The world may be in a situation right now, but the trainers are continuing to drop. Although some are subject to delay due to the current pandemic, April has a fair bit of selection up for grabs thanks to the great invention of the internet. So Top Tier Trainers is here to provide you with the hottest drops of the month.
Dates are correct at the time of writing.
The first drop of the month is everyone’s favourite Air Force Low 1 – released on the 1st of April – in three different colourways as part of the ‘sketch pack’. The shoe has been released in countless versions since its debut in 1982, but this time the new ‘sketch’ plays on last year’s popular DIY trend – after the “Sketch to Shelf” Air Max 1 and the Blazer Mid 77 Sketch pack. Including all the best parts of the original silhouette, the Air Force design is elevated with new, urban details. Taken from Bruce Kilgore’s original concept sketches of the model, four written notes feature on the model, including “1982” the shoes debut year, the name of the sneaker and a reminder of where the enclosed midsole Air unit is placed. Completed with a sketched Nike Swoosh logo to the side and logo patch on the tongue.
The trainers come in white, white/royal and black, all able to be styled with ease.
1ST APRIL – Fighting to become as sought after as their high model, is the Nike Air Jordan 1 Low. Iconically known for colour blocking, this release demonstrates just how it is done – with vivid hits of laser blue accompanying the black and white base. The blue accents on the shoe are present on an alternate material choice of perforated suede – steering away from the usual leather or nubuck – and providing the perfect base for the enlarged Wings logo that the Low often sports. What a perfect colour pairing to the sunny summer that we desire.
1ST APRIL – 2020 is the year of the SB Dunk Low, four months into the year and so many colourways have already come our way. But there is no stopping them as two more colourways have surfaced ready to take our money. The release of the Blue Fury – or Blue’s Clues as been nicknamed by sneakerheads – a vibrant blue colour scheme, finished off nicely with the icy rubber outsole underfoot. And the Muslin – or the Hennessy due to the resemblance to the alcoholic beverage. The Muslin comes in a clean cream upper with deep burgundy tones on the soles and inside of the shoe, completed with a bold black Swoosh and lacing. The perfect additions to your collection.
3RD APRIL – This one hatched for the ladies only. And although we may all be spending our Easter locked up inside (for the safety of everyone), we can do so with Nike’s Easter pack on our feet. The “Easter” Air Force 1s have been a tradition since 2006, so while the tradition has been kept, an Air Max 90 has been added to the pack. The Air Force 1 comes in the standard white, setting the stage for barely volt, purple nebula and hyper blue accents uniting to create the iridescence colour that covers the toe box and heel. The purple nebula is carried out through to the inner sole and tongue labels – the backdrop to the cracked-egg graphic customised for the Easter pack. While the Air Max 90 lets the bold colours do more of the talking. Again with a white base, blue and purple are used across the trainer throughout and the holographic that features in the AF1 it utilised on the Swoosh. But this time, hidden behind the usual Nike branding on the tongue the cracked egg graphic is revealed by velcro.
Both ideal to complete that pastel outfit you’ve been making up in your head. Or replace the beat up Air Force 1’s you have in your cupboard.
3RD APRIL – After the first release of the Stussy x Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 sold out within 1 minute last week, the second release will definitely be hard to come by. The Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2 was first introduced in the early 2000s as a premium athletic shoe but now simply revitalised as a lifestyle option. The collaboration with Californian streetwear label Stussy comes in two colourways Fossil and Pure Platinum, both sure to catch your eye.
4TH APRIL – UNDEFEATED x Nike are back with yet another trainer, and as always is sure to demand a level of hype. In the shape of an Air Max 90 – the perfect way to celebrate 30 years of the silhouette – the colourway is filled with tonal shades of black and grey. The trademark Swoosh this time round, is made out of fluffy suede, while the uppers display a mix of technical mesh and leather panels in their different hues of black and grey. Complementing the clean colourway is of course, the LA-based retailer’s UNDFTD branding is printed as a bold graphic behind the heel patch. It wouldn’t be an UNDEFEATED trainer without a bit of branding.
4TH APRIL – A Jordan 1 release is always up there with one of the most hyped up releases of the year, and the Jordan 1 Court Purple is definitely no different. In the classic Jordan 1 colour blocking, this release comes in purple and white panels complete with black detailing hitting the lateral, Swoosh and flat laces. Striking a resemblance to the Dunk High “Co.JP” released in 1999, this release has been highly anticipated since its first leak back in December. This trainer is clearly a need, not a want.
4/20 – Although a release date is unconfirmed – and whether the UK will even receive the trainer, we could not ignore this 4/20 specified drop. Continuing his collaborative relationship with Nike SB, skate artist Todd Bratrud has revealed his next Dunk inspired by the annual smoke up day. This special edition Dunk High is themed by marijuana strain Strawberry Cough, joining past releases based on ‘Skunk’ and ‘White Widow’. The front half of the shoe is reminiscent of a strawberry itself, red leather with yellow seeds, while the back end of the shoe shows off green suede to represent the marijuana. The shoe is then complete with a coughing strawberry character, with red strained eyes drawn by Todd Bratrud – which is also illustrated on the inner sole. This trainer is sure to get a lot of people looking at your feet.
9TH APRIL – Paying homage to Nike’s extensive history, they dropped Air Max’s newest silhouette, the 2090, on Air Max Day. So it is only right to see a range of colourways get released across the year. Showcasing a new and improved air unit, this drop comes in all white with a black cropped outlined Swoosh – the same cropped Swoosh that first appeared on the Air Max 90. The upper is crafted from durable and lightweight fabrics, combining opaque and see-through panels, helping to supply that futuristic look. We can only wait to see what other colourways come our way.
11TH APRIL – First launched back in 2006 as part of a double pack, the Jordan 6 DMP Black is back as a standalone retro of the classic colourway. The pack was originally created to honour Michael Jordan’s three championship runs occurring between 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. Back in it’s majority black form – crafted from supple suede with pops of gold and white accents, accentuating the silhouette further and giving the trainer that rich premium look. This pair is a chance to be part of history.
11TH APRIL [Now scheduled to release in July] – Who doesn’t love a celebratory release? This Jordan 6 iconic colourway has been revisited to initially celebrate the release of the Space Jam 2 sequel starring LeBron James himself (but the trainers’ release date has now been pushed back to July) . Inspired by Bugs Bunny himself, the shoe’s ultra premium tumbled leather construction is painted in a grey and white colour palette as a reference to the cartoon character’s fur. Completed with vivid red accents, adds the pop of colour the Hare White Jordan 6 needs. The feature that steals the show however, is the rugged toggle switch you will find along the laces, this time holding resemblance to a carrot. Any Space Jam or LeBron James fan, this is the trainer for you.
25TH APRIL – Releasing in a similar colourway to the above, the Jordan 5 Fire Red 2020 colourway is boasting to steal the show. Crafted from smooth leather to enhance durability and breathable perforations on the side panels to keep you cool, the trainer is here to tailor to all your needs. The effortless colourway has hits of red to be found on the interior, heel and midsole, to compliment the crisp white upper and icy blue outsole underfoot. This staple silhouette with endless styling potential.
More trainers may be announced for a later April release, but for now check back in for your hottest May Top Tier Trainers.