The Air Jordan 1 “Washed Black” Spearheads This Week’s Best Footwear Drops

June is underway and as the NBA Playoffs reach a conclusion with the Finals, the eyes of many will shift over to the month's loaded schedule of fashion week events. Before we get ahead of ourselves, the world of footwear has plenty to share as Nike, Jordan Brand, New Balance and PUMA carry this week's top drops. Prior to diving into the releases that are worth monitoring this week, let us first revisit the noteworthy headlines that have emerged since our previous recap.

It was a busy week for features with our weekly running of Sole Mates leading the charge. This week's interview featured GroovyRoom producer Lee Hwi-Min and the AMBUSH x Nike Air Force 1 Low. The team also evaluated how Nike's Zoom Vomero 5 slid onto center stage so smoothly this past year and recapped all active NBA players' signatures shoes -- going from Aaron Gordon to Zion Williamson. Lastly, the Hypegolf squad reflected on FootJoy's reemergence in golf.

As for the regular running of the news, atmos and Nike Japan prepared a "Head 2 Head" sneaker pack in homage of the CO.JP line. The Swoosh also named Jared Carver as its next CEO of Converse while the classic footwear brand also had an upcoming collaboration with Moncler and fragment design teased on the Jack Purcell. For any high-end collectors, Michael Jordan's game-worn Converse All-Stars from 1983 have been put up for auction. For team Jumpman, three first looks brewed up newfound excitement in the footwear space: Awake NY x Jordan Air Ship, the Air Jordan 4 Craft "Medium Olive" and a Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low Golf.

In the aftermath of adidas YEEZY's return, industry estimates allege that Ye made over $25 million USD from YEEZY restocks while a new "MX Moon" colorway of the YEEZY SLIDE surfaced. Another key collaborator for the Three Stripes -- Bad Bunny -- had two new looks leak via early imagery: a "Core Black" rendition of his Response CL and the Campus Light in "Brown."

Elsewhere in the industry, Aminé has teased a collaboration with New Balance on the 610 -- featuring a snow globe branding detail. Supreme also launched its seasonal footwear collection with Vans while MM6 Maison Margiela teased two colorways of the Salomon XT-4 Mule.

Now that you're caught up with the latest and greatest in footwear, let's get into the top releases of the week. Afterwards, be sure to slide by HBX to shop drops that are available now.

Nike Air Max 1 Puerto Rico “Orange Frost”

Release Date: June 6
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Each June, Nike pays homage to the Boricua community -- launching a Puerto Rico collection annually since 2000. For this year’s capsule, the Swoosh is kicking things off with the Air Max 1 donning an helado theme. Its thirst-quenching flavor sees “Orange Frost” and “Citron Pulse” going back and forth across the iconic silhouette. Matching the various summertime shades, dessert-themed mascots appear on the right shoe’s branding elements. Wrapping things up, the heel showcases “PUERTO RICO” on the right shoe and a frosty outsole cleverly references the subject.

Nike Air Max 1 “The Bay”

Release Date: June 7
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: That’s not all for the Air Max 1, just a day after the release of Puerto Rico’s “Orange Frost,” Nike is dropping a tribute to “The Bay.” Referring to San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and its surrounding area, the Bay is a key representative of the West Coast. For this unique tribute, Nike has toyed with the sneaker’s material composition -- bringing furry textures to its overlays. In addition to this, the lateral Swooshes arrive in red while bearing the shape of a feather. On the opposite side, the medial Swooshes appear with a white cracked leather finish. A thematic “The Bay” logo is showcased on the tongue and right shoe’s sockliner while the left shoe features a “NIKE COAST” license plate logo.

Air Jordan 5 Low “Indigo Haze”

Release Date: June 8
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand has delighted fans of the Air Jordan 5 Low with a range of new colorways in recent years -- backed by collaborations with brands like CLOT and Paris Saint-Germain. Now, its latest "Indigo Haze" look is designed to stand out. With lavender tones, cream accents and 3M reflective detailing, the shoe shines day and night. Off-white touches appear at the lining and wings while an iridescent finish to the midsole adds flair.

