The coronavirus may have successfully grounded airlines and closed borders temporarily, but one silver lining is that it hasn’t been able to stop an onslaught of great sneakers from being released. To help you make your ‘needle in a haystack’ discovery, here are the ten best sneakers of the season.
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New Balance Made in USA 992
These iconic kicks were one of Steve Jobs’ favourite New Balance sneakers – he didn’t just wear them, he also played a huge part in their creation. This latest iteration in monochromatic gray sees an upgrade in the form of a base of Abzorb cushioning and Ndurance rubber.
Nike SB Dunks Low Strangelove Skateboards
Nike teamed up with legendary artists Todd Bratrud and Sean Cliver of Strangelove Skateboards for this one-of-a-kind colourway to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The duo behind some of the most iconic SB colourways struck gold again with this number, going with a pink velvet upper, suede overlays and a red velvet swoosh. They’re almost too precious to wear while skateboarding.
Adidas Originals by Craig Green Polta AKH II S
Take elements from the Adidas Kamanda fusion football sneaker and blend them with a vibrant jelly-like mould and you have Craig Green’s Polta Akh II. Like all things from the genius British designer, it fuses experimental design elements with functionality, all while being super covetable.
Dior x Air Jordan 1
When you have one of the hottest menswear labels in the game doing its take on the most iconic sneaker silhouette of all time, you have a sneaker that’s going straight from its release date into the hall of fame. Do we need to say more?
Fear of God Essentials x Converse Chuck 70
Jerry Lorenzo makes a case for elegant sportswear with his take on the classic Chuck 70s. The model features a black-and-white colour block scheme, with canvas lateral panels, a leather tongue and extra-long laces. It doesn’t get more elegant than this.
Air Jordan 7 Hare 2.0
Michael Jorddan is more than just the greatest basketball player of all time, he also gave us one of basketball’s most iconic movies with Space Jam. With Space Jam 2 set to launch this year, the Jordan brand will be launching the Air Jordan 7 Hare 2.0 colourway, inspired by Bugs Bunny, to commemorate the film. The blend of green fur uppers with red and pink accents makes this sneaker one to watch out for.
Converse x TheSoloist All-Star Disrupt CX
As much as we love a retro release, it’s the futuristic sneaker that really gets us going. The Converse All-Star Disrupt CX retains the classic Chuck Taylor silhouette but features an exaggerated outsole, new stretch canvas uppers and foam insoles for that extra bounce to your step. Add the monochrome styling of TheSoloist and you have a sneaker that is both stylish and comfortable.
Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 270
Virgil Abloh might dominate the headlines with his Nike collaborations, but the true star of the Nike roster is Travis Scott. This rendition of the Air Max 270 features elements like a reverse swoosh, the earthy tones favoured by Scott and contrasting fabric textures. It might be the Air Max 270 of old, but Scott’s Midas touch has elevated this sneaker to new realms.
Nike Air Max 2090
Launched in celebration of Air Max Day, the American giant takes the DNA of the iconic Air Max 90 into the future. Names Air Max 2090, the sneaker features a larger Air Max unit and improved flexibility, while keeping the iconic mudguard and cassette around the air unit.
Nike Space Hippie
These sneakers are trash, and we mean this is a complimentary way. The Nike Space Hippie series is an innovative series of sneakers that features upcycled trash. They’re good for the environment and they look great on feet, so what more do you want your sneakers to do for you?
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