NBA all-star Russell Westbrook will hit the ground running in 2021, with his latest signature shoe line and a collaborative apparel collection dropping in the first weeks of the new year
The Washington Wizards point guard’s Jordan “Why Not?” Zer0.4 will begin releasing its first colorways Jan. 6. The Nike sneaker will incorporate a double-stacked Zoom Air bag in the forefoot to help improve responsiveness and cushioning, while across the bottom a new traction pattern will work like tire sipes to grip the court. The shoe will also add a double-webbed lacing system to lock in the wearer’s foot, removing the strap seen on the Zer0.3. Each release in the lineup will apply a different combination of lightweight and breathable textiles, synthetics and skins.
The Jordan “Why Not?” Zer0.4’s first colorway, “Upbringing,” will honor the moments, places, schools and teams that shaped Westbrook, Nike said. The “Family” colorway, slated for release Jan. 14, will celebrate “the belief that life is about being with those who matter the most,” according to the footwear giant. The sneaker’s sockliner will sport a family crest with the initials of Westbrook’s family members. The third colorway, designed to connect with Westbrook’s upcoming apparel collection, will drop Jan. 27, followed by a fourth on Feb. 25.
Westbrook will also release an apparel capsule Jan. 14 in collaboration with Facetasm. The Jordan “Why Not?” collection, the NBAer’s first with the Japanese fashion brand, has been in the works since Westbrook met Facetasm designer and founder Hiromichi Ochiai during his Asia tours in 2018 and 2019, Nike said.
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The collection will apply a green and orange palette to Jordan staples, including a track suit, jacket, hoodie and T-shirt. The pieces will feature elements characteristic of Facetasm’s style, Nike said, such as ribbed detailing across the arm sleeve and back and sateen taping down the side of the pant. The line also will sport a variety of textures, including soft French terry on the hoodie and heavy cotton on the graphic T-shirt. One of the collection’s key pieces, the liner jacket, will be reversible, with a fleece material on one side and a nylon, sheen-like material on the other. All the garments will have an oversized feel and relaxed fit.
A week after Westbrook’s Jordan “Why Not?” Zer0.4 begins rolling out, Nike will drop yet another reimagined Dunk. Designed by Guangzhou artist Jason Deng, the Nike SB Dunk Low Street Hawker draws inspiration from six regional dishes from six Chinese cities, while also featuring a slew of other, subtly-incorporated nods to Chinese cuisine.
The sneaker’s wealth of culinary references includes donut patterns on the left forefoot, a wood-grain texture Swoosh to represent chopsticks, metallic color on the right toebox to reference Chengdu hotpots and a swatch of ostrich leather inspired by the crispy roasted goose skin that’s famous in Guangzhou.
Nike also plans to release another basketball shoe, the PG5, next month. Named after Los Angeles Clipper Paul George, the sneaker brings back the full-length Nike Air Dot Weld Strobel cushioning of the PG4 and introduces a new lightweight, low-top profile. On the outsole, a multi-directional tread pattern helps provide stop-and-go traction during play.
The black-and-white colorway of the PG5 releases Jan. 21 in North America, with a blue design to follow Feb. 12.