Patrick Johnson 
Black Friday is almost here. Midwestern moms know as well as anyone – it’s their version of the Super Bowl. But lately, the Americana shopping industry has also tailored to the sneakerhead as exclusive releases have given us plenty to line up for. Forget the discount laptops, TVs, and imminent as well as infinite struggle videos of people literally fighting for the best deals. As long as you keep your cool and check out our definitive guide to what’s releasing on the week leading up to Black Friday, you should be alright. From the Doernbecher Freestyle Collection 2014 featuring that prime Air Jordan 8, to the Knicks Foamposites and Infrared 6s, there are a bunch of releases not getting the love that they deserve and can serve as your back-up plan so you don’t leave the shopper’s holiday empty handed. Be sure to check out a full rundown of this coming Black Friday’s most coveted releases and let us know which pair you’re vying for by penning your thoughts in the comments section (of course you can head your Release Date page for more of an updated look at the sneaker landscape).
Air Jordan 8 Doernbecher
Color: Hyper Blue/Electro Orange-Black-Stadium Grey-Tour Yellow-Photo Blue
Style Code: 729893-480
Release Date: 11/23/14
Price: $180
Why you should buy: The yearly Doernbecher x Jordan retro is a time honored tradition now in its 7th year. While rumors floated around about a potential Air Jordan 11, with both the Pantone and Legend Blue 11s arriving later this year, the collection went the surprising route and gave us an Air Jordan 8. With a loud royal blue speckled base and an iridescent “Rock On” midsole, the shoe will definitely turn heads, but goes beyond aesthetics thanks to the fact that this limited run is for a good cause.
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The Rest of the Nike x Doernbecher Freestyle 2014 Collection
Release Date: 11/23/14
Price: $95 – $145
Why you should buy: The Air Jordan 8 will get the most press, but the second tier of Doernbecher Freestyles still have something to offer. From a 3M San Francisco 49ers inspired Nike Air Max Penny retro to a special edition of the Nike Stefan Janoksi Max, this is a cause to make everyone feel good, with unique colorways designed by former and current patients of OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
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adidas J Wall 1 “Woven Paisley”
Color: Aluminum/Black-White-Mint
Release Date: 11/24/14
Price: $115
Why you should buy: John Wall’s first signature has only seen Washington Wizards or generic colorways like black on white thus far. That’s not to say that the sneaker isn’t a performance go to – but now you can wear them off the court with this “Woven Paisley” look. The three stripes updated the material on the upper to feature a fresh cool grey Paisley to capture J Wall’s style off court, and for $115 you get a viable option for both your on-court and off-court needs.
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Villa x Reebok Pump Question Mid
Release Date: 11/24/14
Price: $185
Why you should buy: You might have noticed that Reebok’s Pump is having a huge year. From the Insta Pump Fury to the Pump 25, the vector brand has featured their crowned technology with a new model x shop collaborative effort nearly every week but now we get to see the Pump land on Allen Iverson’s first signature for the first time. What better way to usher in the look than through Philly shop VILLA for this colorway inspired by A.I’s Bentley?
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adidas D Rose 5 BOOST “Chicago Ice”
Release Date: 11/24/14
Price: $140
Why you should buy: Derrick Rose is as much to Chicago as LeBron is to Cleveland, he just doesn’t get as much press for staying near and dear to home. Now back from injury his fifth signature in the adidas D Rose 5 BOOST is waiting to be dressed up in some winter-time Windy City references and this Chicago Ice pair is rather ominous. A formidable playing shoe, with the icy teal outsole, it’ll look just as good off the court.
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Nike Zoom Hypercross Trainer
Color: Midnight Navy/Cyber-Lightt Retro-White
Style Code: 684635-434
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $150
Why you should buy: The return of Galaxy on one of Nike’s most impressive Trainer models in recent memory is plenty of reason to get these in your crosshairs. With a release on Nike.com and at NikeLab retailers, these are bound to go fast – so don’t think twice.
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Nike KD 7 “Cave Purple”
Color: Cave Purple/Hyper Grape-Magnet Grey-Bleached Turquoise
Style Code: 653996-535
Release Date: 11/25/14
Price: $150
Why you should buy: Let the Kevin Durant to the Toronto Raptors rumors heat up. KD’s impending free agency has the internet going crazy already (will he return to his hometown by joining up with the Wizards? How about Drake’s influence over the Raptors?) Regardless, it’s been a while since we were blessed with a new Nike KD 7 colorway and this retro-era Raptors look although unofficial, is always a good look with Cave Purple and Black sure to turn heads.
