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If you’ve been a sneakerhead for a good while, then chances are that you will know that Halloween is a big day in the sneaker calendar. Much like Christmas and the Chinese New Year, the holiday always ushers in a whole host of themed releases, with each pair battling it out to be spookier than the last.
Over the years the celebrations have birthed cult classic pairs, such as the Off-White x Nike Blazer Halloween Pack, skeletal Air Force 1s, and of course, the disgraced "Freddy Kreuger" Dunk. And it’s not just Nike getting in on the action - plenty of other brands drop Halloween-themed bangers too. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of every Halloween sneaker set to drop in 2023, so strap in and get ready to celebrate the spooky season.
Halloween-themed AF1s have become a bit of a mainstay in Nike’s arsenal, and the Swoosh has dialled up the details on this ghoulish pair. Kicking things off with scaly textured uppers, the 2023 “Halloween” AF1 also features slime green outsoles and a pumpkin lace charm, as well as a scary scene on the midsole print.
Following in the AF1s footsteps, the Dunk Mid is essentially the same shoe in Dunk form. It’s true to say that the mid-cut Dunk hasn’t been as popular at the low or high during recent times, so perhaps that makes it all the more unsettling. Either way, expect all the same details as the above, right down to the glow-green sole.
Though candy corn is definitely more of a US thing, SB Dunk fans in the UK and Europe may still feel the need to add this year’s SB pair to their roster. Boasting a bold gradient upper designed to mimic the candy, the high-cut Dunk also features a tooth mark on the toe box, and an embroidered graphic on the tongue - the latter serving as a reminder to not take candy from strangers.
While the Swoosh usually takes the cake when it comes to creepy kicks, we have to say we think adidas wins this year. Working atop the adidas Forum Mod Low, the 3-Stripes has added burlap overlays and exaggerated exposed stitching in-line with a scarecrow-style theme, while orange accents and a creepy jack-o-lantern badge complete the look.
Continuing the orange theme, adidas’ basketball-specific Harden Vol.7 seems to blend together a pumpkin heel, mummified midfoot and skeleton toes, and comes finished off with a purpose-built b-ball sole and black accents. We do think there are better holiday-themed lifestyle pairs out there, this is definitely a fun way for basketball players and fans to get involved.
Now here is where the German giant starts to lose steam, because it really seems as if there’s nothing left in the tank other than pops of orange. Working alongside a stealthy black base, the pumpkin hue hugs the sockliner, and gives the unsettling appearance of jagged teeth around the midsole. A spider web motif wraps itself around the heel area, while three sets of laces tie the pair together, with this designed to look like bandages.
Not one to let other brands steal the limelight, New Balance is also getting in on the action with the Franky Villani x New Balance Numeric 417. The USA-born skateboarder’s signature model has been treated to a creepy makeover, with contrast white stitching and yet another pumpkin motif (it seems there’s a bit of a theme going on for 2023).
So, there you have it: a complete list of all the Halloween-themed kicks launching in 2023. With a few weeks to go until the big day, be sure to keep it locked as more pairs get announced, and until then, why not check out the best Halloween pairs of all time?
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