DeFY. New York was going to do a top ten, but 2012 was filled with way to much good stuff to be limited to only 10 releases. So, instead I present to you DeFY. New York’s top 25 sneaker releases for 2012, enjoy 🙂 P.S. you watch the countdown video below as well.
#25 Remyxx aka Re-kixx 100% Recyclable sneakers Green Colorway
Climate change due to pollution is a hot topic right now. Some say its a direct result of our wreckless pollution others say its just a natural occurence. Either way, Gary Gagnon (the founder of Re-kixx) is helping make the world a better place with his 100% recyclable sneakers (the first of its kind). The Green pair is a go.
#24 Jordan IV Military Blue, Fire Red & Black Red (3 way tie)
This retro almost didn’t make the list, but the fact that JB improved the shape was cause for a thumbs up. Sure, they lack the Nike Air that many of us desire but they’ll hold us over until we do get the retro IV’s of our dreams…..Cough! Nike Air. Cough!
#23 Nike Air Max Uptempo White Black Mystic Teal
Dope shoe from a great era in a beautiful OG color. Nike did right by these.
#22 Nike Air Flight One
If they were good enough for MJ well…The mostly black Air Flight One always brought to mind looks of a shoe that was ready to help you destroy the dreams of your competitors, we’re game.
#21 Converse Pro Leather Ox Suede
Doesn’t Converse make these things like…every year and aren’t they available like… everywhere? BAP! Wrong. The Converse Pro Leather ox with black suede and white accents hasn’t seen a re-issue in at least 16+ years (yup) not to mention they are almost non existent in stores (couldn’t find a shop in New York to do a size exchange). Add to the fact that they can be dressed up, dressed down, go with pretty much anything and are only 59.99 there was no denying them the 21 spot on the list.
#20 Nike Air Lebron X Seaweed/Atomic Green/Hasta
Whether you love or hate Lebron it don’t matter. He’s still one of the best players in the league and just so happens to have one of the best looking sig shoes in the Lebron X.
#19 Adidas Originals Consortium Munchen Made In Germany
I’ll be honest, I was never a huge fan of the Adidas Munchen. Its not that I don’t like them (I do) but with everything else out there they weren’t on my list of must haves. Still, what Adidas did for this release is what we as sneaker enthusiasts dream of. Handmade at the adidas factory in Scheinfeld, Germany and packaged in a 1:1 reissue of the original box. It opened up the floodgate to dreams of our favorite Nike’s, Reebok’s, and other Adidas model’s getting the same treatment.
#18 Nike Air Max Speed Turf Dolphin’s Colorway
The Speed Turf’s had a tight knit following for years. So, when news broke that these gems in the OG Dolphin’s colorway were coming back, there were all types of digital hi-fives. Just about every color way is a go and quality was one point. Another well executed retro by Nike gets these to number 18 on the list.
#17 Nike Air Flight 89 White Royal Blue Red
The Nike Air Flight 89 is one of those shoes that makes you say: WTF Nike we’ve seen this shoe in over a hundred different colorway’s over the course of 13 years you think we can get a 89 Flight High retro already? All serious jokes aside, Nike gave us three OG colorway’s and executed them nearly perfect. This was that shoe that you waited for to go on sale only to check back and see that lonely size 6.5 box highlighted. Off to eBay you go.
#16 Nike Air Pillar Grey/Dark Charcoal/Black/Volt, Grey/Yellow, & Black Metallic Silver
The Nike Air Pillar was always brought up in sneaker discussions about shoes that should be retro’d, but probably wouldn’t. Well, Nike surprised us and not only gave us a retro but a great one at that. Sure the retail price is on the high side but if you do your homework you can bring a set home for a good price.
#15 Nike Foamposite One Stealth
The fact that this shoe released about 5 years ago in the same colorway and was relatively ignored only to be a 1 minute sell out on its second release is mind boggling. Take away the hype and it doesn’t take away from the fact that the Foamposite One is a dope shoe with the stealth colorway making one of your favorite shoes easy to match with anything. Winning.
#14 Reebok Omni Zone x Solebox Jalapeno
For the second time Solebox lights up the lives of Omni Zone Pump lovers around the world. Some may call them childish and relate them to L.A. Gear lights and I’d have to say your a $%^&. Premium uppers and shoes that light up when you want them (and stay lit up) make these a must have.
