Welcome back to the GRM Top Tier Trainers guide – our list of the coldest creps dropping every month. This year has already seen an array of instant classic trainers from both the usual suspects and some new faces. Despite some early heat, all forecasts suggest June is going to be one of the strongest month for sneaker drops this year. Highlights include the arrival of the second instalment of SK Airs, a long-awaited collaboration between Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and a new White Oreo Jordan 4!
4th June – Nike Dunk Low ‘University Blue’
The ‘University Blue’ has become somewhat of a cult favourite in recent years as the two tone color palette fuses together classic techniques with contemporary trends. The design features a crisp white and contrasting blue leather that serves as a direct nod to the jerseys worn the University of Carolina basketball team.
This release is going to be a particularly sought after edition as the University Blue colourway has up until this point only graced the side of a Dunk High, making these an extremely exclusive release. The addition of complimentary baby blue laces and blue sole makes this design a minimalistic must-have.
5th June – Fragment Design x Nike Dunk High ‘Beijing’
The rumours are true! The original Fragment x Nike ‘City Pack’ is officially making its fabled return with a few exciting twists and turns. The first instalment comes in the form of the ‘Beijing’ edition with the London model rumored to be released in swift succession soon after. Fragment founder Hiroshi Fujiwara teased the trainers himself, confirming to all sneakerheads that the new ‘City Pack’ series will not be mismatched like the originals. Instead, both shoes will style the same deep purple and black paneling meant to represent the mysterious allure of central Beijing.
5th June – Yeezy 500 ‘Taupe Light’
The creative team at Yeezy have clearly been feeling nostalgic recently as the brand looks to resurrect the Yeezy 500 alongside the 700 in an array of new colourways. After dropping two boldy designs in the form of the ‘Enflame’ and ‘Taupe Haze’ designs, Yeezy is going back to basics with this fully monotone and neutral ‘Taupe Light’ design. As the old saying goes, ‘if it aint broke dont fix it’. That’s exactly how Yeezy have approached this design as they have kept the entire constriction identical to its predecessor, making the only variant the newly revealed colourway.
5th June – Kyrie 7 ‘Weatherman’
Basketball and sneaker lovers are both rejoicing at the sight of the first official Kyrie Irving X Kevin Durant collaboration since the two basketball titans became teammates on the Brooklyn Nets this season. The ‘Weatherman’ colourway originated as one of the most beloved designs of any Kevin Durant signature Nike shoe after making its debut on the KD 4 in 2011.
In a recent conversation on his own The Boardroom podcast, KD hinted at the possibility of the two teammates creating hybrid designs that style classic patterns from the others archives and back catalogues. Little did we know had already lent his most famed and personal favourite colourway to adorn the new Kyrie 7. We can’t wait to see what future offspring of the KD/Kyrie collaboration arise in the future. My guess is that a KD Chinese New Year colourway is on the horizon.
11th June – Yeezy Boost 700 Enflame Amber’
The Enflame Amber iteration of the classic Yeezy 700 has been one of the most widely rumoured and theorised releases of the year. To many this colourway may be comparable to a more muted version of the ‘Sun’ series but in actuality the design features the new addition of reflective detailing and a never before seen yellow/grey mesh that borders the familiar black suede. The juxtaposition of yellow/grey mesh and a burnt orange sole creates a new-age aesthetic that fits well within this new era of experimental Yeezys.
12th June – Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind 5 ‘Bloody Chrome’
Perhaps out of all the sneakers dropping this month the Tailwind 5 is the one that requires the briefest introduction. The second instalment of the Skepta ‘Tailwind’ series ushers in a new era of creative collaborations with Nike as the legendary Grime pioneer will be the first non-athlete to design a Nike Phantom football boot. Much like its neon blue counterpart, the ‘Bloody Chrome’ colourway is inspired by the iridescent patterns of butterfly wings. The heel of the design features a distinct chromatic pattern that subtly nods to the famed thermographic cover art of Skepta’s 2019 album Ignorance Is Bliss.
Like any other SK Air, the Tailwind 5 ‘Bloody Chrome’ is set to be one of the most sought after releases of the year. Particularly as the design was first unveiled by Dave as part of the official concept imagery for the shoe.
15th June – Nike Air Max 97 ‘Obsidian Thunder’
The Air Max 97 will be the next classic silhouette to adorn the ‘Plant-Based’ collection detailing. Seen here in a navy and cork design derivative of a previous Air Max 95 concept, the front and centre is a combination of fine embroidery and a cork overlay.
The ‘Obsidian Thunder’ fuses the sleek street style piping of any 97 with a more rustic aesthetic made obvious by the dyed blue canvas and contrasting tan stitching. At this point, Nike is several years into its experimentation with Plant Based iterations of their classic trainers but this is the first time the 97 has received the eco-treatment. With such a sleek final design many sneakerheads are left wondering why it’s taken so long to come to fruition.
19th June – Jordan 4 ‘White Oreo’
Styling a clean white and space grey colourway throughout the shoe, the newest Jordan 4 pays homage to the OG Jordan 4 in ‘White Cement’ first unveiled back in 1989. Although this shoe looks like a moon boot appropriate for a skywalker like Jordan, this design is actually grounded in three decades of sneaker and basketball history.
The ‘White Cement’ design first became a fan favourite after Spike Lee featured the crep on one of the characters in his 1989 film Do the Right Thing. After a successful rerelease in 1999 and 2012, the ‘White Cement’ now reemerges under the moniker of ‘White Oreo’ to bring a much needed injection of vintage nostalgia back into our crep rotations.