The Best 5 Sneakers of 2021
2021 has been another crazy year for sneakers. All of our favorite brands stepped up to create another year of sneaker magic for us to enjoy so let's take a look back at the 5 best sneaker releases from this year.
5. Jordan 1 Low OG Neutral Grey
The Jordan 1 Low OG Neutral Grey continues the Jordan 1s popularity. A white upper with a complimentary grey durabuck swoosh and heel tab creates a subtle but powerful shoe. The OG cut of the shoe, with a slimmer tongue and less ankle padding makes this shoe easy and seamless to wear with a variety of outfits and styles. This release came in full family sizes so everyone is able to rock this beautiful sneaker.
4. Nike Dunk Low White Black 2021'
The Nike shows no signs of slowing down when it comes their Dunks. In another year filled to the brim with Dunks, the simple White Black color way has reigned supreme. This sneaker retails for only $100-110 and while the quality control often leaves a lot to be desired, something is to be said about the chokehold this shoe has had on sneakerheads. You are likely to see this pair on feet everywhere you go. Its popularity has reached far beyond the realm of traditional sneakerheads and provided an easy access point to enter the sneaker culture. A shoe steeped in such history as the Nike Dunk deserves it roses and based of Nike’s 2022 preview, it looks like it will continue its reign well into the new year.
3. Air Jordan 11 Cool Grey 2021'
After long last, the wait for the Air Jordan 11 Cool Grey is finally over. It has not been seen since 2010 and this 2021 retro is a welcome return among sneakerheads. Despite not being an original color way, the Cool Grey is one of the most popular color ways across the sneaker silhouettes but especially on the Jordan 11. We see the return of the high cut patent leather that began with the 2016 Space Jam, and ice blue outsole, and a soft durabuck upper completes the look. The Jordan 11’s holiday release is always a fantastic time but the return of the Cool Grey 11 makes this year extra special. We hope you were able to pick up a pair this holiday season!
2. Air Jordan 2 Low Off-White
The Air Jordan 2 is often forgotten by sneakerheads. Well that was the case until Virgil Abloh redesigned the Jordan 2 with another Off-White makeover of a classic silhouette. The most striking feature of the shoe is midsole. Inspired by the aging, cracking and crumbling of the original Jordan 2s, this reimagined shoe flaunts an artificially yellowed and crumbled midsole sealed with translucent rubber. The shoe is further completed with Micheal Jordan’s signature on the side paneling and the iconic Off-White hang tag. Virgil Abloh recently passed this November after fighting a private battle with cancer but his works in all realms of art and design will continue to serve as inspiration for generations to come.
1. Air Jordan 3 A Ma Maniere
With almost unanimous consensus across the sneaker community, the Air Jordan 3 A Ma Maniere has been crowned 2021’s Sneaker of the Year. James Whitner, the owner of the famous luxury boutique A Ma Maniere, was selected to design his own Jordan 3. This women’s exclusive sneaker was crafted with premium materials and designed with goal of celebrating women. The shoe is constructed neutral tones over an extremely soft quilted silk sock liner, white tumbled leather uppers, suede toe and heel counters. The A Ma Maniere logo embroidered on the left foot’s tongue completes this iconic sneakers look. A Ma Maniere and Jordan Brand were able to provide us with an extremely well designed shoe that seamlessly combines elements of luxury with basketball and sneaker culture.
Thank you for checking out our top 5 Sneakers for 2021 and let us know how your list stacks up against ours in the comments below! We hope you were able to grab your favorite pairs from 2021 and going forward into 2022. Happy New Years to all!