Just for Kicks: 6 Super-Cool Shoe Collaborations for Fall 2024

There’s something undeniably fun about smashing together two different aesthetics. In the outdoor shoe category, Merrell has arguably put out more surprising partnerships this year than anyone, with hiking shoes inspired by HBO’s House of the Dragon, sports apparel brand Janji, and even the Jeep Wrangler.

But Merrell isn’t the only outdoor shoemaker finding fresh ideas through cultural crossover. We’ve been noticing an uptick in eye-catching pastiches among several footwear brands this fall, from work boots to road shoes to trail runners.

Limited-edition kicks like these make for reliably awesome gifts, of course. And that’s especially true if the gift receiver has a soft spot for the brands or pop culture properties involved.

So check out some of the coolest limited-edition shoe collaborations we’ve seen this fall. But if you’re interested in snatching a pair for yourself or a loved one, just remember: They’re likely to sell fast!

Wolverine x Jarritos Trade Wedge Boot

I was shocked to realize some of my GearJunkie colleagues had never heard of Jarritos, the ever-popular Mexican soft drink.

But I suppose that’s understandable for those living far from the southern U.S., especially Texas, where the fruity, colorful bottles are ubiquitous in gas stations and taco trucks. It was enough of a childhood mainstay that I was delighted to see this unlikely collaboration with Wolverine work boots.

The Wolverine x Jarritos Trade Wedge Boot blends the reliable shoe maker’s durable work boots with a playful design inspired by the Mexican soda brand. In addition to a lime-and-mandarin color scheme, it’s adorned with many cornerstones of Mexican and Chicano culture, from masked wrestlers to low riders.

The boot itself is made from leather and canvas, with a mesh tongue lining. It’s supported by an oil- and slip-resistant rubber wedge outsole, a removable ETPU footbed, and a custom “Super GOOD” print on the outsole. And most importantly of all: It comes with a custom Wolverine x Jarritos bottle opener. It costs $150.

Saucony x STARCOW

When I first read about this Saucony collaboration with STARCOW, a specialty retailer out of Paris, I wasn’t expecting this. STARCOW’s explosively colorful design, using Saucony’s ProGrid Omni 9, will turn heads at any trail, race, or restaurant.

The French brand first opened its doors in the Paris suburbs back in 1996, bringing hip-hop and skate culture to French streetwear. Now, it’s collaborating with more U.S. brands to make its mark on modern shoe design. If this is an example of more to come, let’s hope other brands take note of STARCOW’s fresh designs.

Cariuma x Star Wars

What’s not to love about sustainably made, Star Wars-themed sneakers?

Cariuma has several limited-edition sneaker designs inspired by characters from a certain distant galaxy, including Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and Princess Leia. While the Light Speed All Black Suede looks dope, using the films’ iconic warped stars from hyper jumps (you get it), I’d have to pick the Fighter Pilot White Premium Leather (shown above) as my personal favorite.

Moreover, the collection reflects Cariuma’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The company will plant two trees in Brazil’s endangered Atlantic Forest biome for every pair sold.

On Running x PAF

For runners looking to keep it chic and classy even when getting sweaty, it’s hard to beat this sexy collab from Zurich-based On and South Korean brand Post Archive Faction (PAF).

In this second collaboration between the brands, PAF brings its avant-garde designs to two models of On’s trail runners. The highlight of the collection is the Cloudventure trail running shoe, which blends trail-ready durability with a minimalist aesthetic.

The collection also includes a “seedling white” color scheme for the Cloudmonster 2, which also made GearJunkie’s list of the Best Running Shoes for Men in 2024.

Saucony x Sweaty Betty

Saucony and women’s fitness brand Sweaty Betty have teamed up to reimagine the ProGrid Triumph 4, blending 2000s nostalgia with modern running shoe design.

The ProGrid Triumph 4 has Sweaty Betty accents on the tongue and heel, along with open mesh construction and metallic detailing that taps into the “silver sneaker” trend that blew up on TikTok this fall. The retro-inspired design balances Saucony’s reliable runners with a hip, head-turning aesthetic.

The price tag clocks in at $140.

adidas x Pharrell Williams

This shoe is best considered for an obsessive collector with deep pockets.

Adidas has released several shoes in partnership with the musician and producer Pharrell Williams. But this special edition of Adizero Pro Evo 1 will likely excite aficionados of rare kicks. It was available exclusively at the adidas flagship store in New York City in early November.

The shoe itself is adidas’ lightest racing shoe to date, weighing just 138 g. Since its debut in September 2023, the Adizero Pro Evo 1 has been worn to break two world records, four national records, and four course records. That’s why it made our 2024 list of “super shoes.”

Getting your hands on a pair won’t be easy or cheap, though. They originally sold for $500 during the in-person sales event, so you’ll have to pay a lot more to get a pair online.

We found a few sizes available for $1,582 through Stadium Goods. There’s also a handful still available at Farfetch for $1,700.

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