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In 2013, the Nike Air Monarch IV was Nike's best-selling model. Not in terms of dollars made—that was the Air Force 1 Low—but in terms of pairs sold*. Surprised? Yes, sneakerheads, the world (even the sneaker world) doesn't revolve around you. So wait in line all you want for those hypersuperultrastrikes while pretty much everyone else in the country (including your dad) goes to JC Penney or Modell's to cop $65 crosstrainers that you don't even acknowledge. But what if they know something you don't? What if they have it right and you have it wrong? OK, maybe things aren't so black and white, but still, aren't you curious what all the fuss (or lack thereof) is about? Here's 10 Reasons You Should Own Nike Air Monarchs. Thank us later.
You can get three pairs for less than a pair of Air Jordan IIIs.
The Air Monarch is a completely disposable sneaker. At $65 (and you can easily find them for less), they won't run you any more than a pair of Vans or Chucks, but they're infinitely more comfortable than any vulcanized canvas shoe. Get three different colors for ultimate mallwalker swag.
No one will ask you about your shoes.
You know what's cooler than breaking necks? Having no one look at your sneakers at all. Instead of trying to stand out all the time, see what it's like to blend in. Honestly, it's kind of relaxing.
They go with everything.
And even if they don't, who cares? In fact, give your carefully worn-in selvage a rest and pair them with some Rustlers or Dockers. Go all in.
Wear a pair for a month straight.
Because why not? It's not like you're gonna care if you get caught in the rain, or find yourself in a crowded bar. Remember what it was like when you were a kid and you didn't care what happened to your sneakers as long as you were out running around? This is like that.
Everyone else has them.
OK, no one you know, maybe. But Nike makes a jillion dollars (estimated) per year just off Monarchs, so clearly someone is buying them. And if that many people are willing to wear them, they can't be all bad. Right?
You'll be wearing them when you're 50 anyway—get a preview now.
Hard to believe as it may seem now, at some point all of those sneakers you spent so much time (and money) acquiring just won't mean that much to you anymore. Or maybe they'll just all crumble to dust. Either way, you'll be old, and you'll need something to wear. And while there are always those 2EE New Balances with the Velcro straps, odds are you'll wind up wearing Air Monarchs. Why not start now?
Wear the same pair of shoes all day.
OK, a month is too much to ask, maybe. So just wear the same pair all day-to school, to work, to the gym, to the movies. The Air Monarch is like a cross-trainer except for real life. Stop being totally consumed as to whether you're wearing the right shoes for every situation, because, hey, you totally are.
It won't matter if they get scuffed.
Or rained on. Or grass stained. Or anything else. The key word here is "liberation."
See life from a non-sneakerhead perspective.
Sneakerheads are as curated a bunch as their collections are. If you travel in the same circles and talk to the same people, you might have the impression that everyone wears quickstrikes and collabs. Not even close to the truth. Most people wear sneakers like Monarchs, and most don't Instagram every day's outfit. Simplify your life. (But do Instagram them once just to see what your followers say.)
Hey, you might like it.
This is more of a summation than another reason, an "all of the below," if you will. Air Monarchs aren't just a sneaker, they're a lifestyle-or a repudiation of one.
