Joe La Puma's Top 10 Sneakers of 2011

Joe says: "A sneaker doesn't have to be limited to be awesome. The Nike Trainer II SC is a classic silo, and this colorway is my favorite out of all the colors to drop thus far. The leather is really good on these and it's a pair of sneakers I'll wear until they're really beat."

Joe says: "This was a big shoe for my good friend Ronnie Fieg, it was great to see him release his own sneaker at his own store, and the scheme on these were crazy. I had a sample of these months before anyone saw them, and when I Tweeted a pic of them, the response was nuts. It's not the same in any sense, but the colorway reminds me of the black Converse Aero Jam in a weird way. Ronnie's a prideful person and now that he's the No. 1 at his own store he's not fucking around."

Joe says: "For the past few years I've never included a shoe that didn't go to retail on my list, but this sneaker flipped the script. Taking an athletic shoe and turning it into a lifestyle shoe is no easy feat, and DJ (he's a DJ first, always) Clark Kent succeeded. Everyone was calling these the 'Denim LeBrons' when the pic leaked, but the fact that Clark homaged the cool-as-fuck James Dean on these made them 100x more awesome. Dean was an O.G., and Clark is an O.G. in his field. Sorry sneaker nerds, if you only know Clark for being a lover of sneakers you better do your research. Now."

Joe says: "Frank the Butcher had an awesome year. He was two for two, with these and the adidas Forums he recently did. These New Balances and the concept behind them was dope. This was a favorite around the Complex office, and to me it was the best New Balance to drop all year."

Joe says: "I'm a sucker for fashion x sneaker collaborations, and these were the best of the year to me. The women's versions were just as dope, and it was tough picking this colorway over the black/white, but I really liked the blue hits they included."

Joe says: "You either loved or hated this sneaker, but I thought the way Nike handled this project was great. It was for a good cause, and it was one of those sneakers that brought people outside of sneaker culture into this little niche world of ours. These type of sneakers don't come along often. Props to everyone who got a pair."

Joe says: " Not much explanation needed for these. I don't wear primarily white sneakers besides the True Blues. I'm in the minority, but I'd take these over the White/Cement IIIs."

Joe says: "Quality leather on a Jordan 1 is both simple and genius at the same time. Awesome concept to me, and the fact that the materials used were top-notch made these a must. I had my best friend Rudy try and get me a pair at the outlets when they released to no avail. I paid double retail and would do it again for a second pair. Also a sneaker that went through the 'Kanye effect' when he was getting flicked up in them at Fashion Week."

Joe says: "My overall favorite sneaker of all time. A lot of people complained about the quality on these and compared them to older make-ups that dropped a few years ago, but honestly if they fell apart after three wears, I'd still buy multiple pairs. No other sneaker looks as good on foot as the black/cement Jordan III. It's just a fact. If I could wear one shoe for the rest of my life, this would be it."

Joe says: "Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a big fan of Bape, through and through. Just when I think I'm done wearing the brand, new pieces are must-haves for me. Coming together with adidas on this sneaker was big. They were super-limited, and I was lucky to get a pair, but it was one of those sneakers I was prepared to do whatever it took to get my hands on them if a connect didn't come through. Simple and classic, and the only true low-top I'd consider wearing in the past couple of years."