KICKS NO LONGER ON FIRE
For the past couple years sneaker trends have tended toward subtle, comfortable, elevated basics. So far sneaker designers in 2017 has doubled down on that trend. There are some reasons for this. First, millennials favor the city over the suburbs.
Just today, Business Insider ran a story: “Millennials are forcing America’s largest corporations to kill traditional suburban office parks.” Sneaker designers who primarily are targeting Millennials — those 20-36 — are tasked to create sneakers that people can wear in the city, to, at and from work.
Second, millennials insist on having a work-life balance, which often gives them a bad wrap from older generations. Designers have been tasked to design versatile sneakers that work for both leisure and business. Lastly, millennials favor comfort over everything else.
Gone are the days of fitting into something uncomfortable because it was fashionable. Now it is fashionable to look and feel comfortable.
Here are our favorite (comfortable and stylish) men’s sneaker releases for the millennial city dweller so far in 2017:
[1] STAMPD X PUMA CLYDE SNEAKER
It’s fourth collaborative collection. Stampd and PUMA went for subtle, fashion-forward design with its perforated premium leather. A pair that can be dressed up or dressed down and won’t look ridiculous in the office.
[2] ADIDAS STAN SMITH BOOSTS
If there is one sneaker that represents the Millennial generation, it just might be the much older than millennial, Stan Smith. adidas has finally updated the iconic shoe with their BOOST technology for those seeking comfort without having to worry about their souls falling apart [I personally have worn through 3 Stan Smiths in just 2 years]. For the minimalist the BOOST soul might get some taking used to, but we can probably guarantee your knees will feel better.
[3] ADIDAS X PHARELL HUMAN RACE ADIDAS ORIGINALS
This sneaker hasn’t technically been released yet but that hasn’t kept it from being all the Sneakerhead rave. That’s because it takes the very simple and iconic aesthetic of the Stan Smith and updates it for the Yeezy loving customer. Unsure about you, but I always felt that as talented as Pharrell is, he always happens to be in the right place at the right time and he seems to be in the right place at the right time here. This new silhouette is sure to be a hit in 2017. I can see myself wearing these all summer.
[4] ADIDAS ORIGINALS INIKI RUNNER BOOSTS
adidas recent success may not be all that fair. It seems all they have to do is put their revolutionary BOOST technology on old nostalgic silhouettes and people are waiting on line outside their stores to resell them at Flight Club. That may be the case with the Iniki Runner BOOST which is really just the classic Gazelle with the BOOST soul. But come on. Who didn’t love the Gazelle?
[5] ADIDAS ORIGINALS NMD R1
The runner that started the whole BOOST trend keeps cranking out new color ways. Most recently the tonal pack (all white, all red and all black) and a mystic blue color way. Here is a sneaker that can be worn when both active and lounging. You can even get away with wearing these to most offices. Why? Because it’s cool.
[6] NEW BALANCE 247 “CLASSIC,” “SPORT” and “LUXE”
New Balance started 2017 off with releasing new color ways of their new 247 model. First the Luxe version — a perforated leather in black, tan and white. Second a Sport color way in black, olive and orange. And most recently the “Classic” black, gray and white color way. New Balance is hoping the 247 understated silhouette get’s people hooked much like their original models. Why do you need to buy multiple brands or models when the 247 comes in a luxury version, a sports version, and chill around the city version? Know anyone who likes to buy the same thing in different colors?
[7] NIKE OG AIR MAX 1S
The OG sneaker that started it all? I for one have had multiple Nike Air Max 1s over the years. It only make sense that Nike is would be rejiggering this model especially after its 30th anniversary last year. The “Sport Red” and “Sport Royal” are making a comeback this month. Should we expect even more to come? I should say so.
[8] NIKE AIR BERWUDA PRM
Nike updated it’s 1970s berwunda with a mix of nylon and suede and a white midsole and a rubber outsole to help you treck through the city without ruining your shoes. At times this shoe looks like the Nike Rosche without that clown shoe feeling. So I think this is a winner for the little known Nike.
[9] COMME DES GARCONS X NIKE DUNK HIGH CLEAR
Want more transparency? Want one of the hottest fashion brands to redesign one of the most iconic sneaker? Want a pair of sneakers you can change the color of by wearing different socks on a whim? Try these clear Nike Dunks. Just curious if it gets all sticky in the summer time. Remember you grandparents plastic over furniture?
[10] RICCARDO TISCI X NIKELAB DUNK LUX CHUKKA
Disclaimer: I have been clamoring over these since they were first announced. Riccardo Tisci’s minimalist design stays true to the original Nike Dunk Lux — which is super comforting for those of us who do not like too much change. What Tisci brings to this design is a full-grain tonal leather upper in three color ways: black with a white Swoosh; White with a black Swoosh and my favorite the white with the red Swoosh. You feel like a baller wearing these.
[11] ASICS GEL-LYTE V
Another disclaimer, I am currently wearing an all black version of these. A few of my friends have made fun of them for being “geriatric.” Perhaps “geriatric” is in. What I can say is these are comfortable and for someone who often walks 10+ miles around Manhattan in a given day, these shoes have saved me on numerous occasions. Also it helps that ASICS is one of the hottest sneakers brands right now.
[12] ASICS GEL-RESPECTOR
ASICS GEL-Respector comes across as a bit less “geriatric” than the GEL-Lyte V and recently have gotten some pretty rad and fashionable color ways. The most recent color ways have been neutrals, grays and pales, which says everything you need to know about the colors people are looking for in shoes. Gone are the days of neon. Thankfully.
// HONORABLE MENTION: ADIDAS ORIGINALS YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “BLACK/RED” AND KENDRICK LAMAR REEBOK
It is hard not to mention either of these. In my opinion both of these sneakers suffer from the “SUPREME effect.” No matter what Kanye or Kendrick Lamar put out there, people will line up for hours and say they are the greatest items of all time. That is not to discredit the importance of the Yeezy BOOST, specifically. Come on, without it sneaker culture would be vastly different today. But is the Yeezy BOOST really the best out there? Does it really deserve all the attention? Is it worth the resale value?
Love it!