Top 5 Louisiana Sneaker Collaborations

Recent news has been circulating about New Orleans inspired Nike and Jordan brand sneakers that are coming in the near future. The Nike Air Force 1 “NOLA” is part of Nike’s recent city edition Air Force 1 pack which will involve a few different colorways corresponding to certain major cities. To represent the city of New Orleans, Nike has added gold accents, a silver glittered swoosh, and the word “NOLA” with the “L” being the shape of the boot state and a small “504” on the lateral heel of the all white shoe, a major nod to the Saints, the area code, and the culture of the Big Easy. These “G-Nikes” are a must cop for every New Orleans native, and hopefully, Nike does something special to make sure that access is given to the city first. Additionally, we hope that Jordan brand can give us first access to Zion Williamson’s Air Jordan 1 Low “Voodoo” which should be coming soon. The details and materials on this highly anticipated AJ1 Low are second to none. The panel patches, stitching, and voodoo skull on the lateral heel are some of the features that make this one of the more special New Orleans inspired sneakers of all time. Look forward to these two sneakers to be released soon as more images are hitting the internet.

Even though we’re excited about these upcoming New Orleans inspired sneakers, the city and state have built up a sizable catalog of sneakers that were made by us and for us. Through brand collaborations with Sneaker Politics, Humidity skate shop, and Rukus skate shop, a huge influence of city and state culture has been projected onto sneakers. Brands including Nike, Jordan, adidas, Reebok, Asics, and Saucony have worked with our local retail shops, rap artists, and athletes to hear our voice and paint our city and state on sneakers. We have what is becoming a real influence on sneaker culture history, especially in the south, and much credit should be given to the shops and people that are making things happen. To celebrate this growing influence and the history of sneaker collaborations coming out of the city and state, we list what we think are the top 5 sneaker collaborations that shops and people from our community have worked on with brands to create.

First, let’s list some honorable mentions: Sneaker Politics x Humidity x Reebok Workout Low, Sneaker Politics x ASICS Gel-Lyte III 'Always Ready', Sneaker Politics x adidas Equipment Prototype '84 World's Fair', Sneaker Politics x adidas Gazelle Primeknit 'Mardi Gras', Sneaker Politics x Saucony Courageous 'The Battle of New Orleans', Sneaker Politics x Saucony Courageous 'The Jackson', Sneaker Politics x adidas Forum 84, Sneaker Politics x Reebok Shaq Attaq 'Alma Mater' Sneaker Politics x Reebok 999 'Detective's Curse'

5. Curren$y x Reebok Club C 'Jet Life'

In February of 2017, Curren$y, Reebok, and Sneaker Politics came together for a special release party to celebrate the release of Curren$y's Reebok Club C with Jet Life branding. The sneaker was inspired by Curren$y's love for smoking weed and vintage cars. Very reminiscent of New Orleans rappers, the Hot Boyz, rocking Reebok Soldiers, this sneaker brings back memories of classic New Orleans footwear.

4. Sneaker Politics x Air Jordan 3 'Katrina'

Rumor has it that back in 2006, the Air Jordan 3 "Katrina" was auctioned off for charity to raise money for the damages that Hurricane Katrina caused in New Orleans. In May of 2018, the sneaker first released to the public at Sneaker Politics in conjunction with a Jordan Brand block party event. Some attendees were able to purchase the sneaker and the accessories that came with it. Being that this sneaker has major ties to one of, if not the most significant historical event in the city's history, it has to be stamped as a memorable moment in New Orleans sneaker history.

3. Rukus x Nike SB Dunk Low 'Crawfish'

Rukus skate shop payed homage to what almost every Louisiana native loves to eat, crawfish. Details of what a picnic or backyard table looks like in the summer down in The Boot was captured on this Nike SB Dunk Low. The crawdads and corn laid out newspaper is what we want to see come crawfish season. The sneaker even includes that metallic toe box to represent the long round pots that we boil live crawfish and vegetables in before it hits the table and into our stomachs. When this released in 2014, it was one of the most significant collaborations to come out of this state, and it remains a well seasoned sneaker to date.

2. Sneaker Politics x Cafe Du Monde x Saucony Shadow 5000

When tourists come to the city, they make sure that they try Cafe Du Monde's beignets before they leave. So it makes perfect sense why Sneaker Politics would want the local restaurant involved to collaborate on a the Saucony Shadow 5000. Locals will tell you that this collab did not miss on the details of what Cafe Du Monde is about. Everything from the white powder sugar specks to the insoles to the box details, this sneaker encapsulates everything we crave in the morning next to a cup of Cafe Au Lait. This collaboration has iconic for the sneaker scene in New Orleans since it released in 2019.

1. Humidity x Nike SB Dunk High 'Trumpet'

Humidity skate shop has been THE skate shop and community retailer in New Orleans for the better part of two and a half decades. Why did it take so long to get this shop a Nike SB collaboration? With so much street influence in the city, I have no idea, but they did not miss when they got their opportunity to do something special for the city. In 2018, Humidity released this collab with Nike to celebrate New Orleans' jazz culture and specifically Louis Armstrong, the famous local musician. Gold like a trumpet, with musical notes on the sole, purple satin sock liner like the inside of a trumpet case, and Louis' red bow tie, this sneaker was done up perfectly by Nike and the New Orleans community favorite skate shop, Humidity.

Photo Credits:

Humidity

Hypebeast

Private Selection

Rukus

Sneaker Politics