Following up from 2020, 2021 was another year of craziness and uncertainty. The coronavirus has impacted multiple industries including the fashion industry. This brought on supply shortages and delayed many sneaker releases. However, despite all of the delays there were still some nice releases in 2021. When designing I gauge which shoes I think will be popular releases based on aesthetics and occasionally based on hype. My end goal is to complement the shoes with designs that are fresh and most importantly, compliment the sneakers. With that this has allowed me to rank what I believe to be the top 10 sneakers of 2021.
10. Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”
Release Date: 12/11/2021
The Air Jordan 11 is an iconic shoe in its own right. At the the if its release the patent leather lower was unique and one of a kind. The "Cool Grey" has been released a few times in the past but each time they are a hit for sneakerheads everywhere. Our 23 University shirt was designed to pair with the Cool Greys and features a university crest that pays homage to the greatest of all times and possibly the greatest sneaker of all times.
9. Kim Jones Nike Air Max 95 "Total Orange"
Release Date: 3/19/2021
This Air Max and Kim Jones collaboration is an iconic shoe in its own right. This sneaker combines Kim Jones signature design with the Air Max classic design to bring a modern twist. Our Fresh To The Max shirt was designed to pair with the Total Orange and features a temperature gauge that plays on the idea of your freshness being turnt up to the max.
8. Air Jordan 1 "Gold Laser"
Release Date: 10/28/2021
This is also my sleeper pick of 2021 but worthy of a placement in my Top 10. This classic Jordan 1 with gold engraving and a royal blue check gives this sneaker a pop. Our Sneakerhead Sticker shirt was designed to match the Gold Laser and features a three dimensional sticker designed in a matter to give the illusion that the sticker is peeling off.
7. Nike LeBron 8 "South Beach"
Release Date: 7/21/2021
This sneaker brings a fresh Miami Vice vibe to the popular LeBron 8 sneaker. The South Beach includes a retro color scheme which includes Pink Flash and Filament Green. Our Takin' My Talents To South Beach shirt was designed to pair with the South Beach sneakers and features palm trees and an ocean.
6. Air Jordan 14 Aleali May "Fortune"
Release Date: 8/19/2021
This sneaker is definitely one of the hottest releases of the year and is an eye catcher. The Fortune was made as a collaboration with the Jordan brand and designer Aleali May and brings an abstract art design to the classic AJ14 design. Our Verified Authentic shirt was designed to pair with the Fortune sneaker and features a design pattern with the Level 100 emoji in the forefront.
5. Parra Nike Dunk "Abstract Art"
Release Date: 7/31/2021
The Nike Dunk collection has shown to be one of the most popular sneaker from the Nike Brand. The Abstract Art was made as a collaboration with Parra and brings an abstract art design to the classic Dunk design. Our Shoe Game Crazy shirt was designed to pair with the Abstract Art and features graffiti text. I was feeling a retro 90's vibe from this sneaker which influenced the shirt design.
4. adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 MX "Oat"
Release Date: 10/23/2021
The adidas Yeezy brand had a few dope releases this year but the "Oat" is one of my favorites. The vibrant colors of yellow, pink and blue set this sneaker apart from traditional Yeezy releases that typically have more of a natural look in terms of colors. Our 350 Stack shirt was designed to pair with the Yeezy 350 and features a two dimensional text design in a color scheme to compliment the Oat sneaker.
3. Nike Dunk "Chocolate Milk"
Release Date: 9/17/2021
This Dunk sneaker is one of the hottest releases of the year from the Dunk collection. The Chocolate Milk was made as a collaboration with the Nike brand and Social Status and brings a playful art design to the classic design. Our Fresh Chocolate Milk shirt was designed to pair with the Chocolate Milk sneaker and features a milk carton with the words Fresh in the background.
2. Air Jordan 5 "Raging Bull"
Release Date: 4/10/2021
The Air Jordan 5 may be my favorite style of the Jordan collection. The Raging Bulls brings an almost fully red colorway with a suede upper that gives this sneaker a premium look. Our Raging Bull shirt was designed to pair with the Raging Bulls and features text to express rage or movement. The backdrop is inspired by the Chicago Bulls logo to compliment the bull horns on the shoes.
1. Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves "Monarch"
Release Date: 10/15/2021
This sneaker is yet another collaboration, this time with Nike and the Patta brand. The design features a modern upgrade to the retro Air Max 1 design that the lower in a wave pattern. Our Fresh To The Max Shirt was designed to pair with the Monarch and the font is stylized in a way to mimic the wave patterns in the shoe. In my opinion this is the best release form the Air Max collection in the past few years. My personal fashion style tends to lean toward more casual so it's natural that this sneaker would take the cake for number 1. Thank you for taking time to read my list, I look forward to more dope releases in 2022.
