Sneaker News 
‘Best of” lists are usually a source of much controversy, as opinions will always differ on any debatable topic. So, when we started to put together our Top 30 Sneakers of 2009 list, we got as many opinions as possible, asking our entire staff and some friends in the industry to rank their favorites from the year. Each individual list was then indexed and used to create composite rankings, ensuring that a variety of opinions would be factored into the final Top 30. The result is a comprehensive list of all the kicks that made our cut this year, along with some crisp photos and background info on each.
2009 was a big year for sneakers, no matter what your areas of interest may be. Jordan lovers were treated to quite a nice year thanks to the return of some beloved classics like the True Blue Air Jordan III, and of course, the almighty Space Jams, with new looks like the Toro Bravo pack and the Sixty Plus proving to be solid additions. Staying inside the basketball realm, Nike b-ball had a huge 2009 thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the Zoom Kobe IV and then, the Air Max LeBron VII. Both lines already had a nice following, but the latest signature models for Nike’s two biggest names were met with glowing receptions and strong sales to match.
Nike Sportswear also kicked things into high gear with a nice variety of both new and retro releases. A ton of people were excited to see the return of the Air Griffey Max 1 and the Foamposite, as well as new hybrid models like the Air 1/2 Cent and the Air Maxim 1 Trainer. The LIVESTRONG Greatest Hits pack, on the other hand, provided a
nice blend of old and new thanks to the Black/Varsity Maize color scheme being applied to several of Nike’s most coveted “grails.”
While many sneakerheads were beginning to lose faith in Nike SB, the line came back strong enough to keep many collectors around. The release of the elusive Gucci Dunk Highs and Blue Lobster Dunks created a nice buzz for SB, and the introduction of the Stefan Janoski pro model proved that there were still plenty of new places to take their skate designs. Also helping out the Nike SB cause was the release of the Supreme x Nike SB Bruin, always a welcome combination for collaborations, not to mention the start of a new age for the classic Bruin.
Of course, that wasn’t the only hot collaboration of the year. The biggest team-ups of 2009 both involved Kanye West, who put his stylish touches on successful footwear projects with Nike and Louis Vuitton. Other big collaborations of note included UNDFTD’s partnerships with both Converse and Puma and Reebok’s ambitious Pump20 retailer collaboration collection. Last but not least, CLOT’s Air Force 1 and the DQM Air Max 90 Current Huarache also turned plenty of heads with their respective collabos.
Aside from the aforementioned 2009 kicks, there was plenty more heat floating around, so take your time going through our list of the Top 30 Sneakers of 2009 for a recap of the hottest styles from the past year. Feel free to share your opinions on the best kicks of 2009, and let us know if there was anything else that you think should have made the cut. Special thanks to Osneaker, Flight Club NY and Premium Laces.
#30 – AIR JORDAN SIXTY PLUS
Hybrid models are always a touchy subject with many Jordan purists, but occasionally, one comes along that manages to get love from even the most skeptical of collectors. When it comes to Jordans, the blueprint for hybrid success was laid by the Spiz’ike thanks to its clever blending of classic Air Jordan components. While other mash-up efforts didn’t achieve the same warm reception, the Sixty Plus seems to have come together pretty seamlessly through the use of the proven Spiz’ike formula. The Sixty Plus design was inspired by
Michael’s tendency to light up an opposing squad for 60 points or more, a feat that MJ accomplished quite a few times in his career. The Sixty Plus blends elements of four different sneakers that Mike wore while going off for at least 60 points. The Air Jordan 1, II, V and VII were all incorporated into the design, with the end result being a solid new style with a familiar aesthetic. While it may not have reached Spiz’ike popularity thanks to a possible overload of colorways, the Sixty Plus still stands as a worthy effort nonetheless. Many thanks to Premium Laces on the Air Jordan Sixty Plus.
#29 – SUPRA TK SOCIETY
Terry Kennedy, the captain of Pharrell’s famed Ice Cream skateboard team has been making quite a name for himself over this past year. TK was featured in hit shows like Viva La Bam and Rob & Big, showing off his street skating skills. He also made headlines while dating Rev Run’s daughter Angela Simmons. TK also is beginning to dabble in the music biz, forming a crew of rappers and skaters dubbed “FLY SOCIETY.” He has been featured on songs with artists like Curren$y, who is also a self-proclaimed sneaker head.
After all is said and done Mr. Kennedy’s first love is skateboarding, and collaborating with the up and coming skate brand Supra seemed like a match made in heaven. The Supra TK Society is Terry Kennedy’s first signature skate shoe and sold very well during its initial release. The TK Society released in many different colorways, from monotone bright purple and red versions to all black uppers with colored accents only on the midsoles. After a strong run by the Skytop, the Society just may have taken over as the go-to super-high-cut Supra skate shoe.
