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Darren Griffin // Staff Writer
10. Kendrick Lamar x Reebok Ventilator
Kendrick, in my humble opinion, made one of the best hip hop albums of all time this year. And because of that, I hope he wins all the Grammy’s. Literally all of them. It’s only right his Reebok Ventilator cracks my top ten. The materials were incredible – best I’ve ever seen/felt on any Ventilator. And like anything he does, the shoe had a message, an important one at that. Happy to have a pair of my own.
9. Packer Shoes x Raekwon x Diadora N.9000 “Purple Tape”
photo by O’luyemi N’namdi
In a culture where collaborations are excessive (to say the least), and ultimately only a small percentage resonate with consumers, the concept behind this release was uniquely thoughtful. From a nostalgic standpoint, it hit on every emotional level possible. I love Only Built for Cuban Linx. I love that we live in a time where Diadora can quickly reposition themselves Stateside, given their Italian roots. Growing up in Texas, the “Purple Tape” seemed mythical at times as it was distributed largely on the East Coast. I love that Packer and Diadora thought to do this and executed the idea as well as they did.
8. Trés Bien x Common Projects Achilles Low
photo via Four-Pins
Collaborations are few and far between when it comes to Common Projects. This one with Trés Bien was perfect. Although I’ve never experienced better quality leather on any other shoe, the move here to canvas was a breath of fresh air. The navy upper over the gum sole was money. Didn’t quite get my hands on a pair, but I appreciate them all the same.
7. Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard”
photo via RCK
Again, I’m big on the stories. That, though not in a singular sense, is what makes sneakers exciting for me. The “Backboards” brought to light a story I’d known about Jordan but had long since forgotten. Then there was the shoe, color blocked to perfection and with some of the best leather Jordan Brand had used in a very long time. Still on the hunt for these…as I am with any good Jordan 1 I’ve yet to secure.
6. J.Crew x New Balance 998 “Hilltop Blues”
Image via Quarterly Gent
Simplicity always reigns. New Balance, when attached to J.Crew, is never at a loss for understated greatness. The blues, the browns, throw in a little tan. Mix that all up with high-grade materials and nostalgic baseball inspiration, and the J.Crew x New Balance legacy continues on without a hitch. Absolutely amazing shoe.
5. Nike Air Force 1 High Remastered
I love Air Force 1’s and I kind of hate them in a way. Actually, I don’t hate them. I grew fatigued of them. But the remastered iterations changed all that. Forces look better than they ever have and yet they’re on sale in every store, both brick and mortar and online. Not sure I understand that one.
4. Air Jordan 8 “Aqua”
After a swing and miss back in 2007, I was pretty excited to cop these on Black Friday. They were a favorite of mine back in the day, when most people hated them and I thought my taste was profoundly obscure. Wrong! I love the sparkle on the midsole, and the weathered presence at the heel. “Aqua” 8’s are one of those sneakers that look just as good beat as they do fresh out the box. Can’t wait to break these in.
3. adidas Yeezy Boost 350
With all the crazy hype aside, looking at the shoe solely based on function and aesthetics, Kanye nailed it with the Yeezy Boost 350. If I had to guess, the shoe achieved everything he set out to. It’s wearable, sartorially inclined, affordable (relatively), and most of all, it’s a representation of him, that we all love. There is no higher compliment for an artist.
2. Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”
photo by Wish ATL
Everything orbits around this shoe. Everything. This is the picture that inspired everyone else to draw. Its value can never be understated.
1. adidas Ultra Boost
Primeknit construction and Boost cushioning together is basically adidas jogging backwards to the finishline so they could look at the competition behind them. The Ultra Boost is a victory lap; running in excess of the race you’ve already won to wave at fans and entrench yourself in the cheers. It is the equivalent of hitting the bullseye dead on; the perfect shot.
