And just like that, the year 2013 is just about over, which means it’s a perfect time to reflect on the year’s best kicks, while also chiming in with our own personal favorites. With that being said, a few members of the Nice Kicks staff have ranked their ten favorite sneakers of the year, respectively. Scroll through and let us know who you thought had the best picks, and pickups, this year.
George Kiel
10. Air Jordan 4 “Fear”
I ended up buying the entire Fear Pack and at the time, the 4 was my least favorite. Since then, I have worn the 4 more than any other shoe in the pack. I just love the different shades of grey mixed with black. You can pretty much wear them with anything.
9. Air Jordan 1 Hi “Premier”
We knew about the Taxi 12s, the Gamma 11s, and the Black/Red 1s, but this was a bit of a surprise in terms of Jordan releases in December. Next to grey, my second favorite color scheme is red and green, and the Air Jordan 1 is among my favorite Jordan silhouettes to wear (as you continuously see on this list). So, this release was right up my ally.
8. Nike Air Trainer 1 SP “Monotones” Pack
The entire Monotones Pack was created nicely, but I gravitated towards the Trainers more than the others. I think the speckled print was done better and in a more subtle way on the Trainers than on the other two silhouettes. It’s another easily wearable shoe with pretty much anything.
7. Air Jordan XX8 SE “Green Camo”
Switching gears, the Air Jordan XX8 SE was my favorite performance shoe release of the year. I loved the XX8, but the shroud was a bit distracting. Jordan Brand did away with the shroud, kept the same performance capabilities and decreased the price. Perfecto.
6. adidas Crazy 8 “Nightmare Before Christmas”
adidas outdid themselves with this colorway of the Crazy 8. The Nightmare Top Ten 2000 and D Rose 4 of 2012 were also good, but the Crazy 8 is five times better. The use of speckles on the exaggerated midsole and the graphic on the base did it for me.
5. Air Jordan 1 Black Patent/Gold
I was truly bummed that I missed out on these. Black patent looks good on pretty much anything, and the gold contrasts nicely. This was my second favorite Air Jordan 1 release of the year, and I think a lot of people slept on it.
4. Air Jordan 1 “Shadow Grey”
The Shadows are easily my favorite Air Jordan 1 of 2013. Why? I’ve worn them more than any other shoe this year.
3. Nike Kobe I Prelude
The concept of re-releasing Kobe’s older models in new colorways each week leading up to the 9 is genius. I, and everyone else, figured the world would get a chance to purchase Kobe’s older models well after his retirement. The Kobe I was pretty awesome from the colorway to the inspiration to him wearing them in his return.
2. Air Jordan 5 “Doernbecher”
My favorite retro of the year. Whoever thought putting an entire glow-in-the-dark poem on a shoe would look good? I thought Isaac and Jordan Brand did an incredible job with this one.
1. Nike Kobe II Prelude
My favorite player and my favorite color meet on a Kobe model I’ve never been too enthused about. Yet, it comes in as the #1 shoe release of the year for me. I love the marble graphic and the gold accents.
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Read the rest of Nice Kicks Staff Picks – Individual Top 10s of 2013 (2,410 words)
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