Zack Schlemmer 
In between all the adidas NMD’s and Ultra Boosts, the various limited collabs hitting the market, and the latest Air Jordan retros, there’s a plethora of other small sneakers releasing that sometimes go almost unnoticed. That’s where we step in, with another edition of Under the Radar, highlighting the best sneakers of the Grammy that don’t garner the hype or thousands of likes on social media, but are still worth your hard-earned cash (or your mom’s, or whatever). Check out our curated selection of excellent releases you may have missed, all readily available right now for your sneaker shopping convenience.
Nike Air Tech Challenge II Laser ‘Birch’
Usually in bold colorways in the vein of the original “Hot Lava” colorway, Andrea Agassi’s Air Tech Challenge II receives its most refined makeover ever with the premium Laser edition on the shelves now. Dropping in with first, the re-imagined Tech Challenge is now available in this clean Birch colorway. Find them now at Nike Sportswear retailers like Packer Shoes.
adidas Samoa Vintage Pigskin Pack
The adidas Samoa hasn’t necessarily been a “cool” shoe for a while now, more likely found on the shelves of the mall chain stores than the feet of any one you know. That may be changing soon, as the Samoa starts out a comeback run this summer beginning with a premium pigskin construction. Some of the nicest looking Samoas ever, the silhouette is presented in three tonal colorways of soft tan, pink, and brown in buttery suede from top to bottom. All three are available now at select adidas Originals retailers like Sneaker Politics.
Diadora V.7000 Weave
Diadora gets in on the woven textile uppers for classic silhouettes (a lá the adidas Stan Smith Primeknit and Nike Air Presto Flyknit) with their V.7000 retro runner update. The perfect pair of Diadoras for summer, they’re arriving now at select stockists like Kith NYC.
Taka Hayashi x Vans Vault Sk8 Nomad LX
Taka Hayashi presents one of his best collections yet with Vans Vault this summer, highlighted by this re-imagination of the Sk8-Hi with a deconstructed leather upper with laser-cut patterns and his signature Native American aesthetic. Pick them up now at Vans Vault stockists like Sneakers CONVERSE Ctas Hi A00547C Lime Ravel Light Dew White.
New Balance 696 Deconstructed
Just in time for summer, New Balance presents their new deconstructed version of the 696 silhouette in an icy blue colorway with a translucent outsole to match. The thin and perforated premium leather upper comboines with a full-length REVlite foam midsole for the comfiest pair of New Balance you’ll find all summer. You pick up a pair now at finer New Balance retailers like Extra Butter.
Saucony Grid SD “Salmon”
A perfect example of a sneaker that would sell out instantly if attached to a collaborator, this premium edition of the Saucony Grid SD features a bold with and salmon color block in suede, leather, and mesh. For those that don’t buy sneakers just because they’re limited, you can easily grab a pair of these now at a number of Saucony retailers like Rise.
Kit Bota Coturno Tratorada Master Shoes | Nike SB Dunk High “Black/Gum”
Demonstrating how less can sometimes be more, this new edition of the Nike SB Dunk High ditches all the theme colorways in favor of a simple yet strong look in all with suede with a gum outsole. Skate in to your local Nike SB shop to pick up a pair, or buy them now straight from Nike.com.
adidas Stan Smith Primeknit
The Primeknit construction of the adidas Stan Smith is back again just in time for summer, ready to become an essential model in your warm-weather sneaker rotation. What are you waiting for? Grab them now while they last at shops including Renarts.
ASICS GEL-Lyte III “Indian Ink”
Being one of the most classic running shoes of all time, we hardly need to give you advice on buying the ASICS GEL-Lyte III, but this colorway is so good we just couldn’t pass up featuring it. Another example of a shoe that would sell out quickly if it was a collab, this is one of the best general release colorways of the GL3 to ever hit the market, don’t you think? Find them now at ASICS retailers like Kith.
