Morgan Smith
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Articles by Morgan Smith
Crocs' Wallabee-ish Gallery Shoe Goes Hard in Leather
Crocs' Wallabee-flavored Gallery Shoe is back, better, and dressed in all-leather. When we met the Gallery in 2025, it presented a suave suede look. Today, the brand introduces a slicker version of the dressy, thick-soled sneaker, featuring real leather across the upper. Besides the new leather 'fit, the Gallery keeps its signature dressy utilitarian construction. Indeed, it still has its formal-ish upper, which makes it look like a Clarks Wallabee gone Crocs mode.
Nike's Rejuven8 Winter Shoe Doesn't Mind the Rain (or Mud)
What's next for the Nike Rejuven8 universe? A hiking recovery sneaker designed for harsh weather conditions. Its name is the Rejuven8 WNTR. It's basically a winterized version of the Rejuven8 Run sneaker, ditching the ultra-breezy upper cage for a cozier, more outdoorsy look. Most notably, it features suave suede uppers paired with these thick, muddy-looking soles. It literally looks like someone tested them out on a rainy day for you. And admittedly, it looks pretty cool this way.
Nike SB's Nocturnal Air Force 1 Is Good (x2)
Nike SB's Air Force 1 era advances with a City Pack, which includes special spins from skate shoes around the world. Who's on the lineup, you may ask? Fly Streetwear (Shanghai), Ben-G (Amsterdam), Instant Skateboards (Tokyo), and Nocturnal (Philadelphia). Nocturnal's collaboration arrives in this nice "Cool Grey/Court Green" colorway, with gold detailing and a phat logo stamped on the heel.
Nike’s 2026 Doernbecher Camo ACG Mules Are Straight Heat
Nike ACG's Rufus mules just got their coolest makeover yet, thanks to a Doernbecher patient-slash-designer. Yes, the Rufus has joined the Doernbecher Freestyle 22 lineup, marking the ACG model's debut appearance in the collection. Actually, every Nike and Jordan model featured this year will be Doernbecher first-timers, which is cool. It also makes the collection even more special. Charlye, a 15-year-old who finished her bone cancer treatment in 2025, took Nike's ACG Rufus slip-ons for a spin.
adidas' Dark Brown Italia Looks Good Enough to Eat
Hungry readers, turn away. The latest adidas Italia sneaker might trigger not only watery mouths but sugar rushes. You've been warned. adidas has designed a new delicious Italia 60s sneaker, wrapped in chocolatey goodness from the inside out. It even features brown leather uppers with a truffle-like finish. Clever. And it's not the first time we caught the model looking good enough to eat, either.
New Balance's Numeric 993 "Breakfast Tea" Is Quite Tasty
First, Andrew Reynolds turned New Balance's 993 dad shoe into a Numeric skate model. Now, he's making it every skater's cup of tea. Literally. The latest version of Reynolds' signature skate shoe lands in this satisfying "Breakfast Tea" colorway. It features the usual suede-and-mesh uppers, plus ample padding and other skate-ready finishes. It's all washed in this tonal, bronze-ish brown color scheme, as if the skate shoe's been soaked in, well, tea.
Nike's Hardy Jordan 9 Boots Gets a Winter Glow-Up
Even if it doesn't feel like it, weather-wise, it is definitely boot season. It's a time for not only the standard stompers to thrive but also the handsome hybrids like the Air Jordan 9 boots. This season looks bright for the Jordan 9 boots, which are quite literally shining in their new "Anthracite" colorway. It's hard to catch at first, since first impressions make it look like a dark grey leather sneaker with shaggy suede touches and hardy boot details.
Nike's Winterized Zoom Vomero Roam Looks Good as Ever
Nike has winterized the Zoom Vomero 5 sneaker. Again. The Zoom Vomero Roam has awakened from its summer slumber and is now ready to, well, roam the streets again in the colder seasons. Nike has even introduced brand-new, stylish fall colorways. For instance, the "Obsidian" pairs offer this cool two-tone design with half navy blue and half grey uppers, plus plenty of winter steez.