#13 Reebok Twilight Zone Pump Neon Yellow
Reebok’s no fool. The Reebok Twilight Zone pump is one of the most iconic pump shoes EVER and no colorway is more popular than the neon yellow. Like the 2010 release, pairs have been gobbled up quick.
#12 Reebok Question Mid White/Red
The Reebok Question Mid had seen several retro’s in a bunch of colorway’s over the years with a lot of releases landing on sales racks. It wasn’t until this year that Reebok’s marketing along with the help of covering sites, a limited run and good quality helped give this shoe the respect it deserves.
#11 (Tie) Nike Air Jordan VII Olympic & Black Purple
Two classic OG colorway’s of the Jordan VII need we say more?
#10 Reebok Pump Fury Firecracker Red retro
Its not often that Reebok releases these in the OG firecracker red colorway so when they did fans ate them up. Good quality, OG colorway and super comfy keep these still one of the best retro’s of a running shoe (from the 90’s) the past 10 years.
# 9 Nike Flyknit Racer Volt/Electric Green-Summit White
Aside from the drama between Nike and Adidas over who exactly owns the rights to this technology, Nike’s version gave you the feeling of the Waffle trainer re-invented. A near perfect fusion between fashion and function got this shoe to number 9.
#8 Jordan XI Black Red 2012 Release
The nickname “bred XI” or even worse “the black red concords” (yea, that really happened) might have turned you off to the XI. However, this OG colorway has improved over its last release and as usual will be an instant sell out.
#7 Nike Air Max 2012 Anthracite/Black/Total-Orange
The 2012 Air Max (or as I like to call, the 2009 Air Max’s bad ass little brother) will go down as one of the best looking and most comfortable Air Max’s of all time. While any of the colorway’s will suffice, the anthracite and orange colorway really brought the shoe’s silhoutte to life.
#6 Under Armour BB Charge Graphite/Bitter/Black
This ultra high top from Under Armour is just what the doctor ordered. While a lot of company’s have shy’d away from very high cut shoes, Under Armour may have just set the record for the highest cut mass production basketball shoe of all time. Its in your face design, coupled with this grey/neon yellow combination and its functionality as a pro grade basketball shoe make this one of the best of 2012.
#5 Nike Air “Galaxy” Foamposite
The Galaxy Foamposite is a dope looking shoe that officially changed the game. With people going crazier than ever (see Concord XI 2011 release) the Galaxy Foamposite release officially ushered in a new way of handling releases. It was also the shoe release that had you thinking: If this is what people will do for sneakers what would they do for food during a crisis? Real talk.
#4 Nike Tailwind Night Track NRG Retro
Whoever came up with the Nike Night Track in the late 70’s definitely knew how to think outside the box. The original shoe (which still commands prices in the $800-1800 range) was ultimately a running shoe turned into a disco dancing shoe. Its rarity and photo’s of David Hasselhoff and Michael Jackson wearing them only added to their allure. Released in small numbers and in its OG form (Nike did a knockout job on these) lands this iconic shoe solidly at the number 4 spot.
#3 Nike Air Yeezy 2 Black/Solar Red & Wolf Grey/Pure Platinum
While not a real fan of the Yeezy 1, the Yeezy 2 is a true work of art. Add to the fact that the Tech challenge II midsole was used on the most hyped release ever and you have your number 3.
#2 Nike Roshe Run Pure Platinum Calypso
The Nike Air Yeezy and Foamposite Galaxy aren’t number one and two?! Nope. The number two spot belongs to the Nike Roshe Run. This shoe took the sneaker community by storm for 2012. Lightweight, comfortable, clean modern looks, and an awesome price point have officially created a highly sought after classic with the pure platinum/calypso colorway leading the way.
#1 Ewing Athletics Ewing 33 HI Black/White, Red/Black, White Orange Blue, & Blue, Orange White.
Twenty two years, a petition,numerous forum threads, and a video finally got Patrick Ewing’s Iconic sig shoe back into production. Created exactly like the original (OG tags, box the whole shabang) and in four OG colorways showed us how a retro should and COULD be done. Oh yea, and their only getting warmed up.
For added commentary check out the countdown video below