Image via Complex Original
11.
It’s important to champion new, well-executed design. Far too often, footwear brands rely too heavily on their past without looking forward. Retros are great, but wouldn’t it be even better if there were plenty of great new designs that could go on to become the coveted retros of the future?
Unfortunately, 2022 might not be a year that’s looked back on as the genesis of many classics. Supply chain disruptions may be partially to blame for the lackluster field, but truth be told, we just weren’t blown away. It’s important to caveat these selections by saying we’re not declaring that they’re the best overall sneakers of 2022—that list is coming later—but that among the brand-new silhouettes, they are the most interesting and impactful.
Still, let’s look at the positives. We finally got Drake’s Nocta shoe, Tom Sachs had a new NikeCraft release, and LeBron James’ signature line bounced back with its most intriguing entry in years. That wasn’t the only performance hoops model to get our attention, either—new models for Luka Dončić, LaMelo Ball, and Kevin Durant also stood out. All in all, it was a mixed bag, but a few still managed to rise above the rest. Check out the full list below for our favorite new sneaker designs of 2022.
10.Adidas Adifom Q
Release Date: Sept. 2
Price: $120
Once the first photos of the Adidas Adifom Q surfaced, a butting of heads between the brand and now-former collaborative partner Kanye West seemed inevitable. After all, the shoe does heavily resemble the Yeezy Foam Runner, to the point that comparisons between the two are inescapable. That’s unfortunate, because the Adifom Q is very good in its own right. According to Adidas, the design is actually an update of an archive model called the Quake from 2001—a piece of information they wasted no time tweeting as copycat accusations began making waves on social media. Beyond the appearance, the AdiFom Q functions as an entirely different shoe. It’s built with an internal knit bootie and a traditional lacing system that takes it from just another entry in the ever-expanding foam clog war to a practical lightweight sneaker you can sit next to the door for an easy wear. Part of the Adifom Q’s legacy will likely always be linked to the Yeezy controversy, but perhaps the divorce between Kanye and Adidas will give it a little more space to shine. —Brandon Richard
9.Nike KD 15
Release Date: April 15
Price: $160
Thus far, the Brooklyn Nets’ season isn’t exactly going how many expected it to, considering the massive star power the team possesses. They are sitting at just the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference at the time of writing. And the headlines surrounding the team have been about anything besides on-court play. There’s the ongoing Kyrie Irving saga. Ben Simmons cannot seem to get back to his superstar ways, or even stay healthy, after missing the entire 2021-’22 season. And let’s not forget that Kevin Durant was thought to be on his way out just a few months ago. Needless to say, Brooklyn isn’t collecting rings like many had anticipated when Durant and Irving joined forces in 2019. But that doesn’t negate the fact that KD is still one of the most dominant superstars in the NBA. And what do superstars get to look forward to every season? Their fancy new signature sneakers.
It’s hard to believe that we’re on the 15th installment of the KD line. It feels like just yesterday we were camping out for “Weatherman” KD 4s. While the 15 certainly isn’t the lifestyle success that pairs like the 4 or 6 were, that hasn’t stopped Nike from creating some cool colorways for Easy Money Sniper, like a nod to Virgil Abloh’s “The Ten” Presto or a pair paying homage to hip-hop producer 9th Wonder. The design is a retouching of the 14 in many ways, keeping the Presto-esque TPU cage and going back to a low-top design, per Durant’s preferences. It remains to be seen if basketball sneakers beyond Air Jordan retros will ever creep back into the hype sphere, but people won’t stop playing basketball anytime soon. The KD 15 is certainly worth considering next time you’re searching for your new hoop shoe. —Mike DeStefano
8.Puma MB 2.0
Release Date: Oct. 21
Price: $130
Sometimes you gotta do it for the kids. LaMelo Ball’s Puma basketball sneaker isn’t something I could ever see myself wearing, but that doesn’t make it a bad sneaker. Puma isn’t my favorite sneaker brand, either, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t come up with a winning formula for one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. If anything, it makes it more impressive that they’ve been able to garner interest in Ball’s second signature sneaker.
Growing out of the shadows of Big Baller Brand, Ball has established himself as a sneaker force for a new generation. His shoes are relatable, too. They’ve been a lightweight, mid-cut design that’s reminiscent of a Nike Kyrie shoe, while playing with fun colors and collaborations, such as a pair with Rick & Morty on his last model that was a certified head-turner. The MB 2.0’s debut colorway looks like a Hot Wheels car, or like it was ripped off the head of the Heatmiser. Either way, Ball and Puma are building something for the future. Stay tuned. —Matt Welty
7.Jordan Luka 1
Release Date: Sept. 28
Price: $110
Luka Doncic is arguably basketball’s most promising young player, and it was only a matter of time before he got his own signature sneaker after joining Jordan Brand in late 2019. He received his own player exclusives of the Air Jordan 35 and Air Jordan 36, and helped carry the torch for those models alongside players like Jayson Tatum. But this year, the Dallas Mavericks superstar finally stepped into that rarified territory with his own Jordan Luka 1.
Right off the bat, reactions to the Luka 1 were mostly positive, with the shoe’s $110 price point and introduction of a new foam compound called Formula 23 being two of its strongest selling points. The shoe’s colorways are also worth mentioning, including tasteful nods to heritage Jordan make ups including “Bred,” “Oreo,” white/red and a “Columbia”-esque Neo Turquoise.
While the Luka 1 may not be as game-changing as its namesake athlete, its steady sell-throughs are a sign that Jordan Brand got this one right. —Riley Jones
6.Moncler Trailgrip Low
Release Date: August
Price: $750
Sneaker people, this one in particular, can fall into the trap of only paying attention to sneakers when they come from a handful of sportswear brands. There’s ample evidence of that across our year-end lists, to be honest—you will see a lot of Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. But to focus only on the industry’s biggest manufacturers is to ignore a large sector of shoes coming from brands that are less established in footwear but still very much committed to making interesting shoes.
