Sneakers

The Complete Sneakerhead Guide to Sneakers For Your Favorite Summer Activities

Get out and do something.

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Whether you're one of those people who has plans every day or one who spends the entire summer on the couch playing Call of Duty, you still spend the warmer months doing something. And whether you're aware of it or not, there's a proper sneaker for everything. Barbecuing, going on a cruise, hitting up Summer Jam — you should be properly outfitted for every event, no matter how small. So read up on The Complete Sneakerhead Guide to Sneakers For Your Favorite Summer Activities and learn.

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Sitting On Your Couch Surfing the Internet

Sneaker: Nike LeBron 8 "South Beach"

There's no place safer for your beloved grails than on your couch. you can tweet them, Instagram them and make sure their still VVVVNDS while you sit back and wish you had the money to actually go to South Beach.

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Relaxing at the Beach

Sneaker: Nike Air Yeezy 2

Nothing says "floss" like wearing a shoe you can get two-and-a-half stacks for to the beach, then using them to stake out your spot on the sand. Jay-Z did it first, but it's still a power move. Plus, think of all the Instagram likes!

Running A "Fun Run"

Sneaker: adidas Energy Boost

Scientists and their smarter-than-us ilk claim that the Energy Boost midsole provides actual bounce, which means less effort to run the same distance. This sounds like a good deal to us, who are looking to install one of those airport moving walkways from the couch to the fridge.

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Buying More Sneakers

Sneaker: Nike Roshe Run

Unless you're just copping to stock and/or re-sell (and we know you're not, right?) trying on sneakers is an integral part of the purchasing process. And it's likely that said trying-on part will not just take place once. The move is to wear shoes that come off quick and are super comfortable. Easy choice.

Attending Sneaker Summits

Sneaker: New Balance 990 (1982)

Sure, you could opt for the flash of whatever hyperstrike hyperstruck last. But what does that say about you really? Opt for an all-time classic like the original New Balance 990 and you're good for all time. Plus, the Vibram sole will keep going through countless exhibitions - nationwide if need be.

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Partying in the Hamptons

Sneaker: Reebok Classics Workout Lows

White on whites are still the way to go, but those Air Force 1s are rough. Because they only look good when they're brand-new, and they only feel good when they're broken in. The Lunar Force 1 is a good compromise, but the Hamptons is all about classics - where Polo is still worn for, you know, playing polo. It's also where all the kids who could actually afford Reebok in the '80s wound up.

Barbecuing

Sneaker: adidas Micropacer

As any would-be outdoor chef would tell you, timing is everything. Whether you're the low-and-slow brisket type or a burgers-and-franks guy, the best technique is to watch the clock and handle as little as possible. The Micropacer takes care of the stopwatch, as long as you're careful with the coals.

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Running Your First Triathlon

Sneaker: Reebok Instapump Fury

Triathlons are hard. And by the time you get to the running portion, you're not going to want to have to do anything difficult like tie shoelaces. Insta Pump Furys may not be the pinnacle of tech anymore, but hey, they sure are easy to put on.

Watching The Tour de France

Sneaker: UNDFTD x Nike Air Force 1 "Onyourbikekid"

Sure, yeah, Lance Armstrong turned out to be just another cheat. He also still survived cancer and went on to win the toughest stage race on the planet six times in a row. Break out the Livestrongs, just make sure Greg LeMond doesn't notice.

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Acting Like a Bawse

Sneaker: Nike Air Foamposite One "White/White"

You know, bawse stuff. Like drinking Ace of Spades, smoking Cubans and hanging out on yachts. Eating crab meats. Riding in Phantoms. Updating Twitter. These are the things that white on white Foamposites were made for. Ruh.

Waiting In Line At Shake Shack

Sneaker: Reebok Shaqnosis

Get it? Shack and Shaq? OK, fine - we thought it was funny. Worse comes to worse, use the hypnotic design to convince everyone ahead of you in line to go to McDonalds instead.