Nike's Cordura Air Max Moto 2K Is a Genuinely Rugged Ride
Nike's latest Air Max Moto 2K sneaker is practically boot-camp ready. I mean, it features the same lightweight, high-strength fabric often used in military gear and other rugged uniforms. I'm talking about Cordura, of course. With Nike's Cordura Air Maxes, expect not only an extra durable ride but also water repellency and scuff resistance. It was already a great everyday sneaker with plenty of style and nice colorways. Now, it can practically do it all.
New Balance's GORE-TEX 2010 Looks Fresh Even on Rainy Days
To make a good sneaker like the New Balance 2010 even better, turn it into a waterproof dad shoe. New Balance's next batch of 2010s lands with GORE-TEX uppers, making the dad shoes now weatherproof and extra breathable. It's still just as stylish, too. Underneath the "umbrella," the New Balance 2010 offers nice matte leather and mesh textures, plus those signature chunky soles featuring the brand's ABZORB cushioning.
Converse's Furry Point-Toe Slip-on Sneaker Can't Be Tamed
Putting point toes on Chuck Taylors is one thing. Throwing fur on Converse sneakers is another thing. The latest drop offers both (and then some). Converse Japan has designed a new sneaker known as the All-Star Pointed Toe Volume Fur Slip OX. It's essentially a laceless Chuck Taylor with formal-ish pointed toe boxes and an upper full of hair. Elsewhere, where there's no hair in sight, you'll find glossy leather, which makes the sneaker extra dressy.
Nike's 24.7 Recovery Boot Is a Cool Swoosh "UGG," Basically
Nike's next recovery shoe? Swoosh "UGGs." Well, the official name is the Nike 24.7 boot, and the brand designed it all on its own. I can't necessarily speak to what was on the mood board, but here's what I do know: these things are already viral hits. And they're not even out yet. The design is what has everyone buzzing. It's like an UGG boot mashed with classic Nike sports shoes. Maybe a a bit of Air Yeezy 2 flavor, too. Nike's boot is basically a new addition to its 24.7 line.
The Jordan Trunner Is Beautifully Faded 'Space Jam' Shoe Now
The cool thing about the Jordan Brand's 2026 Space Jam collection is that it not only features familiar faces but also brand-new styles. For instance, the Jordan Trunner O/S is a Space Jam sneaker now, and it looks great in its movie-inspired look. Titled "Space Jam Planet," the newest pairs land in this pleasing "Terra Blush" colorway. It's essentially a faded orange sneaker with purple accents and co-branded logos like Hare Jumpman graphics.
Nike's Yellow Crco Air Max Goadome Lows Are Pure Gold
Nike's Air Max Goadome Low is officially back for the fall, and looking fly as ever. Wild, too (complimentary). The latest low-top Nike boots arrive with croc-embossed leather uppers, already making a statement. Now, Nike has added this new bright yellow "Sulfur" take to the collection. We've seen the croc Goadome boot in black, navy blue, and even pink options. And they're all nice-looking. But the yellow packs a little more stylistic punch.
UGG's Tasman Guard GTX Has the Full Winter Package
Remember the UGG Tasman slip-on? It wears winter armor now. The brand has released a new version called the Tasman Guard GTX, essentially a winter-ready slipper featuring waterproof suede uppers and Vibram sole units. Although the brand has done GORE-TEX Vibram Tasmans before (Classic Mini boots, too), the latest features a new rubber mudguard that adds extra protection for unexpected off-road detours.
Junya Watanabe's New Balance P400 Is a Minimalist Dream
Junya Watanabe MAN's next New Balance release? A quietly luxe basketball shoe. With the P400 at center court, Junya Watanabe MAN strips it down to the usual all-white and all-black colorways and gives it some formal styling. From there, we're left with these super-minimalist, dressy P400 sneakers wrapped in ultra-sleek leather and clean wavy lines. And most importantly, it's still got game.
The Jordan 4 "Bin 23" Is a Luxe AF Sneaker for Cowboys
The Jordan Brand is saddling up for its next Bin 23 sneaker, releasing an exquisitely designed Western-themed Air Jordan 4 this time around. It's all inspired by Michael Jordan's favorite kind of movie — you guessed it — Westerns! And keeping up the "Bin 23" tradition, this Jordan 4 offers a high-end rodeo ride from the box to the soles. The Air Jordans arrive in an ostrich-textured box, topped with the Bin 23 stamp, which also appears on the shoe's heels.
