Streetwear and Sneaker Drops, Collabs and Resale — 2026-09-18
This week sees the release of the New Balance 990v4 "Monarch Burgundy" and the highly anticipated Air Jordan 9 "Space Jam," while Joe La Puma’s comments on a "cooler" resale market signal a shift in consumer behavior. Meanwhile, the Supreme x A.PRESSE collaboration continues to dominate streetwear headlines, bridging Japanese craftsmanship with global hype.
Streetwear and Sneaker Drops, Collabs and Resale — 2026-09-18
Top developments
New Balance 990v4 "Monarch Burgundy" Releases September 24
New Balance has confirmed the release of the 990v4 in the "Monarch Burgundy" colorway, set to drop on September 24th. This release is part of the brand's ongoing Made in USA initiative, which remains a cornerstone of its premium positioning. The shoe features rich burgundy and pumpernickle tones, continuing the trend of earthy, sophisticated palettes that have defined recent NB releases.
Air Jordan 9 "Space Jam" and MOWALOLA x Jordan Headline Week’s Drops
The week of September 13–19 features several major releases, most notably the Air Jordan 9 "Space Jam," a silhouette with significant historical weight. Additionally, the MOWALOLA x Jordan collaboration is launching, representing the ongoing intersection of high fashion and basketball heritage. Other key drops include the adidas AE3 and a new Jellyfish model, indicating a diverse range of offerings from Nike and Adidas this week.
Joe La Puma Addresses the State of the Resale Market
Joe La Puma, a prominent figure in sneaker culture, recently pushed back against the narrative that "sneakers are dead." He argues that the market has simply changed, characterized by a cooler resale environment, increased competition, and a renewed interest in everyday wearability over pure hype. This commentary aligns with broader observations that the speculative bubble has deflated, leading to more stable pricing and consumer behavior.
Supreme x A.PRESSE Collaboration Dominates Streetwear Conversation
The Supreme x A.PRESSE collaboration, launched recently, continues to be hailed as one of the most important menswear collabs of 2026. The collection merges Supreme's streetwear DNA with Kazuma Shigematsu’s Japanese craftsmanship, focusing on fabric quality and construction. Media outlets like GQ and Highsnobiety have highlighted this partnership as a significant co-sign for the emerging Japanese label and a evolution for Supreme's exclusivity strategy.
Adidas Originals x Pokémon Collection Launches in Japan
In Japan, Adidas Originals released its Pokémon collaboration on September 15th, featuring designs inspired by characters like Gengar. The collection includes sneakers and apparel, targeting both sneakerheads and Pokémon fans. This release highlights the continued strength of character-driven collaborations in the Asian market, where pop culture integrations remain highly effective for driving retail traffic.
Local view
Japan Japanese media outlets such as MSN Japan and LEE magazine are focusing on "adult" sneaker choices, highlighting all-black Adidas collaborations and New Balance's dark brown UK-made 991V2 as top picks for September. These selections reflect a shift towards mature, understated styles rather than loud colorways, with editors emphasizing craftsmanship and versatility.
South Korea GQ Korea has published a feature questioning if the resale market has collapsed, noting that while the "hype" era may be over, new creators and niche brands are bringing fresh energy to the scene. The article highlights 15 new sneakers for 2026, suggesting that value is now driven by design innovation rather than just scarcity.
Context & numbers
- Market Size: The global secondhand sneaker market is projected to reach $11.97 billion in 2026, with North America remaining the leading region. Long-term projections suggest growth to $26.3 billion by 2035.
- Brand Revenue: As of recent reports, Nike maintains a dominant share with approximately $51 billion in revenue, followed by Adidas at $26 billion. Running brands like On and Hoka continue to post strong earnings despite analyst concerns about market saturation.
- Resale Trends: StockX data indicates that retro Jordan models, specifically the Jordan 5 Retro Wolf Grey and Jordan 11 Retro Gamma Blue, were the top-selling releases in the first half of 2026.
On the radar
- Nike Moon Shoe OG: The "Black/Sail" colorway of the Nike Moon Shoe OG (IX3952-001) is scheduled for release on October 1st, 2026.
- Palace x Avirex: This collaboration is listed among the key product drops to watch this week, alongside other notable releases like Balenciaga x SEGA and Slam Jam x Umbro.
- New Balance 990v7 Rumors: SneakerNews hints at the potential arrival of the New Balance 990v7 in Spring/Summer 2027, suggesting an update to the Made in USA roster is on the horizon.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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