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Related: The Best Sneakers of 2017
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Yesterday Complex showed you the Best 25 Albums so far in 2011. Today the Complex sneaker crew puts in our two cents about the best drops so far in Twenty Eleven. No doubt there are a few Jordans on the list, some great retros we were glad to see come back, and some brands really getting creative. Take a look through our list of The 25 Best Sneakers Of 2011 (So Far) and let us know what you think. Click the gallery here to check it out.
25. Jordan 2011
#25 Air Jordan 2011
Release Date: February 19, 2011
Complex Says: Since Michael left the game the Jordan series hasn’t been the same. This year, however, Jordan Brand brought it back strong with a fresh design as well as a sick concept of interchangeable midsoles appealing to all types of players with different types of games.
24. Stash Reebok
#24 Stash x Packer Shoes x Reebok Pump Graphlite
Release Date: March 31, 2011
Complex Says: 100 years in the business will get you a few connections. Packer Shoes hooked up with Reebok and artist Stash to commemorate a century in the game with a limited run. The Pump Graphlite features Stash's signature blues and greys and the 289 pairs, well that’s 100 years of business and 189 as a nod to Packer Shoes street address.
23. Adidas Crazy 8
#23 adidas Crazy 8
Release Date: February 2011
Complex Says: You might remember these from Kobe Bryant as his first signature shoe with the Three Stripes. Since KB-8 left the company so did the name. The design remained the same and was a favorite amongst adidas NCAA programs and took over on the court during March Madness.
22. Nike Lunarspider Camo
#22 Nike Lunarspider Racer TZ “Camo”
Release Date: May 20, 2011
Complex Says: Nike has changed the running game with its various styles of Lunar cushioning. This past month it dropped a Tier Zero camouflage sneaker that blurs the line of performance and style perfectly. All-Camo-Everything.
21. YOTR Jordans
#21 Air Jordan VII “Year of the Rabbit”
Release Date: May 7, 2011
Complex Says: The Jordan VII “YOTR” release had Jordan-heads scrambling for a connect since they only dropped at limited spots in the US. The colors were on point, the box was official, and the Chinese proverbs “higher heights” and “good fortune” associated with the sneaker all seem to link up with MJ’s style well.
20. Bron Entourage
#20 Nike Lebron 8 V@ “Entourage”
Release Date: March 4, 2011
Complex Says: The shoe is inspired by the HBO series that Marky Mark built, which happens to be Bron-Bron’s favorite show. This V2 model sports a Photo Blue Flywire and mesh upper, Tour Yellow on the outsole, and patent leather on the midfoot to make the sneaker really stand out. The colorway is undoubtedly one of the most interesting ones so far this year, but even Nike took its greatest talents to the South Beaches.
19. Bin 5 Jordans
#19 Air Jordan V Premio Bin 23
Release Date: February 18, 2011
Complex Says: The black Vs with the white laces, such a simple yet dope look. The Vs alone are one of the greatest models but upgrade it to Bin 23 status with premium leather, no-sew construction, and a Jordan legacy backstory? Easily one of the best drops in 2011.
18. Converse Pro Leathers
#18 Schott NYC x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star White Leather Jacket
Release Date: April 15, 2011
Complex Says: What happens when you mesh a classic sneaker together with the first modern leather jacket? Schott and Converse link up for one of the more interesting shoes on the list with the White Leather Jacket Chucks. The attention to detail and materials is unmatched using the best of both worlds and subtle branding. Taylor Gang.
17. Puma Clyde
#17 UNDFTD x Puma Clyde “Stripe Off”
Release Date: April 10, 2011
Complex Says: Limited to only 1,500 pairs and 30 locations, Puma and UNDFTD called an audible removing the classic Clyde's Puma branding from the sides and upgrading the build, leaving a clean and sophisticated shoe perfect for warm weather.
16. Bodega x Nike
#16 Bodega x Nike Air Footscape Wooven Chukka
Release Date: May 28, 2011
Complex Says: The earth-toned outdoorsy design couldn’t go unnoticed with its “Black Cat” theme on the insole, splattered midsole, and brown weaving throughout the upper. Good luck finding a pair.
15. Nike Eric Koston
#15 Nike SB Eric Koston 1
Release Date: June 4th, 2011
Complex Says: These may have been outshined a little bit by the hype behind a Jordan release on the same date but Eric Koston's first Nike SB signature joints still hold their own. The Kobe x Koston ones were great and all, but the GR skate kicks — which incorporate Lunar insoles and lots of hidden tech — put a great design and comfortable shoe together so you can stay grindin’.
14. Wolf 5
#14 Air Jordan V “Wolf Grey”
Release Date: May 14th, 2011
Complex Says: In 2010, the “Cool Grey” look was all the rage. In 2011, Jordan switched the grey style up and continued to watch the money pile up. The rugged suede/nubuck combo had everyone dropping a buck fifty, no questions.
13. Fieg Ultramarines
#13 Ronnie Fieg x Asics GT-II “Ultramarine”
Release Date: June 3, 2011
Complex Says: Blue was the color of June 3rd weekend, kicking things off with RF’s latest offering with Asics. The premium-grade pigskin was breaking necks with another impressive colorway unlike anything we had seen before. In true Fieg fashion they crashed the site and sold out in less than a minute. If you were lucky enough to wait for these at the store you know Ronnie was hooking up breakfast too. Now that’s a sneaker release.
