{"id":501349,"date":"2016-07-08T12:23:05","date_gmt":"2016-07-08T16:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=501349"},"modified":"2020-03-27T20:55:10","modified_gmt":"2020-03-28T00:55:10","slug":"25-best-sneaker-releases-2016-far","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/25-best-sneaker-releases-2016-far\/","title":{"rendered":"The 25 Best Sneaker Releases of 2016 So Far"},"content":{"rendered":"
Believe it or not, 2016 is already\u00a0halfway in the books. In respect to sports and music, the year has had its share of highlights and surprises, but how about shoes? Well, that’s where we come in. Celebrating six months of shoe drops, see our picks for The 25 Best Sneaker Releases of 2016 So Far<\/strong> and let us know your favorites in the comments section.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some could argue the Air Jordan 10 “OVO” was underwhelming, but we’d be hard pressed to find anyone that’d pass on a pair at retail. Yup, The Boy and JB have been keeping it subtle and spaced out in regards to their releases, seemingly hoping to put out collaborative product that’s as timeless as their individual work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Light on branding, heavy on attitude, the Snkrs Day x adidas NMD PK saw a bold first collaboration for the recently expanded NK retail. Celebrating the new store in San Fransisco, the tie-dye Primeknit upper and gum accented soles provided a statement sneaker on the style front backed by the always dependable Boost cushioning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Chuck II had its moment last year but it got a lot better in 2016 thanks to the Engineered revamp. Tech’d out and taking well to color, these were a sleeper in the scheme of things but an awesome look at what could be and what’s hopefully to come from Converse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Drawing comparisons to Nike Basketball classics endorsed by Dennis Rodman, the Nike Zoom HyperRev 2016 is one of the more daring and exciting inline models from the Swoosh’s hardwood branch. While Draymond PEs and team takes were solid, the “BETRUE” makeup was by far the best. Bold and brash, the colorway in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights is dope for all and a good reminder that sports and sneakers are for all, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pretty soon we’re going to be hit with Olympic overhaul of all sorts with Nike leading the way in both new-age and heritage fashion on the sneaker front. Oddly enough, the top half of the year saw Diadora and Social Status bringing home the top medals before the 2016 events even took place. Dressing the very versatile N.9000 in gold and silver with country conscious tones, anyone that got either pair of these was certainly a winner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So much happens anymore it’s easy to forget the great moments in recent history. Rewinding back before the NBA Playoffs, Kobe Bryant laced them up for his last night ever as an NBA player. And, oh what a night. Not only did his Nike compadres celebrate #MambaDay on and off the court by rocking the living legend’s kicks, the living legend celebrated as well by dropping 60 points in an epic last game that was also a W. Mamba out as a scorer and a winner? It doesn’t get much more storybook than that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For just about a decade, Ronnie Fieg has been getting it in on the collaboration end by doing everything from resurrecting retro running for ASICS to building a retail empire far outside of footwear. Kicking off the adidas Consortium Tour in January, Ronnie and Kith made the most of their fashion forward prowess by decking out the Tubular Doom in a subtle yet striking makeup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over the years, Nike Basketball has done a great job of paying homage to their rich history on new models by way of releases like the Hyperize “Decades” Pack and many other heritage makeups. With that said, the Nike Kyrie 2 “Kyrache” may take the cake as best blend of old and new. Setting off Irving’s second silo with the trademark tongue and blue, berry and black color combo, these are just as good with gold Michigan shorts as they are with Elite socks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Nike MAG 2016 with power-lacing will certainly be the pop-culture footwear moment once the auctions go live, but until then the Nintendo x Vans Collection is the winner for fun footwear with an audience outside of sports or sneaker culture. Outfitted for the whole family and a cool conversation piece in any arena, the