Nike Supreme Bruin
After previously working with Nike on some successful, high-profile collaborations, New York-based retailer Supreme put its spin on the Bruin, Nike's first low-top basketball shoe, which debuted in 1972. The line comes in four basic colors, but the ultra-white model with metallic red pops is the one that ascends to the top 25.
Vans HUF Old Skool LX
Too often, classic is just another word for boring in the sneaker world. These kicks avoid that rap. Although the shoes are plain, intriguing details such as bricolage canvas, a suede upper, an embroidered Vans stripe, and repeating triangles on the foxing made the Old Skool one of the year's best.
Adidas Jeremy Scott Collection
Sometimes the sneaker lovin' community lacks humor, but no one would say that about designer Jeremy Scott. His collaboration with adidas this year (one in a long history) is a stunning four-model ensemble of lunacy and silliness. One shoe has three tongues; another, giant golden wings, while others have tassles, studs, and snakeskin.
Nike Presto
The '09 Presto remained true to its stylish roots, with the plastic-spined lace system once again taking center stage. Unlike its eye-popping, multitoned predecessors, the shoe's solid color schemes caught people's attention this go-around.
Converse UNDFTD Poorman's Weapon
Los Angeles store Undefeated has consistently styled sneakers with panache using a touch of military flavor. Released as part of its War Is Business campaign, the Poorman's Weapon featured a flight-jacket nylon upper, property tags, and removable Velcro logo patches. The black edition sold out in minutes, and the green wasn't around much longer.
Nike ACG Ashiko Boot
Named after a ninja's favorite weapon, the ACG Ashiko boot is made with Flywire, Nike's proprietary lightweight yet sturdy thread. Sneaker Freaker's editors were so impressed with the shoe after taking a pair hiking, they quickly plastered it on the magazine's cover.
Reebok Proper Dual Pump Runner
This pair of kicks represents the joint efforts of Reebok and Proper, a boutique in Long Beach, Calif. With PlayDry lining, memory foam, and a 100% synthetic upper, they are one of the world's first vegan runners. Even the glue was free of animal innards.
Adidas Kazuki ObyO Collection
Japan's Kazuki Kuraishi had worked for style dons such as clothing line A Bathing Ape and Fragment Design, a design house that has collaborated with such heavyweights as Rolex and Disney (DIS:US), but it was his adidas line that brought him international recognition. The line's KBALL mid-tops in rich black leather with eggplant laces are understated. Also, the slender Kazuki branding on the tongue is a tip-top top-off.
So again, stay tune with the last part of Top Sneakers in 2009 - Part III.
