The NOCTA x Nike Hot Step 2 "Total Orange" Heats Up This Week's Best Footwear Drops

With Spring fully underway, a collection of brands are presenting a slew of new footwear designs that can be stepped in until the summer. The likes of Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas and more are preparing new sneakers for the season, but before we outline what drops are coming over the next week, let's jump into what's dominated the headlines over the last seven days.

Kicking things off on the feature front, the Hypebeast team spoke with Anthony Van Engelen about his new Vans AVE 2.0, while we also explored how HIDDEN.NY combined URL and IRL with its ASICS GEL-NYC collaboration.

Moving onto the traditional news, Hypebeast readers got a detailed look at the Nike Kobe 8 Protro "Venice Beach," while a release date came for the Air Jordan 5 SE "Sail." Additionally, the Nike Air Max Plus Drift surfaced in "Midnight Navy" and the Swoosh also provided a batch of official images of Travis Scott's Jordan Jumpman Jack Trainer in "Sail."

Shifting away from Nike, New Balance offered an official look at the WRPD Runner "Lightning" and Clarks dropped its new Sunset film as a "Love Letter to the Rave." Rounding things out, adidas offered an official look at the Harden Vol. 8 "White Party" and Bravest Studios dropped its new "POLAR" bear claws to keep people talking.

With all of footwear’s key news recapped, let’s run through 10 of this week’s best releases to be hitting stores worldwide. Afterward, don’t forget to hit up HBX to shop styles that can be purchased today.

Fear of God Athletics 1

Release Date: April 3
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: Fear of God
Why You Should Cop: With each passing collection, Fear of God offers something different. Jerry Lorenzo's imprint is continuing in that same vein with the presentation of the Athletics 1 basketball shoe in a "Desert Yellow/Indiana Red" colorway, with the shoe blending all-out performance with sleek style. The shoe is crafted with a knit material and a neoprene collar for durability, while a sculpted translucent rubber outsole -- hit with adidas branding on the toe -- sits alongside further FOG motifs on the heel.

Nike Shox R4 "Black"

Release Date: April 4
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike's Shox R4 is one of the Swoosh's most unique silhouettes. The shoe has been used as a canvas for experimentation in recent years with a slew of colorways being brought into the fold, however, the sneaker is now coming in one of its most understated color schemes to date as it arrives in "Triple Black." Arriving for the Spring season, the sneaker is constructed in a combination of leather and mesh, while speckles of orange are added to the tongue, insoles, heels and outsoles. Rounding off the pair, Nike includes white text on the branded tongues.

Patta x Converse

Release Date: April 4
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: Patta
Why You Should Cop: Amsterdam-based streetwear brand Patta is continuing to broaden its collaboration portfolio with a brand new collection of sneakers with Converse. The duo have come together to unveil a new pack that features special iterations of the Chuck 70 Marquis and Weapon silhouettes. The former is made with a durable fabric and also comes with reflective detailing that complements the all-over camo print. Meanwhile, the latter also includes reflective elements on the mudguard, while customary Converse branding is added to the lateral sides alongside further motifs on the heel counter.

Nike Air Max 95 "Atlanta"

Release Date: April 4
Release Price: $185 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Air Max 95 is one of the Swoosh's most iconic silhouettes. The sneaker is often reworked with new collaborations and colorways and now, the shoe has been unveiled in a special color scheme in celebration of Atlanta's 404 Day. Designed by Atlanta Neighborhood stores, Wish, A Ma Maniére, Walter’s, and SolePlay ATL, the sneaker pays homage to the city's culture and global impact -- and this is done through the use of a combination of mesh, leather, and suede materials that are hit with shades of red and orange. A grey midsole rounds off the design, complemented by the Air Max units.

adidas AE1 "Wonder Clay"

Release Date: April 4
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently mid-way through the run-in for first place in the NBA's Western Conference -- and Anthony Edwards has been a stand-out player during this run in good form. Edwards has been dropping all-star performances on-court as of late, making fans more and more excited for the release of his signature adidas AE1 silhouette. The sneaker is soon arriving in a new "Wonder Clay" colorway, with key details coming in the form of the durable TPU overlay and soft pink tones throughout. Additionally, the shoe is hit with customary branding on the heel and tongue to finish things off.

NOCTA x Nike Hot Step 2 "Total Orange"

Release Date: April 4
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: After the Nike NOCTA Hot Step 2 "Total Orange" was first unveiled by Drake during his It's All A Blur tour in Summer 2023, fans have been waiting in anticipation for the official drop. The sneaker is now hitting shelves, extending on Drizzy and Nike's partnership and also building on the original Hot Step that dropped in 2022. Coming in a "Vibrant Orange" colorway, the sneaker combines breathable mesh with synthetic leather overlays, while the chrome accents and mini Swoosh logos make the NOCTA design one of the most future-facing designs to come from the imprint. NOCTA branding is then added to the tongue highlights, while the foam midsole with Air cushioning is used to round things off.

Junya Watanabe MAN x Oakley Chop Saw Mule

Release Date: March 26
Release Price: Approx. $218 USD
Where to Buy: Dover Street Market
Why You Should Cop: Junya Watanabe MAN is a regular collaborator. Following up on the brand's 1906 Loafer with New Balance -- which debuted during Paris Fashion Week -- Junya Watanabe MAN is now linking up with Oakley to unveil a fresh pair of Chop Saw Mules. Embracing a suede construction on the upper, the shoe is also hit with a urethane sole, creating a wavy and futuristic look. Meanwhile, paneled detailing is included on the upper, while customary branding is applied to the insole and heel counter.

Air Jordan 4 "Vivid Sulfur"

Release Date: April 6
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 4 in 2024, Jordan Brand is now introducing an all-new colorway for the silhouette: "Vivid Sulfur." The shoe welcomes a pleasant concoction of white, "Coconut Milk," "Vivid Sulfur" and "Anthracite" colors, while black accents are added to the heel tabs and midsole. Meanwhile, lighter contrasting tones are added to the forefoot and heel sections of the sneaker to welcome back the OG color blocking.

Nike BOOK 1 "Haven"

Release Date: April 6
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike Basketball is always looking to bring something new into the footwear world. This is encapsulated in the presentation of the brand's Book 1 "Haven," which drops as part of the Hike Pack. The sneaker looks to combine basketball culture with traditional storytelling, with this latest iteration of the silhouette taking inspiration from Devin Booker's Cane Corso, his dog which often appears in social media posts. The sneaker is designed in a combination of black, "Hemp" and "Metallic Red" hues, while Booker's classic logo is applied to the tongue alongside a "96" on the pull tab. Rounding off the shoe, a black midsole is included alongside a translucent outsole.

nonnative x Converse Japan All Star OX/NN

Release Date: April 6
Release Price: $117 USD
Where to Buy: nonnative
Why You Should Cop: The Converse All Star is one of the most iconic sneakers of all time. It's become a staple shoe for millions over the years, with the shoe often reworked with new colorways and collaborations. The latest rework of the shoe has come in collaboration with nonnative, with the low-top design hit with a zipper down the middle of the upper. Meanwhile, the shoe is designed with a washed effect throughout, assisting those who believe a Converse silhouette looks better "worn." Finishing things off, the uppers are created out of canvas and complemented with silver eyelets.

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