👀 Sneaker of the Week: The Grateful Dead x Oregon Ducks x Nike Air Max 90

🔥 The Weekly Lace-Up: the Women’s Air Jordan 4 “Cozy Girl,” the Air Jordan 1 ‘85 “Bred” returns for Holiday 2025, Stranger Things teams up with Nike for final collaboration

📸 Kick Flick: SGA debuts Converse SHAI 001 “Banner” on NBA Opening Night 2025

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…

Off rip, has there been a more unexpectedly awesome collaboration in 2025 than the Grateful Dead x Oregon Ducks x Nike Air Max 90 that dropped on October 24? If there has, the newest colorway—with its tie-dye pattern and combined Grateful Dead and Oregon Ducks insignias—is certainly near the top of a very, very short list.

The release unites two of Nike’s most iconic partners in a three-way collaboration for the ages—bridging sports, music, and pop culture like few others. While the pairing of the Grateful Dead and the Oregon Ducks might seem surprising, a closer look reveals several connections. The Grateful Dead performed on the University of Oregon’s campus multiple times, beginning with a legendary live show at Autzen Stadium in June 1990—which could very well have inspired this hype collab.

The shoe retains quintessential Air Max 90 design elements, but with a heavy dose of Grateful Dead and Ducks aesthetics. The signature mudguard is swathed in The Dead’s iconic tie-dye pattern, while the band’s skull logo appears on the modified heel counter reading “Grateful Dead 1990” and again on the underside of the tongue. The Dead’s “dancing bears” are reimagined as dancing ducks on the hangtag, which is a nod to Oregon’s beloved mascot. Finally, a custom Swoosh borrowed from The Grateful Dead’s Nike SB Dunk collaboration in 2020 completes the design on either side of the shoe.

All told, the Grateful Dead x Oregon Ducks x Nike Air Max 90 stands out as one of 2025’s most creative and memorable releases.

I love the Grateful Dead x Oregon Ducks x Nike Air Max 90. Look, in a world where most sneaker collabs are just a color tweak or a logo swap, this one actually works. Two wildly different aesthetics mashed together into a single, cohesive, outrageously creative—and yes—capital F—fun design.

I don’t even know where to start, but here goes. The tie-dye mudguard, the Grateful Dead’s “1990” logo on the heel, the fuzzy Swoosh lifted from the Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk in 2020—it’s all fire. Throw in the Oregon Ducks’ mascot arranged in the motif of The Dead’s “dancing bears” on the hangtag? Perfect. I even love the neon green-and-yellow color scheme, paying homage to both the Dead and Oregon’s old-school team uniforms. And that subtle “UO” on the right shoe’s tongue tag and both entities' logos printed on the insole? Really nice touches.

You don’t have to be a fan of The Grateful Dead, the Oregon Ducks, or even the Air Max 90 to appreciate this colorway. To me, that’s the sign of a great sneaker.

The temperatures may be dropping, but Jordan Brand is still bringing heat for Holiday 2025. The new Women’s Air Jordan 4 “Cozy Girl” reimagines the legacy silhouette with winter-ready details built for warmth without sacrificing style. A full suede upper in Hemp and Light Orewood Brown gives the pair a muted, seasonal look, while fleece-inspired shaggy tongue, lining, and laces add both texture and insulation. The women’s-exclusive “Cozy Girl” releases November 1 at Nike and select Jordan Brand retailers. Buy them now →

First released in 2014, the Nike Kobe 9 Low Protro “Moonwalker” is set to make its first-ever retro return on October 30th. One of the most anticipated entries in Kobe Bryant’s storied signature line, the predominantly purple colorway nods to Michael Jackson’s lasting cultural impact and its connection to Bryant’s own “Black Mamba” legacy, blending two generational icons into one commemorative sneaker moment. Buy them now →

Jordan Brand’s World of Flight retail concept is officially landing in the U.S. On October 10th, Philadelphia will become the newest city to host the immersive retail experience—joining global locations in Milan, Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico City. Designed as a hub for sneaker culture, the space blends product, storytelling, and community, celebrating Jordan’s legacy through exclusive releases, heritage exhibits, and interactive experiences.

Located at 1617 Walnut St. in the heart of Philadelphia’s shopping district, World of Flight Philadelphia is also the exclusive home of Jalen Hurts’ new Love Hurts collection. The store features collaborative apparel and gear designed by local artists, highlighting the city’s creative energy.

Inside, shoppers will find an enviable lineup of footwear, including retro Jordans, modern basketball silhouettes like Jayson Tatum’s Jordan Tatum 4, and other highly sought-after styles. Jordan Brand has also confirmed that the space will host restocks of some of the year’s biggest releases, such as the Air Jordan 14 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined.” Notably, the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” was released in-store on October 11th to mark the grand opening.

Nearly a decade after it first premiered on Netflix, Stranger Things will bow out later this year as the streamer airs its fifth and final season — but not before one last collaboration with Nike. Set to launch in the coming months, the (likely final) Stranger Things x Nike collection will include classic silhouettes like the Dunk, LD-1000, and Field General. The most anticipated pair may very well be an Air Max 1 ’87 — spotted on Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) in photos shared by Stranger Things co-creator Ross Duffer.

Concrete release details haven’t been shared by either Stranger Things or Nike, but based on past drops aligning with the show’s rollout, expect the release to coincide with Season 5’s premiere schedule: four episodes on November 26, three on December 25, and the finale on December 31 — all at 5:00 p.m. EST.

With the show closing its run and the collection likely closing the partnership, this drop feels like the last chance to own a piece of that era.

Fresh off their 2025 NBA Finals victory, the Oklahoma City Thunder received their championship rings on the league’s opening night, October 22nd. To mark the occasion, Thunder star—and reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander debuted a new colorway of his signature sneaker: the Converse SHAI 001 “Banner.” SGA wore the shoes both for the ring ceremony and the Thunder’s regular-season opener against the Houston Rockets, scoring 35 points en route to an exciting Thunder victory.

The “Banner” isn’t just notable for being the first colorway of the Converse SHAI 001 worn during the 2025–2026 regular season—it’s also the model’s first two-tone design. Previous iterations, including “Butter,” “Masi Blue,” and “Charm Black,” have all been single-tone, monochromatic releases, making the “Banner” a standout addition to Shai’s growing signature line.