Ian Stonebrook
10. Jeremy Scott x adidas Wings “Denim”
Light denim and clear gum is a combo so good it feels obvious, but I don’t think it’s really been done before. On top of that, the winged silo just amplifies the awesomeness. My sister and I have been into Jeremy Scott’s work with adidas for a couple years now but this was the first pair I ever purchased. Mike P copped the Leopard joints which are also pretty wavy.
9. Premier x Nike SB Dunk Low
Being from Michigan, it was tight to see friends from back home sharing these shoes on Facebook that aren’t really even in to sneakers. Props to the good folks at Premier for putting out a shoe that was true to Michigan and embraced nationwide.
8. Nike Air Force 1 Mid White/White
Wise men like my father and Bobbito Garcia would argue that life is about balance. With the current state of crazy colorways or stealthed-out silos, all-white sneakers really are seldom seen. For that reason, I probably get a kick out of wearing these more than any other shoe on this list. I originally purchased these with the intent of getting them air brushed but am yet to make any progress on that move.
7. Big Sean x adidas Pro Model “Detroit Player”
Big Sean is the man. To see another 24-year-old from the state of Michigan living his dreams and getting his own shoe is pretty inspiring. I’m excited to see what other colorways they come up with (crossing my fingers for a pink gator skin pair) and if they work with him on any other silos (Superstar, EQT Elevation?). Can’t top releasing these the day of his homecoming concert either.
6. The Cobra Snake x colette x Vans Era “Burger”
I got a lot of Vans this year, but unfortunately I don’t have these Cheesburgers. Between some tight OTW drops and our own collab, the Era has become one of my favorite silos and a staple for summer in Austin. If I ever do come up on a pair of these I’ll probably rock them with a white polo and some chino shorts, something real reserved to mix it up.
5. Nike Zoom Elite+
I’d rather hoop than run, but when I do run, I run in these. Zoom Air transitions remarkably well from the blacktop to the trail and bodes well for my build and pace. This design is certainly slept on and takes well to color, too. All the more reason for a Spiridon re-retro or for Nike to just keep coming up with awesome new Zoom runners.
4. Nike Zoom Kobe VII “Galaxy”
Topping the “Galaxy” collection is gonna be next to impossible, but these are really the only ones I regret passing on. The space-inspired upper on these really look more like tie-dye to me, which I like, and the low top cut takes well to short season which lasts about ten months in Austin. Brittany and Jeffrey picked these up so I still see them which is nice. Thanks to my man Evan up in NYC, I swapped a Pendelton jacket for the inline “Away” colorway which still makes runs in my regular hoops rotation. The “Gem Green” Foamposites almost took this slot, but they didn’t.
3. adidas D Rose 3
As alluded to in the previous pick, playing basketball is my favorite thing to do. The D Rose 3 is the best new basketball shoe I played in this year and in my opinion the best performer from the line. Because of this shoe I got to take a trip to Chicago, do a video my mom liked, and experience Ginos East. Excited to see Derrick come back and lace these up.
2. Nike Air Force 1 Mid “Jewel Swoosh” NYC Edition
For some reason, retro fashion has hit a wall at about 1997. I’m not suggesting that everyone start wearing shiny suits, but I do think that trends from the mid 90s have become tired and its time to keep it movin’. This collection gave me that jiggy feeling that I was missing and provides some nice variety to the scene.
1. Nike TW ’13
Really the only shoe that came out this year that I ‘had’ to get. Thanks to Chris from Nike Golf I was lucky enough to score a pair that I now wear on the regular. The man that introduced me to golf, my dad, now has a pair and so does the guy who got me into sneakers in the first place, my big cousin Ty. Couldn’t ask for better company.