Nike's Icy Air Jordan 41 Is New Kind of 'Space Jam' Sneaker
The Jordan Brand saved its coldest Air Jordan 41 for the Space Jam anniversary collection. Makes sense. The offering not only celebrates 30 years of the iconic movie but makes it relevant for today. Of course, it features the classic Jordan 11, but the brand has also introduced new models, like the Jordan 41 and Trunner O/S, with Space Jam-themed designs. Basically, you get a little bit of old with the new.
Nike's Air Max Goadome Wears TecTuff Armor Now
Nike's Air Max Goadome boot just got a whole lot tougher, thanks to the newest TecTuff upgrade. Putting TecTuff on the ACG model is like giving it extra armor, one that's not only resistant to wear but also to water and other liquids. You'll often find this high-performance material on outdoor models (Moncler uses it for its Trailgrip shoes, and Converse has previously used TecTuff on Chuck Taylors).
New Balance's Numeric 480 GORE-TEX Looks Good (& Dry)
New Balance Numeric's 480, a.k.a. the "NB Dunks," were already good. So how do you make a good shoe even better? Add GORE-TEX. That's right. New Balance has weatherproofed its 480 skate shoes, keeping them dry and breathable even in unexpected wet conditions. Plus, the GORE-TEX versions come in a sharp-looking "Black/Charcoal Grey" colorway. So, they're still stylish as ever in messy weather. New Balance has dropped many GORE-TEX sneakers before, including waterproof 1906s and DynaSoft trail runners.
Vans' Python Premium Authentic Ease Is Fang-tastic
This is hands-down Vans' wildest Premium Authentic Ease sneaker yet. Python-print leather completely swallows up the newest Authentic-based model, covering it in reptilian scales from the upper to the soles. Seriously. The Ease keeps its incredibly supple tongue, which folds with, well, ease, along with other high-end touches like the waxed laces. It also keeps that general Authentic-ness. Vans started out with mostly muted suede Authentic Ease sneakers.
Nike's Air Max Muse Satin Is a Ballet-Coded Beauty
Nike's Air Max Muse is already quite the looker, thanks to its XL-sized soles. And now that Nike's experimenting more with its design, the Muse seems to get bolder with each new drop. So far, we've seen the Air Max Muse swap out the traditional sleek leather for croc skin and even extra-smooth matte looks. But the next release might be the daintiest Muse of them all. On the newest pairs, the uppers are completely covered in pink satin, with satin ribbons for shoelaces.
Nike's "Triple Black" Leather Air Max 90 Is Puffed to Perfection
Nike's Air Max 90 sneaker can pull off just about anything, even a leather puffer jacket. The latest pair features black padded leather uppers and clean stitching. It all looks as if the model slipped into the slickest winter coat. It's unclear what inspired the latest Air Max, but one thing's for sure: it's puffed to perfection. Again, we've seen all sorts of Nike Air Max 90s over the years, including denim versions and even smooth suede options. Nike has also done leather options in previous years.
NIGO & j-hope's Nike Air Force 1 Is Nostalgic & Nutty
NIGO? j-hope? Nike? That's a lot of star power for one collaboration. It's no wonder their Air Force 1 sneaker shines so bright. The collaborative Air Forces arrive in glossy leather, finished in "Burnt Sunrise and Metallic Gold" with nods to all three collaborators. Retro colorblocking and bright colors are classic NIGO. He basically brought the energy from his BAPE shoes and Nike Air Force 3s to the latest Air Force 1. Meanwhile, the boldness is also very j-hope-coded.
Jordan's Space Jam Shoes Are Good As Ever, 30 Years Later
When Space Jam hit theaters in 1996, it literally changed the game. We saw "thee" Michael Jordan on the big screen for the first time, alongside the Looney Tunes, Bill Murray, and NBA legends like Larry Bird and Charles Barkley. Of course, the film also featured those iconic Air Jordan sneakers. 30 years later, Space Jam is still just as culturally relevant as well as a sports and fashion hit. The Jordan shoes are good as ever, too.
Why Is Every Sneaker Brand Making Its Own Birks?