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Nike Air Foamposite One “Knicks”
Color: Hyper Crimson/Game Royal-Black
Style Code: 314996-801
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $230
Why you should buy: Penny’s time as a Knickerbocker was definitely forgettable, but you’d be hard pressed to block these Knicks-inspired Foamposites from your memory. With a near hypnotizing metallic orange hue throughout, Game Royal adds a splash as we’re sure to see Spike Lee rock these court side well into the NBA season. The only question is, with all of the other enticing offerings this Black Friday season, will you grab them for your collection? It’s a Foamposite plenty of people have been anticipating for quite some time, and with a Suns rendition hitting previously, you can count on this pair to be a big deal.
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Nike Kobe 9 Elite “Strategy”
Color: Sequoia/Rough Green-Hyper Crimson-Reflect Silver
Style Code: 630847-303
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $225
Why you should buy: The Nike Kobe 9 Elite has had a formidable run this year, and yet more and more colorways continue to drop before we transition into 2015 and get a brand new Black Mamba signature. Nike’s doing their best to grab your attention with new colorways and this “Strategy” pair sees a military motif hold it down. With a faint camouflage print lingering throughout, green and Hyper Crimson come together to contrast reflective accents for a look inspired by those Army surplus jackets.
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Nike Free Inneva Tech
Release Date: 11/26/14
Why you should buy: Nike Sportswear brings the Inneva Woven back into the limelight with an awesome tonal-sequoia colorway for 11/26.
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Nike Free Inneva Tech
Release Date: 11/26/14
Why you should buy: Joining the sequoia colorway of the Nike Free Inneva Tech is an all-beige version that captures the outdoor, rugged look to a tee.
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Nike Air Max 90 PRM “Safari”
Color: Cool Grey/Bamboo-Black-Medium Ash
Style Code: 700155-006
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $120
Nike Air Huarache PRM “Safari”
Color: Cool Grey/Black-Medium-Ash-Hyper Punch
Style Code: 704830-062
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $110
Why you should buy:
– Safari Print has been arriving on the Nike Air Huarache for a minute now in WMNS exclusives across the pond, but now we finally get a chance to grab them here in the states in a colorway that may just be the best yet. The Nike Air Max 90 even comes along for the ride, as each has a subtle sensibility with just the right splash of Hyper Punch atop the Cool Grey uppers. If you’re looking for a comfortable way to usher in the new way, it’d be in either one of these pairs, as they’d be great stocking stuffers and you won’t have to fight too hard to grab a pair with most people’s focus aimed at the Air Jordan 6, Nike Air Foamposite, and Doernbecher 8.
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adidas D Rose 5 BOOST “Blue Woven”
Release Date: 11/26/14
Price: $140
Why you should buy: The adidas J Wall 1 messed around with a woven upper but not quite like this. Derrick Rose’s adidas D Rose 5 Boost “Blue Woven” might look like a Chicago Bears reference but it is actually an homage to the 20th Century Blues musicians that supported the city and vice versa. The Woven look definitely is an eye-catcher and we hope to see more of the aesthetic on the D Rose 5 in the future, but with no guarantees you should grab this pair while you can.
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Air Jordan 6 “Black/Infrared”
Color: Black/Black-Infrared
Style Code: 385664-023
Release Date: 11/28/14
Price: $170
Why you should buy:
– In the year of the Air Jordan 6, only one true and through retro mattered and this is it. Jordan Brand brought back nearly everything except the classic ‘Nike Air’ heel branding on this pair, from the 3M details on the perforations to the quality control of next year’s Remastered Collection. The shoe that Mike won his first championship in 1991 in, we saw the White/Infrared release earlier this year only to have people circling November 28th for one reason – this shoe. Expect long lines, twitter bots and more as nearly everyone is going to be trying to get at least a size for themselves.
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Nike Air Max Penny
Color: University Red/Black-White
Style Code: 685153-600
Release Date: 11/28/14
Price: $140
Why you should buy:
– The Nike Air Penny line continues to expand with new models, but the new takes atop old classics like the Knicks Foamposites and this University Red Nike Air Max Penny are sure to please. If you miss out on the Doernbecher Air Max Penny, this pair should be a great consolation prize thanks to a vibrant red finish that makes one wonder what it would’ve been like had Penny swapped Orlando Magic blue for Chicago Bulls’ red. And at only $140, Penny’s first signature won’t hurt your bank account too much. Expect this pair to be one of the slept on looks on such a big day. Do yourself a favor and opt for the opposite.
