The Best Sneakers Releasing in December
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December is bringing with it no shortage of kicks for you or the sneakerheads in your life.
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Old and new models alike will define the calendar, as Patta has been tapped by New Balance for just the third-ever 991v2, while Nicole McLaughlin has dug up a banger from Merrell’s archives. Kobe Bryant fans will also be stoked with two major sneaker releases from the revived Nike line, one featuring a flip on the iconic Kobe 6 “Grinch” and the other outfitting the Kobe 4 Protro in colors and materials befitting of the “Black Mamba” nickname.
Some of this information comes by way of leaks, which means release dates are subject to change. We’ll keep this list updated throughout the month to keep you abreast of all the best sneaker releases for December 2023.
Patta x New Balance 991v2
$269.99
Release Date: Dec. 1
Price: $270
New Balance has tapped Patta to make just the third-ever version of the recently retooled 991v2 sneaker. The Amsterdam streetwear brand shows why it was fit for the job with a strong contrast of “pickled beet” purple and florescent yellow.
Nicole McLaughlin x Merrell Moc Speed Streak
Release Date: Dec. 1
Price: $140
The global release for Nicole McLaughlin’s first Merrell collaboration available to the public trades in her usual cheeky sensibilities for three tasteful colorways with smart updates for sustainability.
Adidas Gazelle National Team Editions
$100
Release Date: Dec. 1
Price: $100
Adidas is making colorways for the national soccer teams of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico — all of which wear Adidas kits. Consider it a double dose of blokecore, as team crests sit on the tongue of the historic soccer shoe.
Doernbecher x Nike Collection
Release Date: Dec. 2
Price: $90 to $210
Nike’s annual Doernbecher collection sees patients from the children’s hospital of the same name craft their own sneakers with the help the help of the Swoosh’s designers. This year’s capsule features the Air Jordan 3, Dunk High, ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low, Air Max 1, Cortez, and Go FlyEase.
Undefeated x Nike Air Terra Humara
Release Date: Dec. 2
Price: TBD
Undefeated is ushering in the return of the Air Terra Humara, a trail running shoe that debuted in 1997 and has regularly received the retro treatment since because if its popularity on the streets. Thus far, Undefeated’s website and physical stores are the only announced locations for purchase.
Nike ACG Torre Mid
$150
Release Date: Dec. 5
Price: $150
A big month for archival outdoor shoes from Nike continues, as the ACG Torre mid is reissued for the very first time since it hit stores in 1995. Slightly different shades of brown make up the suede overlays for the two colorways, with blue or grey for the mesh base.
Levi’s x New Balance MT508
$150
Release Date: Dec. 7
Price: TBD
Two different colorways for the Levi’s x New Balance collaboration see the MT508 take on denim sparingly. Black or blue denim serve as the underlays as part of bold color-blocking that makes use of cream or grey, respectively, to go along with pink and blue detailing on both.
Sacai x Nike Air Magmascape
Release Date: Dec. 7
Price: $200
For its latest Nike collaboration, Sacai mashes up the archival Air Magma Hiking boot from the ’80s and the Air Footscape running sneaker from 1996. In addition to the “Varsity Royal” and “Pecan” colorways releasing on SNKRS, a black version is releasing through Sacai.
SoleFly x Air Jordan 8 “Mi Casa Es Su Casa”
Release Date: Dec. 8, Dec. 16
Price: $225
SoleFly’s luxurious take on the Air Jordan 8 features gold-tone hardware, a slick favoring of off-white, and a hazy heel counter bringing to life to the model in its 30th year. Following SoleFly’s launch, Nike will host another release Dec. 16 on the SNKRS app.
Stüssy x Nike Air Flight ’89
Release Date: Dec. 8, Dec. 13
Price: $160
Stüssy brings realistic (but still faux) snakeskin panels to the Nike Air Flight ’89, a sister shoe of sorts to the Air Jordan 4. All three colorways will release through Stüssy for the first drop date, followed by a drop for the “Pecan” version only on the SNKRS app.
Air Jordan 11 “Gratitude”
Release Date: Dec. 9
Price: $230
This year’s spotlight Air Jordan 11 sees the return of the colorway from the “Defining Moments” pack from 2006. For the very first time, sneakerheads will be able to purchase it without having to buy another sneaker as well.
Kith x Asics EX89 “Outdoor”
Release Date: Dec. 11
Price: $130
Releasing as part of Kith’s annual Kithmas assortment, a Christmas-appropriate colorways comes to the EX89, an upgraded version of the Gel-Extreme basketball sneaker from 1989.
The Powerpuff Girls x Nike SB Dunk Low
Release Date: Dec. 14
Price: $135
Nike SB is partnering with “The Powerpuff Girls” for a trio of Dunk Lows taking after Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup from the beloved cartoon from the late-’90s and early-’00s. A release through local skate shops Dec. 14 should be followed by a drop on the SNKRS app Dec. 15.
Alyx x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Release Date: Dec. 15
Price: $155
After several takes on the Air Jordan 1 High, 1017 Alyx 9SM adds subtle luxurious updates to the low-tops’ classic all-white and all-black colorways. A premium full grain leather is joined by small metallic details continuing the label’s industrial aesthetic.
