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May’s best sneaker drops: Your guide to this month’s must-have releases
From Nike to New Balance to Puma, there’s plenty to choose from
Our monthly series looks at the top releases from the best brands in athletic footwear. Whether you’re an avid sneakerhead or just looking for the perfect pair to complement your style, navigating the vast world of sneakers can be overwhelming. From understanding where to buy to decoding the latest trends, consider this your roadmap to finding the perfect pair.
The machine of sneaker culture never stops or even slows down. Whether it is a leaked image of an upcoming collaboration or the latest retro model, there is always something for casual fans and sneaker enthusiasts to discuss. Rapper Travis Scott and Jordan Brand return with another big-name collab. Others aim to make their mark with the digital mood board turned design studio JJJJound releasing a collaboration with Reebok and Aimé Leon Dore founder Teddy Santis continuing his stellar run with New Balance. Fan favorite retros such as the Air Jordan 4 and Nike KD 4 join the release schedule alongside new basketball models for San Antonio Spurs rookie center Victor Wembanyama and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart to round out a packed month of releases.
Here are some of the noteworthy releases for May.
Keeping it ‘Made in the USA’
New Balance
New Balance has been making a name for itself as the brand for collaborators. Between releases for Joe Freshgoods, Salehe Bembury, and Action Bronson, New Balance has been using some of its more popular silhouettes to showcase materials and colors. The “Made In USA” 993 continues that trend as Santis delivers the Spring/Summer 2024 edition of his Season Five collection with New Balance.
The “Interstellar” colorway of the New Balance 993 is a plush purple nubuck on top of midsoles mixed with shades of white to create a perfect pairing that even the starkest of New Balance detractors would approve of. Between these and the “Chive” colorway, New Balance continues its hot streak.
Release date: May 2
Retail price: $219.99
A classic gets a vintage treatment
Social Status
The Nike Attack has been one of the most featured models in Nike’s rotation since its return in 2023. Whether it was the highly sought-after collab with Scott, three releases from Social Status, or the everyday rotation essential colors, Nike has made it clear it plans to make former tennis star John McEnroe’s signature shoe as in-your-face as his playing style was.
The “Better with Age” colorway looks to continue pushing things forward while paying homage to the past. An aged look with a primarily off-white upper and cracked blue leather shows this could easily pass for a pair that McEnroe once owned.
Release date: May 3
Retail price: $135
Jordan Brand completes the OG Jordan 4 cycle
Jordan Brand
Jordan Brand made it clear that the Air Jordan 4 would get its proper due for its 35th anniversary when it released the Reimagined Playoff 4s during NBA All-Star weekend. Adding to the shoe’s celebration is the long-awaited return of the “Industrial Blue” colorway, a slightly darker shade of blue than the original “Military Blue,” but otherwise true to its original specs, including the Nike Air heel branding.
Considering the last time we saw the “Military Blue” version was in 2012, this is a must-have for enthusiasts and casuals.
Release date: May 5
Retail price: $215
NBA sneaker champ gets another collab
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
P.J. Tucker has made a name for himself as the NBA’s undisputed sneaker king. Throughout his career, Tucker has had a knack for finding kicks that seemed unattainable. He has even debuted his teammates’ signature shoes before they did. He’s back with his third collab sneaker following his Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE (2020) and Converse Pro Leather High (2022).
Designed as an ode to his North Carolina roots and love for international travel, the PJ Tucker x Nike Air Flight ’89 Low arrives dressed in a textured, baby blue suede upper and his “Flight P.J. 17” logo adorns the heel. The Flight ’89 is already a classic basketball silhouette that was once the go-to for former NBA forward Scottie Pippen. Tucker’s Flight ’89 will add to the legacy, especially considering the only place they can be purchased is Tucker’s boutique, The Better Generation.
