Image via Complex Original
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Good luck finding someone on the Internet who’s more about the sneaker culture than Fran “Franalations” Marchello. Not only has the young’n reviewed over 377 of your favorite sneakers on his YouTube channel, but he also goes far and beyond a normal fan when it comes to copping rare sneakers. Kobe Koston 1s, he’s got them, Air Mags, he’s got them. Every release that you probably didn’t think of waiting it out for, Fran was there. With a collection that includes almost every type of sneaker, for any occasion, we hit up Fran to give us his Top 25 of All-Time. Peep what made his list.
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25. Air Jordan Retro V "Black/Metallic Silver"
Fran says: "You really can't go wrong with most of the numbered Jays with a mainly black colorway. But this one sure is nice!"
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24. Nike Dunk Mid Pro SB "Mama Bear"
Fran says: "Mid SBs are so dope to me. I just wish they would bring the strap back already :/"
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23. Nike Dunk High Pro SB "Skunk"
Fran says: "Green and purple on a shoe!!! Can't go wrong with that!!!"
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22. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "Space Tiger"
Frans says: "This was the 2nd SB I ever reviewed, and it means a lot to me. It was at that point I knew I wanted to keep posting shoe reviews online. So many great things have happened in my life over the past three years, and this was like the stepping stone that started it all!"
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21. Nike Dunk High Pro SB "Wheat"
Fran says: "This was a 2002 SB. This shoe is made so very well — to be real, it was one of the most well-made SBs I have ever seen. If you ever get the chance... touch a pair, and you'll see what I'm saying!"
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20. Air Jordan Retro VII "Flint"
Fran says: "The first time I saw this shoe I was lined up for the Jordan 23 Titanium. I waited in line for three and a half days in NYC's 14-degree weather. I made a lot of good friends in that line, one of whom was rocking these shoes. It was my first time ever seeing the shoe, and I knew I needed 'em."
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19. Bodega x Converse Poorman Weapon
Fran says: "Classic shoe. When these dropped I was in Boston... But I was not able to score a pair. Thanks to good old @ShoeWolf (aka Mr.8k) my pair was waiting for me back in L.A. as soon as I landed :)"
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18. Jordan Spiz'ike "Fire Red"
Fran says: "These dropped online first and they made you cop them with the laptop bag (which I did) This ended up being my top pick for best shoe of 2007."
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17. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "Freddy Krueger"
Fran says: "When the blogs first posted this shoe everyone was so hyped for 'em. My friends and I called and drove out to all the shops trying to get info on when these were gonna drop. Come to find out Nike SB never ended up dropping these... So sad... Cuz these are a must-have pair of Dunks, IMO."
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16. Air Jordan Retro VI "Infrared"
Fran says: "Because I rock kids' sizes I was not able to get the Infrared 6s.. But its all good though. I took a pair of these VIs to the Jordan event in Texas for All-Star weekend last year! The lasered dTb on the toebox #swag — check out Def the Biz and support our t-shirt brand :)"
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15. Nike Dunk High "Pharrell"
Fran says: "I got these back in '07 but someone ended up stealing them from me.. This year I was able to get a DS 6.5 for $200 thanks to the powers of Twitter. I un-DSed em for the first time last week on 10-24-11."
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14. Comme des Garcons PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor Low
Fran says: "Shout out to Concepts on these! It was my first time in that state, let alone that shop, and they hooked me up with a nice 40 percent off! I paid $60 for them and love 'em to death!"
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13. BAPE Bape STA "Psyche Camo"
Fran says: "Nothing beats this STA! I always wanted the hoodie that came out in this colorway, but could never find my size. These shoes dropped two years after the hoodies and tees with this print, which I always found to be funny.."
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12. Nike Air MAG
Fran says: "Really cool shoe and it was for a great cause, too! Thank you guys for posting the on-feet video I did."
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11. Nike Air Yeezy "Black/Pink"
Fran says: "I camped out for them for five days. Such a crazy line-up. Left Brain from OF was in line for these too, but at the time I didn't really know who he was :P"
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10. BAPE AMPM Roadstas
Fran says: "They dropped the same colorway on a Bape STA in like '04 I want to say... If anyone ever sees them in a 6.5, hit me up on Twitter @franalations23."
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9. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB Supreme "White/Cement"
Fran says: "I was a big fan of the black pair, but once I got these I quickly changed my mind. The funny thing is I'm really not too big on True Blue 3s.."
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8. Air Jordan Retro IV "Black/Red"
Fran says: "I own one pair of Bred 4s from like '99, but I took 'em to a OFWGKTA show and they ended up falling apart #franfail."
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7. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "Pigeon"
Fran says: "I got these off of ebay back in '07 for $600 DS. I wouldn't mind getting another pair. I've seen a bunch in my size as of late... But I'm not down to drop a G on em."
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6. Air Jordan Retro III "Black/Cement"
Fran says: "I'm so happy these are gonna be dropping again next month! I already have three pairs, but I'll be getting three more for sure."
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5. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "What The Dunk?"
Fran says: "I picked these up the day they came out. Shout to @brooklyndom on these! I remember rushing down the 101 to pick these up. Waited in line for 45 minutes, and there was only like eight people in line lol."
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4. Nike Dunk High Pro SB "De La Soul"
Fran says: "These were my very first Nike SB shoes. I still want a second DS pair of these bad boys!"
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3. Nike Dunk High Pro SB "FLOM"
Fran says: "For love or money? I take love for $2,700, Alex"
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2. Nike Blazer SB "Supreme"
Fran says: "Big shout out to @a_smith! I was looking all over for these for years.. Then I randomly got a phone call from someone I didnt even know saying they had these for sale in my size DS! I knew I had to have em, but the dude was in NYC and wanted to do a meet up! Thanks for picking them up for me Adam #BT2 for life!"
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1. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "J Pack"
Fran says: "Back in '07 I found this for sale along with six other silver and pink boxes. At the time this wasn't even a shoe I really wanted.. But the dude was selling everything in a set. After trying this thing on I was in love! Still to this day my top pick!"