One that can’t be ignored is Moncler’s Trailgrip Low, a fierce and sturdy design from Nike veteran Nathan VanHook. The shoe picks up where his work with ACG left off, giving the wearer a functional outdoor silhouette that doesn’t need a Swoosh to look good. The cost of getting them is as sturdy as the design itself—this is a Moncler shoe we’re talking about, so it will run you $750 at retail—but that price of admission does include Vibram outsoles and waterproof Gore-Tex material. —Brendan Dunne
5.New Balance 990v6
Release Date: Oct. 5
Price: $250
The latest entry in New Balance’s 990 series is not the most exciting shoe on this list, but that’s kind of the point. The stalwart line has built a fanbase by steadily tweaking, upgrading, and shifting its models rather than starting from scratch each time. It’s important that some things stay the same: the overall flow of the silhouette, the comfy landing that should suit dads and others, and the iconic silvery gray colorway in which it debuted. There is much to come from the New Balance 990v6, and the sneaker had kind of a quiet entry into the market. But if New Balance can sustain its current hype into the coming year, the 990v6 will need to play a part. —Brendan Dunne
4.Nike Air Max Scorpion
Release Date: Oct. 5
Price: $250
This is true love-it-or-hate-it shoe. If the Air Max 1 was considered daring within Nike back in 1987, imagine what those same people would think of the Air Max Scorpion, the brand’s biggest foray into Air ever. The bubble is absurd, raising its wearer to new heights. The Scorpion’s sole is less of a consistent unit and more of a pod system made of three distinct bubbles on each side. The upper is completely Flyknit, giving an odd balance to a sole so clunky. Some will be enamored of this design; some will never wear it. The price point, set at $250, will help dictate that, too. In the past, we’ve seen New Air Max models slowly trickle into the market, even with high retail tags, and take off like wildfire. Think about the 2009-2012 shoes. It’s hard to say if the same will happen for the Scorpion, because of its price and looks, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it becomes the new norm. —Matt Welty
3.Nike Nocta Hot Step
Release Date: March 3
Price: $180
OK, everyone. We heard you loud and clear after we dropped our mid-year list. The Nocta Hot Step may not be the best new sneaker design of 2022. But just like everyone’s Spotify Wrapped, you knew Drake was still going to show up on this list. Despite the debut of the model earlier this year not having the Twitter timeline in a frenzy like his new music tends to, that doesn’t mean it should be written off as a flop. Is it flying off shelves immediately or flipping for hundreds of dollars over retail? No. But that doesn’t necessarily seem like the point of Drake’s current output with Nike. (Just look at his upcoming Air Force 1 collab for more evidence.) The Hot Step is an everyday sneaker that you don’t have to think too hard about. It offers an updated take on outdoor runners from the turn of the century, with details like 3M paneling, a rugged outsole tread, and a tooling borrowed from the Air Terra Humara. And how often do we see new sneakers made out of leather these days? It feels new by borrowing from years past. Its simplicity is its greatest selling point.
The model’s debut colorways, tonal black and white leather options, admittedly felt a bit anticlimactic compared to other marquee Nike projects from Travis Scott or the late Virgil Abloh. But the pairs that have come out since, especially the Nocta-exclusive “Champagne” and “Violet Haze” makeups, have been more promising. If you still haven’t given the Hot Step a chance, your loss. —Mike DeStefano
2.Nike LeBron 20
Release Date: Sept. 29
Price: $200
Twenty years into Nike and LeBron James’ partnership, the line was becoming a bit stale, but the Nike LeBron 20 represents the most drastic shift in King James’ signature line yet. Rather than debuting in a mid or high cut and releasing later in a low variation, the model starts out as a low-top for the first time ever. Nike’s messaging around the sneaker and the decision to go low was uncharacteristically light, although it did note the shoe was “designed with the next generation in mind.” This point was driven home when James’ sons Bryce and Bronny were the first to wear the sneakers on court, signaling a new era for the long-running line. The model’s performance capabilities, which combine heel and forefoot Zoom Air cushioning with a mesh-based upper, have been well received, as have the variety of colorways released thus far. Throw in a “Father Time” campaign reminiscent of throwback Nike ads and you’ve got one of the year’s best new sneakers. —Riley Jones
1.NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe
Release Date: June 10
Price: $110
For a good chunk of the 2010s, Tom Sachs’ sneaker collaborations with Nike were either unattainable or invisible. His first NikeCraft Mars Yard sneaker, released in 2012, was a sleeper, its chunky shape and scrappy aesthetic not quite aligning with the tastes of most footwear collectors then. It was not a sneaker one saw out and about with any regularity—not many pairs were made, and not many were flaunted. The shoe enjoyed more success in its second go with the Mars Yard 2.0 in 2017; styles shifted, and it was newly embraced, coveted, and extremely sought after on the resale market.
Neither of these fates seem to have been agreeable for Sachs. In his latest Nike work, the General Purpose shoe, he’s created an anti-hype silhouette that is intentionally democratic. It’s more widely available than any of his past models—Nike even sent pairs to department store Kohl’s to bring the work beyond boutiques. The General Purpose Shoe has restocked regularly, meaning you don’t have to obsess over the details of their release just to dream of getting a pair. They become a tool for everyday use, less precious than his previous work and vastly more attainable. If Tom Sachs’ earlier, spacey sneakers were aiming toward the celestial distance, this one is significantly more grounded. —Brendan Dunne