It's a big week for Nike mainly because three of the biggest drops of the week are courtesy of the sneaker and sportswear giant. And the best part is, they're all interpretations of Nike classics by some of the biggest names in fashion. Basically, that just means that the top sneaker releases this week are fashion-approved and aesthetically stylish in every way imaginable.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at three stellar Nike collaborations. First up is a returning partnership with Travis Scott on a silhouette that was first reworked in 2019, followed by a new colourway for arguably the best Nike-fashion collaboration thus far. And lastly, we take a look at Nike x Comme des Garçons as designed by Rei Kawakubo.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Air Jordan 6 'Travis Scott'
Travis Scott is easily one of the most stylish men out there, and that sense of style extends to almost everything that he does. For his second Air Jordan 6 collaboration, the design and functionality of the sneaker has been amped up a few notches. The glow-in-the-dark outsole remains but this time it's topped with a suede upper in khaki for an ultra utilitarian aesthetic. Around the collar, the pouch compartment remains from the previous iteration and now with the addition of another zipped compartment at the adjacent side. Yet at the same time, still cutting a rather slim profile despite the added details.
Where: Nike
When: 30 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD349
Price of the Air Jordan 6 'Travis Scott' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD1,514 with a low of SGD795. The average sale price is SGD1,036.
Recommendation: Short it.
While it's true that the resale trend for the pair has been decreasing, its latest figures brings it to a still very profitable SGD994. So yes, do your very best to cop one and then put it up for resale immediately to cash in on some pretty decent profits.
Commodity: Nike x Sacai VaporWaffle 'Sesame and Blue Void'
The Nike x Sacai VaporWaffle is arguably the former's best collaboration with a fashion designer thus far. There's a lot to love about the design—from the stacked and curved heel to the Swoosh shadowing effect—and making it available in another colourway is incredibly smart on Nike's part. This time around, the base takes on a wheat-like tone with darker shades framing the upper. It's then accented with a deep blue for added punch. All in all, a super wearable take on a stellar silhouette.
Where: Nike
When: 29 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD259
Price of the Nike x Sacai VaporWaffle 'Sesame and Blue Void' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD955 with a low of SGD527. The average sale price is SGD673.
Recommendation: Flip it now.
This style director has been trying to cop a pair of Nike x Sacai VaporWaffles since its initial release, so he'd definitely cop one for personal keeps. But if you're looking to make some significant profits, don't even hesitate; flip this immediately.
Commodity: Nike x Comme des Garçons Air Carnivore 'Black'
First seen on the runway of Comme des Garçons Homme Plus's spring/summer 2021 show, the Nike x Comme des Garçons Air Carnivore is a sleeker interpretation of the Nike classic. Instead of fussing about with colour-blocking or patterns (as the Air Carnivore tends to be plastered with), Rei Kawakubo decided on a monochromatic approach that lets us focus more on the design as a whole. The gladiator-like silhouette is one you don't typically see in any other Nike sneaker and this particular iteration has the ability to be reflective at certain panels.
Where: Dover Street Market Singapore
When: 1 May 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD500
Price of the Nike x Comme des Garçons Air Carnivore 'Black' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD645 with a low of SGD596. The average sale price is SGD628.
Recommendation: Hold on to this for a while.
There's no sense in rushing in to flip this pair, especially when early release resale prices have been very consistent and hovering at around SGD628 (only 9 pairs have been sold thus far). Take it easy with this one and keep checking out StockX when the shoe eventually launches proper to have a better gauge if you should put it up for resale.
Previous drops…
Earth Day has been going on for more than 50 years now. Thankfully, we're starting to see significant changes within the fashion industry. More and more brands are joining in and have made commitments to strive for more sustainable practices throughout their businesses. And in the sneaker realm, innovations have pushed the agenda much faster as compared to the fashion industry at large.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at three sneakers that have been done in more environmentally conscious ways. First up is an update on an already sustainably made New Balance sneaker, followed by an Earth Day special colourway of Nike's latest sustainable basketball shoe. And finally, a Converse high-top that's made from vintage fabrics.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: New Balance Vision Racer ReWorked
New Balance's collaboration with Jaden Smith resulted in the vegan sneaker that is the Vision Racer. It's latest Earth Day release amps up the sustainability factor. The Vision Racer ReWorked has an upper that's made out of 74 percent Spinnex fibre—a composite material that's composed of 30 percent textile waste—with the rest of its elements remaining the same as the usual Vision Racer. The super clean grey and white colourway makes this quite a good-looking pair too.
Where: New Balance
When: 22 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD209
Price of the New Balance Vision Racer ReWorked on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD266 with a low of SGD297. The average sale price is SGD281.
Recommendation: Not for resale.
