As this year winds down, we’ve recapped its highlights to bring you the best of 2018 in fashion, sneakers, music, movies, and more.
2018 was another big one for Nike who continue to ride the success collaborations with OFF-WHITE and the awe inspiring React 87 collection, but the field is wide open. No longer is the world of sneakers a two horse race. The likes of HOKA ONE ONE, New Balance and Asics are driving attention for strong shoes that remind consumers that options are a plenty. My picks for 2018 are simply, easy to wear sneakers that shy from hype (with the exception of the React 87 of course), and focus on looks that work for any occasion.
Here's to my favorite sneakers of 2018.
Highsnobiety x Diadora N9000 (West Berlin)
2018 marked 70 years of Diadora and we celebrated with the Italian sportwear company by developing and dropping two colorways celebrating the cities we consider home: Berlin and New York. Above is the Berlin version of the N9000 colorways, sold alongside a tracksuit, beach towel and slide sandals that did this summer right.
New Balance RC-1 TDS
New Balance and Tokyo Design Studio built up a unique sneaker they launched during the New York Marathon under the RC-1 name. It's part of a project to develop forward looking silhouettes for a consumer looking for progression from NB. Along with the X-90 and the forthcoming 997 Sport silhouette that will get a big push in 2019, it's a mark that NB is not just looking back to keep their consumers laced up.
Nike x OFF-WHITE “THE 10” Air Presto (Black/White-Cone)
The white version of the original black "The Ten" Nike Presto shopped up by Virgil under the Nike x Off-White collaboration. As mentioned last year, it's hard to make a silhouette as good as the Presto better, but once again, the smallest changes make the biggest impact. More than a sneaker, this is a work of industrial design.
Levi’s x Jordan Brand Air Jordan IV (White/White-White)
Here's a big confession: I've never been a Jordan guy, but the run of Jordan IV Levi's editions drew me in immediately. What's the big deal? White denim wrap on the iconic IV is begging to get dirty or get dipped in some color for that personal customization feeling. Check the blue and black denim version as alternates to this one.
ALIFE x Crocs Classic
While not a sneaker, the ALIFE for Crocs Classics in grey with black "ALIFE" logo hit were simple and effective. ALIFE and Crocs gained quite some press around the variants from this collection such as the sock Crocs and their homage Classic to NY, but the wearable one is this.
Nike React Element 87 (Anthracite/Black-White)
Everyone's list named the Nike React 87 "shoe of the year." Certainly no silhouette was as progressive as this one and the colorways were out of this world. It's lightweight, airy and as comfortable as any shoe on the market. The inline mass market colors were as good as the NRG models. Well done and a sign that Nike is a force to be reckoned with in 2018 and beyond.
adidas Originals “Crafted” Campus
I'm a sucker for special leather on the adidas Campus. this "Crafted: model features an upper crafted of suede tanned by Charles F. Stead, making it ultra supple and soft on wear and touch. The translucent gum sole finished this right. Another sleeper.
Harmony x Asics Gel-Venture 6
Harmony Paris took the Gel-Venture and colorized it to their liking. Asics, when done right, play as hard as any footwear out there. The Harmony colorway is subtle and an easy wear.
New Balance 990v4 "1982"
In 1982, New Balance introduced the first $100 running sneaker with the 990 shoe. A hundred bucks was a big deal in back then; no company had push the pricepoint to this extend, but decades later, the 990 family survived and progressed with new iterations. To celebrate the original "1982" release and price point, the brand dropped 1,500 limited edition pairs in the iconic grey tone/navy colorway. An all-time favorite.
Engineered Garments x HOKA ONE ONE Tor Ultra Low (Simply Taupe)
EG is a fan favorite in the Highsnobiety NY office, and their latest collaborative sneakers with HOKA ONE ONE went off like a bang. Truth be told, once I saw Jian rocking his, I worked to secure myself a pair. The all-over taupe color on the chunky Tor shape just works with everything. A very big shoe this year that may have gone under the radar. Good luck finding these.
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