Kick Game’s Most Anticipated Sneakers For The Rest Of 2022

Last week, we reflected on our favourite releases of 2022 to date. However, as has become standard for sneaker releases as of late, we have already seen some leaks and confirmation of more footwear goodness coming later this year. As before, in no particular order, here is a list of our most anticipated releases for the rest of 2022.

Air Max 97 Retro 

While 2022 thus far has seen a big focus on the revolutionary sneaker that started it all, the Air Max 1 which celebrates its 35th anniversary, its formidable predecessor is waiting in the wings to fully celebrate its 25th anniversary. 

The Air Max 97, designed by Christian Tresser, was the first sneaker to showcase a full-length Air Unit within the midsole, it was seen as a huge step forward at the time of its release in 1997. While we have recently seen one of the OG colourways re-release, the ‘Atlantic Blue’ as well as Nike showcase a premium ‘Nike By You’ service for the AM97, it’s the synonymous ‘Silver Bullets’ that fans are eagerly awaiting. 

The Air Max 97 OG Silver Bullets are set to release in November. 

Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ Reimagined

Before the kick-off of 2022, it seemed that rumours surrounding the Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ returning had begun to form. And now, it’s been confirmed that the rumours are true. While the silhouette has always been a popular choice amongst sneaker collectors and basketball fans, with the release of the Netflix documentary ‘The Last Dance’ in 2020, attention around Jordan Brand’s OG sneaker exploded, with special attention towards the classic Chicago colourway.

The 2022 retro of the 1985 staple is everything that diehard fans of the sneaker are waiting for, almost. Featuring what is arguably the closest match to the OG colours we have seen yet in addition to the ‘85 cut that Jordan Brand has adopted with numerous AJ1 releases as of late, the release is almost perfect. However, many are questioning the use of pre-vintaged cracked leather details surrounding the upper which, while may offputting for some, will certainly not stop the retro from headlining many sneakers of the year lists come December.

The Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’ Reimagined is slated for an October release. 

adidas YEEZY Boost 350 ‘Turtle Dove’ 

When news broke that Kanye West had parted ways with Nike just before the release of the legendary ‘Red October’ Air YEEZY 2 to join adidas, no one could have predicted the empire that the two have since created. 

One of the first sneakers that debuted during Ye’s first YEEZY show in 2015 was the YEEZY Boost 350. Despite being a never before seen silhouette, the hype around the OG ‘Turtle Dove’ colourway was instant. Featuring a grey and black speckled upper along with a Boost outsole, the sneaker went on to cause a huge wave in popularity surrounding other adidas models including the Ultaboost and NMD. 

Over the last couple of years, West has been able to keep to his promise of everyone being able to have a pair of YEEZY’s on their feet thanks to a myriad of both new releases as well as almost bi-weekly re-releases of past pairs. However, despite the magnitude of re-releases, adidas and Ye are yet to touch what many deem to be the best in the duo's catalogue, the 350.

However, if the rumours are to be true, we could be seeing the first resurgence of the OG 350 by the end of 2022 with supposed leaked images of the release in March. It is worth bearing in mind that the rumours are to be taken with a pinch of salt as there is no estimated release date at this time. 

Tom Sachs ‘General Purpose’ Re-Release

Contemporary artist Tom Sachs will forever be credited with creating some of the most sought-after sneakers in history following the release of the Mars Yard and Mars yard 2.0 which have each reached grail status on many sneaker enthusiasts' lists. 

A key point of his work with Nike is that the sneakers he produces are meant to be worn. This was especially highlighted during the marketing for the Mars Yard 2.5 and was then a mainstay in the advert for the latest ‘General Purpose’ shoe which featured the beaten-up sneaker. 

Despite the sneaker itself being ‘Boring’ as claimed by Sachs himself, his name alone has seen the silhouette sell out instantly. However, as with the ethos surrounding the project, this isn’t the first and last time we see a rollout for the shoe. Hours after the sellout release, Sachs went to Instagram to announce that the silhouette would be re-released in August. 

Whether there will be a continuous stream of stock or whether the second drop is the last chance people get to get their hands on a pair is yet to be seen. 

Union LA x Nike Cortez

LA-based retailer Union LA has been partnering with Nike for a significant amount of time now. Creating some incredibly noteworthy projects during their time, two of which were released earlier this year with the Air Jordan 2 and Dunk Low, the two are gearing up for the third release for 2022. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Nike Cortez is one of Nike’s oldest silhouettes. However, it appears to have been lost within the whirlwind of hype surrounding other releases and anniversaries this year. 