Release date: May 5
Retail price: $160
JJJJound x Reebok keep it plain and simple
JJJJound
Not every collaboration needs bells and whistles. There are times when less is more, which is where the JJJJound x Reebok Club C 85 fits in the rotation. The Montreal designer always chooses an understated approach, with slight tweaks applied to materials and an emphasis on colors. The suede version of this Reebok classic comes outfitted in three options: “Cork Suede,” “White Suede” and “Light Grey Suede.”
Release date: May 9
Retail price: $150
The current longest-running women’s signature basketball shoe returns
Puma
With all the talk about why no Black WNBA player has a signature shoe, we should remember that Breanna Stewart currently leads the pack as Puma prepares to release the third version of her signature kicks. With tonal shades of orange and pink used to mimic an early sunrise, the “Dawn” colorway of the Stewie 3 looks to continue the success of the previous two models.
It makes perfect sense to release the newest edition of the Stewie signature line right as a new era of the WNBA dawns this season.
Release date: May 14
Retail price: $125
Nike PE for Victor Wembanyama evokes an extraterrestrial moniker
Nike
If there’s one word constantly used to describe Wembanyama, it’s “alien,” ever since Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James gave him the label before the 2023 NBA draft (the nickname actually existed long before, but more on that later). It’s fitting that his player-exclusive colorway of the Nike Zoom G.T. Hustle 2 gets a public release and plays upon the extraterrestrial moniker.
At first glance, the sneaker evokes memories of the Nike Foamposite “ParaNorman” and shares key features such as the glow-in-the-dark sole and the black and apple green color scheme. This edition of the G.T. Hustle 2 looks like a crossover born to be worn on and off the court.
Release date: May 15
Retail price: $170
The Jordan collab king is back
Jordan Brand
When it comes to Nike, Scott owns the lead spot as the brand’s biggest artist collaborator. Scott recently released his new model, the Jumpman Jack TR, and is now preparing for another Jordan 1 collaboration.
This time, the Jordan 1 low starkly departs from the other releases regarding color. The first few Jordan 1 collabs were more tonal and dark in choice. Bright canary yellow joins a blue Swoosh on a white upper with a gum bottom that clearly is meant for summer rotation.
Release date: May 17
Retail price: $150
A fan favorite from the not-so-distant past returns
Nike
A new trend in the sneaker world is signature athletes who are still active in the league, such as Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, having retro models rereleased. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is now part of that club, as some of his earlier KD models got the retro treatment. The latest retro to join the collection is the KD 4 “Weatherman.”
First seen in 2011, the bright orange, green and volt-colored shoe was an immediate eye-catcher. Mimicking a weather radar image showing a thunderstorm, this pair is hands down one of the best executions of matching a shoe’s theme to its nickname.
Release date: May 21
Retail price: $130
‘Lightning’ colorway strikes twice
Jordan Brand
When it comes to Michael Jordan’s run as a Washington Wizards guard, most of his court activity is forgettable. However, his footwear choices are a part of history. Whether wearing the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 9s or a Wizards edition of the Jordan 3, MJ provided plenty of sneaker moments. The most significant came when he wore the Air Jordan 17 Low in white/lightning during the NBA All-Star Game in 2002.
The “Lightning” colorway turned heads thanks to its unique packaging. In 2002, a metal briefcase featuring the iconic Jumpman logo was viewed as unique and maybe even excessive by some. However, it fits right in today and also helps justify the price for a Jordan model that isn’t one of the more iconic silhouettes.
Release date: May 30
Retail price: $300
Asics serves the best mesh
Asics
As the “mesh boyz” trend continues to pick up momentum, why not look at the purveyors of the style for options? Over the last few years, Asics has produced retro runners worthy of consideration. The best part is that most of the models were available widely at retail, which made them easy to buy without breaking the bank. This latest Gel-2160 comes equipped with white mesh, silver overlays and light blue accents. Keep things simple with a white T-shirt and lightweight shorts.
We’re bending the rules since these were technically released on April 27, but they’re just now starting to hit boutique accounts.
Release date: April 27
Retail price: $120