The 25 Most Anticipated Sneakers of Summer 2012

Image via Complex Original

It's summertime, word to the kufi smacker Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff. As things start to heat up on the block you can count on the same to happen with your favorite shoe brands. People chasing kicks is at an all-time high and with the 2012 London Olympics coming up you can expect companies to take full advantage of your patriotism and need to keep breaking necks. We kick things off this Memorial Day weekend and run up to Labor Day which is truly summer — we don't care what a calendar says. Click on the gallery to check out The 25 Most Anticipated Sneakers of Summer 2012 and let us know which pair is a must for your rotation of kicks.

25. Nike Air Presto "USA"

Release: Unknown 

It has been just over a decade since the release of one of the greatest running shoes and thankfully The Swoosh is bringing them back just in time to show how proud you are to be an American. No official word when, but it looks like the Olympic based kicks should all be rolling out throughout July, including these classics. 

24. adidas Tischtennis "Olympic" 

Release: June 

The classic 80's look from adidas Originals gets the London games makeover as well. The suede and mesh upper mixed with the flag on the heel is the perfect backspin on the ping pong model. Yes, even Jan-Ove Waldner was running lob city thanks to the shoes. 

23. New Balance Made in the UK 577 "Farmer's Market Pack"

Release: Unknown 

The Flimby-made New Balances have always been sought after, and the 577 has often been overlooked in favor of trendier silhouettes. This earthtone take is a fall release, but will be perfect for those late summer days.

22. Air Jordan IV "Military Blue"

Release: June 9th 

It has only been six years since the "Military Blues" dropped last and the reception wasn't nearly as strong as the one anticpated this time. The "True Blue" Air Flight '89s have been a favorite of Kanye's over the past month and with an almost identical build, colorblocking, and the always stunting Jordan logo on the tongue you can bet these won't sit on the shelves nearly as long as the '06 model.  

21. Nike Dunk High "Team USA"

Release: July 

The all-red upper radiates that summer feel and the clean white mid and navy outsole pieces the shoe together perfectly. Subtle hits of gold on the heel tab and the 'USA' logo on the tongue will help you stay fly and show your pride at the same time. 

20. Nike Air Trainer 1 "Safari"

Release: Unknown 

The elephant print of the Jordan IIIs still remains one of the most unque looks in sneaker history but it all started with the safari print 25 years ago. While the originals are looking at a holiday release, Nike whets our appetities for the time being with the Bo Jackson model for the summer time. Nobody beats the Biz.

19. BAIT x ASICS GEL Lyte III "Green Ring"

Release: Unknown 

We still can't read the name of the new Cali-concept store and not have the Wale hook stuck in our head. BAIT's launch to the sneaker blogs is relatively new but we have already seen a handful of dope collaborations on the way for as soon as they cut the red ribbon. The best of the best is the "Green Ring" ASICS Gel Lyte III which features a green upper with hits of blue and 3M to make the cypher complete. 

18. Air Jordan I AJKO 

Release: June 2nd 

There are a few corporate heads doing their homework at Jordan Brand. They know that even though it's only been a few years since the same models released that kids are snatching up anything with Jordans' silhouette on the tongue. Not to say that we're mad to see them back, the all-canvas AJKOs are sick and a must for anyone who is a true fan of the signature series that started it all. 

17. Nike Air Force 180 "Olympic"

Release: July

Since Mike is getting all this love with the VIs and VIIs, its only right his fellow Dream Team teammate Sir Charles (who led the USA in scoring, even) gets revitalization of his Olympic kicks from Barcelona. These are rumored to be dropping July 2nd in Europe with a US release following shortly after. 

16. Nike LeBron 9 "MVP"

Release: June 

Joining elite company, LeBron James now has his third NBA Most Valuable Player Award and another shoe to commemorate being the greatest. If you needed a reminder of why you need to mind your manners and chill with all the slander then his 40, 18, and 9 game Sunday should be sufficient enough evidence. We just got word there will be a limited run soon on the MVP's sneaks, so make sure you stay locked to Complex for more details.

15. Air Jordan XII "Obsidian"

Release: June 23 

2012 has been about the IVs and the XIIs and although the "Playoff" XIIs are going to be tough to beat for the best release of the model we have already seen a few rappers breaking out the "Obsidians" months before the street date. When news first broke that these would be releasing over the summer we thought picking up a pair would be a safe bet but after seeing the craze over the "Cavs" IVs and "Cool Grey" XIIs you may want to stay glued to your nearest Nike Twitter account. 

14. Nike SB Challenge Court

Release: July

While we'd love to see a true-to-form retro of the OG Challenge Court, this SB-ified version with Lunar inserts done up for long-time SB skater Gino Iannucci will do for now. A perfect summer drop.