points for packaging and knack for nostalgia make these another power play from Vans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Does Kevin Durant have the best shoe in basketball? As it currently stands, yes. While the regular season belonged to Steph and LeBron stole the show in the Finals, KD will be all the talk of the offseason and his shoe will dominate the summer. And while the move to Oakland\u00a0will help keep his name hot, it’s the combo of Flyknit and Zoom Air for $150 that will do numbers before play even starts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supreme sure is the rage Stateside, but Palace has been incredibly consistent in remaining true and relevant when it comes to skate and street culture overseas. While adidas was right on the money by betting on the likes of Jeremy Scott, Kanye West, Raf Simons and countless others, teaming with this London label\u00a0has proven another jackpot for The Three Stripes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the Air Jordan 4 released in “Tech Grey” back in 2012 feelings were mixed to say the least. Remastered, re-released, and re-stocked a plenty, the Air Jordan 4 “Cement Grey” restored the OG feeling for any hoops historian or fashion fan, doing the ’89 classic a true justice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aubrey and Kanye are obviously earning their keep at their respective brands, but let’s give it up for Rihanna and PUMA. While the Creepers were a slick upgrade on a timeless favorite, the Fenty Trainer is something new and a hit at that. What’s more? They’re also selling out fur slippers. Yup, this pairing can’t miss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Models like the 999, 1600 and 997 have risen in the ranks of go-to NB silos for boutiques to style. Since the start of ‘x’d out pairings, the MT580 has been a smash. Packer made the most of the chunky trail shoe’s outdoor opulence with this hearty take.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don’t let social media or convienant amnesia fool you: Steph Curry had one hell of a season. In fact, he had back-to-back seasons that were so good Under Armour was able to put out this two-pair MVP pack.<\/p>\n Sure, the “Chef” Curry story should have never made it out of the kitchen, but the proof is most certainly in the pudding on this package that honors the most prolific player on the most prolific team of the last two seasons. Cleveland’s comeback deserves all the credit in the world, but let’s not forget who’s been owing the ESPN App and causing coaches to re-think their entire game plan these last two years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The guys and gals at StockX have a better idea than us on which Jordans will gain or lose value in the years to come. With that said, it’s hard to imagine the Just Don x Air Jordan 2 not holding its place in many eras of kick collecting. A luxury take on an underrated AJ silo, this sandy style has all the makings of a coveted collectable with enough style selling points to remain in rotation for 2016 and beyond.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sneaker culture has long been living in the past, but the adidas NMD City Sock sure looks like something from the future. Functional for everyday life but certainly not designed for a particular athletic activity, the City Sock sees modern minimalism coming off anything but boring. When adidas Originals stated they were “the new” they sure meant it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Air Max 98 has always been an awesome shoe, it just has a few big bros that like to take its shine. Always seeing potential, Supreme did the shoe a justice with a variety of very jiggy patent pairings. Ill enough, it would appear these came after the initial retail run of AM98s with seemingly no efforts to propel future sales of the silo but really just to do something cool. Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Days before Cleveland stamped their return ticket to basketball’s biggest stage, Nike brought energy unseen in performance basketball in years with the quickstrike turned iD launch of the “Krispie Kream” Kyrie 2s.<\/p>\n Launching in pop-up fashion for the playoffs and later online via iD, these sugary sneakers rekindle memories of launches like the “McFly” Hyperdunks and other sweet surprises from the Swoosh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The patent toting Air Jordan 11 Low is as easy and as flashy of a wear as it gets. Taking the tooling from the Tinker title toter down a notch for lifestyle wear, the model has proved a spring and summer hit in color schemes old and new.