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Alex Kroviak
10. Nike Air Force 1 Low “Workboot” Black
Nice and clean. This pair of Forces is an easy wear and tastefully garnished with accents like the boots laces and eyelets. I wish they would’ve made it to America.
9. Nike LunaRacer+2 “Photo Blue”
Do your feet a favor and pick up some Lunar-cushioned shoes as soon as possible. I picked up the “Photo Blue” pair, but only because the “Pink Flashes” didn’t come in Mens sizes. The best “everyday” cushioning system to date, for sure.
8. Clae Thompson Grizzly Nubuck
I grabbed this shoe and couldn’t be more pleased. I’ve been doing my best to diversify my kicks and also choose more neutral shoes that I can dress up a bit with nicer clothes, and this Clae has helped tremendously. Trust me when I write that the nubuck on this shoe is premium.
7. Nike LeBron 8 Black/Anthracite
Black socks. Baggy shorts. Black ‘Brons. Consider this my homage to the “Fab 5,” who made us reconsider on-court style. Fun fact: I went to the same high school as Jimmy King.
6. Nike KD II “Texas”
Do we under-achieve? You bet. Did these Nikes? Not at all.
5. Nike Basketball “Stoplight” Pack
I could have gone without all the hype, but to date these are the best colorways of each shoe. I like to keep my hoops shoes on the hardwood and wear runners casually, so I take every opportunity to rock bright kicks at the gym. I’m stoked on all three models individually, but the pack makes the most of each. I will probably hold out for iD Kobes and KDs, but may have to splurge on the LeBrons.
4. Nike Air Max 1 QS White/Varsity Royal-Neutral Grey
Classic, comfortable and outright awesome. It’s my favorite silhouette in an ultra clean colorway.
3. Burn Rubber x New Balance MT580
Thanks to Rick, Ro and the rest of the crew at Burn Rubber, I’m now officially hooked on New Balances. I was able to pick up this shoe at retail recently and it’s changed my outlook on collaborative kicks. Next up: CNCPTS x NB 999.
2. ASICS Gel Lyte III “Nice Kicks 2.0”
How could I not put this shoe on my list? Classy, neutral and super comfortable. Just wait to see what we have in store for 2011.
1. Nike Air Max 1 “Crepe” Pack
Make no mistakes about it. This pack is THE AM1 release of the year. The Parra x Patta shoe ranks high for sure, but the “Crepes” are where it’s at. Super classy and just the right amount of limited, the “Crepe” Pack is not to be slept on. The Dark Cinder pair will carry it over in to 2011, when we’ll hopefully continue to get more of this silhouette.
HONORABLE MENTION: Nike All Court Premium Birch Suede
A solid color All Court Low on a “Best Of” List? Yep! No flash necessary, this shoe was hands down my most worn in 2010. It looks good with shorts, jeans or dark pants and this colorway worked because the light colored upper made the toe bumper far less obtrusive. I’m very happy I grabbed a pair.
