The Best Sneakers Releasing in October
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Another month flush with sneaker releases is upon us as October is set to begin. This time of year brings Halloween-themed sneakers as always, but there’s plenty more to look forward to through big collaborations, new model debuts, and in-line designs you don’t want to sleep on.
Among the highlights are New Balance tapping Stone Island to debut the 991v2, Ja Morant’s Nike Ja 1 taking on a “Zombie” theme for Halloween, and an Adidas x Korn collaboration that may surprise some and marks a serious throwback to the ’90s and ’00s. Of course, there’s also the latest rotation of Air Jordans, and though we’ve plucked out our favorites here, you can find a more exhaustive list of what to expect here.
It’s worth nothing that, while some of these releases have been confirmed by the brands themselves, others have release dates that have been surfaced through leaks, meaning the drops could still be subject to change. We’ll keep this list updated through the month to reflect any changes and additions to the slate.
New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack”
Release Date: Oct. 1
Price: $160
Four new colorways are arriving for the New Balance 2002R “Protection Pack,” which reimagines the sneaker as a relic many years down the line.
Adidas Forum Low “College Pack”
Release Date: Oct. 1
Price: $120
Adidas has made showing school spirit that much easier for Arizona State, Indiana, Kansas, and Louisville — the four lucky universities to get a Forum Low to call their own.
Nike Air Max 1 “Urawa”
Release Date: Oct. 3
Price: $160
A 2004, Japan-exclusive release is celebrated nearly 20 years later with another Air Max 1 paying homage to the Urawa Red Diamonds in the top flight of Japanese soccer. The colorway isn’t as bright this time, but it the homage does still include a dragon on the heel as a nod to the club’s other nickname.
Nike Dunk Low “Smoke Grey/Gum”
Release Date: Oct. 3
Price: $115
Something about white, grey, and gum Nike sneakers continually resonates with sneakerheads — so don’t be surprised when these Dunk Lows sell out without any overt signifiers of hype.
Rick Owens x Converse DRKSHDW TURBOPWN
Release Date: Oct. 3
Price: $200
The goth lord Rick Owens transformed the Converse Weapon from an archival basketball shoe to a certified unit fit for shoe-gazing. Here, it gets a heavy splash of cream as a deviation from the standard mixes of black and white.
Stone Island x New Balance 991v2
Release Date: Oct. 4, Oct. 18
Price: $270
New Balance has enlisted Stone Island to debut the 991v2, the first variant of the widely beloved 991 model. Factor in both parties’ ties to soccer hooligan aesthetics, and you’ve got a certified hit on the way with multiple days to try to land a pair.
Golf Wang x Converse Chuck 70 “Flame”
Release Date: Oct. 5
Price: $100
It’s been a quiet year for Tyler, the Creator’s Converse partnership, but there’s nothing muted about the latest version of their flame-covered Chuck 70.
Adidas Crazy 8 “Cream/Grey”
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $140
Although his name has long since been attached to Nike, Kobe Bryant began his career as an Adidas athlete with several oddballs as signature shoes. The Crazy 8, formerly known as the KB8, was Bryant’s very first and arrives in a clean arrangement amid a wider push for the silhouette’s return.
Nike Ja 1 “Smoke”
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $110
Initial leaks from Nike’s servers surfaced this Ja 1 featuring Morant’s quote, “We ain’t ducking no smoke.” Just days later, all signs of the text hit were erased from the company’s backend in an effort to avoid associating the troubled young star with even more notions of conflict. Morant’s autograph appears to have been stamped right over the offending mark — but such intrigue before Nike has even acknowledged the shoe’s existence publicly is exactly what sneaker culture is made of.
Above the Clouds x Asics GT-2160
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $240
Australian boutique Above the Clouds brings experimental materials and a composition inspired by Japanese architecture and product design for this ultra-slick GT-2160.
Concepts x New Balance 998 Made in USA “C-Notes Only”
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $220
Ten years ago, Concepts and New Balance celebrated both the 998’s 20-year anniversary and the introduction of a new $100 with the “C-Note.” The sneaker is now getting its first-ever reissue and a reminder the New Balance has been making bangin’ collabs.
Puma MB.03 “LaFrance”
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $130
LaMelo Ball collaborates with LaMelo ball through his third signature shoe reimagined through the lens of his lifestyle brand LaFrance.
