👀 Sneaker of the Week: Travis Scott x Fragment x Air Jordan 1 Low OG

🔥 The Weekly Lace-Up: the highly-anticipated Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo,” Action Bronson’s new New Balance 992 “Tiger Eye,” a look at New Balance’s renovated NYC flagship store, and Nike’s SNKRS Maps feature

📸 Kick Flick: Justin Bieber teases next potential SKYLRK footwear release

Each week, we’ll select one standout pair, be it a classic, sleeper, new drop, or something with a story worth telling. Plus, Chase will give his verdict.

This week, we’ve tapped…

Today, we’ll be exploring the Travis Scott x Fragment Design x Air Jordan 1 Low OG.

Three years after Travis Scott, Fragment Design, and Jordan Brand shook up the sneaker world with not one, but two collaborative Air Jordan 1s, the high-powered trio has reunited—this time on a new Air Jordan 1 Low OG that dropped on September 20th. The release follows the playbook of previous iterations, incorporating signature design elements from both Scott and Fragment Design founder Hiroshi Fujiwara on the legendary Jordan 1 Low OG.

The results, as you can see, are just as striking this time around as they were in 2021. The new pair features La Flame’s oversized reverse Swoosh in Military Blue on the lateral side, while his “Cactus Jack” and smiley face logos appear on the heel tab and heel of the left shoe, respectively. Fragment Design’s iconic lightning bolt motif lands on the heel of the right shoe, complemented by industrial logo detailing printed on the medial side of the aged midsole.

The return to the Jordan 1 Low OG by Scott, Fujiwara, and Jordan Brand is one of the biggest headlines in sneakers in 2025. Through the first nine months of the year, the rapper hasn’t released nearly as many projects with Jordan Brand as he has in the past. On the Fragment Design front, the brand has also been relatively quiet, with Fujiwara working behind the scenes on a collaborative Air Jordan 1 with Union and Jordan Brand scheduled for a Spring 2026 release. The new Jordan 1 Low OG by Scott and Fujiwara keeps both names at the forefront of sneaker culture, reaffirming their influence while giving collectors and fans another highly coveted piece to chase.

Travis Scott and Fragment Design have once again proven why their collaborations with Jordan Brand are so eagerly anticipated. The new Jordan 1 Low OG is more than just a sneaker. It’s a cultural moment that blends streetwear, music, and basketball into one highly collectible package. With the drop behind us, the conversation now turns to you: Does this release solidify Scott and Fujiwara as one of the most influential duos in sneaker history, or is there another team that rivals their impact?

I said it last week when we tabbed the Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red - Black Tongue” as our Sneaker of the Week, and I’ll say it again for this week’s selection: the Travis Scott x Fragment Design x Air Jordan 1 Low OG—this is a shoe that needs no introduction. From Scott’s oversized reverse Swoosh to Fragment’s signature lightning bolt, every detail cements this release as a standout in 2025’s sneaker calendar. It’s a cultural moment as much as it is a collectible, and whether you’re a longtime Jordan head or a fan of Travis Scott’s design language, this pair demands a spot in the conversation.

And maybe even your rotation.

Debuted exclusively in Japan in 2011 to celebrate the opening of Jordan Brand’s Tokyo 23 store, the Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo” is set to make its long-awaited global comeback on September 30th. Widely regarded as one of the most coveted non-OG Jordan 5s of the 2010s, its first worldwide release is shaping up to be a must-have moment for sneaker collectors.

Like the OG, the 2025 “Tokyo” features an eye-catching yellow suede upper paired with Wolf Grey accents on the tongue, netting, and eyelets, and Black detailing on the laces, heel, and shark-tooth midsole. And, just like the original, the modern “Tokyo” is finished with a Kanji logo on the lateral heel, making no mistake that the design pays tribute to its Japanese roots. An icy translucent outsole completes the look, keeping the modern pair true to the 2011 classic while ensuring fresh appeal for a new generation of sneakerheads. With heritage, exclusivity, and hype all working in its favor, the 2025 Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo” is primed to be one of the year’s most talked-about releases. Buy them now →

It doesn’t get more New York than Action Bronson’s latest sneaker: the New Balance 992 “Tiger Eye.” Set for a September 26th drop date, the Queens rapper’s newest collaboration with the heritage footwear brand fuses the aesthetics of three NYC staples—the Knicks, the Mets, and the classic Timberland 6” Wheat boot—into one bold design.

