October’s best sneaker drops: Your guide to this month’s must-have releases
Tyrese Maxey and Caitlin Clark debut their signature shoes, New Balance and Adidas provide new everyday options, and frequent collaborators return with new offerings
Our monthly buying guide highlights the top releases from leading athletic footwear brands. Whether you’re an avid sneakerhead or just looking for the perfect pair to complement your style, navigating the vast world of sneakers can feel overwhelming. From knowing where to buy to staying on top of the latest trends, consider this your road map to finding the perfect pair.
September brought us plenty of sneaker options to help jump-start the fall season alongside classics from the vault. October embraces the outdoors with releases from New Balance and versatile, all-season Jordan options. Additionally, On Running makes its debut, while Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Maxey officially join the pantheon of signature athletes.
Nike Caitlin 1
There is plenty to debate about basketball star Caitlin Clark, but one thing is certain: her shoe game. After wearing various Kobe player exclusive sneakers since entering the WNBA, Clark finally debuts her signature shoe in two colorways: a solid blue option that looks right at home on or off the court, and a bold yellow that stands out among fall’s muted tones.
Release date: Oct. 1
Retail: $140
SKU: IH7423-400 (Caitlin Blue), IH7423-700 (Warning Code)
New Balance 991v2 “Vintage Sports”
New Balance
New Balance
When it comes to shoes that fit your daily rotation, date night, or any other special occasion, New Balance has made it clear it is your go-to choice. The latest 991v2 adds to that case, arriving in a nice, plush deep red that’s right at home in fall, while the blue offering is perfect for late winter and early spring. My advice: Get both and keep one on ice for when the other starts to show wear, because these belong in any rotation.
Release date: Oct. 1
Retail: $250
SKU: U991RS2 (Karanda Red), U991WS2 (Blue Steel)
Adidas Samba OG Cow Print
Adidas has embraced various animal prints over the past year, recently dressing multiple classic models in cow print. There is no wrong choice when it comes to choosing a pair from this collection. However, my personal pick is the Samba, as the lilac blue laces and accents add the right pop against the print.
Release date: Oct. 1
Retail: $110 – $130
SKU: KJ7448 (Samba)
Shoe Palace x On Cloudtilt “Talavera”
Sneaker retailer Shoe Palace joins forces with Swiss brand On to celebrate Latin culture. Talavera ceramics serve as the inspiration for the shoe, which features a muted gray upper, intricate craftsmanship, and an insole that honors the iconic Latin cultural art form. Combined with On’s signature cushioning, these sneakers are ideal for a full day browsing local markets for that perfect piece of Latin art to add to your collection.
Release date: Oct. 1
Retail: $170
SKU: 3MG31001471
New Balance Maxey V1
Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey officially joins the pantheon of players with a signature shoe. This new shoe borrows from classic New Balance silhouettes like the 9060 and is meant to be worn in any environment. Expect to see these everywhere, especially as more colorways are released.
Release date: Oct. 2
Retail: $130
SKU: UMAX2NK
J. Balvin x Air Jordan 4 “Amazonas”
Jordan Brand
Frequent Jordan Brand collaborator and Latin Grammy winner J. Balvin continues making his way through Air Jordan models with his take on the Jordan 4. Arriving in all-yellow with a croc-skin pattern, this pair pays homage to the yellow-skinned crocodiles throughout Balvin’s home country, Colombia. Make no mistake, these will stand out in any crowd.
Release date: Oct. 2
Retail: $225
SKU: IW2872-700
Above The Clouds x Asics Gel SD Lyte
If there’s one thing you can count on in sneaker collaborations, it is Asics and Above the Clouds teaming up to deliver a unique take on a fan favorite. This time, the brands introduce the SD Lyte with an egg-inspired makeover. Meant to protect your foot from the elements, the uppers feature a basket-weave style that provides a striking contrast to traditional mesh uppers. Everyone needs a solid all-black shoe for fall, and these are a strong contender.
Release date: Oct. 2
Retail: $290
SKU: 1203B090-001
Air Jordan 14 and 16 “Black Pack”
The Air Jordan 14 and 16 are models that you either love or hate. The latest offering aims to bring more people to the love side. The 14 Low arrives in premium tumbled leather inspired by alligator skin, with touches of premium suede. The 16 comes in premium tumbled leather across the shoe’s upper and shroud. Whether you love or hate the silhouette, you can’t deny the craftsmanship and beauty of this offering.
Release date: Oct. 3
Retail: $245
SKU: IZ3884-001 (14 Low), IZ2586-001 (16)
Street Fighter x Puma Suede “Ryu”
Puma teams with Street Fighter for a collection inspired by the iconic fighting game. The standout is Ryu’s Suede, which draws from the character’s signature look with a white upper, red accents and special co-branded details.
Release date: Oct. 9
Retail: $120
SKU: 410647-01
Amine x New Balance 992 “Outdoor School”
Few collaborators match the attention to detail Aminé brings to his New Balance projects. This latest 992 pays homage to Oregon’s Outdoor School program, pairing rich earth tones, brown suede and brownish-red accents in a colorway that feels right at home among the changing leaves of the Pacific Northwest.
Release date: Oct. 9
Retail: $220
SKU: U992NE
Air Jordan 1 “Royal”
The Air Jordan 1 is a classic and must-have in any sneaker rotation. The “Royal” colorway returns in a version close to its original 1985 form, and it looks like your go-to Air Jordan for fall. That means we get proper color blocking and Nike Air branding. To keep the 1985 theme, the packaging features a young Michael Jordan in a black-and-royal outfit, along with extra details collectors and non-sneakerheads will enjoy.
Release date: Oct. 10
Retail: $185
SKU: IQ5495-005
Song for the Mute x Adidas SL 72
Adidas and Australian luxury brand Song for the Mute are no strangers, having produced several collaborations over the past few years. The latest sees the popular SL 72 get the vintage treatment, featuring an aged yellow midsole and teal upper that looks like it came straight from the ’70s. Built on Adidas Lightstrike foam, they are perfect for all-day wear.
Release date: Oct. 16
Retail: $150
SKU: HQ7603
Puma Hali 1 “Pace”
Though Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton teased the Hali 2 during Pacers’ media day, don’t expect the Hali 1 to be going by the wayside anytime soon. With Haliburton returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him last season, the Hali 1 should get plenty of love on and off the court, especially this all-yellow pair that plays perfectly with the Pacers’ uniforms — or as the perfect color pop for your homecoming or fall festival outfit.
Release date: Oct. 23
Retail: $250
SKU: 314239-01
Nike Book 2 “Halloween”
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker has stated multiple times how much he loves The Nightmare Before Christmas. Following in the footsteps of the Book 1, the Book 2 also pays homage to the 1993 Tim Burton film. A bone-white upper and stitching throughout immediately remind fans of the movie’s villain, Oogie Boogie. If you need shoes to complete your Halloween costume, look no further.
Release date: Oct. 30
Retail: $155
SKU: IO7942-001
Ronnie Fieg x Asics Gel Lyte III “Salmon Toe”
With Kith celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, founder and footwear designer Ronnie Fieg dug into the vault to revive one of the most sought-after collaborations in recent memory. Like the original, with a navy upper, salmon pink toe and “Fieg” on the back, these fit right into the current sneaker climate as if they were a brand-new release. Get them if you can, or hope resale prices are more friendly now.
Release date: Sept. 28
Retail: $195
SKU: 1203B281-700