The 50 Best Sneakers of 2013

The final countdown.

None

Picking out the best sneakers of the year used to be easy. Imagine, for example, figuring out the best sneakers of 1988. There were no retros, no collaborations. And even the biggest releases of the year only dropped in three or four colorways, max. The 50 best releases of 1988? That would have been more or less all of them.

Now? Good luck. With major releases happening virtually every weekend, it's hard to even keep track anymore. And by the time December rolls around, the big hits of January and February are all but forgotten, buried under a virtual avalanche of can't-miss this and must-cop that. But that's why we're here. To ensure that this was the best of the best, we sat down with a large group of editors and considered tons of sneakers. If it doesn't correlate to other previously published lists, that's why. And to be fair, we only discussed sneakers that have been out already. (So no Gamma Blue Air Jordan XIs or Black/Red Air Jordan Is). From the most true-to-the-original retros to the wildest collabs, from the most advanced modern basketball sneakers to hybrid runners, from EMZ to HTM, these were The 50 Best Sneakers of 2013.

50. Nike Free Flyknit

The Nike Free hasn't changed much in the almost decade its been around, but this year it got an upgrade with Nike's latest and greatest technology, Flyknit. People like to wear Nike Frees without socks, and this idea was translated to the Free Flyknit, and the sneaker had a sock-like appearance and was designed to bring the shoe closer to the wearer's foot. The Flyknit design made it look futuristic but still brought the simplistic element of knitting that the technology represented.

49. Nike Lunar LDV Trail Low QS

Mash-ups haven't always been the best idea when it comes to sneakers, but the Lunar LDV Trail Low-which presented a '70s style mesh and suede upper mated to a modern Lunarlon sole with all the aesthetic charm of your grandma's sofa-was different. An eminently wearable sneaker that combined vintage durability with modern comfort, these should be more than just a quickstrike.

48. DJ Clark Kent x Nike SB Dunk

DJ Clark Kent, co-host of Complex TV's Quickstrike, first introduced the "112 Pack" in 2008. Since then, he has added Nike's signature elephant print and volt color to a bunch of sneakers over the years. This year Clark took a stab at the iconic SB Dunk Low (along with other Nike SBs) and dropped on Black Friday.

47. Air Jordan V "Shanghai"

As an overseas exclusive, the black suede "Shanghai' Vs commemorate the largestc city in China. They might have been only dropped in Asia, but the blue and yellow color pops harken back to the Laney High School story line Jordan Brand's been telling all year in the States.

46. Palace x Reebok Workout Low

London's Palace is what happens when a skate brand just worries about doing its own thing, and staying true to the culture it was founded in. It worked with Reebok, a brand that was founded in England, on a couple collections this year, but the dopest sneaker it designed it were the Workout Lows. They were a retro atheltic sneaker that was perfect for skating, and had a gum sole. Palace was also able to design a Reebok that was sold at Supreme, and sold out rather quickly.

45. adidas Mutombo

2013 was the year of the retro, especially when it came to basketball sneakers in OG colorways. The adidas Mutombo paid homage to one of the greatest defensive players to ever play in the NBA. Originally launched in '92 with the tribal print, the shoes were welcomed back into the arms of sneakers heads. The super high top and fat tongued sneakers screamed '90s and commemorated Mutombo's African roots.

44. A$AP Rocky x Jeremy Scott x adidas Originals JS Wings 2.0 "Black Flag"

Jeremy Scott is known for his cartoonishly designed sneakers. A$AP Rocky is known for being a rapper with a unique fashion sense. Put them both together and you get the "Black Flag" Wings 2.0. Scott did the usual by adding something crazy to the upper, but Rocky kept it Harlem with the faux Kevlar look. The blacked out kicks with the extreme detailing on the stars and stripes made these one of the most understated kicks of the year.

43. Supreme x Nike Flyknit Lunar 1

Supreme makes products better. In a suprising move, the New York skate brand took a running sneaker, the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1, and gave it a Nike SB makeover. The sneaker wasn't made for skating, but it struck a chord with the skate-centric crowd that hovers over Supreme releases. Flyknit technology was huge in 2013, and Supreme proved it could be cool for those who weren't looking for performance-based sneakers.