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Getting Married

Sneaker: Air Jordan XI "Concord"

Honestly? We advise getting married in actual real-life dress shoes. There are few occasions in life which call for hardbottoms, but your wedding should absolutely be one of them. That said, if you really want to wear sneakers - and your better half approves - this is the way to go.

Lining Up for the Summer Releases at Kith

Sneaker: ASICS GEL Lyte III x Cultureshoq

Nothing shows you've been a supporter of Ronnie's run with ASICS more than stuntin' in a pair of one of his first collabs. Until that guy shows up in one of the makeups he did for David Z. back in the day, then you just look like a newbie.

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Taking a Carribbean Cruise

Sneaker: Nike Air Presto

Cruises are all about being comfortable. Nike Air Prestos, which were produced in t-shirt sizes (from XS to XXL), meet that definition perfectly. And while you could even run in them if you wanted, they're more like socks with a sole than anything else. Feet up.

Carrying Your Skateboard Around the Mall

Sneaker: Spectre By Supra Chimera

It's not that Lil Wayne doesn't skate, because he definitely does. But given that the initial shoe from his Spectre line is considered a lifestyle shoe, it's the perfect built-in excuse for using a board as a prop: "Nah, I can't skate in these, left those shoes at home."

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Running Through Sprinklers

Sneaker: Nike Flyknit 1

Just for kids? We beg to differ. Running through sprinklers has no age limit, especially when the temperatures get roasty. Flyknits dry quickly, and are more office-friendly than Tevas.

Longboarding

Sneaker: Flip-flops

Just because you armor up in wristguards, elbow pads, kneepads and a Go Pro equipped helmet doesn't make longboarding any more extreme. At least with flip-flops on your feet will be cool, even if the rest of you clearly isn't.

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Riding Your Brakeless Fixed Gear

Sneaker: Supreme x Nike Tennis Classic "Volt"

Bright shoes make it easier for drivers to see you, especially when said bright shoes have 3M stripes up the heels. Plus, the Supremes will give you valuable street cred amongst the other brake-free brethren.

Buying Kanye's New Album At Midnight

Sneaker: Air Jordan VI "Infrared"

Of course wearing Yeezys is the obvious move - which is exactly why you don't do it. Even 'Ye doesn't wear his own shoes all the time, and sometimes it's best to keep the tribute subtle.

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Playing Outdoor Basketball (to Play)

Sneaker: Nike Zoom Hyperfranchise XD

If you ball out for real in the summertime, you want a shoe that breathes, you want a shoe that holds up, and you want a shoe that doesn't scream "I think I'm the shit because I dropped $230 at Foot Locker." Basically, you want the Zoom Hyperfranchise XD.

Playing Outdoor Basketball (to Pose)

Sneaker: Nike LeBron X Elite ID

Play basketball? What? Right, let me set that screen - nah. Let me know when you've got an open three for me. Until then I'll be standing around with this towel and these Brons. You saw 'em, right?

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Attending the San Antonio Spurs Victory Parade

Sneaker: adidas ClimaCool TD

Sure, Tim Duncan's signature Nikes would be more esoteric, but it's hot as hell in San Antonio in the summer. Get on that ventilated ish with the quickness. (If the Heat win, we advise in favor of the Air Zoom Generation. The wheat ones.)

Mowing Your Parents' Lawn

Sneaker: Nike Air Monarch IV

If you're gonna spend a beautiful summer day doing dad things, you may as well do 'em in dad shoes. A zillion (approximate) pairs of Monarchs are sold every year, which makes them the Air of the people. Get with the program.

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Vacationing to Someplace Away From Society (That's Still Trendy)

Sneaker: Nike Air Mowabb

Nothing says you're an "off the beaten path" sneakerhead more than a pair ACG classics. It also proves, you're not afraid to "rough it" and take up a sport like rock climbing, trail running, or other desert activities, you know, like hanging out next to the pool all day.

Everything Else

Sneaker: Nike Air Force 1 Low "White/White"

To be fair, these could be used in place of pretty much any sneaker on this list, too.

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