Releasing in three colourways, the collaboration is officially known as the ‘Un Cortez’ thanks to the new approach Union has taken with the creation featuring a blend of suede and canvas in three separate, vibrant, colourways that provides a fresh take on the OG silhouette. 

The Union LA x Nike Cortez ‘Un-Cortez’ is set to release on the 21st of June.

Air Jordan 3 ‘Fire Red’

Jordan Brand seem to be driving more attention towards the third addition to their lineage, the Air Jordan 3, ahead of its 35th anniversary next year with several colourways and designs including the previously released ‘Muslin’ and ‘Neapolitan’ and the upcoming ‘Desert Elephant’. 

However, the most anticipated colourway yet to be released is the Air Jordan 3 ‘Fire Red’ which was last seen in 2013. This time, however, fans of the silhouette will be grateful to learn that the 2022 version of the 1988 OG colourway will be featuring the beloved ‘Nike Air’ on the heel, while the 2013 retro was released with the Jumpman on the heel. 

As the Air Jordan 4 ‘Fire Red’ from 2020 showed, the return of the classic, the Air Jordan 3 will certainly be a popular one that’s set to release in August. 

New Balance 990 V6

2022 is shaping up to be the year of New Balance. Despite the brand releasing a magnitude of incredible releases for several years now, this year is bigger than ever. NB has been able to perfect everything from their collaborations down to their mainline releases with their quintessential line, the 990 series, taking centre stage thanks to its impeccable quality and easy wearability. 

Last year, New Balance introduced the founder of Aimé Leon Dore, Teddy Santis, as their creative director. Shortly after, Santis went to Instagram to upload an image that has since been deleted of the next addition to the lineage that began in 1982 with the 990 V1. 

Featuring a chunky midsole and multilayer upper, the V6 continues to provide the usual range of high-quality materials that New Balance is known for. With the 990 series celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it’s safe to assume that we will see the highly anticipated New Balance 990 V6 making its debut with a classic grey and deep navy colourway seen at the time of writing this. 

Right now, we are yet to have the official release date confirmed. 

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low ‘Reverse Mocha’ 

After a brief hiatus between The Swoosh and Travis Scott, the duo are back in 2022 for a foray of releases including the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1 rolled out earlier this year to celebrate the silhouette’s 35th anniversaries. 

However, with rumours emerging in September of 2021 is a release that could take the top spot and cause the mass hype that we are used to when the two release a project. The Air Jordan 1 Low ‘Reverse Mocha’ takes cues from the Houston rapper's first project with Nike on the Air Jordan 1 High and flips the script. Featuring tumbled white leather and brown suede panels in conjunction with an aged midsole and signature backwards Swoosh, both Scott and Nike are continuing to play into the pre-aged aesthetic dominating 2022. 

With numerous outlets claiming to have the first official look at pairs in hand, we could expect to see these drop as early as July according to sneaker insider @zSneakerHeadz.

Nike x CPFM Dunk Low

Cactus Plant Flea Market don’t work with half measures, they go all-in on creating intriguing projects that blur the lines between product and art. This has been seen previously with their work on the Air Vapormax in 2019 and the Nike Dunk Low in 2020.

For 2022, CPFM are once again pulling out all the stops with the second iteration of the Nike Dunk Low. Featuring a completely different design to the Swarovski crystal-covered pairs from two years ago, this release takes a much less exotic approach with a warped design that appears to be inspired by nature.

Featuring a thick green, moss-inspired midsole that rises around the upper of the shoe, a green and brown quilted material is found in the main construction of the upper. Mismatching tongues, laces and lateral sides of the sneaker provide the ‘flea market;’ aesthetic that the brand utilises within their work. 

Since the initial images were leaked in January, not much else is known about the pending release. However, we hope to see them before the year-end. 

Stüssy Air Penny 2 

A collaboration that seemed to come out of the blue, the Stüssy x Nike Air Penny 2 rumours are slowly beginning to trickle out despite no images released at the time of writing this. With the longtime respected streetwear label adding to their evergrowing list of Nike collaborations, it’ll be interesting to see what they can do with an old-school basketball sneaker. 

Originally released in 1996, Penny Hardaway's second signature sneaker is set to have the Stüssy treatment this summer. 

While we condensed our most anticipated releases for the rest of 2022 down to a shortlist, there are still honourable mentions both announced and unannounced including the Nike Dunk Low ‘Orange Lobster’, Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 and a possible OG Air Max 1 retro. 

For all the latest news of the hottest releases coming up, keep it Kick Game.