With the books closed on 2017, the sneaker world is now taking shape for the new year. Predictably, we’ll see plenty of retros, yearly installments of existing signature lines, and the standard celebrations of sneaker anniversaries. That’s all well and good, but just because those events are inevitable doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the things we’re actually looking forward to or wanting. Here, the Sole Collector staff shares their wildest dreams for the sneaker scene in 2018.
With the books closed on 2017, the sneaker world is now taking shape for the new year. Predictably, we’ll see plenty of retros, yearly installments of existing signature lines, and the standard celebrations of sneaker anniversaries. That’s all well and good, but just because those events are inevitable doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the things we’re actually looking forward to or wanting. Here, the Sole Collector staff shares their wildest dreams for the sneaker scene in 2018.
Off-White x Nike Becomes More Widely Available
Gerald Flores, Editor-in-Chief
Virgil Abloh's "The Ten" Nike collection last year was without a doubt the most hyped and hardest to get launch of all 2017. If there was any gripe about the sneakers, it was that a lot of people had almost no chance of getting their hands on any of the 10 pairs for retail. Luckily, Nike confirmed that its partnership with Abloh and his brand Off-White will continue into 2018. The company also stated during its 2017 investor day meeting that Virgil's Nike designs will be more readily available during the back half of this year. Hopefully the next round of silhouettes dropping will be just as coveted.
Reebok Gets Better
Brendan Dunne, News Editor
While I like Reebok and spend a lot of time in its sneakers, I almost never feel compelled to spend money on them. I have the staples–Workouts and Classic Leathers–but the stuff beyond that just doesn't convince me to open up my wallet too often because it doesn't feel special. There's a lot of chaff in Reebok's retro offerings, and I'm hoping the brand can cut down on that noise to make its truly worthwhile silhouettes stand out. I want to sweat over release dates like I do for Nike models, and consider paying resell prices when I miss out. I want to care about product leaks and struggle about where I'll buy a pair. I want to love Reebok.
Big Baller Brand Still Matters
Zac Dubasik, Managing Editor
In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I’m thoroughly amused by LaVar Ball’s antics. Whether he’s trolling the dysfunctional Lakers or playing a foil to the world’s leading supervillain, I find the man behind Big Baller Brand to be entertaining. It’s not all fun and games, though, and I also respect the path he’s chosen by building a new brand rather than bowing to those already established. But the bombast will only take him so far, and in 2018 I’d like to see Big Baller Brand make strides at becoming a legitimate sportswear company. (That probably starts with paying the bills.) Truly competing with top companies is far off, but it will be a step in the right direction if we’re still talking about BBB at the end of 2018, especially if it’s for the right reasons.
Kanye West Does Something Meaningful
Brennan Hiro Williams, Social Media Editor
During the last 14 months, I watched Kanye West walk off stage after performing two songs, cancel his tour, pose for photos with our racist President and, with Adidas, run back the same sneaker over and over again. The voice of a generation—the man who made the College Dropout and Yeezus, told Mark Parker to kick rocks, and helped Adidas jump over the Jumpman—went on hiatus and let "the culture" become stale and vapid. Himself, like pre-presidential Trump, has been relevant only as a name stamped on overpriced goods. We still love Kanye, but if he's coming back this year, I'm hoping he leaves Ian Connor Kanye in the past. 2018 needs Katrina telethon Kanye, whether he speaks out through song or sneaker.
Adidas Basketball Drops a Game-Changer
Brandon Richard, Senior Writer
Despite Adidas' push forward in the footwear market in recent years, it feels like the brand's basketball category is still running in place. That's not to say that the releases have been awful—the Crazy Explosive is solid and James Harden's debut model grew on me a bit as new variations were introduced, but they still haven't had that instant difference-maker on the level of the Ultra Boost, NMD, NMD Hu or Yeezy 750. From what I've seen so far, the Crazy 1 BYW may be that shoe, and that's an encouraging sign as Adi prepares to bring its Boost You Wear technology to retail. With James Harden gunning for MVP, the "Unicorn" flourishing in New York City, Dame Time in Portland, and John Wall returning to the fold, Adidas has the opportunity to do something really special on the court this season.
A New Model Wins 'Sneaker of the Year'
Rich Lopez, Editorial Producer
Adidas took home the "sneaker of the year" trophy for two consecutive years on the strength of two completely new silhouettes: the Ultra Boost and the NMD. Last year, despite the fact that Nike introduced two very strong new silhouettes of its own in the VaporMax and Zoom Fly, the group of sneakers vying for the title were all retro collaborations. For 2018, I would love to see a completely new design once again claim the crown for the year's best. This is absolutely not an easy thing to do, but if sneaker brands are going to continue to push an "innovation" platform, it has to happen.