#28 – JEREMY SCOTT x adidas – JS WINGS
To say that London-based fashion designer Jeremy Scott was influenced by golden age hip-hop is a gross understatement. Flamboyant and original in a Puffy sort of way, J.Scott’s big trick for adidas this year was to make the tongue more than just something under your laces. Two variations of the Metro Attitude hightop hit retail in early Spring, but one of them was clearly more successful.
The JS Wings is about as crazy of a sneaker as you could imagine at this point in history, a Metro Attitude whose lace-attached wing
add-ons evoked Three Stripes’ Goodyear-soled racing sneakers from mid-decade. Feathery wing aside, the JS Wings are unlike anything we’ve ever seen, capable of stopping a room in all-white or black just as easily as the metallic gold and silver versions.
Another update to the Metro Attitude features three tongues to match the Trefoil and the ‘Big Tongued’ Conductors, both proving that Scott has more up his metatarsals. Neck-breaking as those are, we can’t forget about the shoe that became adidas’s Next Top Model, the JS Wings by Jeremy Scott.
#27 – DIZZEE RASCAL x NIKE AIR MAX 90
While we’ve seen a plethora of Nike Air Max 90 colorways drop over the years, the Air Max 90 has been somewhat neglected when it comes to popular collaborations and premium colorways. Not taking away from the legitimacy of the Air Max 90 as an iconoclastic shoe, but it’s the truth; the Air Max 90 hasn’t been getting much love lately. In comes the Nike Air Max 90 Tongue N’ Cheek, designed by two of London’s prominent artistic minds, rapper, Dizzee Rascal and famed designer, Ben Drury.
Dizzee Rascal is a rising star in the hip-hop scene and to signify the release of his fourth album, Dizzee teamed up with Ben Drury (who needs no introduction) to produce the Nike Air Max 90 Tongue N’ Cheek. Its classic Nike Air Max 90, with the sublime touch of Ben Drury and album artwork from Dizzee’s fourth release. This three-way collaboration was a great way for the Nike Air Max 90 to come back with a bang in 2009. Drury’s ‘Silent Listener’ AM90 dropped later in the year, but those fresh tongues easily make the Dizzee’s one of the most memorable releases of 2009.
#26 – NIKE WMNS DUNK HIGH – NYLON PACK
NYLON Magazine splashed onto the scene as one of the most popular and relevant urban fashion and culture magazines in print and on the web. At first glance, Nike and NYLON don’t seem to have much in common, however, after a NYLON visit to Nike’s Innovation Kitchen in Beaverton, OR, it was discovered that both share a common vision; the desire to break molds and be a step ahead of the game.
To commemorate the magazine’s decade-long influence on pop culture and fashion, Nike released a commemorative pack of five colorways of the Nike Dunk High, a snappy choice as the Dunk High is one of the most relevant pairs of kicks in terms of urban fashion. The pack of five consisted of five vibrant colors and nylon uppers, and were released to a warm reception only at official Nike locations and Urban Outfitters. Many thanks to Wendy of nitro:licous.
#25 – UNION x NIKE DUNK HIGH CHALLENGE SUPREME – NYC + LA
While it’s nothing new to see Nike join forces with a well-known retailer for some collaboration kicks, sometimes the new outside perspective leads to something really intriguing. Such is the case with the Union Dunk High Challenge Supremes, a tasteful combination of the iconic Dunk High and the classic Air Tech Challenge tennis kicks made famous by Andre Agassi. Using premium materials and some familiar Nike imagery, Union NYC and Union LA both whipped up their
own versions of the Dunk High Challenge. The focal point of the kicks centered around the beloved “Lava” print which is featured in neon pink and yellow on the two respective styles. Plastic heel wraps and perforated midpanels add some additional texture, with the ankle straps and camouflage lining providing some stylish finishing touches. Unfortunately for many of us, both colorways were extremely limited, so enjoy them if you were lucky enough to scoop a pair.
#24 – SUPREME x NIKE SB BRUIN
It’s been known for quite some time that the best things in life come in pairs, and Nike x Supreme has solidified its spot as one of those legendary duos. Supreme’s magic touch has resulted in some of the most desirable kicks of this decade, so news of Supreme’s next partnership with Nike was met with great anticipation. Next on Supreme’s apparent checklist of Nike SB collaborations was the Nike SB Bruin, which released exclusively at Supreme on April 16th, 2009. While it might not be the most popular member of the Nike
Skateboarding shoe line, the Nike Bruin holds major seniority, as it was produced in the early 70’s as a low-top basketball shoe. As usual, any Nike model that Supreme touches ends up vanishing from the shelves, and all four colorways of these historically significant and revamped Bruins followed suit, with an under-$100 price-tag only helping that cause (although resale now is nearly double that amount). Released alongside the the shoes were a set of Supreme x Nike Twill Pullover Jackets, marking the first time a set of matching apparel was made available with the kicks.
#23 – AIR JORDAN V – TORO BRAVO DMP PACK
The Air Jordan V Toro Bravo pack, also known as the “Raging Bulls” pack, burst onto the scene on May 30th. The Toro Bravo colorways are meant to exemplify the strength, focus, and agility of a raging bull, the same characteristics Michael Jordan possesses. The commemorative package consisted of two Air Jordan V colorways, one that was somewhat familiar and the other never-before-seen.
