The first weekend of December brings with plenty of kicks for sneakerheads to check out, but which ones are the worthy day 1 purchases and the ones that maybe you should give it a few weeks before copping? The KoF Staff reconvenes once again for the latest edition of Buy, Pass, Wait to help you out this holiday season.
adidas Harden Vol. 1 Pioneer

Juan Martinez, Editor-In-Chief: (GOT ‘EM) I’m surprised we got the shoe so far out that the Hardens already feels like a part of the regular rotation and yet most people are just now getting to experience them for the first time. For the price, the look and the value you get (a brand’s lead signature shoe), this is a must-have. It might not be the colorway I would have gone with had I had to pay for my pair (I love me some Gila Monster), but I wouldn’t be shocked if I owned a handful of Vol. 1s by the time the season is over.
Renz Ofiaza, News: (PASS) I do like the lifestyle-inclined aesthetic of the silhouette but it’s an easy pass for me. The black/gold colorway is more appealing though.
Juan Carrillo, News: (WAIT) Statistically, Harden is having a hell of a season. With the adidas Harden Vol. 1 recently making its debut, perhaps his success on the courts translates to some success on his first signature shoe. After the shoe getting clowned on during the “first look” stages, I feel like people are finally coming along to appreciating the shoe, including me. adidas is doing their thing when it comes to basketball sneakers, so I assume this model will fare well, performance wise. I dig it, but I’m in no rush to get a pair right now.
Andres Carrillo, News: (PASS) I’ll admit the more I see the Harden Vol. 1 the more it’s growing on me. The black & gold pair that released last week gave the shoe an entirely different look. I don’t like this Pioneer colorway enough to buy it, but maybe down the road I may consider buying a different pair.
Air Jordan 9 Space Jam

EIC Juan: (PASS) Oh Jordan Brand, the genius of rebranding these Space Jams is on a Monstars level. I know you couldn’t name these the “Fly Like An” Eagle 9s but this really should have been the name of the shoes from the beginning. Some people will stick to whatever OG nicknames they had for the shoes originally (I call them “OG 9s”), but as more kids just know Michael Jordan from the movie, that too will pass. Brilliant!
Renz: (WAIT) It’s a classic pair but, I’m not really that inclined on purchasing it instantly. I don’t really care about the name change either.
News Juan: (PASS) The Air Jordan 9 is one of my least favorite models from the Air Jordan signature line. Having Jordan Brand rename this colorway the Space Jam may finesse some people into getting a pair, but not me. If I was a betting man, I’d say that these get reduced in price in no more than 3 weeks.
Andres: (PASS) I’m not a fan of the Air Jordan 9, but if I were this is a colorway I would pick up in an instant. There’s just something about the OGs. I’ll wait for THE REAL Space Jams next week.
Air Jordan XXX1 Space Jam
EIC Juan: (GOT ‘EM) I sound like a skipping track on your workout playlist, but if only that Jumpman wasn’t there…
Renz: (WAIT) The Space Jam theme looks really solid on the model and it’s one of the better iterations of the silhouette for sure. I’d consider at a lower price point.
News Juan: (WAIT) Here’s a fun fact, I actually prefer this Space Jam over the one everybody else wants. Yeah, call me crazy, I know. I actually like the 31 model and I think it looks great as a casual shoe. After writing countless articles of the Space Jam 11s and going over hundreds of pictures of the same shoe, I’m kind of over them and they’re not even here yet, can you blame me? Once the 31s go down in price I may end up getting a pair.
Andres: (WAIT) Jordan Brand does another great job with this colorway of the Air Jordan 31. But just like almost every other pair that has released, I think if I wait enough I can get it for a cheaper price.
King Push x adidas EQT BOOST

EIC Juan: (BUY) Pusha T and his team at adidas does it again but this time instead of calling it a day with an all-grey everything take on the EQT, they add some more twists like Primeknit and Booost.
Renz: (PASS) I like the silhouette in general but, I’m not too keen on application of snakeskin detailing. It kind of looks tasteless, although the colorway is pretty solid.
News Juan: (BUY) Very nice. I love what adidas is doing with their EQT model. Adding Primeknit and/or Boost on EQT models is a great way to rejuvenate the line. This is by far one of the best adidas collabs I’ve seen all year. Good luck getting a pair, we’re all going to need it.
Andres: (PASS) Great job by adidas to add a Primeknit upper and a Boost midsole to this latest Pusha T collaboration, but I’m just not really feeling the overall design.
adidas NMD R2
EIC Juan: (BUY) To me, the NMD has already been evolving with City Socks and the various collabs that seeing something called R2 just means that it’s time for a total reboot like a new version of iOS. I’m curious to see how that plays out, but the R2 is a great jumping off point.
Renz: (BUY) The reconfigured upper with the new pattern is nice look and the style itself is a crowd pleaser. I’m looking forward to more colorways too.
News Juan: (BUY) I like it more than the R1 for the simple reason that the pods on the midsoles are gone. I’ve heard that although they do provide stabilization, they reduce the comfort that Boost provides. Being that I’d be using these casually and not for performance, I don’t mind trading in stability for added comfort.
Andres: (PASS) When I first saw NMD R2 I didn’t really like it, but after seeing better pictures of the shoe it looks better every time. Does that mean I would buy a pair? I’d have to see them in person first. These first two colorways are a pass for me though.
Melody Ehsani x Reebok Question

EIC Juan: (GOT ‘EM) I don’t know if I would have bought a pair of these had I not flown out to Charlotte to meet with Melony and the Iverson family to get a first-hand look at the stories behind the shoe, but I’m glad that I did get that chance. My appreciation for the process behind the making and marketing of a sneaker just grew exponentially. I know it doesn’t always hit and I’ll be interested how the community feels about these, but it’s something all fans should get a chance to check out at some point.
Renz: (WAIT) It’s a pretty solid execution. Maybe I’m just biased towards the colorway, but the sneaker itself is one of faves from the brand.
News Juan: (BUY) By far one of the best looking Reebok Questions I’ve seen in quite some time. Not only is the colorway dope, but the quality, detailing and craftsmanship is top notch. Melody did her thing with this pair.
Andres: (PASS) Love the inspiration behind this Question Mid. I think if I had my own shoe I would create a colorway inspired by the special women in my life as well. However, I don’t really like the colors on the shoe. I’m a fan of vachetta tan leather, but the way it was used on this Question Mid just doesn’t appeal to me.
Solefy x Air Jordan 16

EIC Juan: (BUY) I used to collect trading cards, so the idea of throwing down money for a shot at a Michael Jordan autograph is not something I’m unfamiliar with. Hell, with 1,500 pairs available and my guess is he signed no less than 10 pairs, those are better odds than some of the stuff Upper Deck has dropped through the years.
Renz: (BUY) Not looking to wear but since it’s pretty limited, I’d consider buying for resale purposes. Hehe.
News Juan: (PASS) Collaboration, limited, exclusive or not, I’m not of a fan of the 16s. This will be an easy pass for me. The $275 price tag makes it easier to pass on as well.
Andres: (PASS) It was already going to be hard to pick up this shoe since there’s only 1,500 pairs, but now that people know that random pairs will come with Michael’s autograph on them will create even more hype. Personally I think it’s a clean shoe, but it’s not something I would see myself wearing.
The post Buy, Pass, Wait: adidas Harden Vol. 1, Space Jam Jordans, adidas NMD R2 appeared first on KicksOnFire.com.