Best Sneaker/Footwear Releases March 2020 Week 2

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament won’t tip off until later this month, but March Madness is already in full swing for the world of footwear. We’ve got a splendid week of drops ahead of us that’s mostly dominated by Nike and Jordan Brand, but boasts some worthy entries from adidas YEEZY, Reebok and more as well. Before we get into what’s in store, let’s recap the most notable goings-on from the last seven days first.

Supreme and Nike ruled the week with the inaugural release of the Air Force 1 Low “Box Logo” — a shoe that’s set to be replenished frequently during SS20 and in future seasons as well. Although it may look simple there’s a world of cultural commentary ensconced in its familiar design lines, so we took an in-depth look at the various factors that contribute to its significance.

Dior‘s Air Jordan 1 High has also garnered a great deal of buzz since it was first announced in December 2019, and now it’s been revealed that it’ll be limited to a scant 8,500 pairs globally, released by way of a lottery system. Although the French fashion house’s AJ1 is a strong early contender for the “shoe of 2020” crown, so is Travis Scott‘s Nike SB Dunk — a shoe that OG Nike SB team member Danny Supa unboxed.

Pharrell and adidas Originals readied a new collection for the spring months. IP projects had a moment in the sun thanks to a Goofy x adidas UltraBOOST. 4D and Parley tech caused waves, the former with an EVO 4D F&F that was only present at Paris Fashion Week, the latter with its first appearance on the Terrex Free Hiker.

New Balance was active as well, with Aimé Leon Dore continuing to tease a set of special 827s, and the 998 getting bold “Random” makeovers, limited to 100 pairs that were constructed of leftover material. Finally, HOKA ONE ONE launched a massive TenNine trail shoe made for downhill running and Balenciaga turned its popular Track sneaker into a summer-ready sandal.

All caught up? Good. Let’s get right into a hand-selected list of this week’s 11 best releases. To see a full slate of styles, check out our Drops page when you’re done.

sacai x Nike LDV Waffle “Black Nylon” & “White Nylon”

Release Date: March 10
Release Price: $160 USD (Each)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: sacai’s Nike LDV Waffle may very well have been the silhouette of 2019, and now it’s aiming to keep that momentum rolling in 2020 with “Black Nylon” and “White Nylon” makeups. Discarding the bright colors and revealing mesh construction of past models, this duo of stark styles keeps the thick, doubled-up midsole of their predecessors, but uses single-colored, non-perforated uppers for a crisp new look that’s finished off with flat ribbon laces.

Call of Duty x Pusha T x adidas Ozweego

Release Date: March 11
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Sneakersnstuff
Why You Should Cop: Pusha T and Call of Duty may occupy vastly different worlds, but each dominates their respective battlefield — rap and FPS gaming — making their continued partnership on the adidas Ozweego much less left field than it seems at first glance. The duo’s second effort on the adidas Originals lifestyle classic, this iteration offers a sleek and stealthy black colorway equipped with Modern Warfare branding and flat blue accents for maximum spec ops effect.

Nike React Vision “Desert Oasis”

Release Date: March 12
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: One of the newest members of Nike’s D/MS/X line, the technical React Vision provides a detailed lifestyle look — and it’s now surfaced in a vivid “Desert Oasis.” With a sandy base and vibrant accents, the “Desert Oasis” artfully juxtaposes two vastly divergent styles, all while providing the intricate construction D/MS/X product has become known for.

Air Jordan 34 “Bayou Boys”

Release Date: March 13
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: Nike
Why You Should Cop: It’s not every week that you’re given the chance to cop a rising NBA star’s first “signature shoe.” A PE that Zion Williamson wore in his first NBA game, the Air Jordan 34 “Bayou Boys” mixes flat olive and gold shades with luxe croc details and special heel embellishments. Essentially, it’s a moment in hoop shoe history you don’t want to miss.

Nike Air Max 720 ISPA “Metallic Silver”

Release Date: March 13
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: Overkill
Why You Should Cop: A shoe so striking that even Kanye West had to try it on, the Nike Air Max 720 ISPA is set to drop in a “Metallic Silver” colorway. From rubber rivets to cut-out circles on the upper and a giant Air Max cushioning unit, all the parts that caught ‘Ye’s notoriously fickle eye are here — and they’re dressed in refined silver, black and blaze orange hues to boot.

Reebok Question Mid “Black Toe”

Release Date: March 13
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Foot Locker
Why You Should Cop: Arguably Reebok’s best basketball silhouette of all time, the Question Mid is now set to release in a a “Black Toe” style. Mixing a simple black and white leather base with gold trim and accents, the only question posed by these classic kicks is when they’ll release: Reebok is reporting April 10, but retailers like Foot Locker and Finish Line have them listed for March 13.

Nike Air Max 1 & Huarache DNA Series “CH.1” Pack

Release Date: March 13
Release Price: $130 USD (Each)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS GB
Why You Should Cop: Nike’s “DNA Pack” offerings swap the signature colors and recognizable details of famed NSW silhouettes for rich nods to brand history. The latest offering to do this is the “CH.1” pack, which flips the Air Max 1’s “Sport Blue” colorway onto the Huarache and the Huarache’s “Purple Punch” makeup onto the Air Max 1. Each pair is sold separately, but both offer an amalgamation of influential styles that are perfect for Nike history buffs.

Nike Dunk Low “Kentucky” & “Syracuse”

Release Date: March 14
Release Price: $100 USD (Each)
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Although the above-mentioned sacai x Nike LDV Waffle was a shoe of the year contender in 2019, many pundits have the revitalized Dunk Low pegged as one of 2020’s biggest silhouettes. That stance is validated further by these “Kentucky” and “Syracuse” colorways. Crisp, collegiate-themed, low-cut takes on a duo of classics from 1985’s “Be True to Your School” pack, both of these Dunks show that all you need to succeed is a great silhouette and a clean colorblocking scheme.

adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Desert Sage”

Release Date: March 14
Release Price: $220 USD
Where to Buy: YEEZY Supply
Why You Should Cop: The latest model in Kanye West’s great flood of adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2s, the “Desert Sage” proffers a “Flight Jacket”-style green upper with blaze orange trim. The military-inspired aesthetic lends itself well to the omnipotent silhouette, and the full family size run ensures even ‘Ye’s youngest acolytes will be able to get fitted.

BAPE Bapesta Low & Mid “OG Colorway” Pack

Release Date: March 14
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: BAPE
Why You Should Cop: BAPE’s influential BAPESTA is celebrating its 20th(!) anniversary this year, and as part of the festivities it’s re-releasing in several OG colorways. These range from whimsical patent leather-equipped mid tops to snakeskin-printed low-tops, and are accompanied by new models with bold kanji prints and reflective Sta graphics. A welcome blast from the past, these BAPESTAS nod to a different era in the world of streetwear.

Air Jordan 1 High Zoom “Racer Blue”

Release Date: March 14
Release Price: $175 USD
Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Equipped with a full-length Zoom Air footbed and boasting a color scheme that is — intentionally or otherwise — adjacent to the Dior x Air Jordan 1, the Air Jordan 1 High Zoom “Racer Blue” is a compelling blend of old and new. Although the tech (Zoom Air) and the materials (translucent plastics) are upgraded, the shoe retains its classic high cut and elegant colorblocking, making for a look that aims to appease Air Jordan fans from all walks of life.