As has become customary, the year was marked by creative fervor across the sneaker world. Whether it was Asics, Nike, New Balance or Adidas, designers competed with ingenuity to deliver creations that push the boundaries of aesthetics, technology and style. The WhenToCop? editorial team takes you through the fascinating panorama of the pairs that shaped 2023 with our top 10.
10 - Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Medium Olive
Who better to kick off this top 10 than our good old Jack! Released last April, the "Medium Olive" remains one of the most iconic pairs of 2023, thanks to the global excitement surrounding the release, despite its WMNS (women's) status. Absolutely everyone wanted their Air Jordan x Travis Scott this spring, young and old alike!
But it must be said that the reverse swoosh and Air Jordan 1 combo is starting to slightly tire the sneaker community, which is waiting for something fresh from Cactus Jack. We're hoping for an upcoming release of the Jumpman Jack in 2024, teased during the rollout of Utopia, his latest album.
9 - Asics Gel-Kayano 14
Trendy, retro and above all timeless, the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 was a real success. Whether in its Kiko Kostadinov version, its JJJJound collaboration or its GR colorways, the retro runner quickly carved out a place in sneaker culture and now competes with its rivals in the style race.
With this in mind, the Kayano 14 delivered one of the most impressive performances of the year. Through its advanced cushioning technology, stability and quality materials, the pair elevated its status and now combines aesthetics and performance.
8 - Aime Leon Dore x New Balance 1906R Green
Creative director of New Balance's Made in USA division, Teddy Santis delivered one of the finest 1906R models of 2023 in collaboration with his luxury streetwear label: Aime Leon Dore. True to his brand's New York spirit, it features a beige mesh base elevated by green, gold and silver details.
A successful edition with a very limited release, enough to fascinate sneakerheads worldwide! Despite the frustration, one can only acknowledge the attention to detail, from the special box to the matching dust bag, embodying the brand's premium spirit.
7 - Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba
Wales Bonner never misses with her Adidas collaborations. Since her first partnership with the German sportswear brand, the London fashion designer has captured our attention by mixing her Jamaican heritage with the brand's sportswear DNA. By reviving the Adidas Samba heritage through her design codes, she offers a unique combination of elegance and functionality that became THE must-have of the year.
While Grace Wales Bonner's Adidas Samba retains its classic silhouette designed for the football pitch, the originality is primarily built around an XL tongue, elevated in turn by increasingly bold colorways. From the Wales Bonner x Adidas Silver Metallic to the Pony Leo Dark Brown version, the British designer breathes new life into the model and gives it hit-shoe status.
6 - Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics GT-2160
The fusion between haute couture and sneaker culture is an art that Cecilie Bahnsen and Asics have mastered perfectly. One of today's leading figures in the Danish fashion scene subtly brought her modern vision to the Japanese brand, using the GT-2160 model as her canvas. The result? A stunning reinterpretation where couture meets movement.
While the duo's collaborative beginnings started strong with a GT-2160 Black and a silver alternative, a second season quickly followed, confirming both partners' place in sneaker culture. 3D textures and techniques, floral stitching, each overlay tells the story of craftsmanship we hope to see more of in 2024.
5 - Air Jordan 3 White Cement Reimagined
O.G., that's the first word that comes to mind when looking at the White Cement! Designed in 1988 by Tinker Hatfield, it was reissued last March to mark the model's 35th anniversary. A grand return in the tradition of the Air Jordan 1 High Chicago Lost & Found, complete with a vintage effect on the box and yellowed details on the sole.
The cherry on top: the return of the legendary Nike Air on the heel tab! A fitting tribute to the model Michael Jordan wore when winning the Dunk Contest at the February 1988 All-Star Game against Dominique Wilkins with his legendary Free Throw Line Dunk. In short, a gem of history and style that's a must-have for collectors!