12. Kobe Barcelonas
#12 Nike Zoom Kobe VI “Barcelona – Bright Mangos”
Release Date: May 18, 2011
Complex Says: Let’s be honest, the Kobe's look hasn’t changed that much since the IVs debuted, but Nike keeps pulling people in with its great color selections and concepts. Last month Ty from Leaders in Chicago dropped a picture of these kicks and had the internet going nuts. The vibrant bright mango colorway sits perfectly with black accents and the Barcelona crest is on the inside of the tongue just so you remember what these signify.
11. Nike Penny
#11 Nike Air Max Penny 1
Release Date: March 11, 2011
Complex Says: If you remember basketball from the '90s, you remember the sneakers were just as memorable as any Game Seven. One of the best non-Jordan retros, the Penny 1s made a comeback this spring in the OG Orlando Magic colorway. Penny may not have had the Hall of Fame career most were predicting but his shoe legacy still reigns supreme.
10. Jordan Tokyo
#10 Air Jordan V “Tokyo 23”
Release Date: April 29, 2011
Complex Says: The first Jordan release limited to Japan only, the Jordan V “Tokyo 23” were another Jordan V release that had Jordan-heads scrambling for a connect. The clear accents, 3M tongue, and yellow nubuck made them pop even more than the usual Vs. Yeah, these joints are hotter than wasabi.
9. Supreme Vans
#9 Supreme x Vans Old Skool
Release Date: March 17, 2011
Complex Says: You know anytime Supreme jumps on a collabo there is going to be mad hype. Its Old Skool collection with Vans turned out perfect by not getting too crazy with a timeless silhouette. The six drops featured some attention-grabbing colorways and of course we were feeling the orange and blue pair. #Knicks
8. Stat Liberty Dunks
#8 Nike SB Dunk High “Statue of Liberty”
Release Date: March 2011
Complex Says: Dunks haven’t been getting as much praise in the past few years, but Nike came correct with one of its latest SB offerings. The “Statue of Liberty” Dunks feature a green colorway that actually fades with wear and tear giving it a copper feel mimicking Lady Liberty herself.
7. Bordeaux 7
#7 Air Jordan VII “Bordeauxs”
Release Date: April 16, 2011
Complex Says: Originally broke out by Mike during the ’92 All-Star Game, we had to wait 19 years until Jordan Brand decided to bless us with these again. One of the most hyped releases had rappers like Jim Jones and Chris Brown grabbing them early and Pharrell wearing them about every other performance. We don’t blame them, the heauxs love “Bordeauxs.”
6. Jordan 1 Banned
#6 Air Jordan 1 “Banned”
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Complex Says: You can’t ban Jordan. When Mike’s first kicks dropped in 1985, David Stern — a control freak even back then — made a big deal and fined Jordan for his sneakers stating they didn’t comply with NBA official uniform rules. Nike paid the $5,000 fines for Mike and the brand's name grew in the streets. After being rumored to release for some time JB decided to drop a limited number of the "Banned" 1 at random Nike Factory Stores, sending everyone on a wild goose chase.
5. YOTR Af1
#5 Nike Air Force 1 “Year of the Rabbit”
Release Date: January 29, 2011
Complex Says: Nike’s Chinese Zodiac concept has been fairly well received in the past but this shoe took it to another level. The sneaker was influenced by the Chinese candy “White Rabbit” matching the packaging, texture, and color perfectly. Well worth the $250 price tag for the very limited and well-constructed AF1 – I said give me two pairs.
4. J3 Cement
#4 Air Jordan III “Cements”
Release Date: January 22, 2011
Complex Says: When the year rang in, we were seeing a lot of great Jordan release rumors for 2011. We felt pretty good about everything we heard when Jordan Brand held up its end of the deal, dropping the Jordan III “Cements” in flawless quality, the OG-style packaging, and you didn’t have to M.O.P. “Ante Up” anyone to get a pair.
3. Foam Penny
#3 Nike Air Foamposite One
Release Date: February 12, 2011
Complex Says: When these first released in 1997 admit it, you were a little shook by the $180 price tag and it caused you to miss out on the shoe Mike Bibby made more popular than Penny Hardaway. When word came through that Nike was re-releasing these in early 2011 retailing at $200, sneaker fans didn’t even blink – truly one of the greatest sneakers from the greatest era in basketball shoes.
2. NB Concepts
#2 Concepts x New Balance 999 “The Kennedys”
Release Date: March 2011
Complex Says: If you ever played wide receiver you know that “999” means straight fly. OK, New Balance and Concepts were showing JFK’s love for sailing but these are one of the dopest releases we have seen from the brand. The concoction of materials and colors is extremely aesthetically appealing and more importantly this shoe truly can be rocked by anyone or any style — classic in the making.
1. True Blues
#1 Air Jordan III “True Blues”
Release Date: June 4, 2011
Complex Says: In 2009 it was announced that the Jordan III “True Blues” were making a comeback – not in the US though. A lot of feelings were hurt and some people even dropped an extra few hundred to grab them from overseas. Finally Jordan hooked us up in the States, kicking the summer off with most people’s favorite Jordan model in a clean, classic colorway.