42. Brooklyn Projects x Nike SB Dunk Low "Walk of Fame"

OK fine, maybe a Dunk SB with a gold Swoosh isn't exactly timely in 2013. (Some might say a Dunk SB itself isn't timely in 2013, but whatever.) That said, the Brooklyn Projects Dunk SB did exactly what it set out to do: pay tribute to one of Hollywood's most well-known attractions, the Walk of Fame. Major props to Dom DeLuca and Mandee Bence for working up a meaningful collab-which is always timely.

41. Nike Air Jordan I OG "Black/Gold"

Any year is a good year for an Air Jordan I, especially the "OG" version that stands a little taller than the versions Jordan Brand has releasing over the past few years. The Black/Gold Air Jordan I was like a white wale of Air Jordan Is: Only a few pairs were rumored to exist from the original 1985 release, and it was given a proper release this year--although super limited--and as true to its original form as possible.

40. mastermind JAPAN x adidas Originals Superstar 80s

Black premium leather versions of classic adidas sneakers done up with skull and crossbones. What's not to like? The Rivalry was the loudest, the Velcro Pro Model the most fashion-forward, but the Superstar was the easy choice for wearability. Bonus points if you're a Raiders fan-or a pirate.

39. emerica Westgate

Pro skater Brandon Westgate had a monster year in 2013. First, he dominated of footage full of damn near perfect tricks. Then, Emerica dropped a fresh, innovative new sneaker with his name on it, and for the first time in a long time the core skate brand had truly covetable kicks on the market. With nods to the athletic styling of the '90s, the Westgate had a distinct look thanks to the flexible, running shoe-esque cup sole, and a clean one-piece suede toe-box. Now here's a GIF of Westgate doing what he does best:

38. size? x Nike Air Max 180

Putting a 180-degree Air unit on a sneaker was huge for Nike, it helped expand its Air Max line and let it grow and innovate. Size?, who has a strong understanding of Nike's Air Max models, took the 180 and keep it O.G., but gave it a new spin. The two color schemes followed the running aesthetic of pop collars on a plain upper, but added crazy stitching to the mesh, and made them shine a little brighter.

37. ASICS Kayano 20th Anniversary Pack

Asics has had another great year when it comes to performance shoes. To celebrate the Gel Kayano's 20th anniversary, Asics dropped an anniverary pack of two sneakers that was limited to 1,993 pairs (Since they released back in 1993). The package came with a retro pair of the first Kayanos, paired with the more modern Gel-Kayano 20. The box also ilustrated the history of the Asics shoes, and all the strides they have made in the world of running in the past 20 years.

36. size? x Nike Air Max Light Mowabb

It's not like Nike hasn't re-visited the Mowabb colorway before-Nike's initial ACG launch influenced more than just pure outdoor footwear. But credit to UK purveyors Size? for looking beyond the usual Dunk or Air Force 1 silhouette and applying the signature tan, orange and purple to the under-appreciated Air Max Light. Their Easter takes on the model were excellent, this was even better. (Don't sleep on the black and pink makeup, either.)

35. Margiela x Converse Jack Purcell

Each pair of the Maison Martin Margiela x Converse Jack Purcell is not like any other. With the white surface paint on the kicks chipping off as someone wears them, sneakerheads were never more amped to crease their kicks. Also, the fact that an All-American brand collaborated with a high-end fashion powerhouse was big in itself.

34. Nike SB Zoom Janoski "Digi Floral"

With everything digital this year, sneakers were finally included. Nike's Zoom Janoski line has been a popular skate shoe over the past few years, and the "Digi Floral" pack aided in the crossover of the shoes from being known by the skate head over to the general sneaker enthusiast.

33. Tyler the Creator x Vans Old Skool

It's no secret that Odd Future's Tyler the Creator is a fan of the brand is Vans. This year, the rapper got the chance to put his touch on the Vans Old Skool in four different colorways that were sold at Vans Syndicate stores.

32. size? x Nike Air Huarache

A Mowabb-inspired color scheme looks good on any sneaker, and England's size? applied this motif to the Air Huarache runner, and added a touch of elephant print along the way. The Huarache runner fits perfectly into the trend of lightweight running sneakers, and a nod to Nike's history is a good way to teach fashion-forward wearers about the brand's legacy.