4 - J Balvin x Air Jordan 3 Medellin Sunset
While J Balvin's energy and Jordan Brand's authenticity lit up the 2023 lineup, it was through the iconic Air Jordan 3 that the chemistry between both partners continued. After a colorful interpretation of the Air Jordan 1 High and an eccentric Air Jordan 2, the warm sun of Medellin elevated the third silhouette, which sparked strong reactions from the very first speculation.
Unlike the earlier models, which hadn't won over the entire sneaker community, opinions were unanimous this time. And for good reason! Beyond premium leather, the prince of reggaeton perfectly captured the warmth of his hometown. A success that could potentially continue on the Air Jordan 4. Stay tuned!
3 - Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95
Rules The World... Nike and Corteiz understood the assignment with their trio of Air Max 95s. The campaign kicked off with a spectacular commercial directed by Walid Labri that set the tone. Each colorway got a physical drop in Clint's (Corteiz's founder) three favorite cities: London for the Gutta Green, New York for the Pink Beam and Paris for the Aegean Storm.
The latter generated unprecedented excitement in the City of Light: a chase of thousands of young people following a RATP bus branded Corteiz x Nike (which even made headlines at Paris City Hall)! A legendary moment that will be remembered across the sneaker world. The collaboration between the European king of the "matrix" and the American giant naturally takes third place on our podium.
2 - Adidas x Clarks x Kith 8th Street Samba
Love it or hate it, Adidas Sambas were on everyone's feet in 2023! And even before the model became a fashion phenomenon, Ronnie Fieg, founder of Kith, teamed up with Matteo Bellentani, Head of Product & Design at Clarks, and Max Bente, Category Director at Adidas, to create a triple collaboration that broke the rules of footwear design.
As the fashion world embraced the Blokecore trend, the 8th Street Samba Clarks positioned itself as a fusion of the Samba and the Clarks Wallabee with its natural rubber crepe sole and premium suede upper. Released in March 2023, the success was instant. So much so that Kith organized an unprecedented pre-order system so everyone could get their hands on the pair.
Despite the 5-month wait, it was one of the rare triple collaborations to win over both the sneaker world and more mainstream consumers. Two editions, released on December 25, 2023, brightened the holiday season and closed out the year in the best possible way!
1 - Air Jordan 4 SB Pine Green
Kickflips and heel flicks. Assists and dunks. Nike SB and Jordan. The partnership between the Swoosh's two iconic divisions is always an event, having produced memorable hits like the Air Jordan 1 Highs co-signed by artist Craig Stecyk or skater Lance Mountain. Suffice to say, when the announcement of a reunion around the Air Jordan 4 came, the pair was already shaping up to be exceptional and, by extension, desirable and desired.
We weren't wrong, as by combining their expertise, both branches delivered a hybrid edition of the 1989 classic. Perfect for skaters and sneakerheads alike, its premium materials and Pine Green finish earned it the title of best sneaker of 2023. We hope Nike SB and Jordan will continue to write history next year, following rumors of the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 SP "Blue Sapphire."
Special Mentions
That's a wrap for 2023. However, the WhenToCop? editorial team expanded its top pairs of the year to award several special mentions.
On the Swoosh's skateboarding division side, the Nike SB Dunk Low once again won over sneaker enthusiasts. Leading the pack are undoubtedly the Powerpuff Girls x Nike SB. But despite its nostalgic appeal and creative strength, the pack featuring the cartoon heroines made a late entry into the sneaker world. In second and third place come the Born x Raised x Nike SB Dunk Low and Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Rammellzee pack. Behind each pair, phenomenal work was put into both materials and details, elevating them to the level of works of art.
At Nike, 2023 mainly marked the 25th anniversary of the Air Max Plus Tn. Naturally, partners like A-Cold-Wall*, Patta and FC Barcelona elevated Sean McDowell's design through constructions balancing tradition and modernity.
Finally, numerous original pairs such as the Action Bronson x New Balance 990v6, the Amine x New Balance 610T "The Mooz," the Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Air Flea 2 and the MSCHF Big Red Boots expanded the sneaker horizon.
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