Sole Food is a weekly series built on sneaker editor Morgan Smith's takes on the biggest topics in sneaker culture. The year is 2026, and almost every shoe looks like a Birkenstock. The 250-year-old brand itself thriving so hard that even sneaker brands are also pushing their own Birkenstock-style shoes. And the thing is, they all look pretty darn good. Granted, brands have put out Birkenstock-like shoes aplenty since the brand’s post-COVID-19 renaissance.
New Balance's UK-Made 991v2 "Green Milieu" Is a Real Beaut
New Balance has another Flimby banger on its hands, having debuted a nice teal 991v2 sneaker for the fall season. The latest dad sneaker features a premium spin construction straight from England, with plush suede uppers, crisp mesh underlays, and a chunky sole cushioned with New Balance's comfiest tech. This time, the dad shoe comes in a beautiful colorway called "Green Milieu." The result is a spin that's kind of Tiffany-coded, slightly minty, and all fresh.
adidas' Suede Samba Wears a Rugged Zip-Up Jacket
The weather's cooling down, so the adidas Samba is zipping up (again). The German sportswear brand has released a new zippered Samba sneaker, featuring zip-up suede uppers. There are laces underneath, but where's the fun in that? Zip it up! adidas has done a few zip-up Sambas over the years, including a Samba Decon rendition and the Jeremy Scott collaboration. Even before these recent efforts, Stone Island's 2009 Sambas embraced zippers and military-level materials. And it was actually lace-free.
Nike's Cozy Jordan Future Mule Gets Real (Tree)
The latest Jordan Future Mule blends in well with its surroundings. It features a half-suede, half-RealTree camouflage upper, in a beige-ish "Light Orewood Brown" colorway. For the most part, the Future mule has appeared in simple muted colorways, which have been key to the model's minimalist, elderly aesthetic. However, the RealTree pairs are the first patterned versions. Even with the woody pattern, the Future Mule stays pretty calm, though.
Nike's ACG Mountain Fly Low GTX Brings the Trail Heat Again
A rainy day on the trail is no problem for Nike's ACG Mountain Fly Low GTX sneakers. They look good even in bad weather. As the name implies, they feature GORE-TEX waterproofing that keeps your feet dry while maintaining good airflow. Meanwhile, the sticky, lugged soles and React foam cushioning underfoot help provide stability and comfort during trail runs or even jogs through the concrete jungle. It's a genuinely cool ACG sneaker, especially the part where the ropes wrap around the upper.
Nike's '90s-Coded Shox TL Is Totally Techy & Tartan
Tartan Nike Shox sneakers? As if. But they're real. Indeed, the latest Shox TL sneaker lands with thick check-print uppers, paired with the usual sleek, wavy black overlays. And even in its preppy era, it keeps its signature Shox columns, which provide cushioning and a little bounce in your stride. It's not the first time Nike's Shox put on a plaid suit this year. A yellow version dropped earlier this year, channeling its inner Cher from Clueless. Nike also designed a yellow plaid Air Force 1.
le PÈRE's PUMA Suede "Bowling" Shoe Is Back in Brown
It's le PÈRE and PUMA season. As promised, the two minds have returned with a new Fall/Winter 2026 release, including a new Suede sneaker and, for the first time, clothes (!). The brand's collaborative Suede sneaker debuted in August in a cream colorway, marking the first release of their FW26 rollout. For the second drop, le PÈRE's PUMA sneaker lands in this super-satisfying brown colorway. And yes, it still has plenty of bowling-shoe flavor.
Vans' Sk8-Hi GORE-TEX Insulated Shoes Are Mighty Clean
Somehow, Vans' winterized SK8 Hi sneakers just got better. Really, it's the same model but in a new good-looking colorway. This time, Vans has dressed the SK8 Hi "boots" in an incredibly clean light grey scheme. The result is like a Vans skate-winter boot for astronauts. It may not be ready for a moon landing, but it's well-prepped for snow days. It features the usual breathable GORE-TEX waterproofing and thick, rugged soles built for varied terrain.