31. adidas Stan Smith

The adidas Stan Smith is going to make a big return in 2014. But, as a teaser this year, adidas launched a premium-edition version of the shoe during New York Fashion Week. Only coming sold in limited amounts at Barney's New York, the kicks came with image of Mr. Stan Smith himself on the tongue.

30. Nike Trainerendor

People need a new Nike Roshe Run--a sneaker that's cheap and gains an organic buzz--and they found it in the Nike Trainerendor. It had a retail price of $80, and was design as an "Off-Mountain Shoe," which means it was made to chill after snowboarding, and give feet a rest from clunky snowboarding boots. But it sure looked cool on New York City streets, too.

29. Ice-T x Vans Syndicate Sk8-Hi

The concept itself was pretty basic: a black and white Sk8-Hi with plenty of contrasting Olde English style embroidery celebrating everything from Body Count to Ice-T's OG status. That alone would grant them L.A. legend status. Throw in a gold-plated revolver hangtag/keychain and a miniature bodybag inside the box, and these are one of the best Syndicate releases ever.

28. Air Jordan XX8 SE

Fans of the Air Jordan XX8 got something a little more practical for an off-the-court look. Beneath the shroud of the XX8 sits a beautiful silhouette, perfect for the fashion-forward types, with a camo colorway. Also embedded with Flightplate technology, the shoe was the best of both worlds. Who can argue with a shoe that looks dope for casual wear, and has the most ground-breaking Jordan Brand performance tech.

27. Ronnie Fieg x ASICS Gel Lyte III "ECP"

Without Ronnie Fieg, the ASICS Gel Lyte III might still be sitting in the brand's archives. He's done more for the sneaker than any other designer, and his East Coast Project connected his love for both Miami and New York. Except, he made the Miami version a notch better than the New York version, which is a great sneaker in its own right. Green and orange look fly on any sneaker, and the Gel Lyte III, with its split tongue, looks summer ready as it reps Dade County and the Dolphins.

26. Nike Flyknit Racer multicolor

Nike designed the Flyknit Racer strictly for performance and with the inspiration of feedback from runners who wanted a shoe that fit like a sock. Even though these are made for running, there's no arguing that this multicolor international drop shook things up in the fashion world, too.

25. Nike Air Max 90 Hyperfuse "Independence Day Pack"

Kanye West single-handily made the Air Max 90 Hyperfuse "Independence Day" Pack one of the best sneakers of the year. The pack was already certifiably dope, but when he chose to get in a fight with a paparazzi while wearing the navy sneaker from the pack, the collection became infamous.

24. Air Jordan IV "Fear Pack"

The Air Jordan Fear Pack, which consisted of the III, IVs, and Vs, played off of one of MJ's famous quotes: "I'm scared of what I won't become, and you're scared of what I could become" The saying was printed on the insole of the shoes. With its suede and rustic look, the Jordan IV was the standout of the entire pack.

23. Undefeated x Nike Hyperdunk "Bringback Pack"

Undefeated's iconic five strikes made it's way to the Hyperdunk 2012 this year in a pack that celebrated the Los Angeles-based boutique's more than 10 year relationship with Nike. The shoes were draped in all white, but even more special was the use of gum sole- something seldom seen on modernized performance sneakers.

22. Nike Air Max Lunar 90

It's hard to improve on the Air Max 90, but throwing on a lunar sole on the "Infrared" colorway is a great start. It made the classic make-up ready for 2013, and able to compete with today's standards of cushioning and comfortability--but the Lunar sole took it to a futuristic plateau, and made the '90s runner viable for today's tech-oriented market.

21. Nike Kobe 8 Year of the Snake Pack

With 2013 being the Year of the Snake in the Chinese Zodiac, it was perfect timing for Nike to drop three pairs of cold-blooded sneakers for the Black Mamba. With options coming in a scaly black upper with laser etching, red suede upper for casual wearers, and an engineered mesh Kobe System tagging.

