Best European Sneaker Releases August 11 Weekend

Followers of this site will know that sneakers release at a relentless pace, so — inevitably — we’re back here again to help whittle down the vast pool into a substantially more select roundup. And, as always, the focus remains on showcasing the cream of the crop, the very best of what’s arrived on European shores in the last seven days, rather than on dropping an endless list containing any sneaker that’s been released in the past week.

And this week is an odd one — in a good way, of course — because the biggest release isn’t any one pair of sneakers, or even a new pack, it’s an app. The SNEAKRS app from Nike has been available in America for quite some time now, but has only recently made its debut on European shores. You can download it on your phone — which will let you keep track of your favourite pairs — and, most importantly, of course, part with your hard-earned cash and buy them. This week, for instance, they’ll be a help when you’re looking to buy the latest pair of Nike Air More Uptempo’s.

Apps aside, this a week for old favorites making their return. Nike has brought back the Foamposite One, while ASICS looks to the GEL Diablo for its retro silhouettes. adidas has released an abundance of NMD_R2’s in recent times, but has turned its eye to the NMD_R1 this week with a special Japan-influenced pack. In addition to these marquee models, there’s also a couple of SF-AF1’s, while Reebok make an appearance with the much-loved Workout model. As ever, read on to see our picks.

adidas NMD_R1 Primeknit “Japan” Pack

Release Price: £149.95 from adidas

adidas Originals has been on a sneaker-releasing rampage of late, but has usually preferred to work on the NMD_R2 model. That’s not to say the brand has been a slouch with the NMD_R1, just that it has leaned one way of late. But that’s all looking to have changed with the NMD_R1 “Japan” pack, which — as the name suggests — takes its aesthetic influence from the country. In terms of availability, it’s one of the wider releases, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get hold of a pair.

Nike SF-AF1 Urban Utility Mid

Release Price: £124.95 from Nike

Nike continues to release new variations of the SF-AF1 Mid, and this week sees the brand get creative with the fabric usage. Blending orange mesh and brown leather on the upper of a boot-style shoe sounds absurd on paper, but it’s done to great effect here. And, of course, the bright and lightweight mesh means that it’ll be perfect for the last days of summer.

adidas Crazy 8 ADV PK “Lusso”

Release Price: £129.95 from adidas

adidas’s basketball models continue to drop, this time with a new take on the Crazy 8. The shoe is one of the companies most popular shapes, so it’s hardly surprising that they’ve stepped up to give it the PrimeKnit treatment. While the number of people wearing basketball styles off-court is shrinking, people still need them to play ball, so the lightweight upper is perfect for anyone who needs an even quicker first step.

Nike SF-AF1 Urban Utility Mid “Neutral Olive”

Release Price: £119.95 from Nike

The second SF-AF1 drop of this week is a slightly more regular version, this time coming in a neutral olive color. Like the earlier iteration, this one uses a blend of uppers — albeit slightly less extreme than the one seen above. This time it’s a canvas and leather blend, with a gum sole finishing off the clean and minimal shoe.

ASICS GEL-Diablo

Release Date: August 12
Release Price: €119.95 from OVERKILL

ASICS has brought back a firm favorite with this GEL-Diablo drop. The shoe, which was first released back in 1995, has been released in its original colorway, looking suitably dad-style ready 17 years down the line. As you’d expect from an ASICS shoe, its supremely comfortable and pays homage to the ’90s by using a retro-style sculpted outsole — for extra Seinfeld shoe points.

Reebok Club Workout

Release Date: August 12
Release Price: £69 from Hanon Shop

Those with a keen eye have been eager to point out the Reebok Workout’s similarity to another considerably more hyped shoe. But the upside of that hype is that you can ride the wave for a quarter of the price, which — of course — is always a positive, making these Workout’s effectively hype shoes sold at everyday beater prices. What’s better than that?

Nike Air More Uptempo ’96 “Tri-Color”

Release Date: August 12
Release Price: £129.95 from Nike

The Air More Uptempo drops continue, this time coming in a “Tri-Color” edition. The shoe is a difficult one to wear now, with slimmer shapes of trouser having caught on since the sneaker was originally launched, but the challenge of making them look good somehow only adds to the appeal.

adidas Iniki Runner

Release Date: August 12
Release Price: £89.95 from adidas

The Iniki Runner has been a sleeper hit for adidas, having made a concerted effort to find new shapes while sales of the Stan Smith and Superstar slow down. This time the shoe is available in two easy and simple monosyllabic colorways — black and white. The sub-£100 price tag helps bring the shoe into everyday beater range for those who are looking for a casual runner (i.e. most of us).

Nike Foamposite One “Eggplant”

Release Date: August 15
Release Price: £189.95 from Nike

Nike Foamposite’s are a shoe that always look futuristic. And, back in 1997 when it was first released, the sneaker was positively alien-esque to the vast amounts of people who weren’t accustomed to the future-facing techniques applied in crafting the shoe. The 20 years have softened people’s approach, however, and it’s one of those shoes that still retains its value on the resale market. Nike has released the “Eggplant” colorway and those who are fans of Penny Hardaway’s signature shoe will have to be quick on their trigger fingers when it releases early next week.