The Chicago Bulls colorways were sure-fire hits among Jordan purists, while the 3M and suede materials used pleased those longing for a taste of something different. Along with the recent AJ1 and AJVII DMP’s and the Old Love/New Love package, the Raging Bulls pack is one of the few Jordan packages to contain two colorways of the same Jordan model, and stands as the most recent Air Jordan V Retro to date.
#22 – NIKE AIR MAXIM 1 TRAINER
The Air Maxim Trainer 1 encompasses some of Nike’s greatest design achievements, not only by upgrading some classic models with new technology, but in this case, also combining two icons into one pair. 2009 was a big year for both of the shoes that were fused together to create the Air Maxim Trainer 1. The Air Max 1 was re-released in its OG colorways, as well as the new updated Air Maxim 1 version, featuring a Flywire laced upper. The Air Trainer 1 also got some attention thanks to the introduction of the reinterpreted Trainer 1 model and was released in its original colorway as part of the Trainer 1 Legacy Pack. The Air Maxim Trainer 1 is the culmination of a year of
recognition for the classics, now blending the Air Maxim 1 with the Air Trainer 1 for one of the most intriguing new Nike hybrid models yet. Besides the seamless design, the OG “Chlorophyll” color scheme gives the shoe some extra juice thanks to the classic appeal and connection to great Nike endorsers like Bo Jackson and tennis bad boy, John McEnroe. More importantly, Nike found yet another way to revive some golden age sports culture, while still incorporating the latest in performance technology. Though its a fairly new release compared to other shoes on the list, the Air Maxim Trainer 1 is certainly worthy of its spot thanks to its relevance to the roots of the Nike empire and their uncanny ability to constantly evolve and progress.
#21 – KANYE WEST x LOUIS VUITTON COLLECTION
Kanye West is undoubtedly one of the most influential fashion icons of this decade. Many people with all different styles, from sneakerheads to high-end designer shoppers get inspiration from Mr. West. It was only a matter of time before some collaborations were cooked up, and who better to work with than French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. After pictures were released, many people had mixed feelings about the designs, although the demand for every one of the silhouettes was extremely high.
The colorways ranged from simple monotone designs to more loud accents like hot pink soles, and tassels with brass details. Every pair uses premium materials like rich suede and supple leathers to give them the luxury feel you would expect from a Louis Vuitton product. After the release, the whole Kanye West LV collection quickly sold out despite the high price tags, and pieces from the collection have become even more valuable since, giving the Kanye West Louis Vuitton Collection the number 21 spot on our Top 30 countdown. Many thanks to Flight Club NY.
#20 – UNDFTD x PUMA MID 24K GOLD
Anything with UNDFTD’s name is pretty much a shoe-in for success. Not usually a model that grabs a ton of attention, the Puma Mid was chosen by UNDFTD for their collaboration project, proving they can reveal the potential of any diamond in the rough. Though this pair was part of an entire pack of the same shoe, the 24K Gold pair demanded its own solo attention. We’ve seen several all-gold pairs of
sneakers, but UNDFTD knew how to avoid cliches with its realistic metallic gold upper, intricate detailed perforations and substantial hangtag. With the bold metallic gold uppers, these are not a pair that just anyone can rock, and Puma and UNDFTD made sure of that even further by releasing the gold edition in considerably fewer numbers than the other colorways from the 24K Mid pack.
#19 – DQM x NIKE AIR MAX 90 CURRENT HUARACHE – BACON
Coming in at 19 on the Sneaker News top 30 for 2009 is the DQM x Nike Air Max 90 Current Huarache, a reprise of the classic AM90 ‘Bacon’ motif from 2004, this time with some nice performance updates. Where the original used a lot of off-white shades of suede as the base, the Bacon Currents are framed in a super-soft brown leather. There’s about the same amount of red, but these come off looking more aggressive, especially if you rock the red laces. And that makes for an interesting foil to a shoe that is so comfy and soft,
the feeling of putting them on for the first time was enough to make them an instant classic in many people’s eyes. Air Max 90 Currents are all nice and sock-like already, but the Huarache-inspired Flywire heel support allowed Nike to remove the entire heel cup, which means that the whole shoe is soft and flexible! The white, Free-equipped forefoot adds some additional performance appeal, framed by the rich leather above which is browned and crushed for a stylish look and buttery feel. The end result is an eagerly anticipated new shoe that exceeded all expectations for many.
#18 – UNDFTD x CONVERSE POOR MAN’S WEAPON
Converse has been holding it down longer than any brand, yet its longevity doesn’t always seem to transfer over to the appeal of the new-age sneakerheads. Leave it to UNDFTD to be able to teach an old dog new tricks, and in turn teach some young dogs about some old kicks. The concept here is right in the name, taking the classic Converse Weapon basketball model and stripping down the design
into a clever new version that sports some undeniable characteristics of another Converse staple, the Chuck Taylor All-Star. The smart use of materials and peripherals gave new life to the original design of the Converse Weapon. Unique in its concept, the Poor Man’s Weapon quickly became one of Converse’s most talked-about releases in a while, as well as arguably UNDFTD’s best collaboration of the year.
