Concepts and New Balance Revisit the 998 “C-Note” in This Week’s Best Footwear Drops

October serves as a key month for sports fans with the NFL and NCAAF heating up, the NBA starting once again and MLB entering its playoff season. At the same time, there's plenty of excitement being served to sneakerheads as well. Across the next seven days, you can expect releases from Nike, Converse, New Balance, Salomon and Jordan Brand to serve as highlights. However, before we break down what to look forward to, let's recap the last seven days of footwear news.

Leading the way, Hypebeast's Sole Mates series tapped Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin as he shared his love of the Air Jordan 1, how sneakers connect him to his team and the fines he receives for wearing Nike shoes at games.

It was a relatively quiet week for Nike, though the same cannot be said for its Jordan Brand subsidiary. On top of a first look at two additional Supreme x Nike Courtposite colorways, the Jumpman team stepped in with its holiday 2023 retro collection preview. From there, word of an Air Jordan 3 "Doernbecher" has fans eagerly-awaiting a first look. Another hot headline coming from the rumor mill involves a low-top version of the Air Jordan 11 "Space Jam" coming in April. Rounding out Swoosh-related updates, an official preview of the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 5 "Diffused Blue" popped up alongside on-foot imagery of the Chris Paul x Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Give Them Flowers."

Elsewhere in the footwear industry, Birkenstock is set to have its IPO. On the collaboration side of things, previews of JJJJound taking on the New Balance 2002R and Carhartt WIP reworking the New Balance 990v6 hit the net. As for the Crocs squad, it had Salehe Bembury tease a new silhouette with the slip-on specialists while Hershey unveiled its candy-themed clogs. adidas wrapped up the week with another leaked Fear of God sneaker and the presentation of Bad Bunny's Response CL "Paso Fino."

Now that you're up to speed with the latest from the footwear industry, let's proceed with this week's best footwear drops. Once you finish reviewing what's to come, be sure to hit up HBX to shop styles that are available now.

Rick Owens DRKSHDW x Converse TURBOWPN

Release Date: October 3
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: While the OG Converse Weapon made its return earlier this year, the silhouette’s legacy had carried on courtesy of reimagined takes from brands such as Rick Owens DRKSHDW. The influential designer’s diffusion label has worked with the TURBOWPN for the last two years and now presents it in a familiar off-white and black presentation. Its exaggerated proportions offer a fusion of the two brands’ design language as distinct references to them stand tall via co-branding and a subtle ripple sole.

Nike Air Force 1 Wild “Black/Velvet Brown” & “Wheat Gold”

Release Date: October 3
Release Price: $145 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: At this point, there’s no shortage of Air Force 1 colorways on the market. However, a silhouette can only do so much without being redesigned, creating the need for a proper outdoor-oriented pair that is now being satisfied with the Air Force 1 Wild. Landing in a black and brown for those who prefer a subtle finish and a “Wheat Gold” for those who enjoy louder looks, the adventurous silhouette invites everyone to join in on the fun.

Concepts x New Balance 998 "C-Note"

Release Date: October 5
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: It’s been ten years since Concepts and New Balance first celebrated the hundred-dollar bill with the 998 “C-Note.” In the years following, it cemented itself as one of New Balance’s most coveted shoes and is now set to make a return. The color scheme of the “C-Note” remains the same with premium suede and mesh sharing the upper and a new “Concepts” branding hit located at the lateral heel.

Nike Air Max 2 CB 94 “Black and Metallic Silver”

Release Date: October 5
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Replicating the swagger of NBA legend Charles Barkley is no simple feat. However, with the Nike Air Max 2 CB 94 on feet, you just might pull it off. The latest look to hit the retro silhouette combines an all-black look with “Metallic Silver” detailing. Nubuck and leather team up to craft a look that is sure to hit the streets with confidence.

New Balance Coco CG1 “Spooky Season”

Release Date: October 6
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: If 19-year-old tennis superstar Coco Gauff can win the US Open with the New Balance Coco CG1, you can beat your friends in pickleball with them. The only active women’s tennis player with a signature sneaker, Gauff is triumphantly ascending the ranks with this black on dark purple “Spooky Season” colorway serving as the first look post-US Open to launch. Celebrating Gauff’s favorite holiday of Halloween, you can look good and feel good on-court with this pair.

Awake NY x Converse One Star Pro

Release Date: October 6
Release Price: $95 USD
Where to Buy: Awake NY
Why You Should Cop: 2018 may not have been the time for Angelo Baque and his label Awake NY to launch their collaborative Converse One Stars, but 2023 is. Revisiting the abandoned concept of spreading “AWAKE” text across the star-adorned upper, three shaggy suede colorways have been crafted in blue, black and gray. On top of the kicks, a range of apparel sees co-branded hoodies and rugby shirts joined by celebratory tees.

Junya Watanabe MAN x New Balance 650

Release Date: October 6
Release Price: $245 USD
Where to Buy: TBC
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to Junya Watanabe MAN footwear collaborations, there’s one element that remains consistent: the favoring of black and white colorways. For the label’s latest collaboration with New Balance, the 650 has been reworked into two premium presentations that tackle both an all-black finish and a black with a white sole rendition. The unique builds feature tonal Junya Watanabe MAN branding at both the tongue and heel, letting onlookers know that this isn’t your typical pair of 650s.

AMBUSH x Nike Air More Uptempo Low “Lilac” & “Black”

Release Date: October 6
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Yoon Ahn’s ever-expanding label AMBUSH has maintained a close relationship with Nike -- reworking silhouettes through her brand’s fashion-forward lens. For its latest project, the duo looked to the Air More Uptempo and modernized it with a low-top cut. From there, its typical graffiti-inspired upper sees an eye-catching level of contrast paired with a strong “AMBUSH” hit at the heel to complete the look.

atmos x Salomon ACS+ CSWP “Strata Fossil”

Release Date: October 7
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: atmos USA
Why You Should Cop: International retailer atmos has left its mark on the footwear industry across recent decades by collaborating with everyone from Clarks Originals to adidas. For its latest work, it has reconnected with Salomon to outfit the ClimaSalomon™ Waterproof membrane-equipped ACS+. It taps into a “Strata Fossil” theme that sees a thematic pattern situated at the lateral midfoot and a consistent favoring of brown hues throughout the build.

Air Jordan 6 “Aqua”

Release Date: October 7
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand’s catalog of signature colorways reaches deep with everything from the “Concord” look to “White Cement” touching down on various Air Jordan models. The latest fresh combination sees the “Aqua” treatment land on the Air Jordan 6. In combining “Bright Concord” purple and “Aquatone” blue against a black backdrop, the Jumpman team blends nostalgia with a sense of newness.

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