Fashion 2022 in 22 sneakers

2022 was a year of sneakers, as it has been in almost every other year of the current menswear era. This tells us two things. First, it’s clear that sneaker culture, and all the hype it brings, will not die. It is in a very poor state of health. It’s more than that. This is a proof that sneakers are quickly becoming a collectible item for men of all ages and styles. This is the grown-up equivalent to Panini stickers. And, thankfully they swap between mates much less often.

STONE ISLAND NEWBALANCE TOKYO DESIGN STUDIOFUELCELLRC ELITEV2

Super comfortable performance sneakers with FuelCell cushioning that makes it feel like you’re on the clouds. To be completely honest, I absolutely love all the styles from New Balance Tokyo Design Studio this season. The team did a fantastic job.

NIKE SOULGOODS DUNK

My friend Wuyue (artist and co-founder at Soulgoods) had mentioned this project to me almost a year ago. I was so excited when it actually came out. This is the first collaboration of Nike with a Chinese designer/artist/brand. Wuyue actually made three pairs of Dunks through Soulgoods’ lens. Each pair has many beautiful details. It’s so much fun to see my friends win.

ADIDAS SAMBA GOLF

Golf is not a sport that’s often described as exciting, except by those who have grown up around it. Sneaker brands have merged the worlds of traditional sneakers and performance golf over the years. Although they may appear diametrically opposed, small changes have forced them to make a shift in their outlook and the sneaker community has responded in a big way.

Released earlier this year by adidas Golf and their Originals lines, the Adidas Samba is an updated version their legendary soccer (futbol), shoe. The Samba shoe has transcended the boundaries of its original purpose and is now seen on street corners, corporate boards, and runways. The model has a new platform to conquer with the release of the golf version. Shoes like the Samba golf, which are still tied to soccer, will help bridge that gap for the sport and hopefully change the narrative. It can’t do everything on its own. It is nevertheless a sign of small improvements that are occurring.

AIR JORDAN 1 HIGH OG ‘LOST & FOUND’

The ‘Chicago Red’ colourway was the first Air Jordan 1 ever launched in 1985 and is considered the holy grail in sneakers. Although there have been some re-editions, the November ‘Lost and Found’ silhouette paid homage to the original. This detail-oriented pair features a vintage treatment that includes crackling on leather, yellowing midsoles, and fading colour at the ankles. It is very similar to a pair of my 1985 pair. The box had signs of wear and tear and was covered with the kind of mixed match lids that you would find in a thrift shop or cupboard.

BLONDEY MCCCOY X ADIDAS — A.B GAZELLE

Coming from skateboarding myself, skate shoes always hit close to my heart. Both colors of the Adidas Blondey McCoys were my first purchase. Because I had forgotten my tennis shoes, I ended up playing tennis in one pair. They weren’t too bad. Although I’m not able to do impossibles like McCoy or backside 360s, it feels like I can with these.

NIKE DUNKLOW ‘PANDA»

Let’s get it going! The Nike Panda Low is my favorite sneaker, despite all of the hype it has received this year. It was the shoe that changed everything in ’22. It has been a hit with a wide range of people and styles.

CONVERSE CHUCK 70 SNAKER ‘BLACK/CREAM’

Unless it is a wedding or funeral, I don’t think about what I’m going to wear. It’s always Converse. These Converse are the best option in black and cream, so you can wear them with any outfit (even weddings).

JOE FRESHGOODS X NEW BALANCE 993 ‘PERFORMANCE ART’

Esthetically, this sneaker has the most beautiful colour story this year. Joe’s rich storytelling is evident in his fourth New Balance collaboration. You can see the bright shine of his New Balance collaboration with Joe: the lookbook featuring celebrities from around the world, the Chicago philanthropic rollout and the surprise drop on his Instagram store — all to help get the shoe into the hands and fingers of real fans.

JFG really put the community first. You can also count on top-quality Made in USA suedes and meshes. This was my favorite sneaker of the year, even though I may be biased.

AIME LEON DORE X NEW BALANCE 550

The New Balance 550 was my favorite retro and one that hadn’t seen much time since its original release. It was a great alternative to the Air Force 1, and a slimmer version of it. I wore every colour that was available and grabbed them all.

NIKECRAFT GENERAL PURPOSE SHOE X TOM SACHES

The Tom Sachs General Purpose Sneaker in Dark Sulphur is one of my favorite releases. It’s either a modern or retro design, but it draws me in. It’s the simplicity and small Tom Sachs markings that I love about it. It changes and evolves as I wear it and scuff it. It’s boring, but I love it. Maybe I’m just getting boring?