#17 – LIVESTRONG x NIKE GREATEST HITS PACK
Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their NFL-record sixth Super Bowl this February, but the yellow and black was solidly behind another team in 2009. Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG super-charity teamed up with Nike again, this time to commemorate Lance’s return to the Tour de France after a four year layoff. Armstrong placed third, but his collab kicks won the crown for most/biggest/best spread. What ended up with the Undefeated-designed ‘ONYOURBIKEKID’ Nike Air Force 1 Low and made its way through the huge spread of Zoom
Tiempos got started back in the summer with the STAGES Collection. A whirlwind art and culture tour, STAGES got a lot of its hype from the LIVESTRONG-ed Nike Grails that were released in limited numbers. Futura’s FLOM Dunk High anchored a lineup that also included AF1 Lows from Mr. Cartoon and Busy P, plus the crazy horsehair ‘Hamster’ Footscape Woven from HIDEOUT. Futura has a massive collaboration with Nike Sportswear on deck for 2010, but the bar has already been set by what LIVESTRONG accomplished with the Nike Grails in ’09.
#16 – CONCEPTS x NIKE SB – BLUE LOBSTER DUNK
As evidenced by the LIVESTRONG x Nike Grails at number 17 and plenty of other entries on the Sneaker News Top 30 for 2009, collaborations are where it’s at right now in the sneaker game. Not only are team-ups more plentiful than ever before, but the quality has reached an all-time high. While they’re nowhere near LIVESTRONG in terms of numbers, Boston boutique, Concepts, is no stranger to stitching one up for the Swoosh. Back in 2008, eBay went nuts with the original ‘Lobster’ Nike SB Dunk Low popping up for insane markups soon after the limited release. It was all about the packaging, with the wooden boxed Lobsters fetching well over a G (about double that of their cardboard counterparts).
The same is true for the ‘Blue Lobster’ SB Dunk that dropped this June. Not only was the hazmat-styled styrofoam limited packaging among the best we’ve ever seen for any sneaker release, it was also part of a coordinated effort to make the Blue Lobster a full “experience.” It started a few months earlier with a viral mini-site warning against blue lobster sightings on the Atlantic shore. The video offered a taste of what’s since become more widely practiced: cinematic trailers for new collabo kicks. Not only that, but Tarik and company managed to keep the Lobster legacy alive by showing off a yellow version of the shoe that was made for friends and family only. Clever marketing on both sides of the release has us excited to see what’s in store for CNCPTS and Nike SB for next year and beyond. Many thanks to osneaker.
#15- NIKE ZOOM KOBE IV
The Nike Zoom Kobe IV was the fourth installment of Kobe’s signature line with Nike, and was released in January of 2009. Designed by Eric Avar, the brains behind the Kobe I and Kobe III, the Nike Zoom Kobe IV was a huge advancement in the engineering and design of basketball shoes. Basketball kicks are customarily cut higher at the ankle, while the lower-cut kicks are reserved for point guards like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, and Sam Cassell, so to have a low-cut design be the signature shoe for Nike Basketball’s marquee representative was rather interesting. However, lower cut basketball kicks aren’t exactly new to Kobe; his KOBETWO with Adidas were cut.
lower, and Kobe’s been seen on the court with a pair of Air Jordan VI Lows. But aside from an architectural standpoint, the Kobe IV was noteworthy because it marked the first time Kobe and his signature shoe appeared in American televised commercials. It was a turning point for Kobe the Market Icon; he appeared alongside comedian Mike Epps and the late DJ AM in an ad for Kobe IV Nike iD, and also with the Jackass jokesters and a speeding Aston Martin for the Nike Hyperdunk. The Kobe IV also saw an overwhelming plethora of colorways, many with interesting origins, like for instance, the Black Mamba Kobe IV, which was designed on Nike iD by elementary school students. Many thanks to osneaker.
#14- REEBOK PUMP20 COLLECTION
When you think of sneaker collaborations, Nike immediately comes to mind, but every now and then, other brands step up to the challenge and impress the masses. Much of Reebok’s longevity is attributed to the cult love for their Pump models. To help celebrate 20 years of Pump technology, Reebok invited 20 elite sneaker shops from all over the globe to create their own design for the original Pump. Buzz around the entire capsule multiplied exponentially as each preview
emerged, creating anxious anticipation for the super-limited releases. Regional egotism also emerged as these shops from around the world tried outdoing each others’ designs. When the Pump 20 collaboration collection finally released on November 20th, there were respectively only 31 pairs of each, and worldwide sneakerheads did whatever they could to get their hands on these rare and intriguing collector’s items, making this a great step by Reebok towards crossing over the nostalgia factor with a contemporary edge. Thanks to Sneaker Freaker.
