The 10 Most Important Sneaker Drops to Know About This Year

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The world of sneakers is intense, addictive, and highly competitive, but I think that’s why people are so obsessed with it. Owning a pair of (insert the most coveted pair of sneakers you can think of here) makes quite a statement to onlookers and is guaranteed to grant you compliments galore. They are something you wear with pride. However, the only way to get your hands on the latest and greatest is by being on top of your game, and today, I’ve brought in an expert who is going to tell you exactly what to buy and when. Diane Abapo, director of content at GOAT, shared with us the 10 most important sneaker drops to know about this year including the release dates, descriptive product details, and her own personal take on why she is excited for each.

If you are sitting there thinking that you already own too many pairs of sneakers, think again, because the assortment below is about to blow you away. Featuring upcoming designer collaborations, limited edition colorways, and the pairs you know you’ll soon be seeing on the feet of fashion girls everywhere, get ready to mark your calendars, because the 10 sneakers ahead are about to overwhelm you… in a good way.

Release: 1/30/2021

Details: The Maison Margiela x Reebok Classic Leather Tabi Whiteout delivers a radically reworked take on the retro silhouette, as conceived by the French luxury fashion house. Premium Nappa leather is utilized on the upper, featuring the Maison’s split-toe construction and dual Reebok and Margiela branding on the woven tongue tag. Margiela’s signature hand-painted Bianchetto technique is executed throughout the sneaker’s exterior, the unevenly applied paint designed to gradually chip away with time and wear.

“I was so excited to see this release since I had my eye on Margiela’s Tabi boots, but never felt like I could pull them off. Now, as a Reebok collaboration, what’s not to like? (Apart from figuring out what socks to wear with them?) I’ve always been drawn to the Bianchetto hand-painted aesthetic as well, and seems like the shoe will look even better with wear.”—Diane Abapo

Release: 2/4/2021

Details: Made in collaboration with the Tokyo-based fashion label, the Ambush x Dunk High Cosmic Fuchsia celebrates the silhouette’s 35th anniversary with exaggerated detailing. The high-tops feature a leather upper in a monochromatic pink finish, highlighted by an extra-tall leather tongue and a molded Nike Swoosh with a tail end that extends past the actual shoe. Dual Nike and Ambush branding adorn the woven tongue tag.

“I’m usually pretty subtle with my sneaker options, but we all need that one pair that is a little more exaggerated (just a tad). Yoon has always pushed the envelope with her Ambush x Nike collaborations and this one continues to do just that with the extra-tall leather tongue and Nike Swoosh whose tail ends past the actual shoe itself.”—Abapo

Release: 2/16/2021

Details: The Nike women’s Dunk Low Coast highlights traditional two-tone color blocking on a leather upper that maintains the look of the original 1985 release. A crisp white base, replete with perforated detailing on the toe box, is contrasted by overlays in a vibrant blue finish. Nike branding on the heel tab and woven tongue tag is rendered in an unexpected pop of yellow. The sneaker rides on a low-profile midsole, supported by a rubber outsole featuring concentric circle tread.

“This is a subtle ode to my UCLA days. Forever a Bruin, the golden yellow/baby blue colorway for this Nike women’s Dunk Low is right up my alley.”—Abapo

Release: Feb 2021

Details: A romantic take on the iconic AF1 Silhouette, just in time for Valentines Day.

“Naturally, I have a higher ratio of Air Force 1s in my personal sneaker collection because one can never have too many. I’m particularly drawn to the pink suede on this Valentine’s Day–themed AF1 matched with the red swoosh. And that pink outsole? Literally in love.”—Abapo

Release: Spring 2021

Details: Casablanca will release the latest iteration of its 327 collaboration with New Balance with a pink logo and its infamous printed silk details.

“We recently interviewed Charaf Tajer, the mastermind behind Casablanca for Greatest. He puts so much thought into every one of his pieces and this latest iteration from his 327 collaboration with New Balance still has that subtle luxurious note with its pink logo and Casablanca’s infamous printed silk detailing.”—Abapo

Release: 2/12/2021

Details: The women’s Air Jordan 1 High OG Silver Toe adopts color blocking that recalls the Air Jordan 1 Gold Toe from 2018. This pair discards the patent-leather build of the older shoe in favor of a standard leather upper, featuring a clean white base with contrasting black forefoot overlays. A shiny metallic silver finish distinguishes the toe box, heel panel, and collar flap, the latter stamped with a Jordan Wings logo on the lateral side. Additional branding elements include a black leather Swoosh and a woven Nike tag atop the nylon tongue.

“This Air Jordan 1 Silver Toe is just a really sleek silhouette that will go with everything in your closet. I like that they changed the materials to a standard leather upper instead of the patent leather we see in the AJ1 Gold Toe (released in 2018).”—Abapo

Release: 1/22/2021

Details: The women’s Air Jordan 4 Retro Starfish updates the classic silhouette with a unique build inspired by an astronaut’s spacesuit. Black metallic mesh covers the upper, contrasted by Starfish orange underlays that stand out via the sneaker’s raw-edge construction. Matte black distinguishes the TPU wings and heel tab, accented with a raised Jumpman in light grey. A second Jumpman adorns the woven tag stitched atop an exposed-foam tongue. Underfoot, the rubber outsole is accented with additional pops of Starfish under the toe and heel.

“The raw-edge construction on this AJ4 Retro Starfish is highly underrated. This is definitely the best release to come out of the beginning of 2021.”—Abapo

Release: 2/9/2021

Details: Inspired by the early stages of the Hong Kong artist’s creative process, the Michael Lau x Puma RS-2K Eggnog features scribbled lines throughout the sneaker’s upper, crafted from a blend of cream-hued mesh with tonal leather overlays and a suede Formstrip. Contrasting pops of color land on translucent TPU pieces and mismatched pull tabs atop the tongue, each printed with a handwritten “THX!” The elliptic message is joined by Michael Lau’s signature inscribed in a clear TPU bubble affixed to the back heel.

“The subtle scribbled design on the upper creatively takes this sneaker to the next level, in my opinion, really showcasing Michael Lau’s playful signature style.”—Abapo

Release: TBD (2021)

Details: In this updated take on the classic Oversized Silhouette, this women’s version nods to modern and abstract influences with its pink drop heel counter print.