The Best Sneakers for Back to School This Year

Back to school season is officially here, and you know what that means: Classmates are breaking out fresh pairs of white-on-white Nike Air Force 1s, "Checkerboard" Vans, and "Wheat" Timberlands left and right. As timeless as those shoes are, when we say everyone will be rocking them, we do mean everyone.

It'll serve you well to keep the classics on deck in your closet, but if you really want to let your kicks do the talking, we’ve got the sneakers that will help you stand out on campus. Whether it’s a rare collaboration like the Pharrell Williams x adidas Hu NMD or something a little easier to track down like next weekend’s Js, these are the sneakers that will elevate your kick game just in time for syllabus week.

Release date: September 15

Over the last few years, Nike Basketball’s “What The” sneakers have become predictable—stale, even—but it looks like that's about to change with the upcoming Kobe 11s. Instead of mixing previous Kobe colorways, this design of the Mamba’s retirement sneaker nods to Bryant’s love for soccer and combines several colors and prints from Nike’s long-running Mercurial range. The Mambacurial is as striking and unique as any other “What The” sneaker, but earns extra points for taking inspiration from the pitch.

Release date: Out now

The Air Jordan XII is having one heck of a year with OG colorways and new styles regularly selling out. Michael Jordan’s fifth championship sneaker will carry that buzz into the launch of the “Nylon” Jordan XII. The versatile black and white sneaker is constructed with a water resistant nylon upper, so you’ll be able to wear it well into the winter. In other words, when everyone else is playing it safe in boots and beaters, you'll still be flexing in your Js.

Release date: September 17

After a slow start with premium “Pony Hair” and “Snakeskin” colorways of the Air Jordan IV, the Pinnacle series resumes this month with a quilted-leather look. The $400 price tag means you’ll probably have to skip other releases this fall to afford them, but it’ll be worth it to stunt on your classmates in these copper-accented IVs.

Release date: September 16

Despite a constant stream of releases throughout 2016, the adidas NMD R1 is showing no signs of fatigue, and the brand has done its part to keep things interesting by limiting the PK (Primeknit) colorways. The latest look to join the PK family is these white- and black-based make ups, which feature tricolor three stripes branding. With so many NMDs in the streets, this pack is the perfect way to show you’re up on game.

Release date: September 24

The Olympics have come and gone, but Jordan Brand is sneaking in one more medal-inspired release that’s worth your attention. This navy blue and metallic copper pair screams fall, and the leather-based upper means you won’t have to worry about ruining the shoes as the weather starts to get messy. At $190, the Jordan V "Bronze" could be the biggest bang for your buck on this list.

Release date: September 24

You would think it'd be difficult to improve on one of the best sneakers of 2015, but it looks like Kanye West and adidas may have done just that with the Yeezy Boost 350 V2. The moccasin-inspired low top has been updated with new Primeknit patterns, a sleeker shape, and colorways that are sure to have everyone in the halls double taking. The only problem here is actually copping a pair. The good news is that early rumors are saying there will be far more 350 V2s available than previous Yeezy Boosts, so you might stand a chance at snagging them.

Release date: Out now

After a rapid sellout during an in-store launch at Pac Sun, Fear of God’s take on the Vans Sk8-Hi is thankfully available online. Sure, you could settle for the standard black and white general release, but this Jerry Lorenzo-designed pair is where it’s at. Before you splurge and drop resell, hang tight for your second chance at these. The simple colorway will allow you to wear the shoes with any- and everything in your closet, and the limited edition factor means you won’t be rocking the same pair as all of your friends—if you're able to cop a pair, that is.

Release date: September 24

In case you haven’t heard, New Balance is celebrating its 110th anniversary with a six-piece MiUK (made in the UK) pack featuring some of the brand’s most noteworthy sneakers. Each shoe is constructed with premium surplus materials in New Balance’s legendary Flimby factory and is individually numbered up to 1,906—​the amount of pairs produced. Specs aside, it’s simply a stunning line of sneakers. The first half has already hit shelves, but the M1500SP, M577SP, and M575SP pictured above will be arriving later this month. The "Surplus" pack is perfect for students who want to keep it clean and classy while still stepping out in something fresh.

Release date: October 1

If the response to the first Pharrell x adidas Hu NMD collab was any indication, this second wave of colorways might as well be sold out already. You’ll need some serious diligence to get your hands on these, but it’ll be worth it in the end since Skateboard P’s take on the insanely popular NMD is one of the year’s most popular sneakers. Best of all, if you weren’t feeling the yellow colorway that released first, this drop has a little something for everyone with its rainbow of colors.