The Best “Sleeper” Sneakers of 2023
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By Stadium Goods |The Best “Sleeper” Sneakers of 2023
A few of the most underrated sneakers of the year that you shouldn’t be sleeping on any longer.
Matt DeSciora
Is it us, or were there more sneaker releases in 2023 than in 2022, 2021, and 2020—combined? OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but seriously, there were so many great shoes by not only Nike and adidas, but Jordan, New Balance, ASICS, Vans, Salomon, Converse, and even Onitsuka Tiger, too, that at times it felt like it was impossible to keep track of everything new coming down the pipeline.
For every shoe with immeasurable hype that everyone wanted to get their hands on, like the upcoming Nike Kobe 6 Protro "Grinch," there was a formidable release that went slept-on by sneaker collectors. That is, until now.
Because even the most dedicated sneaker collector can miss a release or three from time to time, we decided to give everyone a second chance at what we feel are the most slept-on shoes of 2023. If you missed any of these releases the first time around, consider this your second chance.
These are the best “sleeper” sneakers of 2023 that deserve another look.
Nike Air Alpha Force ‘88 “University Red”
We thought there would be a lot more attention surrounding the Nike Air Alpha Force ‘88 “University Red.” Not because Billie Eilish collaborated on a similar colorway, but because Michael Jordan actually wore the shoe in a game against the New York Knicks back in January 1988. You would think that more collectors would have flocked to the Air Alpha Force ‘88 having known that fact, but that wasn’t necessarily the case. Weird, but we’re just happy this classic sneaker is back in retro form.
A-COLD-WALL* x Nike Air Max Plus “Platinum Tint” and “Black”
Surprisingly, A-COLD-WALL* doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves for being one of the most creative collaborators in sneakers. But that should soon change if Samuel Ross’s clothing brand continues to release footwear as well-designed as its two Nike Air Max Plus collaborations in “Platinum Tint” and “Black.” Both pairs feature an appreciable amount of branding to go along with a sleek, modern design.
The Air Jordan 5 “Burgundy 2023” was slept-on when it debuted in 2006, and even more overlooked when it came back in retro form earlier this year. It’s about time collectors take notice of the colorway, because few Jordan 5s are more upscale in design than this. Also, in a way, doesn’t the colorway somewhat resemble a shoe that A Ma Maniére would release with Jordan Brand? Think about it…
Concepts x New Balance 998 “C-Note”
The Concepts x New Balance 998 “C-Note” was one of the most desirable releases of 2013. A decade later, the colorway inspired by the $100 bill is considered slept-on by many collectors. What changed? In terms of design, there isn’t too much that’s different between the two colorways, save for a few minor details. In terms of sneaker culture today versus ten years ago, we think the modern “C-Note” had the unfortunate fate of being overlooked by today’s collectors because of all the other outstanding New Balance releases as of late.
It was a relatively quiet year for the Air Jordan 6. The retro basketball shoe wasn’t released in a ton of new colorways, which is maybe why some overlooked the model’s “Aqua” colorway. We hope that by mentioning the shoe here, more people will give the Jordan 6 “Aqua” a second look, because it deserves one—the shoe’s black-on-aqua-and-purple color scheme is inspired by the legendary Air Jordan 8 “Aqua.”
Lost in a sea of great ASICS releases, the HAL Studios x ASICS Gel-1130 was overlooked by many who jumped on the Y2K trend in 2023. Here’s your chance to get a second look at the shoe created by the Australian-based creative agency associated with retailer Highs & Lows.
Terror Squad x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Porpoise”
Before collaborations between musicians and sneaker companies were a thing, Fat Joe teamed up with Nike to create Air Force 1s in “Terror Squad” colorways. Pretty much anyone who was into sneakers in the mid-2000s wanted the sneakers, but couldn’t get them because they were limited to friends and family of the rapper and his hip-hop group. Finally in 2023, Fat Joe and Nike’s Air Force 1 collaborations were given an official retail release and, lo and behold, they were slept-on by collectors. You can’t make this stuff up.
Air Jordan 1 Low ‘85 “Neutral Grey”
The Air Jordan 1’s hype may have cooled off some in 2023, and there may not be as much fervor for the “Neutral Grey” colorway theme as there once was. But the Air Jordan 1 Low ‘85 “Neutral Grey” is a damn good shoe, and a proper remake of the original Jordan 1 Low “Neutral Grey” that was released by Nike in 1985. The “Neutral Grey” will end up being one of those sneakers that everyone wants a few years down the road, when folks remember how great the Jordan 1 is all over again. Trust us.
Air Max Day 2023 seems like it was forever ago, which is probably why the shoe that headlined the event, the Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 in the original red colorway, has been slept-on over the last few months. Well, we’re here to remind you that the shoe inspired by a pre-production version of the original Air Max sneaker with bigger Air bubbles is worth a second look, because everyone’s sneaker closet could use a shoe this timeless-looking in it.