The early 2010s were a much simpler time in sneakers, when sneaker campouts were an opportune time to forms bonds and friendships with fellow sneakerheads on line, and basketball shoes were fit for courts and the clubs. It’s hard to pinpoint one singular shoe that defined that era, but Kevin Durant’s Nike KD 4 “Weatherman” is certainly among them. In the heyday of Nike’s over-reliance on storytelling (which we’re not really complaining about), Nike learned that Kevin Durant’s dream career (had he not been a 7-footer with the offensive package of all five positions) was to be a weatherman. Nike Kyrie 7 Weatherman crafted an insane colorway inspired by the topographic maps and visuals typically seen on nightly newscasts. Kyrie Irving’s signature shoes like to borrow from the past. We’ve seen it in various iterations of the Rayguns and the Concepts’ Lobsters, and that method surfaces once again with the Kyrie 7 “Weatherman”, seen here in this photo leaked by US11. It’s got the same green/yellow upper with a bright red and orange heat-map pattern on the heel – one that helped put the KD 4 on the map and cemented it as one of the greatest Nike Basketball shoes ever.

New Drop Jordans linked up with Swarovski for one of the best renditions of the Air Max 97 “Silver Bullet” of all-time. Currently above four figures on the resale market, the release sparked a trend throughout sneaker culture at the time, begetting even a sequel the year thereafter. And though the execution has been spread across other models and even appearing in a collab with Cactus Plant Flea Market, Swarovski is due to make a comeback on the Air Max 97 in 2021 in an OG-style colorway. Like its predecessors, the scheme itself is relatively faithful to the original. Silvers dress the majority of the exterior construction, adjusting its shade depending on the panel. The thick mesh base leans towards a softer, light variant, while the crystalized overlays contrast in a glossy, somewhat darker sheen. Overlaid taping, then, wraps the eyestays, matching the lace unit immediately adjacent. And though these may not be reflective, the heel pull’s “Air Max” branding certainly is, a touch perfect to complement the jewels themselves. Elsewhere, miniature Swooshes then finish in blue along the profile, tongue, and outsole. The packaging’s been changed as well, with a match Polar Blue slide-out box and dustbags included.

The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Ash Pearl puts a close on the silhouette’s Spring trilogy — and, possibly, this version of the silhouette’s construction as well. But before it turns to monofilament mesh, we’ll have these to enjoy tomorrow. Like the previous “Ash” themed colorways, this pair evokes quite a strong connection to past offerings. Tinged in a number of neutral, earthy tones, the upper bears a familiar tri-color that starts at the top of the lateral with beige notes. Immediately below, the stripe tints a bit darker but not quite as dark as the greys that fill up the lower half. These also extend over to the medial, covering more widespread with little interruptions. The tooling, then, completes the construction with yellow, near gum-like midsoles and treads.