The tan suede upper nods to the work boot, while orange and blue accents on the mesh windows, tongue, and heel overlay rep the city’s beloved teams. A silver “992” hit on the lateral heel and a “Baklava” debossing right below it finish the look with Bronson’s signature flair.

Alongside the “Tiger Eye,” Bronson also teased a purple-based 992 dubbed “Digitalis Purpurea” back in August. Both pairs fall under New Balance’s celebrated “Made in USA” line, though the release timing for the “Digitalis Purpurea” has yet to be confirmed. Buy them now →

What are the fruits of riding an incredible hot streak in sneakers? For New Balance, it means renovating its New York City flagship store on 5th Avenue in Flatiron, reimagining the space to fully showcase the brand’s current era.

After temporarily closing in May, the location recently reopened, featuring activations highlighting New Balance’s Made in USA campaigns and wood and exposed brick facades that pay homage to the city’s industrial roots. The revamped layout also includes dedicated zones for the brand’s most coveted collaborations, such as a showcase of Made in USA designer Teddy Santis’s upcoming seasonal collection, alongside high-profile releases and classic silhouettes—giving shoppers an immersive experience that blends heritage, performance, and culture.

Other highlights from the remodel include a heavy emphasis on the upcoming New York City Marathon, in which New Balance is a key sponsor. Popular models like the New Balance 1906L, 9060, and the new 2010 appear prominently, while a curated apparel section in the back rounds out the experience, offering lifestyle and performance pieces to complement the footwear on display. Overall, the Flatiron flagship now serves as both a retail destination and a cultural hub, reflecting New Balance’s commitment to craftsmanship, collaboration, and its deep ties to New York City.

Following its recent SNKRS Reserve announcement, Nike is rolling out another new feature for its SNKRS app: SNKRS Maps. The new tool is designed to help sneaker collectors discover the best retailers and community hubs in their city, further bridging the gap between digital access and real-world sneaker culture.

At its core, SNKRS Maps works as a store locator for official Nike retailers. Tier-zero accounts such as Kith and Undefeated are included in its listings, along with local mom-and-pop shops and trusted multi-brand boutiques. By highlighting both big-name and grassroots partners, Nike is aiming to give collectors a fuller picture of where sneaker culture truly lives in their area.

This update also speaks to Nike’s broader push to expand the SNKRS experience beyond simple product launches. Within the app, users can already find in-depth storytelling around collaborations, early previews of upcoming releases, and interactive polls meant to tap into the voice of the sneaker community. With the addition of SNKRS Maps, Nike is further emphasizing that SNKRS isn’t just a buying platform—it’s becoming a hub for connecting the dots between sneakers, culture, and community.

✔️ Don’t forget…

You can earn some dope prizes just for referring a friend who should be reading this newsletter.

🎟️ Refer 1 subscriber: Get a FREE 6-month subscription to the Culture Kicks Twitch channel.

👟 Refer 3 subscribers: Get a 20% discount on exclusive merch from the Culture Kicks shop.

You can always check your progress and find your unique links here.

Fresh off its first-ever product drops—the Chunky Mule and Beach Slide—Justin Bieber’s new fashion label, SKYLRK, has already teased its next move: a retro-modern sneaker that channels the early-2000s tech runner aesthetic, complete with a mesh base and futuristic overlays. The unnamed sneaker appeared in two colorways—a pink and a blue pair—on Bieb’s Instagram, fueling speculation about when fans might see an official release.

Those who have been keeping a close eye on the acclaimed recording artist’s moves might recall that, in April, Bieber teased a different shoe with a similar design. It’s unclear whether this is an updated version of that pair or a new design entirely. As for the shoe recently shown off by Bieber, it features a thin TPU overlay cage over the mesh upper and a sectioned sole unit. Both colorways were paired with SKYLRK’s crew-length socks.

With former adidas, Crocs, and PUMA designer Finn Rush-Taylor holding down lead designer duties at SKYLRK, it will be interesting to see how the line develops its footwear identity beyond early teasers. Whether this retro-tech runner makes it to production or remains a sample, Bieber’s latest reveal suggests SKYLRK is positioning itself to compete in the crowded lifestyle sneaker space.