#13 – CLOT x NIKE 1WORLD AIR FORCE 1 SUPREME
Nike’s Air Force 1 has held a leading role during its 25-plus years of existence, but lately has lost some momentum as fellow models have stolen some attention. Nonetheless, the creativity of established brand, CLOT, was definitely up to the task of creating an Air Force 1 to impress even those who are typically unimpressed by the classic silhouette. Considered to be one of the best Nike 1World releases yet, the attention to detail on the CLOT AF1 set a trend for new design approaches by including some beautifully intricate decorative touches
throughout the shoe. As much as folks were feeling the new AF1 look, perhaps more memorable than the shoe was its packaging. The luxury presentation of the irregularly-shaped Chinese candy box also set a new precedent for packaging possibilities. Holding it down for the Asia Exclusives, the CLOT Air Force 1 was admired by many, but unfortunately eluded the grasps of most. Only copped by a lucky few, the combination of the fresh shoe design and collector’s box made the CLOT AF1 a very juicy release that many sneakerheads are still anxiously attempting to get their hands on. Thanks to Clot!
#12 – NIKE AIR GRIFFEY MAX 1
Tell us you weren’t psyched when the Nike Air Max Griffey 1 Retro first popped up. Betcha can’t do it, and that’s because for a lot of us, this shoe is a sort of time machine back to the tail-end of a golden age that Nike has recently been immortalizing with innumerable retro releases. Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Mariners once again and we were treated to a bunch of colorways that celebrated his circuit through the majors. There was the first and possibly best colorway,
the Fresh Water joints that perfectly match the M’s nautical motif. Next came the royal and volt OG pair, followed by black-based editions designed as Reds and White Sox sendups. Each one of these has an iconic colorway in its own right, but we saw plenty of celebrities and friends visibly happy to be rocking the Fresh Waters, more than any other pair. Baseball may have lost its innocence, but it’s hard to match the childlike wonder you’d get from showing a 20+ year-old sneakerhead a crisp pair of Fresh Water Griffey 1’s. Thanks osneaker.
#11 – MANNY PACQUIAO x NIKE TRAINER 1 – LIGHTS OUT
The Nike Air Trainer 1 is one of the most beloved shoes of the golden age of Nike, not only for its revolutionary function, but also the success of Nike’s “Bo Knows” ad campaigns. As Nike stands at the forefront of technologocally advanced athletic footwear, it’s really no surprise it brought the Trainer 1 along for the ride. Getting fitted with new Flywire engineering and Free-Motion footbeds, the shoe re-debuted as the new Nike Trainer 1. Well recieved by sneakerheads, old and new, the sneaker has become a canvas for many exclusive designs since. Global acclaim for the Trainer 1’s new makeover gave Nike solid justification for using the newbie as a canvas for several collaborative designs to come.
What better athlete to back the buzz-worthy new model than boxer extraordinaire, Manny Pacquiao. Sure, the brand has previously helped to celebrate Pacman’s journey to reign supreme throughout several weight divisions, but none prior has matched the profile of this pair. Following up on the red/gold Pacman Trainer 1 PE’s that dropped the day of the Pacquiao/Hatton fight in May, September saw the release of the ‘Lights Out’ edition, with its glow-in-the-dark speckles and illustrations aptly immortalizing Pacman’s second round knockout of Ricky Hatton. Hype immediately swirled around this eye-catching edition and with an extremely limited of pairs released, these instantly became one of the hottest commodities of the year.
#10 – NIKE AIR 1/2 CENT
With all the Nike Basketball retros released in 2009, Penny Hardaway had his fair share of shine. Not only did we see several colorways of the beloved Nike Air Penny II, but Lil’ Penny was in the Innovation Kitchen cooking up something spectacular. Named after the Chris Rock-voiced character’s uniform number, the Air 1/2 Cent set a new Nike standard for cohesively mashing a whole fistfull of sneakers together, subtly following the successful formula of the Air Jordan Spiz’ike. It helps that all the Air Penny designs were smooth like his game, as does the use of Posite material to seal the deal.
First, Nike brought us the logical royal blue and black colorway, followed by one in triple black, and that’s when things started to get interesting. Two more black pairs then surfaced, one with neon green accents and a radioactive Lil’ Penny illustration on the insole, and the other in a metallic silver/black color scheme with a cowboy hat -wearing, Spurs uni-ed Lil’ Penny graphic inside the shoe. With Heat and Suns colorways of the Air Penny III upcoming for next year, we can’t help but wonder what an eggplant Half Cent with orange accents might look like. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store for the 1/2 Cent in 2010. Thanks Premium Laces.
#9 – NIKE SB ZOOM STEFAN JANOSKI
Streetwear has evolved over the past year or two, to the point where cut-and-sew is where it’s at. Some of the more transient and ridiculous styles that marked hip-hop have faded away, as a grown-and-sexy professional look takes their place. An early indicator of this trend was seeing a lot of sneakerheads rocking boat shoes. How better to flaunt your swag than telling everyone around you ‘I’m on a boat!’ with every step?
