The 10 Best Sneakers of 2021 (So Far)

The 10 Best Sneakers of 2021 (So Far)

Our mid-year picks for the best releases of 2021.

Matt DeSciora

2021 has been a year of optimism on many fronts, including sneakers. Coming off one of the strongest release years ever in 2020, brands like Nike, adidas, Jordan, and New Balance had exceedingly high expectations to live up to in the eyes of collectors heading into this year.

Through headlining collaborations, carefully crafted remakes of retro classics, and future-forward design innovations (or a combination of all three) the usual suspects guiding the culture have satiated the thirst of sneaker savants.

We’re still five months away from the end of the year as of this writing and, in the wild and wacky world of sneakers, that’s the equivalent of an eternity, but we’ll find any excuse we can to talk about all of the best kicks that have been released in 2021 (so far).

Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Neutral Grey”

Introduced last year on the “New Beginnings” and “Varsity Red” colorways, the Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 is a tribute to the original styling of the first Air Jordan 1 that was released by Nike in 1985. But as great as both of those colorways are, neither one was an original option on the Jordan 1 in ‘85. Jordan Brand played up the shoe’s OG roots in February when it brought back the coveted “Neutral Grey” style for the first time since its original release in ‘85.

adidas Yeezy Foam Runner MXT “Moon Grey”

Kanye West had designed a military-style boot, sock-like lifestyle shoes, and a performance basketball sneaker that shines like a trillion watt light bulb when exposed to light in the dark. So the next logical step was to obviously concoct a cross pollination of a traditional slip-on sandal and a sneaker called the Yeezy Foam Runner. Created from a one-piece blend of EVA foam and harvested algae, the lightweight, perforated shoe introduced a MXT model under the “Moon Grey” colorway in March. Like everything else Kanye’s ever designed to be worn on one’s foot, it became highly desirable instantaneously.

Nike SB Dunk Low “What The P-Rod”

Baby faced with crazy pop, Paul Rodriguez signed with Nike SB as a teenage skate prodigy in the early aughts and had an immediate impact in two worlds that often bled into one another. His video parts influenced skaters to want to shred like him and his Nike SB Dunk “P-Rods” caused sneaker collectors to line up outside of skate shops across the country. On the “What The P-Rod” SB Dunk Low, released in May, elements of some of Rodriguez’s most timeless signature colorways combine into one design, adding a new chapter to the legendary California skater’s remarkable career.

adidas Yeezy 450 “Cloud White”

Strategically worn by Kanye West in the public eye though never acknowledged by ‘Ye or adidas, the Yeezy 450 had become something of a legend in sneaker culture in recent years. Finally, in February, the shoe that had been reportedly in the works since 2018 finally became a reality when adidas announced the arrival of the model’s “Cloud White” colorway. The 450 combines the sloping midsole shape of the adidas Yeezy 700 V3 with a breathable knit upper that has been a staple in the adidas Yeezy canon since the first Yeezy Boost 350. Like both, the Yeezy 450 is comfortable, stylish, and like nothing else on the scene.

READYMADE x Nike Blazer Mid

Under the bones of the READYMADE x Nike Blazer Mid lies a highly influential basketball shoe. But you wouldn’t know that by looking at it, because the eco-friendly, Japanese fashion company did everything in its power to recontextualize the Blazer as its own. It’s fair to say that READYMADE succeeded in doing so. The design stands out in part to its molded rubber sole that’s made from up to 15% ethically-sourced Nike Regrind material and its digi-camo-like foam upper, bungee cord laces, abstract panels, and thin orange Swoosh that references a version of the logo that once appeared on the 1971 Blazer by Nike… when it was an actual basketball sneaker.

A Ma Maniere x Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women”

Do you remember your first Air Jordan shoe? A Ma Maniere owner and founder James Whitner does, and he has his mother to thank. Purchased by his mother, the original Air Jordan 3 that Whitner once owned and wore into the ground inspires his boutique’s first-ever Air Jordan collaboration: the A Ma Maniere x Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Raised By Women.” Carefully crafted, vintage-inspired details, like an “aged” cream midsole and hairy grey suede panels in place of the shoe’s original elephant print combine with quilted leather interior for the ultimate marriage of vintage-luxury. The aesthetic and colors are meant to be inclusive while still telling the story of how Whitner’s mother impacted his journey into sneaker fandom.

Air Jordan 6 “Carmine”

After 30 years, the Air Jordan 6 “Carmine” returned earlier this year with its original “Nike Air” branding intact, replacing the Jumpman insignia of previous “Carmine” re-releases. The modern incarnation of the “Carmine” is a near true-to-original remake of the first colorway worn by Michael Jordan during the early ‘90s. Along with its classic branding, the 2021 “Carmine” even features the same panel shapes as the inaugural release. That includes the white leather overlays on the red synthetic base, perforations on either side, and “Nike” branding on the red lace toggle. The return of the OG styling coincided with the Jordan 6’s 30th anniversary.

Notre x Nike Dunk High

If you were to show someone in the future a shoe that best represented 2021 sneaker culture, you could do no better than the Notre x Nike Dunk High. The Chicago retailer’s first-ever Nike collaboration puts a workwear spin on the retro basketball and lifestyle shoe that jives with the rugged materials and earth tone colors that have appeared on many sneaker releases in 2021. Specifically, on the “Blue Void” and Notre-exclusive “Light Orewood Brown,” hairy suede panels, a redesigned Swoosh in Notre’s “handshake” logo, a workwear-inspired “Notre” name tag on the tongue, speckled laces, and a vintage-leaning cream rubber midsole hit every on-trend detail of 2021.

Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 550

How successful have Aimé Leon Dore’s collaborations with New Balance been? Teddy Santis, the New York City streetwear brand’s founder, was named Creative Director of New Balance’s Made in the USA segment based on the strength of his brand’s work with the 550. Plucked from the depths of New Balance’s archives in 2020, the 550 flamed out as a basketball shoe in the late 1980s but has excelled as a lifestyle thanks to Aimé Leon Dore and various retro-inspired, two-tone colorways, like April’s “Natural Green” iteration.

Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low

Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has owned 2021. First, he appeared at WWE’s Royal Rumble in January to perform his new single, Booker T,” an ode to the former six-time World Heavyweight Champion. Soon thereafter, Bunny won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. To many, his greatest achievement of the year came when adidas released his debut sneaker collaboration, “The First Cafe” Forum Buckle Low. Based on classic basketball shoe, Bunny’s version includes modifications like an ankle strap with a buckle, overlapped and interchangeable tongues, a lace toggle that wraps around the ankle, and a stacked midsole. A second Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low, the “Easter Egg,” quickly succeeded the first colorway, and was every bit as popular with the musician’s legion of fans.