Sneakerheads have decidedly left behind the retro basketball style that dominated the first half of the 2020s for a more comfort-focused category — mesh runners. While it may seem that this niche has been played out, surprise players like Saucony continue to make headway and gain momentum among the general sneaker community. A large factor in their success is working with the likes of Jae Tips, who has just teased his fifth collaborative project with the heritage running brand.
Following up on his revival of the Saucony Matrix and his two colorways of the ProGrid Omni 9, Tips is now tackling the Jazz 9 silhouette. This new model for Jae Tips is not far from his previous work on the Grid Shadow 2 with its multi-material and multi-layered construction in his vibrant color palette. Deep blue suede appears on the wavy overlays, beginning on the toe and moving back toward the heel.
Pops of yellow mark the mesh paneling of the toe and heel, the latter splitting the title of this collaboration between the left and right shoes. The left reads, “I love you,” while the other reads, “But I’m busy.” Tips also adds his signature multi-color floral design to a hang tag clipped to the black lace set.
Other details on the upper include a hit of orange on the midfoot panel, black on the sockliner, heel overlay, and Saucony logo, and white on the tongue and heel tab. Finishing the design is the bright pink foam midsole with silver hits on the heel paired with a black and yellow rubber outsole.
The Jae Tips x Saucony Jazz 9 I Love You But I’m Busy will release on March 28, 2025, via an EQL raffle on his website. A wider release via Saucony and select retailers will take place on April 11, 2025. Available in men's sizing, the retail price is set at $165. A kids Shadow 6000 in a similar colorway is also available and retails for $85. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Saucony
Images via Jae Tips
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
