The Best New Sneakers of 2013 (So Far)

When Nike first introduced its Flyknit line last summer it had sneaker fans geeked to a whole new level and fashion forward personalities intrigued as well. Always blurring the line of performance and aesthetics perfectly, The Swoosh cooked up the Chukka with street trends in mind. If you don't have them already, grab a pair and thank us later – you will probably be seeing this again on lists in December.

Vans OTW has a few new silhouettes out recently but one that has our attention over the rest. The Vans OTW Prelow is a low-cut casual shoe with an incredibly lightweight midsole. It's smooth toebox design is one that you can wear under any circumstances, whether you're chillin' at the beach or finishing off your weekend with some fine dining. Shit, a sneaker you can wear all day to any ocassion? That's about as perfect for summer as you can get.

Ryan Sheckler's latest signature sneaker from Etnies, the Marana, is one of the best skate shoes of the year. Sheckler's latest features a reinforced toecap to add some durability, a must when it comes to shoes you actually skate in. Etnies trusted features like STI Evolution Foam and non-slip grip design, give the Marana some more function but one of the most unique parts about the shoe is the combination of suede and mesh used throughout the upper. As Etnies puts it, "The Marana was born to skate and hold its own. Just like Ryan."

Most of the time when Nike recreates a classic, the sneakerhead community holds their breath. Most of us are just stuck in our ways, so the thought of anyone making updates to our beloved favorites is scary. This year, Nike knocked it out of the park with the Lunar version of the Nike Presto. The classic styling is there but the Nike Lunar Presto also as some pretty dope design cues that make it look as technical as any 2013 release.

What Jordan is to the states is exactly what D. Wade's Li-Ning debut is to China – massive campouts and line-ups for every hot release. We can't blame them, if you can wipe away your tears from him abandoning the JB Brand and actually check the shoe for what it's worth, it's one of the better releases of the NBA season. If Wade some how pulls out a few heroic efforts this week – you might see them get a bump on Matt Powell's sneaker report list.

Chris Paul has had one of the most-underrated signature sneakers for years and judging by the amount of people sleeping on the CP3.VI, specifically the AE version, that trend will continue. Reality is, just like it is on the NBA courts, there are very few that can keep up with CP3. The leather and synthetic material combination gives the CP3.VI AE a substantial feel, while the use of Phylon keeps its weight down and its speedy response time faster than Cliff and his insurance gig.

Nike's Free line is nothing new but this year it gets a much needed update from top to bottom. One of the most impressive shoes from the new line is the latest version of the Free 5.0. The synthetic upper mixed with mesh and tied together with Dynamic Flywire gives the Nike Free 5.0 Flywire a futuristic look with a familiar feel. Not to mention the color blocking abilities make it a perfect fit for NIKEiD.

Nyjah Huston's finally (yes, even at just 18 years old, it's been a long time coming) gets his first signature pro model skate shoe from DC Shoes this year. The design keeps it simple but the performance is what has been helping Nyjah to Street League victory after Street League victory. The key element to the DC Shoes Nyjah is the Impact G cushioning. It's basically able to absorb more impact than previous technologies but without the bounciness. Which means, even as a cupsole design, this shoe probably has more boardfeel than your other skate shoes.

The Air Max series has been back and stronger than ever the past few years and no one was disappointed when Nike rolled out its latest yearly model. Whether you are a huge fan of the large full-length air unit or the bright colorways, the shoe seems to be one of Nike Trainings biggest hits – again and again.

How do you improve Nike's greatest ever skate shoe? Make it tougher. All the hallmarks of Eric Koston's first Nike signature shoe remain-the influence of running technology for comfort and the streamlined aesthetic-but the fit has been improved through the heel and the shoe has been made more breathable. To the naked eye, there's almost no change (save for the golf-inspired tooling). And, that's the glory. A new shoe, incorporating new tech, that feels like an old favorite.

More bounce to the ounce, that's the approach of the adidas Energy Boost. It keeps going and going and there's no annoying pink rabbit involved. The Energy Boost system is a foam-like material that gives the ultimate responsiveness. adidas dropped in their trusted Torsion technology as well, so there's that, a lightweight and breathable techfit upper helps the Energy Boost kepp its cool. And if that's not enough, it's Mi Coach compatible too. Bounce on.

Inspired by Chinese finger-traps, the Free 5.0 has quickly become your favorite Nike athlete's favorite workout shoe. The comfort and durability is exactly what you would expect from a Free-based model and the colorways have been on point for every release. Even if the gym isn't your favorite place, they are still a must just like previous Free models.

Nike's futsal output is under-appreciated. At the very least, in America. However, the consistency of design and the risk taking should be celebrated. With the second iteration of the Lunar Gato, Nike's stake in the global game increases. The upper, made of goat leather, provides good touch and the Hyperfuse panels offer midfoot lateral support. Of course, those details matter less in this context than the aesthetics-for those that want to wear a distinct shoe that shows off a variety of materials and textures, only the Yeezy II compares.

Paul Rodriguez gets his 7th signature sneaker from Nike this Spring and the design is one that has all the elements of a future classic. that might have to do with the design, which features a very Dunk-like toebox. Or it might have to do with the Lunarlon cushioning that's encased in durable Phylon. Either way, this one gets the co-sign from us, now we're just gonna wait with Paul for Jay-Z to do the same.

Jordan's Trunner line has seen a resurgence in the last couple years but in a predominately retro form. This year, Jordan gets serious with their training efforts with the Jordan Trunner Pro Dominate. The design ties in elements reminiscent of the KOBE VII System, with an adjustable ankle strap that is tied to the inner sock-liner, as well as the Flight Plate technology that helps make the Air Jordan XX8 so impressive. Expect this to be one of the sleeper sneakers of the year.

You don't often think of footwear when you think about Lacrosse but this shoe will change that. The Nike Huarache Turf Lax is the best of both retro and modern day trainers. The style makes it seem a descendant of the Air Veer, the sockliner a modern-day version of the classic Huarache Trainer and the comfort of a full-length Lunar midsole, is a trifecta of success. Oh, and the Nike Huarache Turf Lax is priced at under $100.

KD switched it up with his latest Elite edition from Nike Basketball and frankly, it's one of the best looking sneaker designs of the year. The KD V Elite is simple and functional. Caged Zoom Air in the heel, Flywire and a carbon fiber heel counter make this tough to beat when it comes to lower-cut basketball shoes.

John Wall made the jump from Reebok to adidas and the team over at adidas Hoops wasted no time at getting a newly designed sneaker on the feet of Mr. Wall. The adidas Crazyquick uses a stretch Lycra based upper that offers better movement, and weighing just 11.2 ounces, A$AP Rocky is right, when you're crazy quick, quick ain't fair.

The Air Jordan XX8 is one of the most talked about sneakers of the year. It's design is one that makes people question it, hate it, respect it for it's performance, and for many, fall for it's unbelievable feel. The carbon fiber Flight Plate technology and the seemingly reinvented Zoom Air cushioning placement make it one of the most unheralded sneaker designs, both technologically and aesthetically speaking.

LeBron's playoff run has become synonymous with great sneakers. While the rest of the world may not get the seemingly endless supply of personal colorways that Mr. James gets, we still have plenty of options when it comes to the Nike LeBron X Elite. Carbon fiber, full-length Max cushioning, and a fused upper is about as close to a championship as most of us will get. And that Nike Plus system can track the whole process.