And so with streetwear also heavily relying on collaboration and hybridization for fresh ideas, it was only natural to see Sperry’s
signature style mashed up with sneakers. Vans’ Chukka del Barco and Nike’s own Mad Jibe were already on deck, but Nike SB’s signature sneaker for Stefan Janoski is the new captain of this voyage.
Equipped with a vulcanized rubber sole and Zoom Air cushioning, the Stefan Janoski is singlehandedly cleaning up legions of scruffy skaters. The Janoski has come in a range of premium materials and simple palettes, and we haven’t even seen what it’s capable of with more than three colors! The shoe was instantly embraced by both skaters and non-skaters alike, making it one of the most successful new designs from Nike SB in a while. Thanks Premium Laces.
#8 – NIKE DUNK HIGH – SB GUCCI / DJ CLARK KENT GUCCI
Over the years, there have been Nike samples that we’ve all drooled over, but could never lay our hands on: the ever-so-unpopular “scrapped” sample. We’ve seen them come and go, but there are always the select few that never seem to escape our memory. The Nike Dunk Hi SB “Gucci” was an original design from 2005, and was initially set to release as part of the Nike SB Team Manager series, alongside the Alien Workshop Nike Zoom FC, Nike Dunk SB Tiffany, and other Pink-Box Nike SBs. These, however, had a bit of drama tied to them, and it didn‘t come packaged neatly in a small Nike zip bag.
The Nike Dunk Hi SB Gucci was originally designed by Girl Skateboards of Crailtap, which also houses prominent skate-shoe producer Lakai. Lakai didn’t exactly share friendly sentiments with Nike’s dipping its toes in the skateboarding world, and apparently that was enough to shelf the Gucci Dunk Hi SB for good. Those who
had deep wallets and size-9 feet were the only ones who had a chance at owning one of the rumored 30 pairs that are known to have been leaked into the public, while the rest of the world was left with a fading dream of what could have been.
Four years later, in 2009, not one, but two Gucci inspired Dunk Highs were released, one from NSW in the Premium form, and the other an SB. While aside from the cleaned-up frayed denim, the SB version was a near carbon-copy of the original sample, the Dunk High Premium came with different materials and sole color. It was designed by frequent Nike collaborator DJ Clark Kent as part of the Nike East vs. West Rivals pack, and the Gucci inspired color scheme definitely gave flashbacks to the earlier samples. Both versions were real treats for gluttonous sneakerheads, and the four-year wait only made their release more satisfying. As they say: Good things come to those who wait. At least sometimes anyway. Thanks Premium Laces on the SB.
#7 – NIKE AIR MAX 2009
Since it’s inception in 1987, Nike’s Air Max technology has continually changed the way the general athletic public approached footwear cushioning. Air Max was first introduced in the Nike Air Max One, which featured a small window, both literally and figuratively, into Air Max technology and its capabilities. A few years later, the Air Max 93 featured an Air Max “bubble” that fully encircled the rear midsole. In 1997, an Air Max cushion that spanned most of the sole was introduced, while the Air Max 360 and it’s full-length air unit grabbed the spotlight in 2006. Rounding out this timeline enters the Nike Air Max 2009, the next progression in the evolution of the storied Nike Air Max legacy.
The Air Max 2009 was released on April Fools Day of 2009, but this model certainly was not a joke. The design and engineering crew over in Beaverton was serious about delivering a high-performance running shoe for the 21st Century runner, and the Air Max 2009 was the culmination of their efforts. It features a fully uncaged, full-length
Air Max unit, which truly gives you the walking-on-air feel, and integrated Nike+ for those who take a more high-tech approach to their runs. Nike has also incorporated Flywire technology to give the shoe the added stability and weight benefits, and the mesh sockliner and inner infrastructure allow the Air Max 2009 to be completely breathable. All of the above crown the Air Max 2009 as Nike’s most advanced running shoe to date.
Nike Air Max technology has played a major part in Nike’s gained prominence in both the athletic realm and sneaker subculture, but equally as influencing are the radical and progressive designs. Each newly designed model is a raised bar and the Air Max 2009 does not disappoint; it maintains its own singular identity while adapting some notable design cues from
previous Air Max models. The toe and heel are reminiscent of the Air Max 2003 while the track-ready running-flats design comes from the Air Max 2004, and the inner mesh lining mirrors that of the Air Max 95. Nike has materialized some of the most ground-breaking visions of footwear and we can easily deem the Nike Air Max 2009 as another successful notch on Nike’s belt.
#6 – NIKE FOAMPOSITE LITE – NATE ROBINSON KRYPTONATE PE
Every year, we can count on the NBA’s All-Star Weekend to be a showcase for sneaker brands to introduce new and outrageous styles and colorways. Last February in Phoenix, Nike and Nate Robinson teamed up for one of the most memorable All-Star sneakers of all time. Knowing that there was a very good chance that Nate would end up facing off against Dwight Howard in the Slam Dunk Contest finals, Nike equipped the high flying little man with the only known weapon capable of taking down “Superman.” During the final round of the Dunk Contest, Nate came out in his glowing green Kryptonite-inspired Foamposite Lites, ensuring that all eyes were focused on his feet as he soared through the air over his seven foot tall opponent.
