October’s best sneaker drops: Your guide to this month’s must-have releases

Our monthly series looks at the top releases from the best brands in athletic footwear. Whether you’re an avid sneakerhead or just looking for the perfect pair to complement your style, navigating the vast world of sneakers can be overwhelming. From understanding where to buy to decoding the latest trends, consider this your road map to finding the perfect pair.

October is here, which means HBCUs are preparing for homecomings, the NBA and college basketball seasons are right around the corner, and fall festivals are plentiful. With all those things in mind, we rounded up a good selection of options to help you maintain peak freshness while navigating your social calendar.

Nike and Ja Morant embrace creativity

Since the NBA removed its matching shoes to uniform rule a few years ago, we’ve seen plenty of unique footwear choices on court. Ja Morant has taken full advantage of that by showing up in plenty of player exclusive and custom pairs of sneakers. Now, Nike and Morant are letting you tap into your inner creativity by offering the Ja 3 for full customization on Nike’s Nike by You program. Whether you decide to replicate one of Morant’s PEs or something of your own, Morant is waiting to see what you come up with.

Release date: Oct. 1

Retail: $145

SKU: IO7565-900

New Balance stays on trend

The low-profile trend for women’s sneakers is in full effect with many brands offering models to match the moment. New Balance’s move to revive the ’70s running model, the 204L, with sophisticated materials is nothing short of a chef’s kiss in terms of execution.

Release date: Oct. 2

Retail: $150

SKU: U204LMMB

SGA delivers a different triple-double

While it seemingly took forever for Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s debut shoe, the Converse SHAI 001, to hit retail officially, we won’t have to wait nearly as long for us to get more colors. Sticking with the monochromatic theme, we get three new offerings dressed in black, clay, and a light blue. My suggestion: Wear the black pair for fall/winter, and put the blue pair on hold until spring.

Release date: Oct. 2

Retail: $130

SKU: A18977C (Charm Black), A18978C (Hail Clay), A18772C (Masi Blue)

Amine and New Balance are booksmart

Amine has always ensured that everything surrounding his New Balance collaborations matters. The latest offering is no different, as the Abzorb 2000 is covered in green, representing the library cards that Portland’s Multnomah County Library handed out during Amine’s youth. Still, the real treats are the details, such as the library card-inspired insole, the glow-in-the-dark accents across the shoe, or the box mimicking a book depository.

Release date: Oct. 3

Retail: $180

SKU: U2000ME

The AE 2 looks to repeat the AE1’s success

Make no mistake, the Anthony Edwards Adidas AE 1 had one of the best marketing campaigns paired with on-court play that any signature athlete has had for a debut shoe in a long time. Two years later, we’re getting the follow-up model, the AE 2, in a similar peach-based launch colorway as its predecessor.

Release date: Oct. 4

Retail: $130

SKU: JS3514

Caroline Hu and Eddie Chen team up

Designers Caroline Hu and CLOT’s Eddison Chen are no strangers to this list. However, this is the first time that Hu and Chen are teaming up to provide their take on the Adidas Taekwondo. Arriving in three different colorways, Hu and Chen’s love for a simplistic style shines through in the form of a solid, one-piece upper with ballet straps, keeping you secure and classy for either work or date night.

Release date: Oct. 4

Retail: $150

SKU:JR6485 (Pink), JR6919 (Silver/Blue), KK1395 (Black)

Jacquemus takes it to the moon

French luxury brand Jacquemus has multiple Nike collabs under its belt. The latest is a take on the Moon Shoe with a modern twist. The old school running model adopts a ballet-inspired torpedo toe, a gum sole, and red aglets on the shoelaces, all of which combine to form a pure beauty of a shoe.

Release date: Oct. 6

Retail: $180

SKU: HV8547-600

Sporty & Rich goes back to the future

1990s nostalgia meets 2000s innovation as Los Angeles–based Sporty & Rich reunites with Adidas Originals to take on the Adistar Control 5. Originally released in 2008, the Control 5 gets updated with metallic silver overlays and mesh, accented by a rich shade of teal green. Pair it with the apparel collection and your look is sorted.

Release date: Oct. 6

Retail: $140

SKU: IH9708

Jae Tips keeps his Saucony streak going

Saucony knows designer Jae Tips can work magic with almost any Saucony silhouette, and he’s done it again with the “Flowers Grow Uptown” collection. With four different versions of the ProGrid Triumph 4, there’s something here for almost everyone to choose.

