the Adidas NMD reflects the wild popularity of the sneaker, as the brand has plans to release 19 new colorways later this month.
All of the new NMDs, including the NMD XR1, will be dropping on the same day- August 18th.
Select stores across the country will require you to register for your chance to buy a pair, beginning today, August 5th through August 9th. Check out that list of stores below.
CALIFORNIA
Melrose Ave
Santa Monica
South Coast Plaza
San Francisco Centre
Westfield Santa Anita
FLORIDA
Aventura Mall
Miami Beach
GEORGIA
Lenox Square
ILLINOIS
Rush St, Chicago
NEVADA
Las Vegas Strip
NEW JERSEY
Garden State Plaza
Menlo Park Mall
NEW YORK
Broadway & Houston St, NYC
Fulton & Hoyt St, NYC
TEXAS
Houston Galleria
Air Jordan 5 "Olympic"
Release Date: August 20th
Price: $190
In celebration of the Summer Olympics in Rio, Jordan Brand is releasing this gold medal inspired "Olympic" Air Jordan 5 which we recently saw on the feet of Jimmy Butler at the Nike Air Hangar event in California.
The kicks will officially be hitting retailers on August 20th for the standard retail price of $190.
The use of metallic gold on the tongue and shark teeth of the shoe is enough to give it some pop from the mundane white and black color scheme, but not overly gaudy like the Pinnacle "Metallic Gold" Air Jordan 6s that will be releasing later this year.
Nike Air Foamposite Pro "Ben Gordon"
Release Date: August 26th
Price: $230
Nike will be releasing a couple of special edition Foamposites this Summer, including two pairs dedicated to former Bulls (and Pistons, Bobcats, Magic) guard, Ben Gordon.
One of the Foams, shown above, is decked out in royal blue with black accents, very similar to the pair that Gordon received after making the jump from the UConn Huskies to the NBA.
This 'Varsity Royal' colorway of the Nike Air Foamposite Pro 'Ben Gordon' is as clean as they come, with nothing other than blue and black throughout the iconic Nike silhouette. It's always nice when The Swoosh keeps it simple with their foamposite colorways.
Air Jordan 11 Low "Closing Ceremony"
Release Date: August 27th
Price: $170
The regal metallic gold Air Jordan 11 Low has finally been officially unveiled and reports suggest the kicks will be arriving on August 27th, just after the Summer Olympics wrap up.
Sneakerheads will liken this pair of kicks to the extremely rare "Ring Night" Ray Allen Air Jordan 11 PE, although this pair sticks strictly to the white and gold color scheme with no hits of red.
Unlike most of the other Air Jordan 11 Lows before it, this "Metallic Gold" joint features a tumbled leather upper which looks pretty, pretty smooth IMHO.