The “krypto” power worked like a charm as Nate took home his second Dunk Contest title and the shoes became instantly infamous, leaving sneakerheads all over the country on the edge of their seats salivating over the possibility of a Kryptonate release. Nike was obviously thrilled to oblige, and a month later, it was announced that the kicks would, in fact, be released in very limited numbers. In mid-March, the shoe dropped at House of Hoops in Harlem and needless to say, the turnout was a huge success, with Nate himself stopping by to show his appreciation. The shoes sold out in no time at all, leaving many disappointed would-be buyers Kryptonate-less, and as the resale prices on eBay continue to skyrocket, the shoe’s legend grows right along with them.
#5 – NIKE AIR FOAMPOSITE – EGGPLANT
Every colorway of the Nike Air Foamposite has a nickname and a place at the Posite family table, but one clearly now sits at the head as the king. Originally seen on the Flightposite 1, the Eggplant color scheme became an instant classic with the Posite crowd, so when news of an Eggplant Foamposite first surfaced, a lot of ears perked right up. DC rapper Wale has been on a Copper kick of late, but he also gave us one of our first looks at the Foamposite in the eye-catching pearly purple. Aside from the Eggplant upper, another big selling point that endeared itself to sneakerheads was the crisp
clear outsole. Despite the always high Posite price tag, these got scooped up with the quickness when they hit shelves back in February. Foamposites seem to have a love/hate-type quality within the sneaker community, but the success of this release proves that there are definitely a ton of people in that love category. And the appreciation doesn’t stop there, as Eggplant-inspired Hyperdunks and Big Nike Highs followed, with Blazer Highs and Skyposites on the way soon. In a year that also saw the Retro release of the beloved Pearl Foamposite Pros, the Eggplants get the edge thanks to this delicious new combination of classic Foam elements. Thanks Flight Club NY.
#4 – NIKE AIR MAX LEBRON VII
With the tremendous hype already surrounding LeBron James as he left high school for the NBA, in the sneaker community, sights were set just as high for his kicks as for his basketball skills once he signed his fat shoe contract with Nike. Beginning with the Zoom Generation his rookie season, each year saw the release of another signature LeBron shoe, and while many models were met with a positive reception, they were pretty hit or miss with many sneakerheads for the most part. Everyone expected the LeBron sneakers to be something special, but opinions are still pretty mixed on the first six signature models to be released.
For round 7 of the Nike LeBron line, the reigns were handed over from Ken Link, who designed the first six models, to up and coming designer Jason Petrie. Petrie’s vision for the shoe took the LeBron trajectory into an entirely new direction, in terms of both aesthetics and function. Previous installments sported a chunkier look that was a little more fitting of a big man’s shoe, but the Air Max LeBron VII stripped down the look for a much sleeker result. The Zoom Air cushioning that had been a LeBron staple since the beginning was replaced with a full 360 Air Max bag and the upper was now much lighter thanks to the use of Flywire technology.
With the fresh look and improved tech capabilities, the Air Max LeBron VII proved that cutting-edge form and function could absolutely coexist, even on the most high-profile of performance endeavors. The response to the shoe from the sneaker community was overwhelming. Not only did people love the appearance of the shoe, but it also performed like a dream, leaving sneakerheads to gush over the warmly embraced new style. In addition to its court-ready construction, the shoe was also designed with a look that translated well to the street, making it one of the first new basketball shoes in a while to maintain its fresh style whether on the hardwood or out on the town with a pair of jeans.
This notion received an exclamation point with the release of the “Red Carpet” edition, a more sophisticated version of the shoe that swapped out the Flywire for a black woven upper. Combine that with a ultra-crisp color scheme and there you have one of the most stylish basketball models to ever come out of Beaverton without a Jumpman on it. It seems unlikely that another signature sneaker line will ever capture the same kind of intrigue of Air Jordans, but the Air Max LeBron VII definitely made more headway in that department than most sneakers or endorsers ever do. In the opinion of many, the LeBron VII took things in a very promising direction and there are a lot of high hopes looking towards the future of the Nike LeBron series.
#3 – AIR JORDAN III – TRUE BLUE
The Air Jordan III is widely considered by many connoisseurs to be one of the greatest design achievements in the history of sneakers, and it’s pretty much a fact that nothing will ever replicate the magic of those original four colorways. In a day and age when a popular model may be released in ten or more versions, the focus on particular color schemes gets diluted by the overload of variety, and a shoe is often remembered more for the overall model than for specific colorways. In the case of the original Air Jordan releases, you could count on about three or four different colorways to be released, and because there were only a handful of them, it automatically made each one memorable with a personality all its own. As a result, whenever an original Jordan colorway is re-released, it’s a foregone conclusion that a piranha frenzy will clear them out of just about any sneaker store on release day.
