Sneakers to Look Forward to in 2022

There are some highly anticipated sneakers that you can look forward to in 2022. Nike, Jordan Brand, and adidas Yeezy have already unveiled some of what we can expect from them in the spring and into the summer. Many leaked photos have begun circulating the internet, and it can be hard to keep up. Here is a consolidated write up where you can find majority of what's buzzing in sneaker news.

Nike Dunk

As the fire seems to be simmering down, the Nike dunk might have found the spark it needed to rejuvenate the hype in 2022. By collaborating with staple brands and retailers, Nike can add a breath of fresh air to a silhouette that they suffocated the consumer with since 2020. It makes sense why they would choose a brand like CLOT, who they have a flourishing relationship with, to add their brilliance to the dunk. These leaked images below show a holographic, silver material being used throughout the shoe.

Cactus Plant Flea Market will also touch the dunk low and uniquely change the silhouette making it unlike anything we have seen. The quilted upper, obscure and randomly placed Nike checks, CPFM insignia, and the entire sole unit are oddly appealing. The green mossy, cement-like midsole is probably a plant or Earthy reference as is on brand with what CPFM represents through their apparel. Expect this to be a highly sought after sneaker when it releases.

Union Los Angeles has a long history with Nike, and so it's no surprise that they get in on this wave of dunk collabs in 2022. There will be three colorways of the sneaker you see below. Each colorway with have this threaded look that resembles packaging material. Inspired by travel, you will find a baggage airport tag attached to the sneaker as seen in the last image. Click the arrow button on the image below to see the three colorways and the baggage tag on the last photo.

Nike Air Max 1

This year is the Nike Air Max 1's 35th anniversary, and Nike is looking to bring a lot of heat to this iconic silhouette in 2022. Being that the Travis Scott collab got pushed back to an unknown date, we assume that will be added to this year's resurgence of the Air Max 1. However, because of that uncertainty, that particular sneaker is not included in this exciting list.

Within the past few days, leaked images of a couple Air Max 1 collabs with the retailer Concepts has Air Max 1 fans excited for this drop. As you see below, it is an eye-grabbing conglomeration of many materials, colors, and patterns throughout. The Boston retailer has not given any release information yet, but based on the guitar pick hang tags and denim material, the two colorways seem to be inspired rock bands from that New England/Boston area.

Outside of the upcoming collaborations, the Nike Air Max 1 will have plenty of general release (GR) type colorways for this anniversary year. The first of the rumored Air Max 1 colorways is the "Crepe" Air Max 1 that is being brought back since being released in 2004. There are rumors saying that the Nike Air Max 97 will also get the "Crepe" colorway treatment sometime this year. See the images of the Air Max 1 "Crepe" on-foot below.

According to a recent Complex article, there is a brand document from Nike in which several Air Max 1 colorways are shown and expected to be released this year. Among these renderings below include a safari print pair, a denim pair, and what seems to be an Air Max Day pair that will most likely release on March 26th. Per Complex's article, these will be premium releases that will be $20 above the normal Air Max 1 retail price. This may be a year in which the Air Max 1 hype goes up similar to the dunk in 2020. Expect these to be difficult to cop for retail.

Nike Air Max 97

Comme des Garçons and Nike link up annually to collaborate on iconic Nike silhouettes that are always previewed at Comme des Garçons fashion shows. At this years Fall/Winter fashion event, CDG runway models showcased the upcoming CDG apparel and the brand's rendition of the Nike Air Max 97. As shown in the images below, the Air Max 97 will come in two colorways, a predominantly black pair and a grey and white pair. Based on these images, the sneakers will have a glossy, distressed looking material throughout the upper portion. If you dig into the CDG x Nike history, you will find that mainly black and white, while adding some grey, are the two primary colors that CDG uses when they touch a Nike shoe. In the big picture, those colors may seem too simplistic for a sneaker collab, but if you zoom in and pay attention to the details, you will see some masterful, subtle shape or material changes to each CDG x Nike shoe which always makes this a first-class collab. Look for these Air Max 97s to release later this year.

Nike Air Force 1

Since the summer of last year, people have been anticipating this luxury collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Nike. Before Virgil Abloh's sudden passing at the end of November, there were rumors that these Air Force 1s, which Virgil designed, were set to release this past December for Louis Vuitton's runway show. Of course, out of respect for the passing of the generational designer that is Virgil Abloh, that release was postponed. Now, multiple pairs in a multitude of different colorways have been flooding social media timelines with people asking when they will release. Well according to other reliable sources, these colorways are being exclusively given to friends and family. However, this week, news came out that this pair in the image below will be auctioned off through Sothebys from January 26th through February 8th with proceeds going to the Virgil Abloh's scholarship fund for Black fashion students. The auction will be limited to 200 pairs with sizes ranging from 5 to 18. Each pair will start the auction off at $2000. After the auction, Louis Vuitton plans to release additional pairs exclusively at Louis Vuitton retail stores around the world.

