The Nike GT Future Brings "Fire" to Basketball Courts in This Week's Best Footwear Drops
The stage is set for not only the debut of the 2025-26 NBA season, which kicks off tonight, but the MLB World Series as well. Amidst the high-intensity sports action is another stacked lineup of sneaker releases. This week features Nike, New Balance, Y-3, Salomon, and Jordan Brand, with a wide variety of collaborations being offered. Before we dive into all 10 drops, let's look back at which headlines stood out to us in the last seven days, starting with two new features from the footwear vertical.First up, we did a deep dive on this year's Nike Doernbecher Freestyle 21 Collection, which features six unique sneakers from six inspiring Doernbecher patients. We also rounded up what sneakers were worn by attendees of Shanghai Fashion Week SS26.As for the typical slate of news, Nike offered a complete look at this year's new Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Linen,” one that pays homage to his 2007 colorway. As for Jordan Brand, it is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special Air Jordan Book by Assouline that features never-before-published items and photos of Michael Jordan. We were also treated to a preview of this year's Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Chicago."Elsewhere in the industry, CLOT put together five new adidas Dress Superstars with special upper treatments. The Three Stripes kept things classy with the unveiling of a SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired Stan Smith Freizeit as well. Meanwhile, OTW by Vans and UNDERCOVER are preparing to drop two sneakers, featuring the Old Skool and Era 95. Collaborations continued to be teased with Action Bronson's New Balance MADE in USA 992 “Digitalis Purpurea” joined by a $680 USD Swarovski version of the PUMA Speedcat.Now that you're caught up with the latest news from the footwear space, let's pivot to which 10 drops you should have on your radar this week. Afterwards, be sure to head over to HBX to see which sneakers you can cop today.Nike Air Max 1000 “Lilac”Release Date: October 21Release Price: $179 USDWhere to Buy: ZellerfeldWhy You Should Cop: Zellerfeld and Nike made history in August with the global debut of the Air Max 1000. The collaborative 3D-printed sneaker features a one-piece seamless upper crafted with Zellerfeld’s proprietary 3D-printing platform. After their initial looks flew off of shelves, the duo is back with a new "Lilac" colorway. The purple hue is new to Zellerfeld's color swatch and combines with pink at the Air Max 1000-branded Air unit.Cooper Flagg x New Balance Hesi Low v2Release Date: October 22Release Price: $120 USDWhere to Buy: New BalanceWhy You Should Cop: Tomorrow, Cooper Flagg will officially begin his NBA career. The 18-year-old rookie is poised to make an immediate impact on the league, and is a top candidate to eventually receive a signature shoe. Flagg joined New Balance just over a year ago and now has his first sneaker with the brand dropping, coinciding with his debut in the league. Flagg's Hesi Low v2 looks back to his home state of Maine, offering a nature-oriented palette of white, off-white, and fir green.KNWLS x Nike Air Max MuseRelease Date: October 23Release Price: $210 USDWhere to Buy: SNKRSWhy You Should Cop: KNWLS, a London-based label, made its Milan Fashion Week debut just under a month ago, presenting not only its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, "Synergy," but a new collaboration with Nike as well. The campaign features not only forward-thinking apparel, but a unique take on the Air Max Muse as well. This women's-exclusive model was introduced earlier in the year and has now been transformed into a sleeker form. A shorter upper, corset-inspired lacing system, and sharp toe further lean on its feminine influence.Grateful Dead x University of Oregon x Nike Air Max 90 “Grateful Ducks”Release Date: October 24Release Price: $140 USDWhere to Buy: SNKRSWhy You Should Cop: When it comes to university-based Nike collaborations, no school receives more favorable treatment than the University of Oregon. After all, this school served as the birthplace of the company. The two are back this week with another whimsical project, this time tapping Grateful Dead for some flair. Inspiration drawn from the rock band ranges from a special hangtag to the inclusion of the Grateful Dead "Lightning Skull" logo and psychedelic theming.AURALEE x New Balance T500Release Date: October 24Release Price: ¥22,000 JPY (approx. $146 USD)Where to Buy: AURALEEWhy You Should Cop: AURALEE has made a name for itself on a global scale in recent years, quietly commanding attention with its tasteful palette and considered construction. New Balance was quick to recognize its impact, offering the brand a series of sneaker collabs that continue to debut at Paris Fashion Week. We took an exclusive look at the duo's T500 back in January. Now, the kicks are finally dropping, with a nubuck and mesh brown pair joined by an off-white iteration that sports a perforated leather upper.Nike Air Foamposite One “Carbon Fiber”Release Date: October 24Release Price: $240 U

The stage is set for not only the debut of the 2025-26 NBA season, which kicks off tonight, but the MLB World Series as well. Amidst the high-intensity sports action is another stacked lineup of sneaker releases. This week features Nike, New Balance, Y-3, Salomon, and Jordan Brand, with a wide variety of collaborations being offered. Before we dive into all 10 drops, let's look back at which headlines stood out to us in the last seven days, starting with two new features from the footwear vertical.
First up, we did a deep dive on this year's Nike Doernbecher Freestyle 21 Collection, which features six unique sneakers from six inspiring Doernbecher patients. We also rounded up what sneakers were worn by attendees of Shanghai Fashion Week SS26.
As for the typical slate of news, Nike offered a complete look at this year's new Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Linen,” one that pays homage to his 2007 colorway. As for Jordan Brand, it is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special Air Jordan Book by Assouline that features never-before-published items and photos of Michael Jordan. We were also treated to a preview of this year's Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Chicago."