Ambush x Nike Air More Uptempo Low
Release Date: Oct. 6
Price: $190
Yoon Ambush returns to her Air More Uptempo with a can’t-miss lavender colorway and a black version perfect for those allergic to color.
Air Jordan 6 “Aqua”
Release Date: Oct. 7
Price: $200
The Air Jordan 6 is treated for the very first time to “Aqua,” the beloved colorway made famous by the Air Jordan 8.
Nike Air Footscape Woven “Black/Smoke Grey”
Release Date: Oct. 10
Price: $160
This marks just the second drop yet for the return of the Air Footscape Woven, one of the weirdest sneakers Nike has ever made but endearingly so. Originally, the woven sneaker was intended for running with its ergonomic fit and orthopedic lacing system.
Auralee x New Balance 1906R
Release Date: Oct. 11
Price: $170
Japanese label Auralee continues it series of minimalist, monochrome New Balance sneakers with a duo of the 1906R appearing faded in either blue “Flint Stone” or “Bone White.”
Sean Wotherspoon x Adidas Gazelle Indoor “Mylo”
Release Date: Oct. 13
Price: TBD
Mushroom-derived leather forms the latest Adidas collab from Sean Wotherspoon, who’s almost as famous for his veganism as he is hawking vintage garms and colorful kicks.
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low Golf
Release Date: Oct. 13
Price: $170
Travis Scott’s signature desert hues and backward Swoosh come to the Air Jordan 1 Low Golf, which is equipped for the course with a dedicated outsole. Even with a more aggressive tread and a harder rubber for the outsole, expect to see this sneaker on more streets than greens.
Nike Zoom Vomero 5 “Photon Dust/University Blue”
Release Date: Oct. 13
Price: $160
Nike’s ultra-comfy, über-trendy archival runner gets one of its more muted colorways.
Air Jordan 1 Women’s High OG “Satin Bred”
Release Date: Oct. 18
Price: $180
The OG Air Jordan 1 “Bred” colorway makes an always-welcomed return with a satiny twist. Sizing is exclusive to women and children, but that won’t stop dudes from going after pairs if they can make them fit.
Nike Dunk Low Vintage “Panda”
Release Date: Oct. 18
Price: $125
Nike’s most ubiquitous Dunk colorway gets a slight twist with faux-aged details. The normally prisitine white midsole takes on a more weathered look, while the black leather overlays are given a new patina so they don’t look so box fresh.
Adidas Ultra 4D “Spider-Man 2”
Release Date: Oct. 20
Price: TBD
One of Marvel’s best collaborative sneakers yet utilizes Adidas’ 3D-printed midsole in black and graphics printed onto the overlays to make it look like the Symbiote Suit is consuming that of Spider-Man’s. The arrival of the sneaker coincides with the release of the Spider-Man 2 video game.
Nike KD 16 “Aunt Pearl”
Release Date: Oct. 20
Price: $160
The latest entry in Kevin Durant’s “Aunt Pearl” series, which has paid tribute to his late aunt through a colorway on each model since the KD 4.
Nike Ja 1 “Zombie”
Release Date: Oct. 20
Price: $110
One of the most fun colorways yet for Ja Morant’s signature model — and a standout amongst all of this year’s Halloween-themed kicks.
Carhartt WIP x New Balance 990v6
Release Date: Oct. 23
Price: TBD
Carhartt WIP’s second New Balance collab in as many years takes on a decidedly more overt workwear look with a tonal brown color scheme invoking the essential Duck canvas chore coats.
Nike KD 3 “Aunt Pearl”
Release Date: Oct. 27
Price: $130
As Nike begins retro-ing Durant’s earlier models, the KD 3 takes on the “Aunt Pearl” theme for the very first time.
Adidas x Korn Campus 00s and Supermodified
Release Date: Oct. 27
Price: TBD
Korn’s love of Adidas is well-documented, from the band rocking the brand’s gear on stage before inking a Puma deal to its song that turns the name into an acronym for, “All day I dream about sex.” More than two decades later, the relationship becomes more formal through a Campus 00s and the obscure Supermodified model once popular in the scene.
Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”
Release Date: Oct. 28
Price: $210
Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 12 “Cherry” while winning his fifth NBA championship, and now the sneaker gets a reissue for the first time since 2009.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.