A lot of good sneakers were released this year. It was hard to choose, but these are my top ten (in no particular order):
Air Jordan 3 True Blue - Really easy explination on this one. The Jordan 3 is probably my favorite sneaker of all time. The True Blue is one of my favorite colorways of the model. It’s a classic, plain and simple.
Air Jordan 1 Black and Shadow Grey – This one is easy too. This shoe in this colorway had never been retrod until 2009. And how can you not like black and grey? Seems like, at least up here in Boston, this sneaker was overlooked because I still see it on some shelves, which to me is crazy. The quality of the leather on both the black upper and the grey toe/heel make me wish Jordan Brand would make more shoes like this.
New Balance 1300 x ALife Rivington Club – This year especially, I’ve been a sucker for quality when it comes to materials. Not only were the colorways sick on this collaboration, but the suede is great and the mesh on the shoe is perfect. It’s a great example of how keeping it simple and clean is usually a successful combination.
Adidas ZX8000 Beckham and Bond Collaboration – Blue… Suede… Shoes. With some mesh.
New Balance 875 and 1500 x Concepts – The Freedom Trail pack was another quality release from New Balance in 2009. The 1500 is a classic model, but the brand new 875 is the stand out of the pack. Called a trail boot by New Balance, it combines the comfort of a sneaker and the structure and general look of a boot. The materials top this one off too. The butter soft leather, pig skin on the interior, make these some of the more comfortable sneakers that I’ve picked up in a long time.
Nike Air Max 1 and Air Maxim 1 – I’m gonna cheat a bit on this one. I know that the Air Max and Air Maxim are technically two different sneakers. And I know there were many colorways of both that were released in 2009. It’s been the year of the Air Max 1. Not only were the OG colorways of the model retroed, but we also saw many great collaborations including those from Patta and the Air Max 1 in the Live Strong release. Also this year, Nike introduced the Air Maxim 1. As they did with the Air Max 90 Currents last year, Nike seems to be ‘upgrading’ their classic models with more modern materials. I’m a huge fan of the Currents and I’m a huge fan of the Maxims. Lightweight and comfortable, while still retaining the silhouette of the classic sneaker it’s based on. Easy to put these in the top ten.
Nike Terminator Hybrid - As I said earlier this year, I really hadn’t heard much about this shoe before it released. But there it was one day and I was an instant fan. Although there were a couple colorways of the shoe that I didn’t buy, the olive/newspaper colorway is crazy.
New Balance 1500 x Solebox - Yes Frank, white people do love New Balance. But if one were able to seperate themselves from their deep seeded caucasian urges, one would have to say that New Balance did good things in 2009. Their collaborations with ARC, Concepts, Undefeated, and many others were some of the best collaborations of the year. The Solebox 1500s are no exception. The colorways are great, the materials are top quality, and I’m a sucker for mesh, so there you go.
Nike Air Max 90 Live Strong – Besides the Infrareds that released in limited quantities (especially here in Boston), I think that this is the best Max 90 colorway released since the white, vivid blue and black colorway dropped in 2007. Air Max 90, mesh and 3M. Done deal.
Puma x Undefeated Mid – Classic shoe, simple colorways with good detail and great leather, make this one of my favorites of the year. I don’t really know what to say besides that.
Owning a pair of the “New Balance 1300 x ALife Rivington Club” I must agree that they are choice. Not only do they look good but they fit wear nicely. Nice pick of kicks.