Our monthly series looks at the top releases from the best brands in athletic footwear. Whether you’re an avid sneakerhead or just looking for the perfect pair to complement your style, navigating the vast world of sneakers can be overwhelming. From understanding where to buy to decoding the latest trends, consider this your road map to finding the perfect pair.
June is here, which means all of summer’s favorite things are here in full effect. MLB looks to take the sporting spotlight as the NBA and NHL wind down. Weekend festivals and outdoor activities are plentiful, which means we need options for date nights, days spent on boats, or a quick afternoon game of basketball. If outside isn’t your thing, but owning pieces of sneaker history is, we have you covered as well.
A$AP Rocky breathes fresh air into the Inhale
A$AP Rocky’s connection to the Puma Inhale spans several iterations since he took on the role of creative director for the brand’s Formula 1 division in 2023. The Inhale’s low-profile shape, paired with molded rubber at the toecap and heel, gives it a street-ready appeal. Reflective silver elements on the upper create a shape-shifting effect in changing light, while smaller details—like the stitching on the Formstrip logo and four lace options—add the kind of stylish flair we’ve come to expect from rap’s “Fashion Killa.”
Release date: June 1
Retail: $140
The Air Max 95 gets a slice of “Mandarin”
The Air Max 95’s quiet resurgence, Nike’s decision to apply the Big Bubble treatment to this year’s retro continues with the release of the orange-hued “Bright Mandarin” colorway. Honestly, any of the Roy G. Biv colors could be plugged into the OG color-blocking, which utilizes gray gradients as its base. While the upcoming “Blue Spark” pair is tempting, if the budget requires choosing one, the “Mandarin” joints are a summer must-have and should be acquired now before cookout season really gets started.
Release date: June 6
Retail: $190
A Ma Maniere elevates the Air Jordan 5
By now, we all know how much we appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication that A Ma Maniere brings to its Jordan Brand collaborations. Their third take on the Air Jordan 5 is no different. The “Violet Ore” accents, AMM cobranding, a quilted sockliner, a shade of creamy white on the outsoles and side mesh paneling combine to create a lux vibe that’s a signature for the high-end retailer.
Release date: June 7
Retail: $220
JJJJound gives out the blues
JJJJound releases will always receive love around these parts, and the design studio’s latest round of Asics collaborations is no different. There’s nothing particularly stunning about these takes on the Gel-Kayano 14, but they do offer two distinctly different options outside of its usual darker offerings.
The ‘Blue’ version resembles most of Asics’ standards, featuring white mesh, silver paneling and light blue trim, with JJJJound branding on the lateral quarter panels and insoles. The “Navy” colorway features Asics’ customary white mesh and silver overlays, accented with a midnight navy tiger stripe. The biggest twist is the off-white applied to midsole with Gel bubbles, giving the shoe a bit more color than the usual JJJJound take. That’s a little more bang for the buck.
Release date: June 12
Retail: $180
The “Grounded Pastel” pack gives us soft summer options
Many people may think of pastel colors as an Easter thing; New Balance’s “Grounded Pastels” pack is here to let us all know that they work just as well during the summer. The latest edition of the Made in UK 991v2 arrives covered in a “Mineral Green” across the suede and mesh upper paired with a two-tone midsole featuring both aged and non-aged white, making these perfect for festivals in the park or an early evening out with friends. If green isn’t your thing, these also come in a “Celestial Blue” that’s equally as good in its use of soft tones.
Release date: June 19
Retail: $250
Jordan Brand brings back the original “Grape”
While Jordan Brand is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, it is also commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 5. The Air Jordan 5 “Grape” broke the mold as one of the first Jordans to come in non-Chicago Bulls colors. It made an immediate impact on pop culture, mainly due to Will Smith rocking them with colorful short sets during the early run of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. While we’ve seen a handful of retros over the years, this year’s version is the closest we’ve gotten to the 1990 original, with the overall shape, materials, and all-important Nike Air branding present on the heel.
Release date: June 21
Retail: $225
A tennis classic with a few new twists
Nike’s decision to bring back the Air Tech Challenge II is welcomed here. It’s a tennis classic that continues to live on 35 years after its initial release. However, the “Tart” nickname they’re using now contradicts decades of sneakers being called the “Clays” as a reference to the shade of blue used on the shoe in the past (it’s now “stone blue”). They also changed the winged support strap from light grey to blue, which is a somewhat head-scratching choice, and applied the aged look to the midsoles. While those minor changes aren’t ideal, none of them prevent this from being a solid option.
Release date: June 27
Retail: $150
“Dame Time” goes stealth mode
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has quietly had one of the longest-running signature shoe lines in recent memory. The latest colorway of the Dame 10 keeps things simple with an all-black upper featuring a silver wave pattern that spans the entire shoe. A versatile yet straightforward-looking black shoe is a must-have for your rotation, both on and off the court. So if it’s time to re-up, these are well worth a look.
Release date: June 28
Retail: $110
New Balance embraces the wear and tear
New Balance has carved out a niche in the lifestyle shoe market over the past few years, thanks to collaborations and unique general releases. One shoe that led the charge was the original run of the 2002R “Protection Pack,” released in 2021 during the peak of COVID-19 times. All three pairs are back, complete with their partially ripped uppers and aged looks, making them perfect for any time of the year. Is there a pair to try from this collection? Yes, it’s the “Rain Cloud” gray ones.
Release date: TBD
Retail: $130
Whose house? Swerve’s house
Reebok has been leveraging the star power of athletes like Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington to help bring the brand back to the forefront of sneakerheads’ minds. The latest offering from the brand employs this approach, partnering with All Elite Wrestling star Swerve Strickland to provide a fresh take on the Answer 3. Inspired by Strickland’s “Black Panther” tribute gear from his AEW World Championship win last year, the Answer 3 features a black leopard print upper with gold accents throughout. Expect to see these at wrestling events, basketball courts and elsewhere this summer.
Release date: May 28
Retail: $160