Welcome to the March edition of GRM’s Top Tier Trainers! This is your go-to curated selection of the most drip-worthy trainers dropping over the next month.
The giants of the game are well into their plans for 2021 with many of the usual suspects offering an array of new surprise collaborations and colourways. However, this month also sees a resurgence of some old classics as remimagings of hall of fame worthy trainers return to center stage. With our protagonists waiting in the wings, it’s time to introduce the coldest creps dropping this March.
2nd March- SB Dunk High x Carpet Company – Royal Pulse
Ok, now this one is seriously cold. Carpet Company is a relatively new arrival to the game; however, the Baltimore based skateboarding brand has quickly made itself known as an out-of-the-box thinking brand with a one of a kind approach to concept creation.
This design is unique as Carpet Company has crafted a shoe that evolves and reveals new whimsical graphics under the exterior leather as the shoe tears away while skating. Trainers ripping on griptape may no longer be a negative as this shoe becomes personalised as you unearth new characters and illustrations with every skating session.
4th March – Nike Air Max 95 ‘EOI Pack’
Somewhat comparable to the Kyrie ‘Chinese New Year’ design, the new ‘EOI’ 95 adds a colorful alternative to the typically monochrome grey and yellow colourway. The new version features kaleidoscopic detailing on the lace loops as well as a retro multi-coloured Air Max label on the tongue.
4th March – Supreme x Nike SB Dunk
The next generation of Supreme x Nike Dunk collaborations sees a bold four colourway set join the ever expanding list of hypebeast holy grails. Name ID alone makes this release one of the biggest and most sought after releases of the year.
Decked in either a ‘Hyper Blue’, ‘Black’, ‘Barkroot Brown’ or ‘Mean Green’ colourway, each pair features a faux crocodile skin overlay and ‘Metallic Gold’ stars across the mid-food.
The crocodile skin effect draws instant parallels to the 2003 SB Dunk High series. Yet the cool white leather base re-centres the design to give it a more balanced and contemporary look, allowing attention to be focused on the mid-foot detailing.
4th March – Nike Dunk Low “City Market”
Occasionally a design comes out that adds some much needed vitality to an often repetitive cycles of predictable colourways and the Nike City Market it certainly that exception. The design pays homage to the convergence of sneaker culture enthusiasts that have made the dunk a universally beloved sneaker.
Reused shopping bags and nutrition labels make up the tongue which doubles as a secret pocket that we have traditionally only seen on the ‘4/20’ models. This design may not be for everyone, however the patchwork competition of the shoe is a nice throwback to the diverse and varied community of dunk appreciators.
6th March – Air Jordan 1 – University Blue
Since Nike revealed the ‘University Blue’ colourway of the classic Jordan 1 as part of the new ‘Jumpman’ Spring roster, anticipation has been rapidly building. Some are calling this the most highly sought after trainer of the season as stocks are expected to sell out immediately on the Nike SNKRS app.
The design feels light and sleek in comparison to the OG Hyper Royal to which the colourway clearly aims to pay homage to. Black and electric blue detailing on the tongue and label contrast the deep blue sole that lends a more modern vibe to an old school silhouette.
9th March – Nike Air Force 1 ‘07 Premium “Popcorn”’
We can always count on Nike to come through with something wonderfully wacky – and personally I’m here for it. The Buttery Popcorn AF1 is a flashback to the days where watching movies somewhere other than your living room was commonplace.
We all miss the movies and apparently Nike does too. That’s why they are releasing a one off series that pays tribute to the sacred snacks of the silver screen. The Buttery Popcorns feature a kernell coloured leather that works in tandem with the white detailing on the swoosh and heel to create an appetising popcorn aesthetic.
The retro lettering on the popcorn packaging tongue as well as the full popcorn print insole offer a more bold testament to the beauty of buttery popcorn.
16th March – Nike Air Tuned Max ‘Celery’ Retro
This reissue was a no brainer for Nike after Skepta used the original version as inspiration for his legendary 2017 Air Max 97 takeover. However, the Pebax-backed cushioning that became synonymous with the 1998 TNs now blends into Nikes first ever full-length Tuned Air design.
The shimmering colourway stands alone compared to anything Nike has adorned the silhouette with before. ‘Saturn Red’, ‘Celery’ and ‘Dark Charcoal’ shades add an extraterrestrial element to the already otherworldly design.
19th March – Nike Go FlyEase
Nike’s first ever unassisted hands free trainer is about to usher in a whole new era of sneakers. Designed with disabled and elderly people in mind, the FlyEase uses a bistable hinge to click the shoe from the ‘open’ to ‘ready’ position.
This allows those who have not been able to reach down and lace up their trainers to be welcomed into the global crep community. With a swift and gentle push down on the heel of the shoe, the sole flattens out and the upper part moves to grip the front of your foot just as laces do. This is certainly a big step for the streetwear industry and a push for inclusion that we love to see.
[Rumoured] 30th March – Yeezy Boost 700 V2 ‘Cream’
One of the more understated Yeezy colourways of recent months, the V2 ‘Cream’ is sure to be an instant fan favorite. A white Boost cushioning midsole complements the charcoal outsole as neon and reflective detailing border the curves of the shoe.
It seems as if Yeezy is continuing to strip their designs back to basic as they set to release this minimalistic tonal colourway.