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2013 will go down as an enormous year for sneakers. Tons of retros from Nike and Jordan were released, and it feels like they've figured out what people want and are willing to drop sneakers in their original form. Air Jordan 1s and IIIs both came back with their original Nike branding, and Reebok showed love to the man who wore its signature sneaker, Shaq.
Hype is a funny thing: there's no method to its madness. Initial images of sneakers get leaked, everyone writes about them, and then its a slow-boiling build up to when the release date for the sneakers is announced. From that point on, people all over are salivating and passing out from heatstroke at the chance of purchasing the sneakers they've had their eyes on for months--but feels like a lifetime.
Hyped sneakers come in all forms. Some are hyped because they're available in limited numbers, and others are sneakers that the entire populous wants and is attempting to buy during the holidays. Either way, here The 10 Most Hyped Sneakers of 2013.
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New Balance "Daytona" 1600
Not everybody can make it to Florida, but that is why there's the New Balance 1600 "Daytona." Designed by Ronnie Fieg, the model sips on the sweet lifestyle Daytona is best known for and represents it from heel to toe. As with most of Ronnie's collaborations, these were limited and that only helped the hype for the sneaker. They also came out on Black Friday, and even though there were a ton of releases that day, this one reigned supreme.
BAPE x Undefeated x adidas ZX 5000
Military inspiration leads the charge with everything from the guys at Undefeated, and the brand's with adidas and BAPE on the ZX 5000 was almost magical. After a few release date delays, sneakerheads were clamoring for a chance to get their hands on these and it finally happened last spring. Think about it: adidas, BAPE, and Undefeated together in one ball. That's a combination potent enough to make people faint.
Reebok Shaq Attaq
Starting off with Shaq in Vegas at Magic, Reebok had big plans for the return of the Shaq Attaq in the original colorway. Fans of Big Diesel were equally as excited about the shoe's return, and the fact that Shaq was helping to promote the shoe--in commercials and online--helped build the buzz for one of Reebok Classics' biggest releases of the year.
Nike Air Foamposite One "Fighter Jet"
The popularity of the Nike Air Foamposite One soared in 2013--quite literally, considering the Fighter Jet Foamposite released earlier in the year. This was one of the first printed Foamposites after the highly coveted "Galaxy" and kickstarted the trend that would ride out for the rest of the year. The details on this model made it worth all the hype.
Air Jordan 1 "Black/Royal Blue"
The Air Jordan 1 is quickly reaching the point where it can be worn with almost anything. The sneaker is seen everywhere--and everyone wants to wear it: athletes, rappers, and those obsessed with style. Early in the year, Jordan brought back the model in the "Royal Blue/Black" colorway with the Nike branding, and had everyone going crazy over this sneaker. It was a return to glory for the Air Jordan 1, and, in the end, the hype was worth what people went through to get the Royal 1s. Just look at the resell prices on this sneaker.
Air Jordan V Retro "Doernbecher"
The story of the Air Jordan V "Doernbecher" is a sad one. Designed by the late Isaac Arzate, the shoe contains a poem he wrote before he passed away. It is this connection, this story, that made this one of the most sought after shoes of the year. To this day, not many shoes have the sort of emotional connection that the Jordan V Doernbecher does. Plus, besides that, Jordan turned out an amazing sneaker. It had patent leather and messaging that glowed in the dark when hit with a blacklight. People can't ask for a much more concentrated effort than what was put into the Doernbecher Vs.
Nike LeBron 10 "Cork"
Made to celebrate LeBron's first championship, the LeBron 10 "Cork" was actually announced in December of 2012, but hit store shelves in February. Made with a mix of leather and cork, the Cork LeBrons were snatched up almost instantly and rival even the biggest releases of 2013, even with a $250 price tag. The sneakers weren't really wearable, but collectors grabbed these up as a testament to LeBron's legacy--and their hypebeast tendencies.
Air Jordan III '88 Retro White/Cement
For people who give a fuck about sneakers all over the world, the addition of the Nike branding on the back of the Air Jordan III was the perfect combination of nostalgia and style. For those old enough to remember Mike, this was a chance to relive the moments when he wore them. For those not old enough to actually see Mike play, this was a chance to get a taste of the Nike glory they had always heard about.
Air Jordan XI Black/Gamma Blue
The hype for the Air Jordan XI is big every year. This year, Jordan Brand looked to Gamma Blue as the star color for the pinnacle retro release. For many, at least at first, the shoe was a "pass." However, as the year wore on there were more looks at the sneaker, the "pass" quickly turned to a "cop," and the hype on the shoe was history. There were fights in sneaker stores for this release, and some even made out with the patent leather. They need to be slapped, but they could plead, the hype made them do it.
Nike Air Yeezy II "Red October"
"These be the Red Octobers," Kanye rapped on "Hold My Liquor," and that's when he gave a name to the most hyped sneaker of 2013, his all-red Nike Air Yeezy IIs. Since then, it's been sheer madness for these sneakers--and they never released. Kanye has since had a beef with Nike and left for adidas, and it looks like the "Red Octobers" will never drop. But that doesn't stop their legend from growing.