New Balance's DynaSoft 340 Walking Shoe Is Almost Too Good
Leave it to New Balance to turn walks into a flex with its sneakers. The brand's DynaSoft 340 v1 is basically a walking shoe with classic dad-shoe steez and even trail influences. It features a classic chunky sole, supported by DynaSoft, New Balance's cushioning technology that's also used in its trail running models. Meanwhile, the 340 borrows its suede lace-free upper design from the brand's retired Trail 550 sneaker.
Nike's Pink Croc Skin Air Max Dolce Is Wildly Luxurious
Nike's next Air Max Dolce isn't like the other releases we've seen before. The newest pairs are uncaged, wild, and, dare I say, even dressier. Seriously. It swapped the signature cage for slick pink croc-skin leather uppers, stitched up to create an even more genuine formal-shoe feel. Of course, the Air-supported heels remain in place. The Air Max Dolce just looks more like a super-luxe Air Max moc now. And like it or not, there's more where that came from.
The Air Jordan 16 "Black Pack" Is a Stealth-Wealth Stunner
The next Air Jordan 16 sneaker is not only looking stealthy but also quite wealthy. Enter the "Black Pack" release. It comes in an all-black colorway, with elephant-textured cow leather uppers and patent leather toe boxes. Of course, the Jordan model also features its signature shroud, which gives it that distinct "laceless" look (the real lace system is underneath). The Jordan 16 is having an incredible year.
Nike's Sleekest Cryoshot Puts on the Chrome Mercurial 'Fit
Nike's next Crysohot sneaker is a chromed-out throwback. The newest sneakers draw inspiration from the original Mercurial Vapor 1 "Chrome" cleats, worn by Ronaldo when he led Brazil to its fifth World Cup title in 2002. Nike's Cryoshot borrows the cleat's entire look, including the shiny wavy-patterned uppers and lime green streaks. It also keeps its cleated bottoms, which are sealed behind a see-through sole unit. It's almost like watching history from a museum display case, on your feet.
Nike SB's Zoom Tennis Classic Is an All-Black Skate Affair
The Nike SB Zoom Tennis Classic is a simple skate shoe with simple colorways, and that's what makes it so good. Even in all-black, the Nike tennis-skate sneaker is a looker. It features smooth-textured uppers and a leather Swoosh, all flooded out in black. It's not much, but it's quite clean. Since returning to the skate world this year, the Zoom Tennis Classic has appeared in some solid colorways, like the staple black/white and "Deep Pewter" options.
adidas' Satin Handball Spezial Wants Its Ballerina Moment
The newest adidas Handball Spezial Lo Pro is about one update away from being the next ballerina sneaker. Right now, it's building a solid case. The latest versions feature black satin uppers and even an additional set of silky ribbon shoelaces, updates that push the model closer to ballet territory. It already has the flat-soled look. The satin just made it even more ballerina-worthy. All it needs now is the Mary Jane strap, and then it'd be a real Spezial ballet sneaker.
Nike's "Burberry" Dunks Are Baby Shower-Ready
Move over, Burberry shirt. Nike's got the next baby shower staple, "Burberry" Dunks. To be clear, Nike's newest Dunk Lows aren't a collaboration with the luxury fashion house. Instead, the sneakers feature a checked design which reminds us of Burberry's signature print. They feature polished leather underlays finished with a brown check print. It's so glossy I almost thought the sneakers were see-through. If so, it could join the club alongside those "Pink Rise" Dunks.
New Balance's Rare RC150 Is Miu Miu's Brand-New Sneaker
New season, new Miu Balances (not a typo). At its Spring/Summer 2027 presentation on October 4, Prada's sister label debuted a brand-new New Balance sneaker collaboration: the RC150. It's an obscure running model from the 1990s, which gets its name from its weight (it's 150 grams). It's also slim and relatively flat. Sounds like the perfect model for Miu Miu. Miu Miu's RC150 sneaker lands with technical mesh and suede accents, plus the signature zigzag stitching.
adidas' Next Ripple-Sole Superstar Is CLOT-Free
adidas made the latest ripple-soled Superstars all by itself. And honestly, they're pretty clean (and sharp). The sneakers, aptly dubbed the Superstar II Ripple, feature creamy leather inside and out plus the usual Superstar fixings. They also come with shark-teeth-style soles, which bring a dressy edge to the casual sneaker. It also brings back memories of CLOT's adidas Superstar, which also featured chunky sawtooth soles and other formal-coded updates (there's a mule version, too).
