Image via Complex Original
1.
It's almost August, and we hope you're having a great summer. But the lazy days of the season are still in full force. So what better way to burn some time than read about something you love? We're talking about sneakers, of course. For those who want to search for knowledge that goes deeper than sneaker blogs, there are also books that archive the history and niche topics that help transcend sneakers into a pop culture phenomenon. There's nothing better than getting lost in a good book, so check out Summer Reading: 10 Sneaker Books You Should Check Out.
2.The Nike SB Dunk Pro 1985-2011
Author: Nike
(Out of Print)
The Nike SB Dunk Pro Book is just as rare as the shoes shown within its pages. It takes a deep look into sneaker culture during 1985 through 2011, particularly Nike SB's contribution to the game. Not only does it look great, the cover features an actual Nike Dunk SB sole, which shows the care that went into creating this must-have book.
3.Vans: Off the Wall: Stories of Sole from Vans Originals
Author: Doug Palladini
This book chronicles the history of Vans and how the brand transformed from a casual shoe business into a sneaker empire. Author and Vans Vice President Doug Palladini includes oral histories of key people who've helped shape Vans and illustrates everything with incredible photos.
4.All Gone: The Finest of Street Culture 2013
Authors: Sudaara White, Caleb Lin, Aaron Kreielsheimer, John Kim, Pete Williams, Geoffroy Boul, Michael Dupouy
(Sold Out)
All Gone highlights the best of steetwear culture by year. The book began in 2006 and not only focuses on sneakers, but chronicles the best clothes, brands, and other art related to street culture from any particular year. All Gone has become somewhat infamous since its humble beginnings in 2006, today it's well-known in sneakerhead circles and should be considered required reading. If you weren't able to grab a copy when the book released earlier this year, check eBay.
5.Sneaker Freaker: The Book: 2002-05
Author: Simon Wood
Sneaker Freaker's book combines the famous magazine's excellent sneaker taste with a ton of facts. The info will come in handy if you want to learn about sneakers both past and present. Sneaker Freaker founder Simon Wood catalogs sneaker culture during the magazine's seminal years, 2002-2005, and gives the viewpoint that we've come to know from the Australian publication.
6.SLAM Kicks: Basketball Sneakers that Changed the Game
Author: Ben Osbourne, Scoop Jackson, and Russ Bengtson
SLAM Kicks' encyclopedia focuses solely on the basketball sneaker. It starts in 1917 with the Chuck Taylor All Star and takes you through the LeBron in 2013. This book shows off basketball kicks over time, throwbacks and new shoes too. Did we mention Complex's own Russ Bengtson also co-authored it?
7.Where'd You Get Those? 10th Anniversary Edition: New York City's Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 by Bobbito Garcia
Author: Bobbito Garcia
For the 10th anniversary of Bobbito Garcia's sneaker tome, Where'd You Get Those? New York City's Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987, the new version focuses specifically on New York's sneaker culture between the years of 1960-1987 with some updates. This isn't just a picture book, it's filled with years of information all sneaker collectors will appreciate. Garcia's work is known as the "mother of all sneaker books." Where'd You Get Those? is an essential read and comes highly recommended. Vogue writes, "Garcia chronicles the gym shoe's rise to cultural prominence with obsessive detail. Where'd You Get Those? is a welcome addition to New York cultural history."
8.Sneakers: The Complete Collectors' Guide
Author: Unorthodox Styles
Sneakers: The Complete Collectors' Guide is for anyone that has an appreciation for sneakers. No matter what kind you like, this book gives a history of how sneakers have gone from humble beginnings all the way to high fashion. It also gives a look at a multitude of brands and breaks down their most essential silhouettes. So you'll know why each brand is important in today's sneaker spectrum.
9.Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design
Author: Intercity
Art & Sole's contemporary sneaker book isn't like the rest. This one showcases rare pairs with an emphasis on the art, especially the design process behind crafting them. Starting with sketches of silhouettes and moving all the way up to choosing colors, Intercity has put together a book perfect for any collector—or anyone that appreciates art.
10.Swoosh: The Unauthorized Story of Nike and the Men Who Played There
Author: J.B. Strasser & Laurie Becklund
Buy It Now
Nike is good at telling its own story—just take a look at the brand's media site, Nike, Inc.—but what if you want to find out the behind-the-scenes, early moments of the brand that go untold? That's why you read this book. For anyone who has laced up a pair of Nikes in the past, Swoosh: The Unauthorized Story of Nike and the Men Who Played There is the story that you should be in tune with. It's how Nike started and rose to the position where it's at today, and some of those stories along the way might surprise you.
11.Sole Provider: 30 Years of Nike Basketball
Author: Scoop Jackson
Basketball, at least the sneakers being worn in the game, would be much different today without Nike's huge contribution to the sport. Over a decade ago, Scoop Jackson took a look at not only the sneakers Nike has created, but also the marketing that catapulted the brand to its current domination of the sport. This read is informative, but also eye catching. Who doesn't want to look at sketches of the Air Jordan III or Lil' Penny campaigns?