New Nike Silhouettes

Tom Sachs' innovative work at Nike is always superb and highly sought after by sneaker enthusiasts. Within his NikeCraft partnership, Sachs has been praised for his success with creating his Nike Mars Yard shoes. While we wait for the release of the Nike Mars Yard 2.5, Sachs is giving us the NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe as seen in these leaked images below. Unlike the Mars Yards, this silhouette is more of a lifestyle shoe, but considering the innovation of NikeCraft, this most likely will be a high quality, well put together sneaker that will be in limited supply.

Since 2013, Drake and Nike have worked together on several projects that involved collaborations between Jordan Brand and Drake's label OVO. Now, that relationship has evolved to the point that Drake has a new apparel line with Nike called NOCTA. Building on that relationship, the rapper is now getting his own Nike sneaker silhouette under the NOCTA and Nike umbrella. The sneaker you see in the image below is a collaboration between Nike and Drake's NOCTA apparel line called the NOCTA x Nike Hot Step Air Terra. Expect this sneaker to release in the near future in an all white colorway.

Drake has also been teasing his sneaker collab on his Instagram account in an all black colorway. Be on the lookout for this to drop later this year.

Jordan Brand

Within the past month, Jordan Brand has given everyone a preview of what is to come in the spring of this year. You can find the official images of those releases on Nike's website here. Below you will find images of retro Jordans from 1 through 14 that have either been previewed, leaked, or mocked up by Instagram accounts who have inside information on these colorways. Click the arrows to swipe and get a glimpse of what's to come from the brand this year.

Jordan Brand seems to be putting on emphasis on bringing the Jordan 2 into the spotlight in 2022. After Virgil kicked off the Jordan 2 renaissance with his Off-White x Jordan 2 Low last year, Jordan Brand will try to reinvigorate interest in the 2. Below are official images, leaks, and teasers of what they have planned. This year will see a few collaborations on this retro Jordan with Union, J Balvin, and A-Ma-Maniere. The images below show what we will see in the near future from Union, what has been teased from J Balvin, and what has been leaked in images of a collab with A-Ma-Maniere.

Notable Jordan 3s expected in 2022 include the "Cardinals" and a return of the OG "Fire Red".

Notable Jordan 4s include the "Zen Master", inspired by Coach Phil Jackson, and an "Olive" colorway potentially coming in the fall of this year.

Notable Jordan 5s include a collaboration with CLOT on the Jordan 5 Low and a return of the Jordan 5 "Green Bean".

The most notable Jordan 6 coming in 2022 is this "UNC" colorway.

The most notable Jordan 7 coming in 2022 is the Jordan 7 "Citrus".

The only notable Jordan 9 coming in 2022 is the Jordan 9 "Red Chile".

We have yet to hear about which Jordan 11 Jordan Brand may release during this coming Christmas season in 2022, but we have seen a mockup of the Jordan 11 Low "72-10" and an image of the Jordan 11 Low "Pure Violet".

The most notable Jordan 12 coming in 2022 is the return of the Jordan 12 "Playoff".

A couple notable Jordan 13s coming in 2022 are the Jordan 13 "Del Sol" and a Jordan 13 in this "Navy" colorway.

The only Jordan 14 rumored to release in 2022 has been mocked up in this "Wheat" colorway.

Yeezy

Yeezy brand has many new colorways and familiar silhouettes coming in 2022. They also have planned to restock pairs such as the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 "Blue Tint" that you see in the first image below. This pair will be the earliest release taking place January 22nd. Also, look for the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 CMPCT "Slate Red" (fourth image) rumored to release on Valentine's Day. To see more Yeezys releasing in 2022, click the arrow on the image below.

adidas

Sean Wotherspoon has worked with adidas on several silhouettes, and he will continue to put his stamp on the brand with this upcoming EQT Support 93. Wotherspoon will add to his SUPEREARTH designs which do not carry any animal materials or virgin, non eco-friendly materials. He teased this particular sneaker this week on his Instagram account. Look for this sustainable footwear to release in the near future.

New Balance

With the help of Aime Leon Dore, New Balance's 550 model gained a lot of attention in 2021, and New Balance is looking to keep the 550 wave rolling in 2022 with another collaboration. This time, the brand will be collaborating with U.K. based retailer size? to release a pack of three 550s called the "Cordura Pack". Look for this collab to release in early 2022.

Joe Freshgoods has yet to miss when it comes to working on collabs with New Balance. His 992 model from 2020 and his 990v3 model from 2021 were both in conversations for sneaker of their respective year. Feshgoods has definitely added to the New Balance hype that has been growing in the last couple years. Now, he teases us from his Instagram account with two different color New Balance boxes. No one knows what these sneakers may look like or if he will continue working on the 990 models, but one thing is for sure, heat is on the way.

Crocs

If you missed out on Salehe Bembury's previous Crocs collab, you'll have another shot. Salehe teased his green colored Crocs Pollex Clog which has been given the name "Crocodile". Look for these to release sometime this year.

Credit for images to the following:

@apolloluo1976 (Instagram)

@champagenpapi (Instagram)

@joefreshgoods (Instagram)

@lukematthews_ (Instagram)

@Repgod888 (Instagram)

@salehebembury (Instagram)

@sean_wotherspoon (Instagram)

@sneakerknockerzllc (Instagram)

@snkrstravellers (Instagram)

@teddyssole (Instagram)

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