Nike's Air Max Plus Cordura Is Better With the Lights Off
Nike's running back is the Cordura Air Max Plus. And this time, it's turning the lights off on the toughened model. That's right, the newest Cordura Air Max Plus lands in a clean all-black colorway (with some very small yellow sprinkles). Of course, the Nike shoes also feature the high-strength, wear-resistant fabric which is often used in tactical gear and luggage. Nike has done quite a few Cordura sneakers over the years, including Air Force 1 Lows, C1TY, and P-6000 sneakers.
Nike’s Air Max 95 “I-95” Is More Trail-Ready Than Ever
Nike's Air Max 95 "I-95" sneaker is back and even more hiking-worthy than before. The ruggedized Air Maxes debuted in January in all-black and were named after the famous Interstate 95, which stretches from Miami to Maine. According to Nike, the initial pairs, which resembled black Air-supported boots, drew inspiration from East Coast biker culture. However, this next batch of colorways really leans into its trail-worthy charm.
Nike SB's Zoom Blazer Mid "Black Spruce" Is Seriously Suave
Nike SB's Zoom Blazer Mid couldn't wait for fall, so it could really start dressin'. I must admit: the hoops-skate crossover looks good in its fall clothes. The new "Black Spruce" colorway is particularly clean, offering dark green suede and chocolate brown leather accents. It's basically the perfect fall skate sneaker. We've seen this construction applied to previous Blazer Mid skate shoes (and they were good). But with this autumnal palette, it hits even harder.
All the Killer Details from Courréges SS27
Ahead of Courréges Spring/Summer 2027 presentation, the brand sent sunglasses as invitations to guests. Why? It was the start of a bright new era for the label. It marked the debut collection from Drew Henry, a former Phoebe Philo protégé who joined Courréges as creative director in March. Henry's Courréges SS27 collection was fun and colorful, simply put. There were sheer-paneled mini dresses, cool layered tanks, and lace-up trousers.
Converse's Hiking-Coded Square-Toe Shoes Are Perfect
Dressy hiking shoes or hike-able dress shoes? Converse's newest release kind of checks both boxes, honestly. Meet the All Star Square-Toe DR LE OX. It's essentially the brand's square-toe, low-top Chuck Taylors but with a classy, outdoorsy vibe. It comes in two options: elegant brown suede or sleek black leather. Both feature gleaming D-ring eyelets and thick, rope-style laces like classic hiking boots. It's basically Chucks mashed with dress shoes and Timberland's Field boots.
Nike's All-Leather Air Max 90 Is Burning Blue
Nike's leather Air Max 90 sneaker is back...and burning blue. No, it's not a collaboration with Mariah the Scientist (although I feel like she would make a killer sneaker given her fashion tastes). The latest release is simply a dark leather Air Max with dreamy blue accents. It basically follows the same formula as those "Cinnamon" pairs we saw earlier but in a "Dark Smoke Grey/University Blue." It's still luxe and creamy, but it has the good kind of blues.
Paris Saint-Germain's Jordan Ultra Sneaker Is Magnifique
For Paris Saint-Germain's next Jordan collaboration, it's turning the brand's newest everyday sneaker into a beautiful faded stepper. The soccer club's Jordan Ultra sneaker features leather, mesh, and suede uppers in washed black. It's complete with red stitching, Jumpman logos, and gold PSG badges. It's honestly reminiscent of the team's 2025/2026 Fourth Collection jerseys, which referenced their 1985 uniforms and Paris' famous style. Like the jerseys, PSG's Jordan Ultra sneakers are quite stylish.
adidas' Most Elegant Japan Sneaker Is Atlanta-Inspired
To make this ridiculously sleek Japan sneaker, adidas and the Whitaker Group went to Atlanta, where the city's fashion week is currently underway. Part of the "Do Not Duplicate" collection, the newest Japan sneaker is naturally themed around Atlanta's fashion festivities. Not to mention, Atlanta is basically home to the Whitaker Group, with brands Jaide, Social Status, and A Ma Maniére having stores there.
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