Image via Complex Original
When it comes to sneakers, there are some colors that make for automatic bangers. In a culture that celebrates bold looks and breaking necks, flashy kicks have become the standard. But not everyone wants to be the loudest in the room. For some of us, it’s enough just to wear the dopest pair. For a more sophisticated choice, we turn to the rich tones of brown borrowed from chestnuts, the earth, and sweetly caramel. It isn’t the most prolifically used color on sneakers, so we’ve put together a list of the best brown sneakers of all time to help round out your closet. You’re welcome.
Bobbito Garcia x Nike Air Force 1
Even though this past year saw some crazy hype over a similarly colored Air Force 1, we can thank the Bobbito Garcia x Nike Air Force 1 for opening our minds to the idea of combining workman tradition with iconic street style. Bobbito Garcia is historically one of the most legit sneaker heads ever so it's a no-brainer that this collaborative effort would find its way on any top-10 list.
Atmos x Nike Air Max 1 “Viotech”
Since it started working with Nike on the Air Max 1, Atmos has arguably become the most significant collaborator on Tinker's first notable shoe. They fetch some of the highest resale prices and have inspired some of the highest flattery in the business (if imitation truly is the greatest form of flattery). Although each design is a classic, Atmos is doubly known for its bold colorways, but none are as understated as their tonal brown pair with the small purple swoosh. To this day, because of the quietly sophisticated color palate, the only necks they break are of those of ’heads who can recognize a classic.
Nike Dunk SB “Bison Red Toe”
Even though designs with different colored toes are no-brainers today, before the Nike “Bison Red Toe” SB Dunks, the only sneaker of note that had such a design element was the original Air Max 1 in “Sport Red.” The Bison Red Toe, with its warm brown upper made from the most supple suede, was released at the height of Nike's SB Dunk popularity, opening up a new, bolder way of considering how to color sneaker panels. The decision was a paradigm shift that we are still reaping the benefits of.
Riccardo Tisci x Nike Air Force 1 “Vachetta Tan”
Perhaps one of the most significant collaborations, Givenchy Creative Director Riccardo Tisci's pairing with Nike on the Air Force 1 was also one of the most surprising team-ups. For the first time, Nike partnered up with a super high-end designer on a shoe that is the iconic street sneaker. For Tisci, it was a dream come true, and for sneakerheads it was entirely new ground. The three-time collaboration reached a denouement with a tan edition that many consider to be the best of the bunch.
Solebox x Puma States “Year of the Snake”
Chinese New Year is always a deep well to draw from when it comes to design inspiration. In 2013, the Year of the Snake, we saw all types of snakeskin leathers and prints used on dozens of shoes, but perhaps none as effective as Solebox’s collaboration with Puma on its three States pack. The German sneaker store used the understated silhouette of the State to play off the bold use of snakeskin on the form stripe. The limited number of pairs means that catching a glimpse of these in real life is a rare event, but certainly worth the hunt.
Nike Air Yeezy
Long before the craze surrounding Yeezy Season 1, Kanye West debuted his highly anticipated partnership with Nike for the first time with three “Air Yeezys.” The shoes are now called the "Air Yeezy 1s" thanks to their incredibly successful follow-up, most famous for the “Red October” pair. But Kanye's first foray into athletic shoes used more neutral tones, including the “Net” colorway, which featured an all-tan upper with hits of pink and a glowing sole.
Visvim Shaman
Although Visvim just recently rose to popularity its impact on the sneaker world has been deep and significant. Popularizing the blend of menswear shoes and sneakers, the Shaman's usage of rich brown suede in a casual way, combined with a unique upper featuring understated design elements, marked a different way of thinking for many 'heads. For that recalibration, Visvim's Shaman rests in the pantheon of significance.
Nike LeBron X “Cork”
When the Nike LeBron X “Cork” were first teased back in 2012, the initial reaction was that they had to be a digital mock-up or an ill-conceived custom job. How could anyone expect a basketball shoe with a cork upper to stand up against actual use? Nike proved us all to be fools by releasing a shoe that was shockingly flexible and resilient. It remains one of the most sought-after pairs of the last few years, fetching exorbitant resell prices.
HUF x Nike Air Trainer 1 SB “Gold Digger”
In the mid-1800s, the gold rush brought Americans to the West Coast in rapidly inflating numbers, creating a culture in incredible time. Much of the American West has this madness to thank for its existence, so skate company HUF teamed up with Nike to create a shoe that paid homage to that history. Using oiled leather to stand in for the earth that separated diggers from the gold (represented as gold foil under brown mesh), these SB Trainer 1s are both immediately recognizable and supremely wearable.
Nike LeBron XII EXT "Wheat"
Few sneakers have bridged the gap between work and play quite like the Nike LeBron XII EXT "Wheat." The sculpted upper of the LeBron XII was created to offer unique support for players at the level of LeBron but the usage of suede, a material that is not at home on the court, creates an inherent design conflict. It was an aesthetic contrast in terms; there was a native pull between lifestyle and sport built into the shoe. But, that contrast is ultimately what made the shoe. It was impossible, it was a wink and a nod, offering an architectural option to a sneakerhead who was itching for something bold and unique. And it should be noted, it offered a little bit of LeBron history, drawing its inspiration from the Nike Air Zoom Generation that LeBron wore in the 2004 Rookie Challenge that broke so many necks.