Release date: Oct. 10

Retail: $180

SKU: S70966-1 (Poison Ivy), S70966-2 (Virginia Creeper), S70966-3 (Perilla), S70966-4 (Sugar Maple)

Facetasm’s “Organic Beauty” for Asics

Japanese fashion brand Facetasm did a wonderful job fashioning the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 into a work of art, dubbed “Organic Beauty,” by implementing multiple color tones inspired by soil, sunlight, foliage, and water.⁠ When the shoe of the year conversation comes around in a few weeks, do remember this pair.

Release date: Oct. 11

Retail: $190

SKU: 1203A864.960

Pharrell doubles up on the ‘Jellyfish’

After debuting the Adistar Jellyfish back in August, Pharrell returns with a double offering this month. Playing off each other, we get a pair with lime green accents, while the other takes a more neutral approach, using shades of black and gray. Expect these to be instant sellouts, just like the original, and continue the Virginia-born creative’s winning streak this year.

Release date: Oct. 11

Retail: $300

SKU: JP9265 (“Solid Grey”), JP9260 (“Real Green“)

Nike preps for HBCU homecoming season

Nike continues to pay homage to HBCUs with another entry in their Yardrunners collection. This year, the Air Max 95 serves as the backdrop for the colors of Florida A&M, Norfolk State, Morehouse and Spellman to shine. Each pair features the school’s founding year on the tongue, plus other nods to the school. Needless to say, alumni, supporters and students alike will be fighting to get their hands on these.

Release date: Oct. 14

Retail: $200

SKU: II7276-001 (Morehouse), II7275-001 (Spelman), II7272-001 (FAMU), IO8310-001 (Norfolk State)

Reebok and Sony “Play” on nostalgia

Sony is celebrating 30 years of the PlayStation by teaming up with Reebok to serve up a healthy dose of nostalgia. The Pump Omni Zone II, Workout Plus, and the Instapump Fury 94 are dressed in the now-iconic grayscale color scheme of the original PlayStation One. Easter eggs, or unexpected features, are hidden throughout the shoes and their packaging, making them a must-have for PlayStation and Reebok fans/collectors alike. One last thing: It would not be a proper video game homage without some unique quest, as each silhouette is only available in certain regions.

Release date: Oct. 15 (“Workout Plus”), Oct. 17 (“Pump Omni Zone II”), Oct. 24 (“Instapump Fury”)

Retail: $200 (“Workout Plus”) $220 (“Pump Omni Zone II”) $250 (“Instapump Fury”)

Infinite Archives catalogues the Jordan 17

The Jordan 17 has spent the past few years silencing the noise about people not caring about Jordans above the number 14. The latest sees the cultural digital museum known as Infinite Archives take the low top version of the Jordan 17 and dress it in a beach upper with nods to the OG colorways and a few player editions across the shoe’s sole as a way to celebrate the legacy of one of the last Air Jordans that Michael Jordan wore on court.

Release date: Oct. 17

Retail: $255

SKU: IH0177-200

Jordan kicks off their celebration of the 11

Continuing the theme of “Rare Air” releases from this year, the Jordan 11 gets its chance to shine. “Rare Air” on the insole, along with “Jordan” stitched down the side of the eyelets, helps make this pair stand out in any Jordan 11 collection.

Release date: Oct. 20

Retail: $235

SKU: IH0296-400

Jordan works its ‘Voodoo’ again

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has decided to again embrace New Orleans and its culture with another release of his Jordan 1 Low “Voodoo.” This “Voodoo Alternate” follows the same formula that made the original successful, utilizing rough cuts, stitching, and various textiles throughout the shoe to evoke the feeling of a classic voodoo doll immediately.

Release date: Oct. 29

Retail: $160

SKU: IH2309-500

Fall vibes abound with this New Balance

For anyone whose fall wardrobe calls for an understated, comfortable shoe, search no further than the New Balance 990v6 in “Rich Oak.” They can be dressed down with a hoodie or smarten up the look with a nice cardigan. Either way, count on NB’s FuelCell tech in the midsole to keep each step plush and cozy.

Release date: Oct. 30

Retail: $200

SKU: U990CA6

The Air Force 1 goes on a “Sushi” date

Famed sushi house Nobu has slowly moved into the lifestyle lane with its Sushi Club brand. Now, the brand has its biggest catch with its Air Force One collab. Dressed in all white with a light gray swoosh nodding to Nobu, these shoes feature a chopsticks lace lock replacing the traditional Nike one, along with Sushi Club branding across the upper, tongue and heel.

Release date: Sept. 30

Retail: $150

SKU: II6234-100

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