I’ve been “into” sneakers now for five years. My first pair of Adidas Inikis in 2018 were a spark that has turned into a wildfire. I’ve arrived at a more “mature” state now where I am a lot more thoughtful about what my next pair will be. That said 2023 has been sneaker heavy. Mostly in my immediate family’s closets, not mine. But stepping back and becoming the pusher, enabler, and shoe devil on their shoulder has it’s merits too. Last years round up.
Nike Air Max 1 Patta Waves (Me)
These dropped in 2021 and I have been eyeballing them ever since. I went in for them on the app, in every color way, but never hit. This year I decided to treat myself. The price was never going down and I still wanted them. They are mega comfy and look great on foot. Easily my favorite shoe I got this year.
Nike Dunk Day of the Dead (Wife)
Bonus drop that she won on the app and ended up loving.
Nike Air Max 1 Have A Nike Day (Wife)
I mentioned in our travel log to Cape Charles that my wife saw these in person on the trip and had to have them. These originally dropped in 2019 and new pairs are becoming hard to find, but we snapped up a pair and they look cool as hell.
Nike Dunk Sashiko (Son)
These were the first pair of shoes my oldest bought with his money. I mean ultimately it is birthday or allowance money, but he sought them out and picked them up. He has since caught the full sneaker bug. Asking me about upcoming drops, showing me shoes he wants on GOAT, and scheming to make the money he needs to make his shoe dreams a shoe reality.
Union x Nike Dunk ‘Passport Pack Argon’ (Wife)
I’ve been eyeballing the wildly expensive Union x Jordan 4s in every colorway for a while. When my wife came across these I was just little to a lot jealous of her getting them and not me. Union does cool stuff with Nike and these are a great example. They have lots of slick little touches that make them feel like they came right off a sewing table.
Jordan 4 Red Cement (Son)
I love the idea of a Jordan 4, but can’t pull off a high top in shorts to save my life.
Nike Dunk x Yuto (Me)
There are only so many lucky hits the universe bestows on us when it comes to shoe raffles. Sometimes those feel wasted on a SNKR app hit for a shoe that is actually not that limited and still in stock two weeks later. Sometimes the gods smile upon us and we win a really cool and rare shoe. These were my sneaker god gift this year.
Nike Air Max 1 Spring Mix (Wife)
My wife wanted these from the dumb app, but neither of us hit on them. Ten minutes later they were for sale on GOAT for just $15 more than retail. Sneaker people are weird. In any case she picked them up and they are dope as hell. These fall into the category of shoe I admire, but couldn’t pull off.
Nike Dunk Red Panda
The panda is for sure the most ubiquitous Dunk, high and low, out right now. It feels like I see a pair every time I go out into a crowded location. The red panda is related, but very different. Lots of interesting textures and patterns used in it’s construction. My wife and I both got a pair, not our intent to have matching shoes, but we both wanted and “won” them.
Nike Terminator (Wife)
These sit somewhere comfortably between a Dunk and a Jordan 1 low in terms of similar silhouette. Originally a high top basketball shoe released in 1985 the low version coming out in a few colorways this year looks sharp. And the prices aren’t bad either.
Nike Dunk Athletic Department (Me)
I don’t know what the move is from Nike on these, but they were super easy to get on the draw and the price has stayed reasonable on them. I viewed it as a chance to get another practical sneaker I could wear out and wear to work. Not every shoe I get fits both of these bills.