Our 10 Favourite October Drops Throughout The Years

As you all likely know, things can move pretty fast in the sneaker world. What’s popular one week is often forgotten the next, with little time left over to focus on the details and really appreciate the releases. Here at The Sole Supplier we’re a self-confessed team of sneaker nerds, who really appreciate what’s written between the lines with every pair. For this brand-new series, we’re taking a look back into the archives and focusing on some of the most important releases from over the years.

October is a notoriously good month for sneaker releases and we were honestly hard-pushed to select just ten, as there were plenty of equally strong choices out there. So without further ado, read on to find out the best October releases ever and make sure to keep it locked in right here for your daily sneaker fix!

While the roaring SB Dunk hype of the early noughties had already died down by 2008, Nike’s dedicated skateboarding division were still pumping out heat releases monthly! October ‘08 saw the launch of the Nike SB Dunk High “Boba Fett”. While not an official collaboration with the Star Wars franchise, the colourway was clearly based on everyone’s favourite galactic bounty hunter. Premium leather and suede panelling adorned the upper, with red Swooshes completing the look, making these a very attractive pair indeed! We wonder how successful these would be if they dropped during the current Dunk hype resurgence?

Back in 2017, Samuel Ross’ A-COLD-WALL* label was still up and coming in the fashion world, but the coolest kids on the block had already clocked onto the brand. In October 2017, Nike unveiled its first ever collaboration with ACW, with the duo working on an Air Force 1 High. Showcasing an innovative lacing system, clear branding and a minimal aesthetic, it was the perfect collision between high fashion and sneaker culture. The pair released exclusively via a NikeLab x ACW pop up shop in London’s Shoreditch area, making this one of the most limited Nike releases in years.

KAWS, aka Brian Donnelly, is one of the most respected names in the streetwear world. Originally famed for street art, he has gone on to create hundreds of iconic vinyl toys and is also a pretty handy sneaker collaborator. In 2008 he joined forces with Nike to release a twin pack of Air Max 90’s (with the black colourway featuring a free sole, known as the AM90 Current). Both pairs featured volt-green accents and OriginalFake XX branding on the toe boxes and tongues. The pack was available exclusively at Nike’s retail locations at 21 Mercer Street, NYC and Montalban Theater, LA.

Let’s face it, plenty of us were left disappointed after taking an L on the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 “Mocha” back in 2019, however Nike had a plan. The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Mocha” showcased the exact same colour palette, offering a more accessible alternative than it’s collaborative predecessor. The pair officially launched in October 2020, although many SNKRS users received exclusive access in the months leading up to the launch. Whether you’re a Jordan fan or not, there’s no denying that these are an impeccably clean pair of sneakers!

Worn by Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) during Back to the Future II, the Nike MAGs have long since been a grail-status pair for anyone into sneakers. The self-lacing pair were originally just a concept designed by Tinker Hatfield, however on 21st October 2015 (the day that McFly travels to during the film), Nike actually released 89 pairs of the MAGs. Users could purchase an unlimited amount of raffle tickets for just $10, with all donations going to the Michael J. Fox foundation to raise money for a Parkinson’s disease cure. Since the draw, many pairs have been resold for incredible amounts of cash and they remain one of the most desirable pairs of all time.

Continuing his journey to become the biggest sneaker collaborator in the world, Travis Scott and Jordan Brand joined forces again back in 2019 to work on the Air Jordan 6. While it was always a popular model with Jordan fans, this collaboration propelled the AJ6 into mainstream sneaker culture once again. Travis applied his signature utilitarian aesthetic to the silhouette, with a military green colourway accentuated with red hits. Stash pockets and limited-edition branding on the heels completed the premium feel of this collaborative project.

Rewind back to 2015 and you might just remember how popular the Nike Roshe Run was. Designed by Nike employee Dylan Raasch, the Roshe was intended to be a simplified, everyday sneaker and was inspired by Buddhist gardens. The previous year, the Nike Air Yeezy 2 Red October had launched - with the hype still very much present, so how about a triple red Roshe Run? This was yet another genius marketing move from the Swoosh brand, with the “Red October” Roshe Run proving to be one of the most popular sneakers in 2015.

The Nike ACG Reverdachi first launched back in 1992 as a hiking option from the popular All Conditions Gear range. As part of a wider collaboration, Japanese streetwear label UNDERCOVER chose to use the Reverdachi as a collaborative platform in 2010. Two colourways launched with speckled soles and neoprene sock-liners and were made available exclusively from UNDERCOVER retail locations. Interestingly enough, this silhouette recently made the headlines once again when it was announced that it inspired an upcoming UNDERCOVER x Nike AF1.

Debuting in October 2013, the Air Jordan 5 “Bel-Air” is inspired by the title card from the iconic ‘90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Throughout the course of the show, Will Smith can be seen rocking some of the most iconic Jordan releases of all time, so it only made sense for Jordan Brand to honour the series with it’s very own sneaker. Premium materials featured throughout to accentuate the eye-catching colour scheme further.

The Air Max 1 hype was well and truly a thing back in 2012, with Nike pumping out plenty of epic colourways by the week. One release that sticks in the mind of many collectors is the first “Leopard” pack. Premium suede panelling was adorned with animal print to make for a statement pair that really acted as the centrepiece to any outfit. Both black and grey colourways of this women’s exclusive pack were released and they still remain highly-desirable AM1’s to this day.