B/R Kicks: Top Releases of the Week

The upcoming week of sneaker releases is a big one. Without a Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in the mix to send sneakerheads into a state of pandemonium, the door has been cracked open, revealing other kicks worth grabbing onto.

Nike's Air Max Day—a time when we all look back at the iconic line—returns with a series of ambitious releases. Flyknit versions of the Air Max 90 and a genuine retro cut of the original Air Max 1 are both on the way.

Jordan Brand also continues to dig past Michael's first 13 shoes, giving us forgotten performers from the early 2000s. Overall, even without a mainstream, hype-induced sneaker to drool over, the top releases of the week remain strong.

Nike Air Max 1 'Anniversary'

Image courtesy of Nike

Sneaker: Nike Air Max 1 "Anniversary"

Release Date: March 4

Price: $140

Thirty years after its original release—a game-changing moment in sneaker history—Nike will celebrate the Air Max 1's heritage with a full-bodied "Anniversary," retro release.

Designed by the one and only Tinker Hatfield, the Air Max 1 "Anniversary" comes equipped with two distinct, original color patterns—red and blue. The sneaker also features vintage detailing and has been better shaped to resemble the Air Max 1's distinct form.

Hatfield's timeless design should land comfortably in front of any consumer who has a distinct taste and appreciation for the Nike Air Max line. Plus, a $140 price tag hanging ever so gently off the side of these sneaks isn't very intimidating, all things considered.

Adidas Harden Vol. 1 'Fear the Fork'

Sneaker: Adidas Harden Vol. 1 "Fear the Fork"

Release Date: March 4

Price: $140

Tipping their proverbial caps to James Harden's days at Arizona State University, Adidas has created a "Fear the Fork" Harden Vol. 1. It's a direct tribute to Harden's collegiate career, where he seamlessly transitioned from beardless prospect to full-fledged scoring machine in two seasons.

The yellow and black design resembles the Sun Devils' colorways, with the golden, lunar sole completing the sneaker's elegant look. On March 4, the Three Stripe moniker opens up its channels of creativity, giving fans of Harden's on-court ancestry a proper trip down memory lane.

Air Jordan XV 'Obsidian'

Image courtesy of Nike

Sneaker: Air Jordan XV "Obsidian"

Release Date: March 4

Price: $190

The second retro release of the Air Jordan XV is aiming for a March 4 arrival. Jordan Brand's vault-digging ways have created a new marketplace for this classic, fighter jet-inspired silhouette to find a new audience.

With the "Obsidian" Air Jordan XV, this distinct colorway gives Jordan fans an alternate reality to the all-black "Stealth" option that dropped back in January. Instead, this sneaker serves as a tribute to the original "Obsidian" XV that dropped at the turn of the millennium.

Historians will note the Air Jordan XV became Tinker Hatfield's last design during his original, uninterrupted run. For that factor alone, adding the "Obsidian" XV into your collection as an artifact of sneaker history is something to consider.

Adidas Consortium x Kith x Naked NMD City Sock 2 'Pink'

Sneaker: Adidas Consortium x Kith x Naked NMD City Sock 2 "Pink"

Release Date: March 4

Price: $200

Anything Kith and its founder Ronnie Fieg touches turns into sneaker gold. Take this Adidas x Kith x Naked collaborative effort, aimed at bringing plush tones and laser-woven details in the form of an NMD City Sock 2.

The NMD City Sock 2 "Pink" debuts March 4 and raises the bar for any other company looking to work with Adidas. Already a popular silhouette, this "Pink" NMD cuts through the clutter by providing clarity and comfort.

A $200 price tag may seem steep at first, but it shouldn't scare away consumers. With Kith always focused on producing quality over quantity, the Adidas Consortium x Kith x Naked NMD City Sock 2 "Pink" is bound to serve its purpose.

Nike Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit 'Light as Air'

Image courtesy of Nike

Sneaker: Nike Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit "Light as Air"

Release Date: March 2

Price: $160

A Nike Flyknit Air Max 90? Say it ain't so. The Nike Air Max 90 2.0 Flyknit "Light as Air" might be a mouthful to say, but the shoe takes the best elements of the Air Max 90 and adds a Flyknit layer into the equation.

Drafted to supply an intimate, tighter fit, Flyknit construction has helped elevate the Air Max 90 to new heights. Insolent features mixed together with a timeless silhouette drives this Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit to the front of the line when it assembles on March 2.

All production information and release dates via Nike News and Adidas News, unless noted otherwise.