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Summer timeeee, and the livin’ is easy! Nice weather, Summer Vacation, PTO… fresh kicks… the year’s warmer months just have it all.
Pack up those bulky black high-tops, throw your boots on the top shelf and break out your summer footwear swag.
The warm weather releases from various brand’s Spring/Summer (SS) collections allow for the chance to get wild with color. Considering everything from everyday rockability to sought after swag, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the most poppin’ kicks during the most poppin’ time of the year!
Everything from easy pick-ups to hyped drops are included so there’s something here for sneaker fans of all levels. Retro silhouettes and brand-new models; bold and simple… the choice is yours, enjoy!
Nike Air Max Tailwind 4 OG
The Air Max Tailwind 4 is back by unknown demand – were these on our radar for SS19? No. Are we happily surprised? Yes! Early into spring, Nike unleashed an onslaught of these Tailwind retros in every color under the sun for both men and women.
There’s been a resurgence for the Tailwind line; the OG ’78 received a retro in late 2018 and now these early-2000s Tailwind sleepers are getting some love. We’re all for the youth in this generation experiencing (newish) classics so the Air Max Tailwind 4 retro can slide on all season.
PURCHASE: TBD
Nike Air Max 720
OBJ cosign: Hell yeah!
Waves of dope colorways: Uhh, yes!
Forward-thinking design: yessir!
The Air Max 720 checks all the boxes for a dope, modern, sneaker. Our top picks for SS19 are the Odell Beckham Jr. (release date TBD) and the Pale Vanilla joints.
Both pairs offer a different twist on Air Max 720 fit for hypebeasts and casual collectors. The OBJ AM 720 feature his signature ‘loudness’ with an original upper sitting atop slightly modified tooling – the Air Max innards are multicolored and the outsole traction has been altered.
We’re feeling the Pale Vanillas because the shoe’s coloring, it’s perfectly… different; they’re a blend of vanilla-y, honey-y and gold-ish. We’ve never seen a hue quite like this!
PURCHASE: OBJ – TBD
General – Nike Direct
Reebok Instapump Fury
Retro themes run heavy in this list, and you’d be hard pressed to find a shoe that defines an era quite like the Instapump Fury. ’90s babies remember the Pump line fondly, but the Instapump Fury pack great cushioning, too.
The lightly cushioned kicks are comfortable enough for all-day summer wear and easy to slip on and off for the beach. Reebok’s celebrating the Fury’s 25th anniversary this year with waves of OGs and new offerings alike hitting the market. The iconic yellow/red/black joints above are a fantastic summer option along with the “Millennium” pair releasing soon.
PURCHASE: Reebok Direct
adidas Yeezy BOOST 700 “Analog”
Kanye West’s Yeezy Wave Runner has built up a massive support base rooted in both hype and functionality. This modern take on the ‘dad shoe’ delivers hit after hit of coveted releases, and the “Analog” pair is set to carry on the 700’s rich tradition.
Being dripped in an off-white, grey and black scheme works in favor of the “Analog” in a world full of all-white shoes. Look for these to be one of the last V1 700s to drop before the Yeezy line shifts towards even more of the upcoming 700 V2 iterations.
PURCHASE: StockX
Undercover x Nike Daybreak
Undercover and Nike are back at it again with a wild take on the ’78 Air Tailwind. If 2018 was the year of deconstruction then 2019 is shaping up to be the year of futuristic additions. Eyes instantly dart towards the Undercover Daybreak’s heel region.
An indescribable, speckled, heel cup encompasses the shoe’s backside for that unique Undercover look the brand is known for. Special midsole and tongue tag branding offers additional clout points too. You’re sure to snap necks all summer with the Undercover x Nike Daybreak on-foot.
PURCHASE: Summer ’19
New Balance “Coastal Pack”
The New Balance wave been flowing heavy. These kicks are perfect for those indecisive folk with three options available (two 997s and a 998). In a crowded lifestyle category it can be hard to debut new colorways, but the “Coastal Pack” stand out by capturing the feeling of a new shoe within classic designs.
Every element of this New Balance offering is well executed from the on-point colorways to comfort. Beach vibes inspired this pack with perfect summer shades for those looking to flex in some extremely comfortable kicks. Each flavor is so darn clean! Pick up a pair from overseas now, but be on the lookout for a possible US release too.
PURCHASE: 43 Lab (Germany)
Air Jordan 4 Retro OG Black/Red
We’ve all been excited for the Black/Red 4s to drop for a loooong time.
Originally released in 1989, the Air Jordan 4 is a cornerstone of the Jordan line and this colorway, in particular, might be one of the greatest Js of all time. Seven years have passed since the last retro of this colorway, but this is the first time since 1999 that we’ve been blessed with Nike Air branding. A no brainer for most, look for the Black/Red Air Jordan 4s to be all over the place until fall.
PURCHASE: 05.04.19
Puma RS-X
Here’s a plot twist for ya, the Puma RS-X! The German brand continues to show out with high-quality retro lifestyle offerings lead by the surging RS-X. Armed with a clunky construction and overlays for days, these kicks fit perfectly into the styles of Urban Outfitter shoppers across the globe, literally.
Legit collabs like the “Transformers” pack from earlier in the year got the RS-X on our collective radars, but grips of clean colorways ensure we stay attentive. Every release offers something new and fresh – something that’s always welcomed in the shoe game. Hot in Europe… hot in the U.S…. hot everywhere!
PURCHASE: Puma Direct
Nike Air Fear Of God SS19
These aren’t from Jerry Seinfeld’s collection, that’s for darn sure. Our top two picks illustrate clearly the seismic shift in footwear marketing. Athletes haven’t been the sole focal point of creative collaborations in years; product marketing strategies have opened up so musicians, artists and designers can move the needle too.
Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear Of God brand is the latest hyped offering from the Swoosh, but like all great collaborations, the final product feels like a perfect union of styles. The Air Fear Of Gods oozes with a mix of Nike’s bravado and Fear of God’s coolness. The SS19 collection features two new Air FoG colorways – Orange and Lime, the hype is earned and real. Is the Nike Air Fear Of God the best new design of 2019?
PURCHASE: Summer ’19
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1
We didn’t hesitate for a tiny second – our top pick has to be the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 reverse Swoosh joints. Nike are masters of marketing and hype building… they’ve had us salivating over these for like five months now, they’ve held a random release already and they’re on the foot of every dope Nike athlete.
Call these insta-summer clout. We don’t perpetuate clout but we gotta call it like we see ’em – these are it.
PURCHASE: 05.11.19 (Store List here)
