It’s one thing for a sneaker to be great right here and now, but it takes takes a whole different level of sneaker to have lasting influence and impact. As 2014 comes to a close, we’re taking a look at series of sneakers that not only made their presence known this year, they also have the potential to matter for years to come.
Name: Nike KYRIE 1
Released: December
Price: $110
Why we’ll remember it: Kyrie Irving is an All-Star point guard on a team poised to win multiple championships. He’s already had a fan-favorite ad campaign with Pepsi’s Uncle Drew persona. If even some of that potential can be reached, we could be remembering his first signature Nike for a long time.
Name: Air Jordan Future
Released: March
Price: starting at $150
Why we’ll remember it: Jordan Brand’s attempts at casual sneakers in the past haven’t lived up to the popularity of its retros. The Future finally changed that. The new silhouette offered fans of the brand an option that didn’t rely so heavily on the past, yet still had the feel of a vintage Air Jordan.
Name: Nike Kobe 9 Elite
Released: February
Price: $225
Why we’ll remember it: The Kobe 9 Elite built on the silhouette of the AJ28, but added actual structure with its Flyknit upper – the first shoe in basketball to use the material. It also laid the groundwork for the low-top edition to become one of the year’s best releases. Kobe Bryant’s signature line was responsible for making low-tops acceptable once again on the basketball court. Could the Nike Kobe 9 help bring ultra high-tops back too?
Name: Air Jordan XX9
Released: September
Price: $225
Why we’ll remember it: Retro Air Jordans may be largely relegated to casual wear these days, but it’s easy to forget that they were once the most high-tech sneakers of their respective times. The Air Jordan XX9 maintained the performance, but gave it to us in a package you could actually imagine someone wearing off-court years down the line.
Name: adidas Y-3 Qasa Racer
Released: February
Price: $350
Why we’ll remember it: The Qasa series took off in 2013, but reached a new level of popularity with 2014’s Racer. As for proof of its level of influence, look no further than adidas’ own Tubular Runner for a more affordable version of the look, and even at Nike’s upcoming Huarache 2015 for more evidence of the silhouette’s importance.
Name: Nike LeBron 12
Released: October
Price: $200
Why we’ll remember it: The LeBron 12 hasn’t had a “South Beach” moment. There hasn’t been that essential colorway you just have to have. But it will always be remembered as LeBron’s homecoming shoe. Not only significant to LeBron’s return to Cleveland, but also his return to wearing his signature sneakers after only wearing the Nike LeBron 11 part time in 2013. Much like the LeBron 11, the 12 incorporates just about every piece of technology that Nike has right now, with tons of stories to tell behind the colorways.
Name: Nike SB Air Jordan 1
Released: June
Price: $150
Why we’ll remember it: Following years of rumors, Nike SB finally released a sneaker honoring the Air Jordan 1’s spot in skateboarding history. As Jordan Brand’s first official sneaker for skateboarding, the sneaker will mark a turning point for the Jumpman’s influence among skaters.
Name: Nike Zoom Vapor AJ3
Released: August
Price: $200
Why we’ll remember it: At a time when the Air Jordan 3 had already reached a level of saturation, it made sense for the elephant print to make its way onto a tennis shoe. The Air Jordan 3 was designed by Tinker Hatfield, and so was the Nike Zoom Vapor. Marking Jordan Brand’s first integration in tennis, pairs of the limited sneakers sold quickly at retail. And similar to the J-Rod edition P-Rod that Nike Skateboarding collaborated on years ago, we'll be talking about this one for a long time to come.
Name: Nike Air Yeezy 2 Red October
Released: February
Price: $245
Why we’ll remember it: Even if we wanted to forget the Red Octobers, we couldn't. Hardly a week goes by without seeing some new sneaker dressed up in all red. This wasn't the first sneaker to take a tonal approach to its colorway, and it obviously isn’t going to be the last. It's influence, however, began even before its launch, and for better or worse, has yet to show signs of slowing.
Name: adidas ZX Flux
Released: February
Price: starting at $85
Why we’ll remember it: The ZX Flux brought together a rare group of attributes when it comes to sneakers: innovation and affordability. The upper works plain, or can be transformed into just about anything via the groundbreaking miZXFLUX app. There’s no denying that the ZX Flux was one of adidas best models of the year, and will go down as one of adidas best debuts in a long time.