SALOMON XT-6 MINDFULS

I am known as an OG head who scouted the dark and gloomy 1980 football terraces. It might be surprising to many that the Salomon XT-6 Mindful trainers were my favorite trainer release in 2022.

The mists of the past have obscured the past. People mistakenly consider the OG Casual movement a pastiche or cliche. However, it was the same movement that pushed the boundaries of sportswear. This sneaker reflects that spirit and is a symbol of hope for the future. The upper is not just about the gum soled suede.

SALEHE BEMBURY ROCKS

Salehe Crocs were my top choice for a sneaker in 2022. Although technically launched in 2021, this silhouette really has made an impact on the market. It’s not easy to make a pair Crocs that have been around for years, and sometimes hated, into a unique brand. These sneakers were also a great marketing and branding effort.

END X DIADORA LIMONCELLO’

I don’t believe Diadora sneakers get enough attention. As usual, Diadora sneakers are all about quality. The premium leather and suede show the craftsmanship that went into them. Both colours are inspired by regional Italian liquors.

MARGIELA X REEBOK CLUB C

My favorite 2022 sneaker is the Margiela x Reebok Cutout Club C shoe, which I bought from Jus in Stockholm. This sneaker has been worn with Adnym Atelier’s favorite suit and a heavyweight tee.

LOUIS VUITTON AIR CENTRE 1 WHITE

The Louis Vuitton Air Force 1 release was a tease for us for almost a year. It ended up being one Virgil’s last designs for Louis Vuitton and it is a beautiful piece of art. Although I purchased a few colourways, my favourite was the plain white embossed AF1 Low. The material has a LV quality that is evident on the feet. You can also feel it when you look down at them. This is a beautiful, subtle grail that should be a part of every collection.

COMME DES GARCONSX NIKE Air MAX SUNDER

The Nike Air Max Sunder is a return to form for CDG and Nike. Although it was introduced for the first time in 1999, it could be released again this year due to its futuristic silhouette and CDG’s forward-thinking runway style.

THE ROW DEAN SUEDE SLIP ONS

There were times this year where I preferred a more minimalistic aesthetic to a high-end collaboration sneaker. The Row’s Dean Suede Slip-Ons have been my antidote. They are simple, sleek, and have a smooth black suede top. I’ve worn them a lot this year, thanks to their everyday wearability and easy style.

ADIDAS X WALES BOONNER

I’m a classical person when it comes to footwear choices and I loved the Wales Bonner remaster of this classic. These shoes are simple and elegant, but they have a lot of impact. They don’t sport bold branding or bold colourways. These shoes are a timeless classic. The shoe embodies some of the finest qualities Grace Wales Bonner has included in her ready-to-wear collection.

AUTRY MEDALIST

I was not a trust fund Texan child in 1982, but that doesn’t stop me from cosplaying alongside Autry. The label was once the largest sneaker brand in America, even bigger than Nike. However, it ballooned and crashed in the late 1980s, only to recover in the mid-school, fee-paying type of prep that we are enjoying now.

They’re also retro, clean, not bulky or slimline and still have some in-the know kudos. They did, at least until I began recommending them every person I knew.

JJJJOUND X NEW BALANCE 990V3 ‘BROWN/BLACK’

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was wearing these shoes which were released in limited numbers and resold for more than $500 on StockX. Despite this, he still managed to be papped in a pair. I think the brand’s fifth collaboration is New Balance’s best silhouette. The black sole contrasts with the dark brown gives off a dad-peak walk.

JJJJOUND ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14

Montreal design studio JJJJound is the only brand that does a straight-forward collab. Its 2022 ASICS release was its best to date. It was the sneaker that did everything, but not a lot. Soft buttery hits were accented and the shoe kept to a simple, fuss-free, neutral colour palette of cream, silver, and black. They are my go-to sneaker, and I wear them all year.

SALOMON CROSS PRO RANRA ‘TURTLEDOVE’

I loved the well-balanced sneaker design of Ranra’s London-Reykjavik brand Ranra. It was created in collaboration with Salomon. They combine hand-dyed textile uppers and the Salomon signature lacing. After years of chunkiness, it’s refreshing to see more modern sneaker silhouettes. The cork inner sole adds the final touch.