Such was the case when the long-revered True Blue Air Jordan III was originally re-released in 2001, but the plan didn’t go quite as most expected with the 2009 Retro return. In a move that still has many Jordan die-hards scratching their heads, Jordan Brand
decided that the shoes would only be released in Europe and Asia, completely skipping over the always Jordan-hungry United States. Needless to say, more than a few people were distraught over the bad news, and there began the overseas hunt. This past summer, the True Blues began to pop up for sale at Asian and Euro retailers, prompting plenty of US sneakerheads to pay well above retail price to ensure that the legendary kicks wouldn’t pass them by yet again.
While some were willing to go the extra mile to get their pair, a ton of US Jordan collectors were left in the dark, causing some harsh words and feelings to be cast in the direction of Jordan Brand for the controversial choice. The end result though, can be interpreted in different ways depending on which side of the True Blue fence you wound up on. For those who missed out, an understandable bad taste in the mouth was left behind, but for those who put in the leg work and copped a crisp new pair or two, the victory was extra sweet knowing that, unlike some other Retro releases, these were guaranteed to be a little more special thanks to the slim availability. With so many Retro models so readily available, it’s refreshing to know you’ll see these on a few less feet this time around.
#2 – NIKE AIR YEEZY
Sneakers still certainly don’t measure up to the pop culture significance that music does, but change may be in the air. Needless to say, music and artists have a large influence on the outcome of many sneaker colorways. The closest to getting your own shoe as an artist, though only comes as close as a collab or maybe getting a custom-made pair, but we all know how successful those come out to be. For the global stardom that Kanye West has achieved, Nike could only think of one thing… his own shoe. What had the internet in a stir after some glimpses at the Grammy’s, ended up being the prelude to Nike’s first non-athlete signature shoe. Meticulous in his music and
style, Kanye spent countless hours making sure the design reflected his individuality. The number of tooling schemes and approaches to unique features showed how important this release was; not just for Kanye or Nike, but for the sneaker game in general. The Air Yeezy broke the mold, setting a new precedent for new-age high tops, and featuring progressive details including Nike’s brightest and most light-retentive glow sole to date. Debuting in three separate releases, all distinct in color scheme, exclusive stores around the world effortlessly sold out within minutes. It became the “shoe to have,” and yet even celebrities were in a frenzy, afraid of not being able to cop. The Yeezy became not just a sneaker, but an innuendo of status. Thanks Flight Club NY.
#1 – AIR JORDAN XI – SPACE JAM
Occasionally in the sneaker world, everything aligns and falls into place just right to create an instantly classic shoe. The Air Jordan XI was already a smash sucess as soon as it hit shelves during the 1995-96 NBA season, but when the playoffs came around, Michael turned a lot of heads by breaking out a new blacked-out colorway with his comeback number 45 on the heel. When Mike took to the silver screen in 1996 for the movie Space Jam, the minds of Air Jordan aficionados were officially further blown at the sight of the mysterious XI’s on MJ’s feet. The shoes were dubbed the Space Jams by awed admirers and sported a sleek all black upper with a clean white midsole and clear outsole, giving the already ultra-stylish design its slickest look yet. The tendency to lust after what we can’t have immediately kicked in and the shoe became one of the most feverishly desired models in Air Jordan history. Four long years later, in 2000, Jordan Brand brought in the new millennium in style, releasing the Space Jam edition of the Air Jordan XI’s for the first time ever.
Jordan collectors were overjoyed to finally get their hands on such a long sought-after treasure, but as with any anticipated release, stock went fast and there were plenty of folks that never got themselves a pair. As a result, scores of Jordanheads have spent the nine years since trying to track down deadstock pairs in their size, often paying
absurd resale rates for some Space Jams of their own. Rumors of a Retro release swirled around for years, but it was this July that prayers were answered and an official November drop was finally confirmed. Immediately after the news broke, the beloved Space Jams instantly became one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the last decade. In the months that followed, more and more images of the Retro versions began to pop up, and to everyone’s delight, they seemed to be true to their original form in seemingly every way, a big relief considering some of the modifications that have recently been made to some other re-released classics.
Recognizing that the Retro release of the Space Jams was a pretty big deal, Jordan decided to step up the packaging game, boxing the new Space Jams up in a special collector’s box complete with matching blue plastic toe inserts. While the shoes may have finally just dropped last week, plenty of sneakerheads determined not to miss out grabbed theirs early for a little extra cash. They hit stores last Wednesday and were nearly impossible to find for box price by mid day. In fact, the high volume of would-be purchasers actually crashed several major retail sites, and in Georgia, there were even multiple Foot Locker break-ins. No one was sure how many pairs would actually hit retail, so people were not playing with this one. The lines were formed and favors were called in, and by Christmas morning, there were a lot us who woke up knowing that nothing we’d receive this year would top the present we already bought for ourselves two days earlier.
