Top 5 Sneakers of 2022
Moving into 2023 I thought I would not only let the dust settle on a brilliant year for sneakers, but also give myself time to truly think about my favourite releases from the last 12 months. All so I can give an explanation behind my choices as the vast majority will think I’ve gone mad, thankfully individuality is the name of this game and considering your reading this I would like to think you somewhat value my opinion.
#5 Air Jordan 1 High OG “Lost and Found”
If this didn’t factor into my top 5 of the year I couldn’t really call myself a sneakerhead. Possibly the most iconic model of all time, the lost and found took the Jordan 1 and gave it the vintage treatment. When talking about shoe of the year “SOTY” I think it’s important to touch on the packaging as this plays a big part in the storytelling of the product. Nike went all out with the lost and found theming on these, from the mismatched box lid to the original receipt the small touches really set this latest rendition apart from previous Chicago retros to me, which is why they make my top 5 for this year.
#4 Nike SB Dunk High “Pass-Port”
Potentially a forgotten release of the year for many, the Pass-Port dunk highs are on the most unique SB’s in recent time. The hiking boot influence is fairly obvious from the get go, from the colourway to the additional pull tabs on the tongue and heel all adding to the aesthetic.
#3 Kith x New Balance 990v3 “Daytona”
Now to those of you that know me my fondness for Kith is no secret, it was only a matter of time until one of their products made it onto this list (it’s not the only one either). Coming off a hot 2021 New Balance came out swinging in 2022 with collaborations from the likes of Salehe Bembury, Joefreshgoods and thisisneverthat. However the Kith anniversary pack released for the 40th anniversary of the 990 silhouette and the 10th anniversary of Kith itself really stood out to me, especially the 990v3 Daytona. The buttery materials and classic colourway originally featured on the New Balance 1600 came together to create what in my mind is a modern day classic.
#2 Jordan 1 Retro Low OG “Zion Williamson Voodoo”
The Jordan 1 Low has been hot for a while now, with a slew of Travis Scott collaborations and eye-catching colourways it seems the J1 Low has been everywhere in recent time. The Zion Voodoo however feels like a breath of fresh air to me with this model. No copy paste colourways or backwards swoosh here (except for the mini one on the mudguard). It’s the little details that make this shoe for me. The text under the heel tab on both shoes, the upside down Nike Air tag on the tongue and I can’t forget the stitching details on the mid panel and swoosh along with the voodoo mascot towards the heel of the shoe. The added details and usage of materials on these really elevate them in my eyes, with a backwards swoosh these would have taken off, instead many overlooked these and I think they’ll be a future classic.
#1 Asics EX89 x Kith
The Asics EX89, a shoe many have most likely never seen nor heard of. Asics ongoing collaborative work with Ronnie Fieg and Kith rarely fails to deliver, the EX89 is no exception. Following a similar story of creation to the New Balance 550 being pulled from the archives to be reinvigorated by a long time collaborator. The EX89 launched in 3 colourways all given the Kith treatment with premium materials, clean design and Kith branding.
In the day and age of rinse and repeat release cycles with copy and paste colourways of the same silhouettes the EX89 feels like something fresh, nothing overly complicated but a truly new lifestyle model which can be enjoyed by everyone from soho warriors to parents on an afternoon walk. With the initial release of the Kith EX89 pack being as shambolic as they come with the ever controversial Kith app I hope 2023 brings more variation to the EX89 and ultimately more availability so everyone gets the chance to pick a pair up for themselves.
