Hip-Hop Wired couldn’t let the year close out without noting one of our favorite pastimes: dope sneakers. That said, here’s Wired 25: The 25 Best Sneakers Of 2014.
Per our past lists — the top 25 singles, videos, mixtapes/EPs, and albums of the year — we’ve shared our thoughts on the best releases from shoe retailers like Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, New Balance, and more. Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed.
Hit the jump to see which sneakers made the cut. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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Photo: Sneaker News
25. Nike LeBron 11 EXT “King’s Crown”
After getting over this shoe’s excessive gloss, notice its extensive details and use of materials.
24. End x Saucony Shadow 5000 “Burger”
End and Saucony easily one of the best executed examples of creativity on a shoe this year.
23. Wish ATL x adidas Originals SL Loop Runner “Independent Currency”
Another creative collab came from the minds of the good folks at adidas and Atlanta’s premiere streetwear boutique.
22. Nike Air Tech Challenge II
May way for a classic pair of kicks; a pair that are in yours truly’s personal collection.
21. Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Yeezy”
The appropriation of the original Nike Air Yeezy colorway doesn’t fit just any silhouette. That said, kudos to whoever volunteered the Air Foamposite Pro to be a suitable suitor.
20. Wings+Horns x New Balance MT580
Much like in-house products by Wings+Horns, their collaborative release is aesthetically simple, yet extremely clean.
19. Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low HTM
For starters, it’s nearly impossible to go wrong with a gun sole in my eyes. And then there’s a smooth combination of pops of colors and materials that make these kicks ill.
18. Nike Air Huarache
Again, here’s a classic that’s over two decades old, but still as potent a pair of kicks as any.
17. West NYC x New Balance 530
The combination of colors on this kicks are reminiscent to those seen on the classic Phoenix Suns NBA jerseys of the 90s.
16. adidas Stan Smith Consortium Pack
To ask me to chose between these lux versions of the iconic shoe silhouette would be criminal. I hope you understand.
15. adidas Originals Tubular Runner
The good folks at adidas conjured of some dope original silhouettes. Expect to see more as this list progresses.
14. Packer Shoes x Saucony Grid 9000 “Snow Beach”
Any nod of homage to the house that Ralph Lauren built is A-OK with me. Not to mention the classic coveted garb that is the Snow Beach pullover.
13. Nike Air Trainer 1 Mid Premium “Flax”
Nike released a handful of sneakers inspired by the famed wheat Timberland boot; these are the best of the batch.
12. Pusha T x adidas EQT Guidance
Anyone familiar with Pusha Ton’s narrative will appreciate this shoe’s nods to his street influenced dope boy tales.
11. adidas Y3 Qasa High
Yes, these shoes are an acquired taste. But if you’re up to task, best believe this pair of footwear will have your outfit (or “ahfit” as I like to pronounce it) looking so superior.
10. Ricardo Tisci x Nike Air Force 1
We still can’t get jiggy with the ultra hi-top pair, but the lows and his are pretty ill.
9. Supreme x Nike Air Force 1
Anything bearing the Supreme name immediately earns a “classic” tag in the eyes of Hypebeasts. Don’t let that detract you from these kicks, because these are ill.
8. Fragment Design x Air Jordan 1
The Air Jordan 1 is one of the most flipped models of His Airness’ iconic cannon of sneakers. Kudos to Fragment Design for getting this right.
7. adidas ZX Flux
Have you ever put a pair of these kicks on? They’re damn comfortable, wearers can customize their own, and the stock colors aren’t too shabby. What else could one ask for?
6. Air Jordan Future
Jordan Brand delivered a simple, but very ambitious shoe. Any non-retro Jordan release can be a gamble, especially if wearing for fashionable purposes is your intent. Here, not a problem.
5. Capsule x New Balance MT 580 “Canadian Tuxedo”
I personally had to fight with myself and not make these number one out of personal bias. These are MEAN.
4. Air Jordan 11 “Legend Blue”
No, the highly coveted “Legend Blue” kicks don’t sit atop of our list. They’re dope, though.
3. Nike Air Yeezy II “Red October”
The last shoe we’ll ever see from Nike and Kanye West’s collaborative days set the web ablaze when they released out of the blue early 2014.
2. Air Jordan 6 “Black Infrared”
These are the kicks that Michael Jordan wore when he nabbed his first NBA Championship. Yet sneakers wearers went absolutely ballistic over these kicks over two decades after the fact.
1. Supreme x Nike Air Foamposite
Again, it’s fair to say that Supreme releases bring the Hypebeasts to the yard in influx. But these sneakers are MEAN.