Nike Dunk Low “Plum Eclipse”

Release Date: June 8
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to the Nike Dunk Low, there’s no shortage of color combinations on the market. However, with quick turnover in inventory, familiar looks are in high demand. In “Plum Eclipse,” taupe suede underlays are contrasted with the signature purple at the leather overlays. The two hues go back and forth while a white stitched midsole is accompanied by a rubber gum outsole to complete the look.

Bodega x New Balance 610

Release Date: June 9
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: Bodega
Why You Should Cop: Going over a decade strong with its partnership, Bodega and New Balance are responsible for countless footwear collaborations. Following up on 2022’s “Age of Discovery” theme on the 9060, the duo has assembled the 610 “The Trail Less Taken.” Arriving as a tribute to famed NYC-based pigeon handler Live Action, its colorway sees various pigeon-themed hues go back and forth across a mixed material upper. Supporting the look, various co-branding elements and grip-ready sole units present the finishing touches.

Stüssy x Nike Vandal Collection

Release Date: June 9
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Stüssy
Why You Should Cop: Another unbreakable duo, Stüssy and Nike’s history dates back to the early 2000s. Still going strong decades later, the partnership has upped its output with this year’s Air Penny 2 colorways and a Converse collaboration now followed up by a collection of three Vandals. Designed with hemp uppers that carry embroidered Swooshes, a “Royal Blue” pair is joined by a “Black” look and Stüssy’s typical “Fossil.” Each is packed with unique versions of alternate ankle straps, laces and co-branding at the tongue.

Nike MMW 005 Slide “Dark Khaki” & “Volt”

Release Date: June 9
Release Price: $190 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Trypophobes beware, the Nike MMW 005 Slide is covered in small holes that allow water to seep through the upper and pass from the footbed and drip out the outsole. The airy design first popped up last year via Matthew M Williams’ 1017 ALYX 9SM Spring/Summer 2023 runway show in Milan. After later dropping in “Light Bone” and “Black,” it is now set to launch in “Dark Khaki” and “Volt.” Both eye-catching looks are backed by a dual-foam outsole and stability plate while coming with a co-branded carrying bag.

PUMA MB.02 “Be You”

Release Date: June 9
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: PUMA
Why You Should Cop: LaMelo Ball has been all about making noise since splashing onto the radar of many basketball fanatics in high school. He’s continued this with various eye-catching releases with PUMA as he wraps up the run of his second signature shoe -- the MB.02 -- with an electric “Be You” colorway. Combining the wild colors and patterns from every MB.02 drop, the “Be You” is an homage to the shoe’s brief history.

Air Jordan 1 “Washed Black”

Release Date: June 10
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Almost four entire decades since its debut, most have determined whether or not they’re a fan of the Air Jordan 1 silhouette. Nowadays, the conversation has shifted to Jordan Brand’s curation and designing of colorways. Between its beloved retros (and much-debated spin-offs) and new looks, each pair has its lovers and haters. Embodying its timelessness, the Jumpman team has put together a “Washed Black” pair that combines a classic white leather base with dusty suede overlays that tap into a vintage aesthetic. Rounded out by a hit of red at the tongue and a “Sail” midsole, you can’t go wrong with this pair.

Air Jordan 2 “Wings”

Release Date: June 10
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Each year since 2015, Jordan Brand has introduced a new cohort of Wings Scholars. These high school students are granted scholarships and resources to help realize their potential through education. In celebration of the Wings Program, the brand has launched several “Wings” pairs of Air Jordans. For 2023, the silhouette of choice is the Air Jordan 2 and it has been created in homage of one of the program’s co-founders -- Jordan Brand VP Howard “H” White. A special wings-covered panel hits each side of the sneaker while the letter “H” is showcased at both the sockliner and heel in tribute of White.

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