Those who know me know I love shoes. I won't go as far as saying I am a sneakerhead (because I don't wait in line or an absurd amount of money for the latest drop). That said, I do appreciate a sneaker, it's history and the stories behind the design. Shoes have the ability to create a unique confidence and change the way you feel. If you've never experienced this, you've never owned the right pair of sneakers.
I compiled a list of my favorite sneakers of all time. I am an adidas guy through and through, but I appreciate and respect what Nike has accomplished. And, yes, this list of is heavy with Nike and adidas, but there are a few other brands to notice. (Apologies to Under Armour and Puma fans, but I haven't seen a shoes that I've fallen in love with. Don't worry I though, I will keep an open mind.)
1. adidas Yeezy Boost 350
Say what you want about Kanye West, but the man is a genius and his Yeezy line shows his artistic brilliance. I would even argue that the Yeezy Boost 350 is the greatest shoe on the market (the V2 isn't too shabby). While creating this incredible shoe, Kanye West essentially resurrected the adidas Original brand to its 90s lore. Before the first Yeezy line, adidas Originals was stuck in this phase of high-tops that never seemed to resonate with the fans - Top Ten Hi, Pro Model, Forums, etc. Yes, they also had some classics like the Superstar and the Samoa, but the Yeezy brand and the 350 brought Originals back! Mix the unique sole design with the elegantly, simplistic fabric pattern and you have arguably today's greatest shoe. Someday I will drop the $500+ for a real pair, but for now I'm stuck with my knock-offs from Aliexpress.
2. Jordan 11
I know everyone loves Js, but Jordans are hit or miss with me. All that to say, the Jordan 11 is incredible. It is such a simple style that looks so clean and so timeless. On top of that, there's not a bad colorway for the design (Bred, Space Jam, Cool Grey), but it's the Concord that fell in love with. There's something about the Concord's simplicity. This shoe looks incredible both on the court with any uniform and off the court with any outfit.
3. Nike Hyperdunk - 08
I would argue that this is the best Team Basketball that Nike ever made. However, the 2008 model is the only version I really love. I'm not sure what happened with the 2008's predecessors, but they couldn't live up to the original. With the help of the '08 Summer Olympics and the US Men's team, this basketball shoe and its technology changed the game. Not to mention that the ability to customize it with NikeID only compounded its greatness.
4. adidas Y-3 Qasa High
Have you ever heard of adidas Y-3? It's informally known as adidas' high end brand from world-renown designer Yohji Yamamoto. Check out their website and you'll find mostly minimalist, black and white designs. Of those shoes, the Qasa High is such a unique looking shoe - almost ninja-like. Y-3 has experimented with multiple colorways, but the all-black is the cleanest.
5. adidas Ultra Boots 3.0
adidas nailed it when they mixed the revolutionary Boost technology sole and plastic heel with the classic three stripe. Better yet, adidas decided to keep the overall design consistent for each model. That said, the 3.0 is my personal favorite. The colorway possibilities are endless with the Ultra Boost and its plastic heel plate. Such a clean shoe.
6. Nike Air Max 90
Most sneaker fans know who Tinker Hatfield is and how he saved Nike by creating the Jordan 3 and the original Air Max 1 so it's no surprise to find an Air Max on this list. Aside from the revolutionary air bubble design, this shoe completely changed the sneaker game from both a style and performance perspective. Not to mention, the Air Max label is used on basketball, running, and training shoes which only proves how phenomenal this shoe is.
7. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top
Classics. Enough said. Especially the all-white Converse Check Taylor. The high top is what everyone knows and loves, but I personally love the low model.
8. Nike Zoom Lebron II
I don't think the Lebrons will ever match Jordan, but I do think many Lebrons are under appreciated. Lebrons are especially great because of the different colorways - mainly involving brighter and more eccentric colors. Traditionally a high top, heavier shoe, the Lebrons represent power, support and style. That is easily shown through the Nike Zoom Lebron II.
9. Vans Authentic
This is another classic shoe that looks good in every color. At one time, it was viewed as just a punk/skater shoe, but now Vans are regularly worn by everyone. It is such a simple shoe that looks great in all colors – from all black to being deck out in stars and stripes.
10. adidas Yeezy Boost 750
Kanye West and adidas did it again with the 750. While keeping a similar sole style as the 350, they created a super stylish high top. I almost hope they never make a V2 of this, because the original looks so good. That said, the 350 V2 does look fantastic…so who knows. The 750 comes in three colorways and, though I don't love the brown, the black and grey with the gum soles look amazing.
11. New Balance 574
I once told a friend I liked the New Balance 574 and his response was a confusing, "really, aren't those old man shoes?" Obviously, the New Balance 574 are not old man shoes. They have been around for a while and have established themselves as somewhat of a timeless style. Other brands like Nike, Adidas, and Asics created shoes with similiar designs.
12. adidas Tubular Radial
I absolutely love these shoes and actually just bought a pair. The entire futuristic tubular design with the large, rounded sole is incredible. Though they are adidas Originals, they feel like the medium to the Y-3 brand. adidas offers a lot of gorgeous colorways, but it is tough to beat the all white.
13. Nike Huarache 2K4
Nike has done an outstanding job with the Huarache brand. Their most recent hit, the Air Huarache is a fantastic, unique looking shoe. However, the best Huarache of all time is the Huarache 2K4. The strap that velcros inside the ankle with the soft sole looks great in any colorway that players are still wearing today.
14. adidas adizero Crazy Light
Light - that is exactly what this shoe is. Adidas mimicked this style for many years and for good reason. It is a slee, unique design with the classic three stripes around the ankle. adidas has so many placement options for the three stripes and they nailed it here. I ended up buying a pair a few years later after the release because they still look great.
15. Reebok Question
I haven't ever really fallen in love with Reebok, but I do love their most famous hoops shoe made famous by The Answer. I have to imagine that there was a little inspiration from the Air Max with the exposed cushioning, but have it exposed twice, separately is looks great. The whole flow of shoe just works. Just by looking at it, it looks comfortable. Based off recent history, I don't know if Reebok will ever be able to come up with anything like this.