Best of 2009: Matt Halfhill of NiceKicks.com's Top 10 Sneakers

Our look back at the year's best kicks begins with the man behind your favorite online sneaker source.

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As 2009 comes to a close, Complex will be releasing a series of lists recapping the year's best, from albums to girls. To kick things off, we put together a celebrity panel of sneaker heads to help us determine the best kicks of 2009. We recruited Matt Halfhill (Nicekicks.com), DJ Clark Kent (God's favorite DJ and sneaker connoisseur), Mayor (AF1 king), Wil Whitney (Founder of Nom de Guerre and Nike 21 Mercer Head Coach), and Chris Vidal (ALIFE manager), along with Complex sneaker experts Bradley Carbone and Joe La Puma. Nothing's getting by this team.

Before we drop Complex's official top 10, we're giving each of our trusted panelists the chance to tell you about their personal Top 10 sneakers of the year, starting with Matt Halfhill of NiceKicks.com's Top Ten Sneakers of 2009...

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#10: Nike 1/2 Cent "Royal"
MH SAYS: "Jordan saw some stellar success with the Spiz'ike, but Nike one-upped the Spike Lee mix with the Nike 1/2 Cent. Rather than a slapped together sneaker with parts and pieces of different retros, the 1/2 Cent blended the best of the best together to make a great looking shoe. Who would have thought people would chase after a $190 sneaker in a recession?"

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #9 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#9: James Bond for David Beckham Adidas ZX8000 (Blue)
MH SAYS: "The ZX8000 is one of my favorite runners of all time. Super comfortable with simple cushioning, yet an aggressive and complex upper. The color on these was great as well."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #8 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#8: Reebok x Packers 20th Anniversary Bringback Pump "Dominique"
MH SAYS: "There is no basketball player more overlooked than the Human Highlight Film. Definitely the greatest player to not make the NBA's top 50, this guy deserved a special All-Star Game shoe as much as anyone else. For the return of The Pump, Packers did just that - these guys made All-Star Game shoe that Dominique never got."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #7 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#7: Nice Kicks x Asics Gel Lyte III
MH SAYS: "No promo (word to @EddieCruz1), the Nice Kicks x Asics Gel Lyte III was a great project, and I was glad I had the opportunity to work with Ronnie Fieg and David Z. I'm a big Gel Lyte III fan and also love red, can you tell? I will never forget the first collab. Thanks to all who supported the shoe! Look forward to 2010!"

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #6 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#6: Air Jordan 11 Space Jam
MH SAYS: "Air Jordan 11 Space Jam. No other words need to be said."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #5 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#5: UNDFTD x Converse Poorman's Weapon
MH SAYS: "UNDFTD has had a number of great military themed sneakers, but these were one of my favs. The materials and execution coincided with Armed Forces Day, another solid plus. Another W for Undefeated's winning streak."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #4 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#4: Nike Auto Dunk (Grey)
MH SAYS: "It would be safe to say that we will look back to 2009 and remember the vulcanized sole. While many shoes look odd with the new sole, I actually preferred the look of the Dunk with this one. Clean colors, solid materials, and $70. Sold!"

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #3 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#3: Nike Air Griffey Max "Fresh Water"
MH SAYS: "Nike couldn't have had the start align any greater for on the return of the Griffey Max. This shoe returned at the same time 'The Kid' returned to Seattle."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #2 SNEAKER OF 2009

 

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#2: Nike Air Foamposite "Eggplant"
MH SAYS: "The Foamposite is a great shoe - I don't think many would argue, especially in the DMV. Bring over a great colorway from the Flightposite and you've got a winner."

CLICK HERE TO SEE MATT'S #1 SNEAKER OF 2009!

 

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#1: Nike Air Yeezy Black/Pink
MH SAYS: "Whether you loved the shoes or hated them, this was the biggest story of 2009. Hype started brewing about the shoes after Kanye's performance at the Grammy's with people not even knowing the name or if the shoes would ever release to the public. Nike has worked with many high profile brands on collaborations, but none nearly as big as Kanye."

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