2023 has been a surprisingly strong year in the world of sneakers with a lot of high profile releases that have sent sneakerheads into a frenzy. The industry is not as top heavy as it once was, brands like Nike/Jordan and Adidas no long run the gambit on the sneaker industry as brands like Asics, New Balance, Salomon, and others have drastically increased in popularity. It has been really fun to cover some of my top releases this year and I want to look back on my five favorites now that we're more than halfway through 2023.
5. Nike X Stüssy Air Penny II
Perhaps the least "hyped" shoe on this list, the Nike X Stüssy Air Penny II is a personal favorite. I'm not particularly fond of basketball shoes but the Air Penny II is one of the easiest to rock casually. The Stüssy branding is very subtle and I believe they hit a home run with the hemp upper. Three color-ways were released, but I enjoy this Rattan/black colorway the most. I really enjoy this shoe and believe it will be remembered very fondly.
4. Adidas Clarks 8th Street Samba by Ronnie Fieg
The Adidas Samba was the hottest shoe of the first half of 2023 and in my opinion, this is the crown jewel. The classic Samba Silhouette paired with the signature Clarks Crepe sole is a match made in heaven. I love everything about this shoe, even though I don't own a pair.
3. Jae Tips x Saucony Grid Azura 2000
The biggest head turner of 2023; This shoe is so fun and playful. There's a lot going on with this shoe, but somehow it works so well. I never thought a Saucony would be a personal favorite of mine, but this shoe is a testament to Jae Tips skill and the recent parity in the sneaker world.
2. Nike SB Dunk Low "Jarritos"
The Jarritos dunk is my favorite Nike Dunk release in a long time. It's subtle, but still eye-catching and the accents were executed so well. Featuring Jarritos insignia as well as a tear-away upper, there's few shoes that speak to me like this on does.
Clot X Nike Cortez SP "Clotez"
Probably not the shoe you expected me to choose as my favorite, right? I have been drawn to this shoe since I first laid eyes on it. Something about the functionality and versatility of this shoe makes me love it. The Clotez is Inspired by Kung Fu and features a 3-in-1 design system that allows the shoe to be worn in multiple ways. This shoe was released in three color-ways: Black/White "Yin Yang", Yellow/Black "Bruce Lee", and a Classic "Forrest Gump".
Honorable Mentions:
Comments