Best of 2009: Chris Vidal's Top 10 Sneakers

NB 1300 x A.R.C.
Chris SAYS: "How the fuck can you not love a made in the U.S.A. New Balance from the realest born in NYC brand? All 3 colors were bangin, not too too loud yet enough to snap and let you know that, care free where ever we may be, we are the famous A.R.C. and we don't give a fuck whomever you may be cause we are the infamous A.R.C.! Here to show you who we are and who we be, The Almighty A.R.C. !"

Nike Air Max 1 QS- O.G. Colorway
CHRIS SAYS: "This was a no-brainer, one of my most worn shoes of 2009. Without a doubt, a true immortal classic silhouette that will forever remain as one of the brand's strongest models in the catalog. Whether it be the original colorway or the incredible colorways Patta gave us this year, the Air Max 1 is a top ten in more than just my list."

Air Jordan 1 High- Black/Shadow Grey
CHRIS SAYS: "Super-duper classic and original colorway which gave everyone a reason to love Air Jordan 1's all over again! Like we needed a reason....this shoe in itself is also an eternal classic, the shoe that made us all realize that, 'Its gotta be the shoes.' The Jordan 1 introduced us to Mars Blackmon and a way of being that will forever remain and will never be the same. To top it off, Jordan brought the shoe back the way they were supposed to and really did a good job at it. Maybe you think the red or the green metallics were better? Nah, my list says the black/shadow grey is. Remember its my list, not yours..."

adidas Stan Smith X A.R.C.
CHRIS SAYS: "Not only is this a personal favorite, the Stan Smith shoe in itself is a shoe since 1971 that hasn't done anything other than make my feet look better. The canvas upper twist from one of the originators, from one of the most laid back, from the come as we are comapny, from The Almighty Rivington Club."

adidas Consortium 3 Way Project Superstar '80s Reps
CHRIS SAYS: "C'mon man. Classic silhouette with 4 of the most prominent players in the game- Rivington, Limited Editions, Patta, and Sneakers 'N' Stuff. Need you ask why? black shell toe cap also....this was one of my easier choices this year, I wish I could of picked all four of the pack but these were the ones I couldn't do without!"

Patta X Converse X Le Le Anniversary Collaboration
CHRIS SAYS: "Patta never ceases to amaze the world with its innovative takes on old classics and using un-heard of patterns and materials in kicks. This is why Patta stays ahead of so many others in this game...."

Bobbito x Pro Keds Royal Flash "The Add On"- All Colors
CHRIS SAYS: "For a brand to pay homage to one of the most prolific, outspoken, authentic, and all around masters of NYC and the whole NYC Culture that so many of you long to be a part of, was in itself a pivotal move for Pro-Keds, but more so the culture received a tremendous boost from one of the oldest and most respected players in the game. He still spins records on turntables..."

Puma x UNDFTD Mid - 24k
CHRIS SAYS: "Now, you all know that my first love of kicks was the Puma Clyde in 5th grade when i got my first pair of pin stripe Lee's with the permanent crease! Ya know nothing about permanent creases, nor do you know that the 24k version was Puma's most anticipated release of all 2009! C'mon man, I'm from NY, The Empire State, concrete jungle where dreams are made of and where the streets are paved in gold. Getting a pair of these was harder than finding me in a pair walking down Broadway."

Converse x UNDFTD Poor Man's Weapon - Black/White
CHRIS SAYS: "I just think this shoe in itself made me love All-Stars all over again. It's such a dope fitting Chuck! I'm 36 man, to find a shoe, I mean, a Fuckin' Chuck Taylor, at the age of 36 that made me wanna wear them all over again? It's amazing, it's just amazing...."

Nike Air Yeezy
CHRIS SAYS: "I would be lying to myself if I didn't say that the Nike Air Yeezy was not one of the best releases of 2009. I know, I know, and please understand. No, I did not fiend out over this pair. I actually had all three colors, and to be honest, I'm glad I got them. Do I still have them? No. But the reason I chose this shoe as a top ten was for a few reasons. It's the first non-pro athlete shoe from a sports oriented brand, which in itself is monumental its huge, ludicrous even! The hysteria, panic and mayhem caused by the anticipation of this shoe in itself was bananas! Now, the shoe itself? Ugly as a mofo! Lol, dosent wear well and to be honest looks crazy on your feet! But all in all, the NIKE AIR YEEZY WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT, ONE OF THE BEST RELEASES FOR 2009."