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Day: 28 December 2022
Our list of the best sneakers of 2022 (part 1)
After last week’s article, we are ready to start our breakdown of the best sneakers of 2022. Starting with positions 10-6, whilst the top 5 pairs will be announced later this week. Follow us at @woovinsneakers on Instagram to be notified when part two of this list is released, and remember that these are our own subjective choices, so many great shoes have been released this year, and this is our own personal attempt to pick out our 10 favourites.
Image: Sneakerjagers
10. New Balance 9060 Joe Freshgoods Inside Voices
Beginning this list is the New Balance 9060 Joe Freshgoods Inside Voices, the collaboration which introduced us to the new 9060 model, as well as reminding us why Joe Freshgoods is such a core asset to New Balance. Part of his “inside voices” sequel to his previous “outside clothes” sneaker campaign. Freshgoods seamlessly debuted a new model whilst continuing his story telling from his previous collaborations. Building a body of work which showed his taste in soft colour palettes and luxury materials, from wide-holed mesh to fuzzy suede overlays. Although a phenomenal release, expect to see another Joe Freshgoods sneaker making an appearance in the second part of this list.
Image: Highsnobiety
9. Salomon ACS PRO Advanced Kar L’Art De L’Automobile
Next, we have the Salomon ACS PRO Advanced Kar L’Art De L’Automobile, a well-deserved entry from French sports brand Salomon after a stellar couple of years. Boosted by the success of Gorp-Core, Salomons sleek and practical trail running models have seen an uptick in popularity, boosted further by the number of exceptional colorway releases over the last few years. Few of these come close to the collaboration between one of the highest-rated Salomon models, the ACS Pro Advanced, and France-based streetwear brand and car dealership L’Art de L’automobile. Creating two versions which both added high contrast racing colors to the model. This emphasized the unique layering on the ACS Pro Advanced. These pairs deserve their place on this list for their involvement in pushing Salomon into mainstream sneaker fashion.
Image: Hypebeast
8. NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs
Tom Sachs’ heavily anticipated return takes our number 8 spot, with his unconventionally conventional brand-new silhouette. The NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs shoe served to offer something new to sneaker collectors. A shoe that cared primarily about its wearability and value it gave the wearer as an everyday shoe, over worrying about the more superficial elements of sneaker marketing. With its unconventional “as simple as can be” and “creativity is the enemy” marketing, and minimalist silhouette, the model has split the sneaker community. The outpouring of love from those who have gotten their hands on the model, as well as its creativity in terms of its rollout, has earned it a place on our top sneakers of the year list.
Image: Sneakerjagers
7. Nike SB Dunk Low Sandy Bodecker
A more recent release to sneak onto this list, is the Nike SB Dunk Low Sandy Bodecker ‘eBay‘. Only released earlier this December. This model was inspired by one of the rarest Dunks of all time, coming in eBay’s colors, that had one of the three pairs in existence shredded after its initial charity auction. This shoe honours this history with transparent panelling where the model was cut, as well as the late Sandy Bodecker, the man behind the Nike SB Dunk Low. Bodecker was gifted a pair of the original eBay Dunks. It’s very hard to hate this sneaker, hence their feature on this list, regardless of the recency of their release.
Image: Sneakerjagers
6. Nike Dunk Low Union Passport Pack Argon
Ending the first half of our list, as well as continuing our appreciation of the Dunk is the Nike Dunk Low Union Passport Pack Argon collection. Primarily due to the shoes helping to keep the Nike Dunk Low, a model that debatably peaked back in 2020 and 2021, on top of the sneaker game well into 2022. Coming from long-time Nike collaborators, LA-based Union, the Nike Dunks have a “passport pack” theme, due to each colorway honouring a past region-exclusive Dunk release. Each pair is also fitted with an extra ripstop layer on the upper over the typical leather upper. With Union being famous for their attention to detail, small details like their skateboarder silhouette motif and loose stitching helped this pack of three colorways have a significant impact on the sneaker game. This pair earns its title as the best and most creative Nike Dunk collaboration of the year.
Beginning our countdown of the best sneakers of 2022
As the year comes to an end, it’s time to rate our favourite sneakers which have been released over the last 12 months: pitting our favourite kicks against each other, measuring their success in terms of popularity, creativity and greater importance within the sneaker space. But before we release our full top 10 list, we thought it was worth writing about some of the beloved models that narrowly missed out on our list. So, without further ado, check out below our honourable mentions for 2022’s sneakers of the year.
Image: Complex
Starting off this list we have the Louis Vuitton x Air Force 1. Although many people have put it as their top sneaker of the year, we thought that such an exclusive model can’t be featured on a top 10 list of sneakers when we have barely seen it. Other than viral images on social media, the models that retailed for no less than €2000 have not come close to reaching the average sneaker collector. That being said, its release is worth a mention, if not thanks to the iconic nature of the two brands coming together, then as the brainchild of the late great designer Virgil Abloh. Tying together his work with both brands throughout his design career, the model stands out as the most luxurious Air Force 1 we have ever seen.
Image: RESHOEVN8R
Next up on our list of honourable mentions is the Salahe Bembury X Crocs Pollex Clogs that have been so popular during the course of the year. Although not making it onto our top 10 list since its standout colourways were released at the backend of last year, Sasquatch, Cobbler and Crocodile editions have all been released this year to much acclaim. The unique design has helped usher in a wave of slip-on models this year, and its cutting-edge production process will likely continue to influence other slip-on models for years to come.
Image: Complex
The Kobe 6 “Mambacita” deserves a mention, as whilst the average sneaker fan – especially outside of America – may have looked over the release, it was such a big deal for the Kobe fans amongst us. Honouring Kobe as well as his late daughter, a fellow basketball player, it comes in their Mamba Sports Academy teams colours. This deeply personal release resonated with sneaker fans and Kobe fanatics alike, especially after an uneasy period where Nike’s deal with the Kobe estate fell through, leading to a stoppage in Kobe models. Seeing the two parties resume their partnership and provide such a beautiful model to fans was a special moment in sneakers that is worth remembering.
Image: Sneakerjagers
Making Asic’s first appearance on this list, after a very successful year, is their leading Gel Kayano 14 model. More specifically, a rendition of the Gel Kayano 14 from one of the top collaborators of the last few years, Montreal-based creative design studio JJJJound. Coming in a silver and black upper paired with a sail midsole, the pairs quickly sold out and are now reselling for over three times the original retail price. What makes this shoe so special, however, is that it stands alone – in a year when the Gel Kayano 14 has received so much praise, as THE Gel Kayano 14. No other colorway of the silhouette comes close to the popularity and notability of JJJJound’s take on the model. It perfects quite a simple look that still captures the essence of the 2000’s runner and pushes the model to its fullest potential.
Image: Sneaker Freaker
The last sneaker that we felt deserved a mention was a personal favourite, the Stray Rats x New Balance 580. Whilst it didn’t garner the same attention as any of the shoes on our top 10 list, it’s notable firstly for helping to bring back the New Balance 580, an initially Japan-exclusive model, ushering in a run of general release 580s which has been confirmed to continue well into 2023. Moreover, the two different colourways released as part of the collaboration both brought something new to New Balance’s roster, offering a contrasting look filled with late 2000’s nostalgia, perfect for the y2k style which is so popular right now.
So, do you agree with our picks? What shoes do you expect us to include in our top 10 sneakers of the year list? To be notified when we release our top 10 sneakers of the year, follow us @woovinsneakers on Instagram.
