Editors' Picks: The Best Sneakers of October 2017

Gerald Flores, Editor-in-Chief

The last time I saw the metallic silver Nike Vandal, it was on a Finish Line clearance rack for $29.99 in the early 2000s. But, as the cliche goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I was happy to see these back. Even though I missed out on them when they were $30, $90 still isn't a bad pickup for a throwback of this caliber.

Brendan Dunne, News Editor

I've been waiting for the return of this Air Max 97 for a long time. I feel like I've told this story a ton but here it goes: I had an original pair but never got a chance to wear it, as it fell apart on me the first time I tried. What's more, the sneaker reminds me of an exchange I had about the past Asia exclusivity of this colorway with the late Gary Warnett.

Zac Dubasik, Managing Editor

LeBron James’ signature Nike line has had its share of ups and downs, both on the performance and design fronts. There were shoes like the 11, which looked cool but performed terribly, and the 5, which had a forgettable design but was a machine on the court. The LeBron 15 seems to have both elements working in harmony, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing in it thus far. I can’t help but notice that the design feels more like a response to current trends than an original idea, but it’s the most fully realized iteration of the concept yet, and, frankly, the best.

Brandon Richard, Senior Writer

Design-wise, the Nike LeBron line has been on a sharp decline since the LeBron 9. There was that lame Hyperposite era and a brick in the LeBron 14, which lead to a massive rebound with the Nike LeBron 15. The LeBron 15 is probably Nike's best signature effort of the past five years. Jason Petrie did an excellent job designing a model that's on trend without sacrificing that powerful look and feel that you want in a LeBron sneaker. While number 15 is a sore spot in the vaunted Air Jordan line, it marks a return to sneaker greatness for King James.

Rich Lopez, Editorial Producer

Many "OGs" are quick to write off any Air Jordan after the 15 (and even that might be a stretch because you'll also find many people that cut the legacy off after the 14), but I'm not one of those people. Yes, you can't compare the first 14 or 15 models to anything after them, but to pretend that nothing exists after that point is to write-off half of the Air Jordan legacy while missing several really good sneakers—such as the Air Jordan 16. The Air Jordan 16 is a good sneaker, a very good sneaker, and the Air Jordan 16 "CEO" is a very good release. We all (myself included) have ridiculed Jordan Brand for stretching for inspirations, but not only is this a good inspiration, it's also a good execution. Jordan could have easily slapped together a teal and purple monstrosity but instead, we got a tasteful black-based colorway with subtle Hornets-inspired accents. Well done, Jordan.