At the time of publication, there's still plenty of the sneakers left online. That in itself is a sign that you probably shouldn't bother putting it up for resale. Cop this if you actually want to wear it.
Commodity: Nike Cosmic Unity 'Floral'
Right off the bat, the Cosmic Unity 'Floral' has got a stellar colour combination—a pink upper, a Crater Foam done in eggshell, and green on the outsole as well as accents to underscore the point that it's an Earth Day iteration. By weight alone, the sneaker is composed of 25 percent recycled material with a partially recycled Air Zoom strobel. It's a basketball shoe by design but there's nothing stopping anyone from adopting it for the everyday.
Where: Nike
When: 24 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD229
Price of the Nike Cosmic Unity 'Floral' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD409 with a low of SGD206. The average sale price is SGD327.
Recommendation: Hold on to this for a while.
There haven't been many early release resales made from the sneaker yet ( just five at the time of publication) so it is too early to tell since the resale prices are inconsistent. Comparing it to previous iterations of the Cosmic Unity, it does okay in the resale space but averaging at a profit of about only 10 percent so it's probably not a good idea to dive in head first with this.
Commodity: Converse Chuck 70 Hi 'Tropical Shirt'
Not specifically an Earth Day piece per se, but the 'Tropical Shirt' colourway of the Chuck 70 has been made in more sustainable ways. In collaboration with Beyond Retro—a vintage clothing retailer with stores in the UK and Sweden—Converse sourced vintage Hawaiian shirt across the US in order to craft the sneakers. Each side features a half-and-half construction where the left and right panels each features a different print. The tongues and laces are also made from 100 percent recycled materials.
Where: Limited Edition
When: 22 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD139
Price of the Converse Chuck 70 Hi 'Tropical Shirt' on the resale market in the last 7 days: At the time of publication, no sign of the sneaker has been sighted on StockX.
Recommendation: Not for resale.
Get this because it's a pair of sneakers that'll get you right into a beach-vacation state of mind; not because you'd want to profit off of it.
Previous drops…
There's always room to improve and rework design elements when it comes to sneakers. And when they're iconic silhouettes in their own right, getting it right is quite a task. The approach varies brand to brand and collaboration to collaboration. But the familiar elements of the silhouette should rarely be tampered with.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at three reimagined designs of sneaker icons. First up is a collaboration between Vans and Noon Goons, followed by another Sean Wotherspoon stamp on a pair of adidas. And finally, a new Air Jordan 1 colourway that's got us rather excited.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Vault by Vans x Noon Goons Sk8-Hi Reissue
Los Angeles-based brand Noon Goons—known for its California surf vibe—has just released its first footwear collection and its through a collaboration with Vans. Reimagining three Vans silhouettes that the Noon Goons teams grew up with, the standout is arguably the Sk8-Hi. The upper comprises of snakeskin-embossed white leather with contrasting side and foxing stripes in black. The design is then topped with the Noon Goons branding right at the heel.
Where: Dover Street Market Singapore
When: 15 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD179
Price of the Vault by Vans x Noon Goons Sk8-Hi Reissue on the resale market in the last 7 days: At the time of publication, no sale has been made on StockX. The lowest asking price however is SGD401.
Recommendation: Go long, cautiously.
Sk8-His do generally well on the resale market—it really is an iconic Vans silhouette. With this being Noon Goons first collaboration, the uptake may be a bit slow at first. But the overall design is pretty sleek and Noon Goons does have quite a cult following. We'd recommend going long if you do intend on making a profit out of this, but perhaps not too long.
Commodity: adidas ZX 8000 SuperEarth
adidas continues its collaborative effort (a massive 26-piece endeavour from A to Z) on the ZX running series with Sean Wotherspoon. Similar to his last SuperEarth collaboration with adidas that reworked the Superstars, the adidas ZX 8000 SuperEarth is designed through a pattern-efficient process and uses recycled materials for a patchwork effect. What's become a leitmotif of the SuperEarth series is the loose threads stemming from multiple embroidered flowers on the outer.
Where: adidas
When: 16 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD200
Price of the adidas ZX 8000 SuperEarth on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD668 with a low of SGD267. The average sale price is SGD395.
Recommendation: Short it.
Early release trends have already shown that the resale price is on an irregular downward trend. And if we take reference from the resale trend of the previously released Superstars, it has been a downward trend since the release before plateauing. So if you're intending on making a quick buck with a pair, flip it immediately to ensure that you'd be able to get the most out of it.
Commodity: Air Jordan 1 'Hyper Royal'
There's no denying that the AJ1s are always great investment pieces. And this one is quite a beauty. The 'Hyper Royal' colourway has a white foundation with grey right at the Swoosh and collar. It's the faded blue suede overlays that make the sneaker a standout and they're finished with blue topstitching for maximum effect. Yes, we definitely want to cop this pair.
