Nike
2020 in review: The year in hot releases
This year has been an unconventional and challenging one around the world, but the sneaker industry has rolled on through it all.
Yesterday we covered this year’s Jordan drops. Today we take a trip down Recent Memory Lane to look back at 12 other pairs of heat that released at Finish Line in 2020.
January
Hands down the hottest collaboration of the first half of the year, Beyonce’s first capsule with the Three Stripes was an absolute smash hit. The collection included gender-neutral pieces like jackets, bodysuits, track pants, jerseys, short sleeve hoodies as well as UltraBoost and Nite Jogger styles.
February
Featuring an Air Max 95 and an Air Force 1 Low, Nike’s collection celebrating Black History Month came under the mantra “Until We All Win,” meaning until we all achieve equal rights and equality none of us do. It’s a message that certainly got louder as the year progressed.
March
Kanye West’s signature line has had no shortage of earthy colorways since the 350 V2 emerged in 2017. The ‘Cinder’ combined that tonal look with that unmistakable styling to create a truly versatile banger for year-round wear.
April
‘Oatmeal’ was one of the very first colorways of the low-cut version of Allen Iverson’s signature Reebok Question. It saw a retro for the first time in two decades this spring.
May
Any Paul George fan knows of his love for the outdoors, and more specifically his love of fishing. This funky colorway of his latest signature model riffs on the Nike ACG outdoor equipment program.
June
This colorway was a throwback to the extremely limited LeBron 4 “NYC Graffiti” that dropped in the fall of 2006. The updated edition traded Foamposite for Knitposite and featured University Red highlights with black trim acting as the backdrop for white graffiti motifs.
July
While it’s now commonly associated with performance running shoes, ASICS has sneakerhead heritage dating back to the late 1940s. The GEL-LYTE XXX is a more performance-centric take on the iconic III OG.
August
One of the most sought-after sneaker collections of 2020 didn’t emerge from the Off-White design table or out of the Kith lab. Nope, it came from Nike’s cutting-room floor.
September
Editor’s note: September had to be a split decision. On one hand, we have a classic. On the other, an insanely hot collaboration. Gotta respect new school and old school alike.
It’s the 30th anniversary of the Air Max 90, or the Air Max III as it was once referred to. The name change caused plenty of debate on social media (primarily about “why?”) but that doesn’t take away from how timeless these models truly are.
This was one of Finish Line’s hottest product releases of 2020. The collaborative Classic Clog sold out faster than a speeding bullet, and is now out there lighting up sneaker rotations around the country.
October
More commonly known as the ‘James Gang’ colorway, the first edition of LeBron’s 18th signature model came in bright colors and saluted the support of his family.
November
2020 was the year Jaden Smith turned his unique style and inspiration to the sneaker world, linking with iconic lifestyle shoemaker New Balance on a new silhouette that fits his unapologetic look to a T.
December
Originally released in February 2017, when the V2 silhouette was practically new, the black-and-red Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Black/Red’ was the first to do away with the stripe on the upper and the first to bring back the heel pull-tab. The Three Stripes brought it back to great success.
