Frank the Butcher's Top 10 Sneakers of 2013

Business as usual.

December 19, 2013

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Written by Frank the Butcher (@frankthebutcher)

2013 has been a great year in sneakers. The frequency of drops was damn near overwhelming. I think the re-issue game is on a hunned thousand and collabs went from something special and potentially hard to find to common and accessible (as good shoes should be). I’m more focused in my “sneaker wants” due to space, so I didn't want everything even if it was dope. Can’t front, this was a hard list to put together.

10. Air Jordan III '88

The Air Jordan III '88 is at the bottom of my list because it was almost cheating, dropping the '88 so close to the last retro drop. At the same time I can appreciate why they exist. Plus I owned them in '88 when I as in fifth grade. Now bring on the '88 black/cement.

9. Converse x Ace Hotel Pro Leather

So clean. Perforated “A's”???? Come on duke!

8. Sneaker Freaker x Puma Blaze of Glory “Sharkbait”

Woody is something else. His shark themed Blaze of Glory pack deserved a re issue BUT when he followed up with the “Sharkbait,” killed it. I’m a fan of the model itself and SF brought it up a notch.

7. Air Jordan IV "Fear"

Usually not super into Jordan lifestyle color plays but DAMN. Black, charcoal, red in the air bubble and speckled midsole. Just dope.

6. Saint Alfred x New Balance 1500

I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Saint Alfred crew. Stand-up guys who aren’t defined by hype. They work hard and it shows. Their 1500 is a win. Hues of reds borderline maroons—so clean and to the point. Love it.

5. [Tie] J Crew x New Balance 998 "Pebble Blue" and "Red/Blue"

The 998 is my favorite New Balance model hands down. Style and comfort. So many details and panels to flip. J Crew’s renditions are flawless. Color combos are perfect.

4. Air Jordan 1 "Black/Royal"

Do I even have to explain? So classic. A shoe that I can wear all the time.

3. size? x Nike Air Huarache "Brown/Purple-Teal"

These guys man. Jesus. Size? has turned out the bulk of the year’s best Nike reissues. Classic colorways on even more classic sneakers. Was hard to pick just one. Shouts to my friend Paul Ruffles and the size? team.

2. Nike Air Tech Challenge II SP “U.S. Open”

The Air Tech Challenge II has always been one of my favorite Tech Challenges. The “U.S. Open” material and color pushed a great shoe into an amazing shoe.