It’s been a pretty wild summer for fans of pop culture-centric sneaker collabs. From Nike’s instant-sellout SpongeBob line to adidas taking their partnership with Marvel to the next level (and the one after that and then the one after that as well), it seems like there’s been a new sneaker drop every other week that references a beloved movie, comic book, or TV show.
One of the standouts has been Nike’s Stranger Things line. As we covered in June around the time of its original release, the collaboration has steered away from character-influenced colorways and big gaudy logos and instead focuses on bringing fans revamped models of classic Nike silhouettes that were popular in the mid-80s, the period the show is set. The original drop featured two capsules, one inspired by Hawkins High and the other coming in 4th of July-inspired red, white, and blue. The silhouettes used for the line are the Nike Cortez, Blazer, and Tailwind.
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Two drops just isn’t enough for one of the most popular shows on the planet, though. Nike is closing out the summer in style with one more Stranger Things drop, and it’s coming your way this week (on August 13 to be specific — this one snuck up on the sneaker world).
The Nike x Stranger Things “Upside Down” capsule features a Tailwind, Cortez, and Blazer just like the previous releases. The capsule first debuted at San Diego ComicCon at iconic streetwear store BAIT, where fans participated in a scavenger hunt to track down limited quantities of the Tailwind. Rather than utilizing classic vintage colorways, this capsule features shoes with a unique wear-away texture. When you first get the kicks they’ll come in a beige canvas. That canvas fabric, however, can wear away (some fans have even taking to burning it off) to reveal a crisp denim upper. It’s a clever play on the idea of the Upside Down — a world that exists just behind the fabric of our own reality.
Aside from the wear-away uppers, the shoe features blank white lowers and some unique detailing on the insole — the top layer can be removed to reveal the secret Russian transmissions from the show’s third season (in both English and Russia — a killer touch).
In addition to the sneakers, the line will include new black and red colorways of the Hawkins High gear the brand debuted with the previous drop. This line will include hats, shirts, sweatpants, and sweatshirts. Each pair of shoes will also come with a set of unique enamel pins.
Keep your eye on the SNKRS app for more info on how to get your own pair of the latest Nike x Stranger Things shoes.
More on Geek.com:
- Here’s a Closer Look at the Nike Kyrie 5 SpongeBob Pack
- This Nike Sneaker Is Inspired by ‘Coming to America’
- Nike x ‘Stranger Things’ Collection Goes Back to the Summer of ’85