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Nike SB Dunk PRM “Yeezy”
Color: Anthracite/Black-Hyper Pink-Crystal Mint
Style Code: 313171-063
Release Date: 11/28/14
Price: $120
Why you should buy:
– The Yeezy colorway continues. On the biggest shopping day of the year, the sneaker landscape would implode if ever a Yeezy debuted amongst all the heat dropping on Black Friday. The Nike SB Dunk features the never-forgotten Blink aesthetic with a Hyper Pink lining contrasting a glow in the dark Crystal Mint outsole. Not to be confused with the Premier lowtop collaboration, this is actually a General Release and will be readily available for all.
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Nike Air Max 2015 (six colors)
Release Date: 11/28/14
Why you should buy: The legacy of Air Max conitnues with the full-length, all Engineered Mesh model for 2015. Six colorways will be available for purchase, with several more to follow.
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Liberty x Nike Sportswear Holiday 2014 Collection
Release Date: 11/28/14
Why you should buy:
– Liberty and Nike have held it down for the ladies in the past and now they’re back at it with a seven shoe collection just in-time for the holidays. Polka-dot and floral come together in the perfect way to please your significant other with a casual take on any one of the Swoosh’s classic models from the Nike Air Max 1 to the Nike Blazer Mid. Two color palettes are even made available, one in an icy cold blue or the warmer burgundy. For the most refined of tastes on a budget.
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Nike Air Max 90 Deluxe “Safari Print”
Color: Black/Black-Infrared
Style Code: 684710-001
Release Date: 11/28/14
Price: $150
Nike Air Max 1 Deluxe “Safari Print”
Color: Black/Black-Photo Blue
Style Code: 684708-001
Release Date: 11/28/14
Price: $150
Why you should buy: Both the Nike Air Max 90 and Nike Air Max 1 are as classic a sneaker as any in the Nike catalogue, and whenever Safari print manages to arrive on either shoe it’s truly something special. Here, the two perennial Air Max models feature a black foil like aesthetic that dresses up each model in a deluxe leather contrasted by the famed Nike print while vibrant accents hit the shoe for some added diversity. It’s a time when Sneakerboots are ruling the landscape but you’d be wise to scoop up either pair while everyone else is going after the bigger ticket items like the Infrared 6s and Knicks Foamposites, as you can sit on these and bring them out in the warmer months when everyone else is regretting not picking them up.
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The Hundreds x Reebok Pump AXT
Release Date: 11/28/14
Why you should buy: The Reebok Pump AXT has been one of the less-celebrated models featuring Pump technology. We get that there’s only so much love to go around, but we really wish that a few pairs of the Insta Pump Furies or Reebok Pump 25s were swapped out for this model. The Hundreds bring their unique sensibility to the shoe in a collaborative effort that doesn’t need to be loud to stand out. Suede and smart accent colors create two unique takes on this year’s forgotten Pump model. And who can forget about that tongue logo transforming into the silhouette of the signature bomb?
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Nike LeBron 12 “Six Meridians”
Color: Orange Blaze/Volt-Game Royal-Metallic Silver
Style Code: 684593-870
Release Date: 11/29/14
Price: $200
Why you should buy: A day after the madness nobody knows exactly where their luck or even misfortune will have landed them. That’s why a few sure fire releases on the regular Saturday are sure to hold you down so you won’t leave the weeklong extravaganza that’s encompassed Black Friday disappointed. The latest LeBron 12 Six Meridians is a vibrant affair with the ancient Chinese art of reflexology referenced. With all of the PEs LeBron’s been wearing we’d be excited to see him rock these as they sort of carry that Cavs HWC motif despite a vibrant Volt side panel.
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Air Jordan XX9 “Infrared 23″
Release Date: 11/29/14
Price: $225
Why you should buy: Infrared 6s are the retro of choice, but it’s nice to see the shade land on Jordan Brand’s latest creation in the Air Jordan 29. A fierce performance model, the knit upper is as breathable as it is eye-catching here thanks to the Infrared hue getting a full feature over the faint elephant print. Throw in an oversized Jumpman logo and that Jordan Flight Plate technology and this pair is flashy enough to get people to stray away from a Jordan retro release.
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