The best sneaker drops to know about in February 2021

 Who doesn’t love a secret love message on Valentine’s Day? Nike is releasing a dedicated ‘Air Max 90′ dress in romantic hues of pink, red and white. Several details also nod towards the holiday, with “Is” dotted with mini hearts, perforated love-hearts long the laces, and a tongue tab that snap open to reveal message to reveal a sweet sentiment. The pair also comes with a second pair of red laces matching in the same scarlet shade as the Swoosh for a most endearing statement.

Another Valentine’s Day release. Another Nike stalwart, The Air Force 1 Valentine’s Day is a minimal declaration for the love-filled holiday with sleek upper of simple white leather. Hints of red dots the details upon the silhouette at the logo, but the most telling detail of its V-day dedication? A love heart, sitting pretty at the bottom ankle.

Ever wondered what it would be like to be in a room filled with Michael Jordan’s, the Greatest of All Time, trophies and memorabilia? Now you can, with the Trophy Room — a retail boutique created by Marcus Jordan that replicates the Jordan family’s most notable room. The Trophy Room X Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Chicago’s is a collaboration between the two and arrives in a classic ‘Chicago’ colour blocking of white, black and red that is finished with glitter coat for a nostalgic aesthetic. Blue and red stars line the translucent outsole and along with a signed signature of Michael Jordan, this is well and truly a pair dedicated to the NBA great.

Social media sneakerheads Nadia Idder and Sally Sneakers have mused on the lack of womens sneaker sizing in recent years. Like a wish heard and granted, Nike has released a selection of womens-only sneakers, including these Nike Dunk Low in ‘Orange Pearl’. In keeping with the silhouette’s classic 80s-style colour-blocking, this pastel pair see pale coral overlays upon a sleek white base. The dual-toned palette continues through the pair from the sole to laces and outer stitching of the tongue — sweet, subtle and so easy to be styled for everyday. Spring season especially.

The Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Anthracite’ is a most interesting pair. A smorgasbord of textiles hidden in plain sight with a monochromatic palette, this is a style that will garner for second glances and tempt intrigued double-takes. Shades of black, white and grey cover the variegated range of suede, leather, reflective textile and rubber. Unique construction aside, this pair stay true to the silhouette’s hallmark details including a ’23’ numerical debossed at the ankle,  Jumpman logo at the tongue and shark-tooth detailing upon the midsole. 

The Nike Dunk Low ‘Hyper Cobalt’ marks yet another addition to the ever-growing line of Dunk sneakers. Released alongside six other basic shade, Hyper Cobalt offer the pop of colour every wardrobe needs. Jet black leather adorns the base, crisp white line upon the midsole and a final splash of bold cobalt that brightens up the pair.

There are many things the sneakerworld is inspired by, so it comes with no surprise that Paper Boy, a Parisian café turned streetwear hybrid has joined New Balance in a collaboration that’s evocative of your most favourite breakfast meals. Last year, the 801 silhouette was remade in three different iteration, each representative of one menu item: ‘Latte’, ‘Ginger Lemonade’ and the extremely popular ‘Tuna Tataki’ sandwich. For this latest release, the 901 silhouette is designed after the breakfast staple fried egg, in colours of yellow, white and grey suede with an egg illustration on the tongue. Breakfast at this collaboration will be served in limited quantities — only 75011 pairs, a nod to the café’s area code, will be available.

While neutral colorways were the popular choice in the 80s, today it’s all about loud shades that wear with a see-and-be-seen moment. Nike, then, breaks its hold on releases in tonal palettes with these new Air Jordan 1 Hi 85 ‘Neutral Grey’. Crafted in premium white leather and contrasting grey suede, these are the splitting image of the pair worn by a courtside Michael Jordan in 1985.

The NBA All-Star weekend is not only loved for the Slam-Dunk contests, the 3-point competition and, of course, the All-Star game, but also the countless sneaker drops revealed over that weekend. For 2021, Nike is releasing a new Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘All-Star’ in full family sizing. A sleek monochromatic design, white leather at the base sets a contrast from the shiny black patent overlays with carbon fibre detailing upon the ankle, heels and Swoosh, continuing down to the base. The Jordan Motorsports logo at the tongue tab adds the final touches of this racing-inspired design.

The arrival Chinese New Year often sees a slew of  limited-time collection shaded in red and gold — auspicious colours of the holiday that symbolise wealth, luck and prosperity. The Jordan brand has done the same with the release of the Air Jordan 1 Low in the classic ‘Bred’ black and red colour-blocking. Other details that nod towards the age-old festival: A Chinoiserie-inspired jacquard pattern of flowers and an Ox (the Chinese zodiac of the year) along the textile upper and a rope-detailing upon the ankle tied with a knotted gold tassel. The Chinese New Year release is packaged in a commemorative box covered gilded florals with  accompanying ‘lai see’ packets — red envelopes synonymous with customary gifting habits — inside. Luck may be all you need for this pair with only 8500 released.