Welcome back to another installment of Buy, Pass, Wait, the only place you’ll find the KicksOnFire staff giving their thoughts on the most noteworthy sneaker releases of the week. Sure, you can find out what’s dropping on our handy KicksOnFire app (download it if you haven’t), but we appreciate you taking the time to read up on the kicks that we report on so you know how we really feel. Call it therapy when we have to write about retros over the eleventeenth time that we can say what’s on our minds.
Air Jordan 5 Low Fire Red

Juan Martinez, Editor-In-Chief: (PASS) So I have this habit of typing “Fire Red” as “Fired” first before correcting myself. Maybe it’s a Freudian slip about how I really feel about the Fire Red Jordan retros. I just wish they would all go away. Yes, including the Fire Red 3s and I love the 3s!
Juan Carrillo, News: (PASS) Not a fan of the Air Jordan 5 Low colorways that have been dropping. This one I can tolerate but since I’ve been much more selective this year when it comes to what Jordans I pick up, this will also be a pass. The Laney 5 is my favorite colorway on the mid-top, I think that would be the only colorway I would pick up on the low-top if Jordan Brand ever decides to release that color.
Andres Carrillo, News: (PASS) Jordan Brand should have never created a low-top version of the Air Jordan 5. It doesn’t matter what colorway is placed on the shoe I just think that it looks like someone did a bad job of customizing a mid-top pair.
Renz Ofiaza, News: (WAIT) The original form should release instead. I’m not a fan of the silhouette in a low-cut profile, but this colorway is pretty desirable though.
Solebox x adidas Ultra Boost

EIC Juan: (BUY) The whole caged vs. uncaged debate for Ultra Boosts has become a little silly at this point. What matters is that stuff like the Solebox collab looks fantastic on its own merit. We shouldn’t be worrying what it would have looked like with a cage. Dammit, now I’m thinking what it would have looked like with a cage. I think I did this to myself.
News Juan: (PASS) I actually like the caging system on the original Ultra Boost. That’s one of the features that helps make the shoe stand out. Removing it from the shoe makes it less appealing in my eyes.
Andres: (BUY) Cage or no cage this is one of the best Ultra Boost colorways so far. I think the removal of the cage gives it a sleeker look which is definitely a good thing. Also great job by Solebox to add the red detailing on the outsole and aglets.
Renz: (BUY) I’m for clean and minimal silhouettes so I’m just biased overall. The build is solid and the colorway is pretty versatile as well. One of the best iterations of the Uncaged model this year.
adidas Crazylight Boost 2.5 James Harden Cargo PE

EIC Juan: (PASS) It looks like something someone would wear with camo pants. I don’t do camo pants. Sorry, Beard.
News Juan: (PASS) Not really feeling the suede construction on the shoe. Hard to see it for what it is, a basketball shoe. A little bit of contrasting hits would probably help a bit, but then again…
Andres: (PASS) The adidas Crazylight Boost 2.5 is a basketball sneaker and adidas is trying to make it a lifestyle release with this James Harden PE. Not a good idea. Let’s leave the lifestyle look to Kanye and sneakers from the adidas Originals line.
Renz: (WAIT) I like the clean profile of the model and the material makeup looks nice. I’ve never paid attention to this sneaker. But in this colorway, it looks great.
J. Crew x New Balance 997 Butterscotch
EIC Juan: (WAIT) These will probably sell out if I wait more than a few hours because nothing says “hot sneakers” more than J. Crew collabs and the hype video above was well-executed in pointing out everything awesome about the shoe. I just don’t know if I can do a brown shoe that isn’t for formal wear.
News Juan: (BUY) I love the shoe. It’s been a minute since I’ve bought a pair of New Balance sneakers, and this one has just the look I was looking for. Very versatile and luxe looking. The colorway is amazing. I’m not going to lie, the price may be steep ($210), but if you stay buying Jordans for $190, you should have no problem dishing out $20 more for quality sneakers, right?
Andres: (WAIT) The colorways and materials used on this J. Crew x New Balance 997 are BUTTER! The beautiful tones of brown used on the shoe along with the premium suede, leather and nubuck give such an elegant look to this 997. The only reason I say “wait” is because I wouldn’t be willing to pay that $210 retail price.
Renz: (BUY) I’m always down for J. Crew x New Balance collaborations and they didn’t disappoint again. I’m just biased. The colorway and build is solid as always.
Nike Kobe 11 4KB

EIC Juan: (PASS) Hey Nike, a triple white Nike Kobe 11 would blow up the Sneaker Internet, just saying. As for the 4KB, it just looks like What The Kobe 9 in low-cut and I don’t mean that as a compliment, especially since they’re priced very similarly.
News Juan: (PASS) The white Flyknit upper is what keeps me ways from getting a pair. Too much maintenance is needed to keep the shoe in good looking condition. Great looking shoe though, just can’t wear it.
Andres: (PASS) This Kobe 11 looks A LOT like the “What The” colorway of the Kobe 9 that sat on shelves for a while and many people even converted into a low-top with some custom work. There should have been more multicolor detailing on this pair. Also, what’s up with that $220 price tag?
Renz: (BUY) In general, I’m a fan of white flyknit sneakers. The multicolor detail has been well placed and I like how it doesn’t overpower the overall appearance.
Should Jordan Brand Continue Making Low-Cut Retros Even Though No One Seems To Care?

EIC Juan: The only low-top Jordans I acknowledge are the 11s and the XX9. And as much as I love them (I’m scooping all of the XX9 Lows as soon as the price drops), I can sacrifice them if Jordan Brand will stop with the low-tops until they actually start designing new Jordans with both mid and lows in mind. Earlier Js in low-cut just look like someone just got a hatchet and tried to lob the top of as much as possible. That being said, I understand the business reasons for them (they can re-release OG colorways without having to bring back the actual classics too soon) so they’re not going to stop, but maybe a little more discretion would be nice.
News Juan: I think they should be more selective as to what low-cut retros they decide to make. For example, the Air Jordan 11 looks pretty good in low-top form. The Air Jordan 9 looks okay as well. The Laney 14 Lows were cool too. I guess it all depends on the shoe you’re making a low-cut out of. Being that I love the Air Jordan 3, I’m curious to see what a low-top version of the shoe would look like. Be careful what you wish for, right?
Andres: Jordan Brand needs to STOP with all these low-tops. The Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 5 and Air Jordan 9 will all be releasing in low-top versions this year and I’m sure no one would argue against scrapping every single pair that releases and replacing them with the original mid/high. I get you’re trying to switch things up a bit Jordan Brand, but this just isn’t a good look.
Renz: The only low-top I’m pretty inclined to are the 11s. With JB continuing to expand its market or reach to other audiences, it only seems logical that the brand produces low-top variations of retros. Personally, I don’t like it much, especially if they’re OG colorways, but I guess with the company, it’s all about the Benjamins.
The post Buy, Pass, Wait: Air Jordan 5 Low Fire Red, Solebox x adidas Ultra Boost, J. Crew x New Balance 997 Butterscotch appeared first on KicksOnFire.com.