Elsewhere in the industry, CLOT put together five new adidas Dress Superstars with special upper treatments. The Three Stripes kept things classy with the unveiling of a SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired Stan Smith Freizeit as well. Meanwhile, OTW by Vans and UNDERCOVER are preparing to drop two sneakers, featuring the Old Skool and Era 95. Collaborations continued to be teased with Action Bronson's New Balance MADE in USA 992 “Digitalis Purpurea” joined by a $680 USD Swarovski version of the PUMA Speedcat.
Now that you're caught up with the latest news from the footwear space, let's pivot to which 10 drops you should have on your radar this week. Afterwards, be sure to head over to HBX to see which sneakers you can cop today.
Nike Air Max 1000 “Lilac”
Release Date: October 21
Release Price: $179 USD
Where to Buy: Zellerfeld
Why You Should Cop: Zellerfeld and Nike made history in August with the global debut of the Air Max 1000. The collaborative 3D-printed sneaker features a one-piece seamless upper crafted with Zellerfeld’s proprietary 3D-printing platform. After their initial looks flew off of shelves, the duo is back with a new "Lilac" colorway. The purple hue is new to Zellerfeld's color swatch and combines with pink at the Air Max 1000-branded Air unit.
Cooper Flagg x New Balance Hesi Low v2
Release Date: October 22
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: Tomorrow, Cooper Flagg will officially begin his NBA career. The 18-year-old rookie is poised to make an immediate impact on the league, and is a top candidate to eventually receive a signature shoe. Flagg joined New Balance just over a year ago and now has his first sneaker with the brand dropping, coinciding with his debut in the league. Flagg's Hesi Low v2 looks back to his home state of Maine, offering a nature-oriented palette of white, off-white, and fir green.
KNWLS x Nike Air Max Muse
Release Date: October 23
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: KNWLS, a London-based label, made its Milan Fashion Week debut just under a month ago, presenting not only its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, "Synergy," but a new collaboration with Nike as well. The campaign features not only forward-thinking apparel, but a unique take on the Air Max Muse as well. This women's-exclusive model was introduced earlier in the year and has now been transformed into a sleeker form. A shorter upper, corset-inspired lacing system, and sharp toe further lean on its feminine influence.
Grateful Dead x University of Oregon x Nike Air Max 90 “Grateful Ducks”
Release Date: October 24
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: When it comes to university-based Nike collaborations, no school receives more favorable treatment than the University of Oregon. After all, this school served as the birthplace of the company. The two are back this week with another whimsical project, this time tapping Grateful Dead for some flair. Inspiration drawn from the rock band ranges from a special hangtag to the inclusion of the Grateful Dead "Lightning Skull" logo and psychedelic theming.
AURALEE x New Balance T500
Release Date: October 24
Release Price: ¥22,000 JPY (approx. $146 USD)
Where to Buy: AURALEE
Why You Should Cop: AURALEE has made a name for itself on a global scale in recent years, quietly commanding attention with its tasteful palette and considered construction. New Balance was quick to recognize its impact, offering the brand a series of sneaker collabs that continue to debut at Paris Fashion Week. We took an exclusive look at the duo's T500 back in January. Now, the kicks are finally dropping, with a nubuck and mesh brown pair joined by an off-white iteration that sports a perforated leather upper.
Nike Air Foamposite One “Carbon Fiber”
Release Date: October 24
Release Price: $240 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Air Foamposite One has steadily maintained its place in Nike's lifestyle rotation. Whether it be a throwback pair or a new colorway like this "Carbon Fiber" rendition, the model continues to make headlines. Speaking of this pair, it features a carbon fiber-inspired wrap across the classic Foamposite upper. From there, it stays stealthy with black at the eyelet overlay and Swooshes. The lone touch of color comes courtesy of the icy outsole.
NEIGHBORHOOD x Y-3 Nizzastar Lo
Release Date: October 25
Release Price: $350 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Shinsuke Takizawa and Yohji Yamamoto are two pioneers of Japanese fashion. The two have operated their own labels for decades, collaborating on occasion. Now, they've come together with adidas, via Yamamoto's Y-3 line, to create a moto culture-inspired collection. The range was initially previewed at Paris Fashion Week back in January and is finally here with a special hybrid sneaker included: the Nizzastar. The all-black kicks are one-part Superstar shell toe and another part Nizza, adding basketball heritage.
Nike GT Future “Fire”
Release Date: October 25
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Nike had a huge presence at this year's NBA All-Star Weekend, with the unveiling of the GT Future as one of its key moments. The ultramodern basketball shoe combines performance-oriented specifications with sleek styling, with none other than Wale unveiling various colorways throughout the year. It's finally time for the sneaker to see a global launch, bringing its "Fire" colorway to the masses. This orange take on the shoe combines with black detailing for an eye-catching finish.
Feid x Salomon XT-Pathway 2 "FERXXO"
Release Date: October 25
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Salomon
Why You Should Cop: No one reps the color green like Feid. The Colombian superstar has brought his appreciation for the color to his new Salomon partnership, drenching the XT-Pathway 2 in a slimey color scheme. It further celebrates the artist with charms at the Quicklace lacing system, a caricature by Feid that is depicted on the shoe, and a woven “FXXOMOR” label. Rounding out the pair is glow-in-the-dark detailing.
Air Jordan 3 “Medium Olive”
Release Date: October 25
Release Price: $215 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Jordan Brand is back with another regularly-scheduled Saturday drop this week. This time around, it's the Air Jordan 3 that is being celebrated with a new "Medium Olive" colorway. A premium composition of leather and nubuck hosts a variety of green hues. Meanwhile, white hits the heel's Nike Air branding, off-white graces the Air-equipped midsole, and a gum bottom rounds out the shoe.