Image via Complex Original
There are certain sneakers that simply scream SUMMER. There's the classic white-on-white Nike Air Force 1 Lows, of course, and the checkered Vans Slip-On, and countless other readily available models. But some of the best summer sneakers of all are a bit harder to come by. Either they were collabs or limited drops that didn't necessarily release IN the summer, which means to enjoy them properly you had to have a bit of foresight (as well as some storage space and willpower). Well, with Labor Day here, another summer is more or less in the books — Timbo season approaches — and did you actually wear those perfect summer kicks? Probably not. Here's 20 Awesome Summer Sneakers You Didn't Wear This Year. Er, not that we don't have confidence in you or anything.
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20. 85IVE2 x Nike SB Janoski SE
Year Of Sneaker: 2013
What, you were scared what people would think? The all-white, Velcro-strapped Janoskis looked like something a hospital worker or nursing-home bound senior citizen might wear, but they were the perfect (and perfectly comfortable) alternative to the ubiquitous white-on-white Air Force 1s. Slimmer and sleeker AND with no laces? All summer, every summer.
19. Packer Shoes x Reebok Leather Classic
Year Of Sneaker: 2013
Mike Packer had perhaps the best take on the Reebok Leather Classic, doing it up in the baby blue, red and yellow livery of Reebok's first running shoe, the Aztec. If white-on-whites were never your thing, this would have been summer perfection. Too bad you missed out.
18. Nike Air Force 1 "Jones Beach"
Year Of Sneaker: 2009
Forget the classic white-on-whites (well, for a day, anyway) and rep Long Island for a minute. The "Jones Beach" Air Force 1 Low mixed off-white canvas and leather with an ice blue translucent sole that overlaid the silhouette of Long Island. And the linear pattern towards the rear actually was taken from the stake fences that protect the dunes. Killer.
17. Reebok Phase 1
Year Of Sneaker: 1986
A criminally slept on tennis shoe, the Reebok Phase One was garment leather on the outside, terrycloth on the inside, and the ruler of many a high school hallway in the mid to late '80s. Pop your collar and throw on a couple of Swatches for bonus points.
16. Nike Air Raid II "Live Together Play Together"
Year Of Sneaker: 1993
The ultimate summer basketball shoe in the ultimate summer iteration. Spike Lee's commercial made it known, and the peace signs on the tongue and the "LIVE TOGETHER" "PLAY TOGETHER" messages down the back made up for the indignities of wearing a bulky black mid-cut in the summer.
15. Ronnie Fieg x ASICS GEL Lyte III "Salmon Toe"
Year Of Sneaker: 2011
Pretty much all of Ronnie Fieg's collabs are summer ready, with the exception of the Total Eclipse joints. But the Salmon Toes, with that nontraditional ASICS colorblocking, those are the ones that really pop. You know, if you had a pair.
14. Air Jordan XIV Low "White/Carolina"
Year Of Sneaker: 1999
The Air Jordan XIV Low isn't exactly the most beloved Air Jordan silhouette - don't hold your breath for another retro - but the white/Carolina version still gets props over here. Like a drop-top Ferrari for your feet, the only ribbed original AJXIV Low is better now than it was then.
13. Nike Low Pro SB "Mulder"
Year Of Sneaker: 2002
One of the original Dunk SBs, the Mulders (for OG Nike SB team member Richard Mulder, not the X-Files dude) repped the L.A. Dodgers with a clean white upper and Orion Blue Swooshes. Super-simple and oh-so-summery.
12. Supreme x Vans Old Skool "Mesh"
Year Of Sneaker: 2011
A pair of Vans Old Skools made up like a vintage running shoe? This is the best of both worlds for summer living. Too bad they were just a Supreme drop, which means unless you copped right then, well, good luck.
11. Nike LeBron 8 "South Beach"
Year Of Sneaker: 2010
Wait, you mean people actually WEAR South Beach LeBrons? Yup, and hopefully in the summertime (or in Miami, where it's always summertime anyway). The relatively big and clunky LeBron isn't exactly a summertime classic, but that colorway wants to go straight to the beach. Or at least the pool.
10. Nike Zoom Spiridon
Year Of Sneaker: 1997
Air Max aficionados may disagree, but the Zoom Spiridon is the best summer running shoe Nike ever made. Lace up tight for runs, then kick off the socks and leave them unlaced for the rest of the day. Low-profile cushioning, super-breathable uppers and tons of 3M means they literally shine.
9. adidas Consortium ZX 500 "Tabula Rasa"
Year Of Sneaker: 2011
All-white ZX runners aren't exactly disposable - Consortium drops aren't like optic white Chucks - so you either had to scoop multiples of these right when they dropped, or stay super-vigilant whenever you wear them. And who has the presence of mind to keep their kicks clean all summer long? Break these out next year and heads will literally fall off.
8. UNDFTD x Puma Clyde "Canvas"
Year Of Sneaker: 2011
To some, the idea of a Puma Clyde in anything but suede is pure sacrilege. But the UNDFTD canvas versions are more or less the perfect summer shoe. With an improved cut and an updated sockliner, these were the ultimate no-sock sneaker of 2011, especially in white and red. Should have saved a pair.
7. adidas EQT Racing
Year Of Sneaker: 1991
Halfway to a sandal but way iller than any Crocs, the adidas EQT Racing was a stripped-down raceday shoe in the early '90s. Now it's the chillest summer runner in existence, provided you can fine a pair. #nonewretros
6. Supreme x Nike High Low Pro SB "Baby Blue"
Year Of Sneaker: 2003
The baby blue Supreme Dunk Highs with the stars were bananas OD when they originally dropped in 2003, and are no less off the proverbial chain right now. Gator print leather, gold stars, three sets of laces and gold dubrays make these the perfect sneaker to hook up with a rope chain, four-finger rings and some Cazals. The reds were the best, but the baby blues were 100 percent summer proper.
5. Vans Authentic "Navy"
Year Of Sneaker: 1966
OK, fine, maybe you did wear these. An all-time classic from 1966 and possibly THE perfect summer shoe, the navy Vans Authentic probably got more than a little boost from Tyler, The Creator amongst the hip-hop set. Literally everyone on the planet shoud have a pair of these in their summer rotation.
4. ARC x adidas Originals Stan Smith
Year Of Sneaker: 2009
Alife Rivington Club absolutely killed their Stan Smith collab back in 2009. Using the traditional white and green palette, ALIFE flipped the usual leather upper to an off-white canvas, turning the then-revolutionary tennis shoe into something of a throwback of itself. Simple and perfect.
3. Nike Air Force 1 Low "Linen/Atmosphere"
Year Of Sneaker: 2001
Back before pink was an acceptable color for every dude on earth, those who had the sense to look forward copped the Japan-exclusive "Linen/Atmosphere" Air Force 1, and heavy. Just ask Mayor or Clark Kent, who between them must have picked up at least 20 pairs. If these came back out today, they'd be an immediate sell-through. Not that we're suggesting it or anything.
2. Air Jordan IV "White/Cement"
Year Of Sneaker: 1989
Ever since Buggin' Out got his pair scuffed up in Do The Right Thing, the white/cement Air Jordan IV has been the ultimate summer Jordan. But with retros dropping seemingly once (if not more) a week, who can hold a pair for the perfect time anymore? It's also too bad you can't cop for $100, $108 with tax.
1. Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "Tokyo"
Year Of Sneaker: 2004
The sleeper brother of the London and Paris Dunks, the logo-free, all-off-white canvas Tokyos were the ultimate in simplicity and the personification (sneakerification?) of the entire "White Dunk" project. Those who don't know won't even notice. Those who do know will bow down.