13. Air Jordan IV "Fire Red"

Release: August 4th 

The "Fire Red" IVs were actually one of the first Js rumored to set for a '12 release and somehow have been lost in the mix of the million sneaker releases already this year. Another IV that was last released in 2006, you can never have enough of the Bulls colorway Js in the closet, these are a must even if your "Mars" pair from a few years ago are VNDS — whatever that means. 

12. Air Jordan VII "Olympic"

Release: July 21st 

With a "me against the world mentality", Michael Jordan and the rest of The Dream Team bodied their foes in Barcelona by an average of 44 points a game. You remember Michael doing it in these VIIs and this iconic moment. Proud to be an American. 

11. Reebok Answer IV

Release: August 10th

It's possible that 2001 was Allen Iverson's best year in the NBA — scoring leader, MVP, Finals trip. And then there were the shoes. Iverson enjoyed mad props and success with his loyalty to a life time Reebok deal and besides the Question (May 25th!) none stand out nearly as much as the sleek Answer IV. The only real question is how many pairs are you going to get?

10. Air Jordan VI "Gold Medal Pack"

Release: August 18th 

Jordan packs have birthed some of the best non-OG concepts from the brand over the past decade. To accompany the black/gold VIIs, Jordan cooked up these white/gold VIs to pay tribute to Mike's two Olympic medals. 

9. Air Jordan VII "Gold Medal Pack"

Release: August 18th 

It wouldn't be too hyperbolic to say that Michael Jordan made basketball a global sport. During Team USA's dominant 1992 run in Barcelona the Air Jordan VIIs were his weapon of choice, and to help commemorate the iconic moment Jordan Brand pieced together a black and gold model of the kicks. 

8. Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low

Release: Unknown 

With rumors of this SB release initially saying April, and seeing that May has almost passed, we have to believe that someone wouldn't have gotten us this gassed if these weren't dropping soon. It has been just over a decade since the originals dropped and we're not sure a sneaker has topped them since — okay maybe a few. The elephant print still remains king and the blood red touches give it enough of a change that even the most snobbish Supreme and SB purist will be doing about anything to grab a pair.

7. Air Jordan VI "Olympic"

Release: July 7th 

It was actually Ray Allen and Vin Baker who wore these proud for Team USA, not Mike and they were also the first non-OG colorway of the VIs when they initially dropped in 2000. From Sydney to London 12 years later you can expect these to find their way on the feet of someone on the depleted American roster. The honor of rocking a piece of footwear history and reppin' your country should be reason alone to get them to lace up and postpone their summer break a few weeks. 

6. JEREMY SCOTT x adidas Originals JS Bear

Release: Unknown

Sure, they're technically a Fall/Winter release, but you can expect these outlandish floral bears to start hitting the streets before the leaves start to turn. And until Jeremy takes some of our ideas, these are possibly his craziest drop yet. Don't sleep. 

5. Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite "South Beach"

Release: June 2nd 

The $250 price tag won't stop these from being once of the hottest selling sneakers of 2012. Whether it was for resale or the love of the game you already saw what the "Pre-Heat" LeBron 8s did and the Elite 9s might be just as dope with the pink laces channeling the South Beach life. Now only if you could wear these proud popping bottles at LIV to celebrate a Heat title in June — to be continued.

4. Ronnie Fieg x New Balance 999 "Steel Blue"

Release: June 15th 

Fresh off another ill collab, konichiwa bitches. When it comes to Ronnie Fieg's work two things are promised — some of the best materials are being used and you are easily getting more than what you paid for. That has been the motto for one of the design games biggest upcomers and with his second New Balance design — a 999 based on the iconic 1300 — he has another hit, Barry Bonds. 

3. Nike Air Foamposite One "Gold Medal"

Release: Unknown  

Hate 'em or love 'em, the Foamposites have taken over 2012 with no sign of slowing down. To keep things going with the thread of gold releases for the Olympics, Nike knew it was necessary to drape the ever-popular Foamposite Ones with that number-one spot status. 

2. Nike Air Force 1 High "Dream Team" 

Release: Unknown 

These Air Force 1 Highs are bananas. Made to commemorate the Dream Team as part of Nike Sportswear's Olympic pack, they include gold Swooshes and dubraes, the '92 "USA" logo on the tongue tags, and — just in case the tribute wasn't clear — giant "1992" print under the translucent outsoles. If you get just one pair of Dream Team shoes this summer, these might have to be the one. 

1. Nike Air Yeezy 2

Release: Late June

No official release date has been set, but if you have been trolling the blogs you know these could be dropping in the matter of weeks and who you know just might not be enough to snag a pair this time. The question isn't which colorway is best, it's more like how many pairs will surface on eBay and how many stacks will it cost you to get a pair? Has there ever been a more anticipated sneaker? Doubtful.