Where: Nike
When: 17 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD239
Price of the Air Jordan 1 'Hyper Royal' on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD1,172 with a low of SGD517. The average sale price is SGD589.
Recommendation: Short it.
While we definitely would keep this for ourselves, flip this immediately if you want to score decent profits. AJ1s typically sell out incredibly fast so cop and flip if profits are the agenda.
Previous drops…
It's a tad manic panic at the Esquire Singapore office as we're working on the finishing touches of our May 2021 issue, that just so happens to be our 100th. And perhaps that's why our picks for the three best sneaker drops this week are quite earthy. Not that it's got anything to do with the issue (it doesn't), but more so because there's a desire to be a bit more grounded and simplify our style choices.
On Cop the Drop this week, we take a look at three aesthetically simple (but not quite) sneakers. The first is Kim Jones's debut collaboration with Converse, followed by a new take on a partnership between Lego and adidas. Lastly, we have a truly experimental pair that's reminiscent of a USPS-inspired design.
As always, we'll be breaking down our recommendations of whether each sneaker is a worthy investment (or not). It's not all fun and games, after all.
Ready? Let's get into it then.
Commodity: Converse x Kim Jones Chuck 70
Kim Jones is taking on a more invested interest in sneakers and it's showing. Right off the heels of a collaboration with Nike comes his debut collaboration with Converse. Choosing to focus on the Chuck 70s, the slight aesthetic update is pretty straightforward: the canvas upper is encased in a TPU cage that runs along the eyelets and wraps the ankle. The sole has also been upgraded with an enhanced diamond grip for better stability and traction. Then of course, it's topped off with a worn-off branding of Jones's name.
Where: Converse at Jewel Changi Airport, Dover Street Market Singapore and Limited Edt
When: 9 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD220
Price of the Converse x Kim Jones Chuck 70 on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD462 with a low of SGD228. The average sale price is SGD290.
Recommendation: Go long.
Perhaps it's the simplicity of the design, but we're rather surprised that at the time of publication, you can still score a pair but sizes are extremely limited, of course. Still, we recommend holding off on putting it up for resale since this is Jones's first collaboration with Converse and demand may pick up. Or you know, keep it for yourself because it's so wearable.
Commodity: adidas x Lego Ultraboost DNA Plates
This is one sneaker that you can actually play with. The latest adidas x Lego collaboration interprets the iconic adidas three-stripes motif as detachable and customisable lego pieces. Create your own combination with the set that comes with the sneaker or leave it completely blank. Each 'stripe' also encased within a transparent cover so the pieces won't be snapping off that easily. Other Lego-esque homages include the brick-style detailing at the front, as well as the distinct Lego yellow lining.
Where: adidas
When: 8 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD280
Price of the adidas x Lego Ultraboost DNA Plates on the resale market in the last 7 days: Peaking at SGD685 with a low of SGD244. The average sale price is SGD371.
Recommendation: Go long.
The sneaker is by no means selling out anytime soon, unlike the previous adidas x Lego collaboration. It's probably due to the fact that it's designed as more of a running shoe than that of a lifestyle pair. Yet that doesn't mean that you can't get a decent profit out of it. But perhaps don't set your hopes up too high if you intend on flipping it right this instance. Wait it out for a bit with this one.
Commodity: Nike Air Force 1 Experimental 'Archaeo Brown'
Nike's latest iteration of the Air Force 1 Experimental series is sort of a follow up to the 'Racer Pink' version—a vacuum-sealed technique. This time, the sneaker takes on a brown upper appearance with bright pops of yellow on outsole, tongue, collar as well as the outsole. But similar to the USPS-inspired edition, each side is topped off with a dispatch label patch right at the heel for a more streetwear point-of-view.
Where: Nike
When: 9 April 2021
How: Add to cart
Retail: SGD199
Price of the Nike Air Force 1 Experimental 'Archaeo Brown' on the resale market in the last 7 days: At the time of publication, there's been no sign of the sneaker on StockX.
Recommendation: Short it.
For starters, the sneaker is completely sold out on Nike at the time of publication. While it's not out at StockX at the moment, the Air Force 1 Experimental series has been doing pretty decently on the resale market. And while this isn't a direct descendant of the USPS one (albeit with similar elements), the fact that it's sold out is a sign that demand will be high and perhaps on par with the former.
More drops:
Cop the drop: August 2020
Cop the drop: September 2020
Cop the drop: October 2020
Cop the drop: November 2020
Cop the drop: December 2020
Cop the drop: January 2021
Cop the drop: February 2021
Cop the drop: March 2021