<\/p>\n The Air Jordan 11 Low “Cherry” proved a mix of both, re-releasing a favorited and familiar color scheme of the retooled retro. We’re definitely hoping the “Baby Blue” and “Zen Grey” variations come back in 2017.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n One year from now, will this very list be littered with retro Kobes? As of now, we don’t quite know what Nike’s retirement plans are for the Black Mamba, but it’s a safe bet that his storied signature series will continue to thrive in modern and heritage styling.<\/p>\n The “Fade to Black” Pack proved to be a bit of both, honoring Kobe’s last playing days in muted makeups of the models he made famous while playing. Leaning more towards lifestyle in hue and availability, it will be interesting to see if future Kobe retros play off moments of yesteryear or adapt to changing trends in off the court fashion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anybody that questioned whether or not Jordan Brand took a loss on the “72-10” Air Jordan 11s got a friendly reminder of just how long they’ve been winning when the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12s came back and sold through like it Christmas was in the spring.<\/p>\n As popular as ever, or perhaps more, the “Flu Game” 12 release made a strong case for just how good a remastered retro can be. Back in leather and sans emoji, this memorable makeup packs the staying power and prestige that JB was built on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without a doubt, the adidas Yeezy Boost 750 “Glow in the Dark” is the sneaker event of the year thus far. The first (and only) new Yeezy colorway drop of ’16 more than made up for the wait as it offered a drastic improvement to the already awesome and pivotal “Grey” 750 launch of 2015.<\/p>\n Upgrading aesthetic detailing like the translucent, glow-in-the-dark gum sole while improving quality on the zipper, these 750s are the pinnacle of modern sneaker culture and collecting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some things are hard to explain. When the Nike Air More Uptempo first launched in 1996 it was an undeniable hit thanks to its bold branding and brazen use of the most popular tech on the market. When it returned in 2006, a leather build was not bad but not OG, while its return to nubuck in 2010 was well received but somewhat lost in sauce of Jordan Brand’s “Cool Grey” Christmas.<\/p>\n In 2016, it’s hard to say what made the Air More Uptempo such a hit on its 20th birthday but boy was it ever. Arguably the first chase-worthy Nike Basketball retro on a mass scale, these are walking nostalgia and a good memory for any and every child of the ’90s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 2016, sneaker culture is most certainly mass culture and no shoe has more mass appeal than the adidas NMD. Running off the trail paved by the Ultra Boost and Yeezy franchise, this retro rooted but more than modern model has moved in bunches thanks to its accessible use of Boost cushioning, relatively low price point and wide distribution.<\/p>\n This inline model may have shocked store employees by causing lineups during its early rollout, but its staying power throughout the year says a lot more about a market that’s moving towards cheaper, consistent cool versus top dollar drops.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Believe it or not, 2016 is already\u00a0halfway in the books. In respect to sports and music, the year has had…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2415,"featured_media":493538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618],"tags":[],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n25. Air Jordan 10 “OVO”<\/h2>\n
24. Snkrs Day x adidas NMD PK<\/h2>\n
23. Converse Chuck Taylor II Engineered<\/h2>\n
22. Nike Zoom HyperRev 2016 “BETRUE”<\/h2>\n
21. Social Status x Diadora N9000 “Olympic Medals”<\/h2>\n
20. Nike Kobe 11 Elite “Mamba Day”<\/h2>\n
19. Kith x adidas Tubular Doom<\/h2>\n
18. Nike Kyrie 2 “Kyrache”<\/h2>\n
17. Nintendo x Vans Collection<\/h2>\n
16. Nike KD 9 “Zero”<\/h2>\n
15. Palace x adidas Primeknit Pro<\/h2>\n
14. Air Jordan 4 White\/Cement<\/h2>\n
13. Rihanna x PUMA Fenty Trainer<\/h2>\n
12.\u00a0Packer x New Balance MT580<\/h2>\n
11. Under Armour Curry MVP Pack<\/h2>\n
10. Just Don x Air Jordan 2 “Beach”<\/h2>\n
9. adidas NMD City Sock<\/h2>\n
8. Supreme x Nike Air Max 98<\/h2>\n
7. Nike Kyrie 2 “Krispy Kream”<\/h2>\n
6. Air Jordan 11 Low “Cherry”<\/h2>\n
5. Nike Kobe 1 “Fade to Black”<\/h2>\n
4. Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game”<\/h2>\n
3. adidas Yeezy Boost 750 “Glow in the Dark”<\/h2>\n
2. Nike Air More Uptempo<\/h2>\n
1. adidas NMD<\/h2>\n