The Air Jordan 3 "Seoul 2.0" Celebrates South Korea in This Week's Best Footwear Drops

If you haven't been watching the NBA and NHL Playoffs, you've been missing out on some incredible action as franchises are continuing to make a push to reach their respective Conference Finals this week. Another thing you don't want to overlook is this week's roster of sneaker releases. While it only features contributions from New Balance, Nike, and Jordan Brand, it's as stacked as any other week.

Per usual, let's walk through which sneaker headlines caught our eye in the last seven days before previewing what's to come next. Starting with the Swoosh, a collaboration with South Korean boutique WORKSOUT featuring the Air Max 95 was spotted. We also got a first look at what to expect from Riccardo Tisci's Nike Shox TLs, highlighting removable ankle cuffs. On the rumor side of things, a Nardwuar x Nike SB Dunk Low and Air Force 1 Low collection by Central Cee were both discussed. As for Jordan Brand, Chase B's take on Travis Scott's Jordan Jumpman Jack finally surfaced and the $1,000 USD Swarovski x Air Jordan 1 Low OG was officially unveiled.

Elsewhere in the industry, Ronnie Fieg presented his New Balance ABZORB 2010 collaboration, which drops this week exclusively for the Kith Manhattan flagship reopening. New Balance also had its 1000 "Bāṅdhnū" collaboration with atmos officially announced. Brain Dead returned with an expansive preview of upcoming footwear with adidas while JJJJound teased another ASICS collaboration. From there, Pokémon and Crocs reunited to drop a "Charizard vs. Blastoise" version of the Classic Clog. Rounding things out, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been wearing a new version of the Converse SHAI 001 for each playoff series, presented a new "Charm Black" colorway dedicated to his mother.

With all of the past week's major sneaker headlines revisited, let's now take a look at what's on the way in the next seven days, starting with another drop from New Balance's "Grey Days" celebration. Once you finish reading through our preview, don't forget to hit up HBX to shop styles that are available today.

New Balance 1906L “Grey Days”

Release Date: May 14
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The month of New Balance's "Grey Days" celebration continues with none other than its controversial sneaker loafer, the 1906L. The slip-on has continued to fly off of shelves since being introduced late last year and now touches down in a grey iteration that we first inspected nearly a year ago. Complementing its cloudy coloring is a mostly white midsole and black rubber outsole.

Nike A’One “OG Pearl” & “Indigo Girl”

Release Date: May 15
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: The WNBA season kicks off this week and A'ja Wilson and Nike Basketball are celebrating by dropping two more colorways of her first signature shoe, the Nike A'One. The performance shoe debuted last week and was quick to depart from shelves in its lead "Pink A'ura" look. Here we see the "OG Pearl" pair, which is layered with white and gray, joined by an "Indigo Girl" finish that flips the aforementioned pink pair by presenting it in various blue hues.

Nike KD 18 "Air Bakin"

Release Date: May 15
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: While Kevin Durant awaits his next shot at an NBA Championship, his latest model with Nike Basketball is continuing its rollout. The Nike KD 18 quietly dropped during the regular season and is now arriving in its Air Bakin-inspired colorway that Durant wore back in March. The red, gold, and black composition turns back time with its retro-based palette while sporting an "EA$Y" callout at the tongue's interior.

Travis Scott x Nike Zoom Field Jaxx "Leche Blue"

Release Date: May 16
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop:  Another long-awaited shoe that is finally hitting the market this week is Travis Scott's Nike Zoom Field Jaxx in this "Leche Blue" composition. One of two signature shoes introduced by La Flame last year, the sneaker combines two '90s hits -- the Land Shark and the Zoom Spiridon. Its mixed material upper combines chocolate brown, beige, and its special blue hue while featuring Cactus Jack branding throughout.

AURALEE x New Balance 475

Release Date: May 16
Release Price: ¥26,400 JPY (approx. $182 USD)
Where to Buy: AURALEE and New Balance
Why You Should Cop: The fusion of Japanese style and American sneakers that AURALEE and New Balance have become known for continues this week with two takes on the 475 sneaker. The pair is designed to recreate the look of a retro pair of shoes that has aged from sun exposure, donning looks of "Vintage Yellow" and "Vintage Grey." Both feature washed out colors that make used of the sneaker's mixed material construction of premium nubuck and mesh.

Kool-Aid x Nike Ja 2 “Mixed Berry”

Release Date: May 16
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Ja Morant and Nike Basketball are serving up a burst of flavor with their new Kool-Aid collaboration. The newly-formed trio has reworked the Ja 2 with nods to Morant's favorite flavors, resulting in a mismatched look. The left shoe favors a teal upper that darkens around the heel. As for the right shoe, it carries a bright pink and orange fusion. Both see the Kool-Aid Man present at the tongue while also being backed by a glow-in-the-dark outsole.

Air Jordan 3 “Seoul 2.0”

Release Date: May 17
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Back in 2018, Jordan Brand celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the South Korean capital’s hosting of the Summer Olympics with the Air Jordan 3 "Seoul." This coveted pair was revisited in 2020 and has now evolved into this new "Seoul 2.0" colorway. White makes up a majority of the sneaker while the South Korean flag's color composition is completed by accents of black, red, and blue. The flag is also nodded to at the left shoe's tongue while Hangeul can be read at the interior side of each tongue.

Hyperice x Nike Hyperboot

Release Date: May 17
Release Price: $899 USD
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: As Nike continues its mission of providing athletes the gear necessary to be their very best versions of themselves, it has teamed up with Hyperice for a new recovery boot. Teased last year, the Hyperboot is finally set to launch this week, offering heat and compression massages that loosens both muscles and tissues located at the foot and ankle. Three levels of massage are available and can be adjusted individually via each boot's heel buttons.

Air Jordan 12 “Melo”

Release Date: May 17
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It's been 21 years since Jordan Brand honored Carmelo Anthony with his own Air Jordan 12 colorway. Known as the "Melo" pair, this is the first reproduction of the shoe that is faithful to the original 2004 design. A white leather upper is accented by "University Blue" and "Metallic Silver" eyelets, meanwhile, the same blue adorns the outsole.

Bronze56k x New Balance Numeric 480

Release Date: May 19
Release Price: $120 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: It's been just under two years since New Balance Numeric — the American sportswear brand's skate division — reinterpreted the 480 sneaker. Several projects later, the team has now tapped Bronze56k for its own rendition of the shoe. This dark color scheme sees black paired with a shimmering purple at its underlays, giving it a subtle-yet-noticeable flair.

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