Supreme x Vans Old Skool and Half Cab “Leopard Print”
Release Date: Dec. 15
Price: TBD
Supreme and Vans dress the Old Skool and Half Cab in leopard print faux fur with orange, blue, and black colorways available on each model.
Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1
$500
Release Date: Dec. 15
Price: $500
Adidas is restocking the lightest (and most expensive) running shoe it’s ever made, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. Weighting just 138 grams per shoe, the model is 40 percent lighter than any of its predecessors, thanks in part to a complete removal of a sockliner. What does remain, however, is a Lightstrike Pro midsole with a first-of-its-kind forefoot rocker and Energyrods.
Puma Scoot Zeros “Georgia Peach”
$100
Release Date: Dec. 15
Price: $100
With the release of the Puma Scoot Zeros, Scoot Henderson becomes just the 10th NBA player to get a signature sneaker during his rookie year. Aside from Lonzo Ball’s model from his family’s Big Baller Brand, Henderson is the first such player since LeBron James 20 years ago.
Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Reverse Grinch”
Release Date: Dec. 16
Price: $180
A sister sneaker arrives for the Kobe 6’s “Grinch” colorway, which has released only twice, ten years apart, to rabid fanfare. As the name suggests, the famous arrangement is reversed for a scaly red sneaker with roots in Christmas 2010.
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 990v4 “1998” Pack
Release Date: Dec. 16, Dec. 22
Price: $220
Joe Freshgoods dresses the New Balance 990v4 in three colorways inspired by the film “Belly” and ’90s hip-hop. All three sneakers will release through Joe Freshgoods’ site Dec. 16, with the “Keisha Blue” version only available to pick up in Chicago, while the predominantly black “Outro” colorway will rerelease Dec. 22 through New Balance’s site.
Sky High Farm x Kaws x Nike Air Force 1 Low
Release Date: Dec. 16
Price: TBD
Sky High Farm co-founder Dan Colen, also of the iconic Irak graffiti crew, partners with fellow street artist Kaws for two Air Force 1 Lows that’ll raise money to help address food insecurity. Dover Street Market New York is hosting the exclusive release for its 10th anniversary.
Adidas AE 1 “With Love”
$120
Release Date: Dec. 16
Price: $120
Rising superstar Anthony Edwards gets his first signature sneaker from Adidas, and a standout model at that. The launch colorway features peach and pink, the favorite colors of his late grandmother and mother, with the former hue also serving as a nod to his home state of Georgia.
Air Jordan 3 “Midnight Navy”
$200
Release Date: Dec. 16
Price: $200
The Air Jordan 3 in “Midnight Navy” is about as close as you’ll get to the heralded “True Blue” colorway, which hasn’t released since 2016. Almost all of the color-blocking remains the same, albeit with a darker shade of blue and an elephant print that also turns down the brightness. This sneaker wasn’t expected to release until 2024, so it comes as a welcomed surprise to close out 2023.
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance Rainier Low
Release Date: Dec. 16
Price: $160
Aimé Leon Dore’s and New Balance are at it once again, this time bringing the low-top version of the Rainier boot in three colorways featuring shaggy suede. ALD’s raffle for the shoes closes at 11:59 p.m. EST Dec. 13.
Cactus Jack x Nike Attack
$120
Release Date: Dec. 19
Price: $120
Following a thinly guised marketing effort featuring a “leaked” Zoom argument between Travis Scott and John McEnroe and surprise release on the rapper’s website, the long-awaited Cactus Jack x Nike Attack finally gets a wide release. The shoe formerly known as the Mac Attack takes the OG “Smoke Grey” colorway and adds Scott’s signature backward Swoosh and Cactus Jack cross logo.
Nike KD 3 “Christmas”
$496
Release Date: Dec. 19
Price: $130
This bright yellow KD 3 is another Nike Basketball sneaker with a progeny dating back to the NBA’s Christmas Day slate from 2010. Nike just began reissuing Kevin Durant’s sneakers this year, and the KD 3 “Christmas” now returns for the first time since its launch 13 years ago.
Nike Ja 1 “Xmas”
Release Date: Dec. 19
Price: $130
The “Xmas” edition the Nike Ja 1 releases nearly a year after Ja Morant wore the sneaker during his Christmas Day game in 2022. Although the sneaker’s color scheme doesn’t overtly scream “Christmas,” it’s insole features a festive graphic of a snow-covered chimney.
Kith x Clarks x Adidas Samba
Release Date: Dec. 25
Price: $220
Following up on one of the hottest collaborations of the year, Ronnie Fieg has revealed two more colorways of the crepe-soled Kith x Clarks x Adidas Samba will come as part of a second collection.
Adidas x Fear of God Athletics Basketball “All-White
Release Date: Dec. 25
Price: $250
Following the long-awaited launch of Fear of God’s Adidas line earlier this month, their performance-meets-lifestyle Basketball sneaker returns on Christmas Day in all-white.
Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Black Mamba”
Release Date: Dec. 27
Price: $190
An all-black color scheme with faux snakeskin accents nods to Kobe Bryant‘s “Black Mamba” nickname and will be accompanied by a Los Angeles Lakers jersey and varsity jacket with similar features.
New Balance 998 Made in USA
Release Date: Dec. 28
Price: $210
The Teddy Santis-led Made in USA line has one more drop slated for 2023, as the New Balance 998 comes in two new colorways mixing shades of green and brown.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
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