20. Supreme x Vans "Power, Corruption & Lies"

There's floral print, and then there's Peter Saville's floral print (French artist Henri Fantin-Latour's paining "A Basket of Roses" which Saville utilized on the cover of New Order's "Power, Corruption & Lies"). Supreme used the print on three Vans silhouettes-the Chukka Boot, the Era and the Sk8-Hi-with the latter (thanks to complementary black suede accents) taking it best.

19. Operator EMZ x adidas Originals Pro Model "Collectors Project"

What happens when you gather five prominent adidas collectors from around the globe, take them to the world headquarters in Germany, and give them free reign to re-imagine an adidas Originals classic? For NYC's Operator EMZ, the result was a luxuriously re-worked version of the classic Pro Model, complete with a faux-croc upper, a suede tongue, and burgundy stripes and accents, all topped off by proper '70s-style laces. A labor of love with an amazing end result.

18. Air Jordan V Doernbecher

We're not going to lie, the Doernbecher Air Jordan V is a tough shoe to wear. There's an awful lot going on, from the glow-in-the-dark sole and accents, to the shiny finish, to the lettering only visible under black light. Isaac Azarte put everything into this design (and tragically passed away before it released), and it shows. Well worth picking up, even if it just gets a prime spot on the shelf.

17. BWGH x Puma R968

David Obadia of Brooklyn We Go Hard, a Parisian menswear brand, is close friends with Ronnie Fieg, and worked with him to create clothes for his ASICS Gel Lyte III "Flamingo" collaboration. Obadia was also give then opportunity to design his own pair of sneakers, a Puma R968, and took inspiration from Mark Rothko for a smooth pair of runners. The sneakers integrate easily into the brand's cozy aesthetic, and make for one of the best rookie sneaker collabs.

16. Ronnie Fieg x ASICS Gel Lyte V "Volcano"

Ronnie Fieg didn't let up with his Asics collaborations in 2013. For this pair, Ronnie took a break from the Gel Lyte III and showed the Gel Lyte V some love. Taking the theme from hot lava, the shoes featured premium nubuck and tough mesh. With shades of red color blocking, the Kith founder brought some shine back into these early '90s runners.

15. Norse Projects x New Balance 1500

A pair of New Balances are the perfect sneakers for Danish menswear brand Norse Projects to work on, and it designed two this year. The brand is known for its minimal takes on clothes that can survive the moody weather, and its "Danish Weather Pack" took Made in England 1500s and gave them simple colors: grey/blue and brown/orange. They're colors that could flow with any 'fit, and made a special release into a quality everyday sneaker.

14. Nike Air Tech Challenge II "US Open"

As a sneaker closely associated with great Andre Agassi, a shoe nicknamed "U.S Open" had to be something special. The black leather upper represents the night matches played at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the blue rubber outsole is the same color as the turf on the tennis courts. And with Agassi renewing his partnership with Nike this past May, the drop of these made for perfect timing.

13. Air Jordan IV "Toro"

When early model Jordans are released in non-OG Colorways, they're seldom accepted in the sneaker community as worthwhile. But Jordan played their cards right when releasing the IVs donned in the Toro colorway. They immediately flew off of shelves, even though they're an updated rendition of a classic sneaker. Heads couldn't be mad at these because they still had that retro feel.

12. Packer Shoes x Reebok Question "For Player Use Only"

Packer brought all types of heat with its sneaker collabs this year, but its best was its rendition of Reebok's Question Mid. Outfitted in a Laker colorway (Kobe Bryant) and a Saint Vincent Saint Mary colorway (LeBron James), the New Jersey sneaker shop reminded heads of a lesser known time in sneaker history when Reebok was courting LeBron and Kobe was a sneaker free agent.

11. size? x Nike Air Max 93

Nike's Air Max 93 has become a forgotten sneaker. After the History of Air pack released in 2006, the sneaker didn't see the light of release day. Until England's size? came along and helped the runner find a new audience. Size? had already released a couple of Air Max 93s, but the teal version that it dropped on Black Friday were something out of a runner fan's buttery dreams. A purple Swoosh and black sole transformed the sneaker's original silhouette and gave it a new look for new (and old) devotees.

10. atmos x Nike Air Max 1

Tokyo's atmos has a firm grasp on how a great Air Max 1 looks: it has designed a couple before. This year, the shop gave the Air Max 1 an all-leather look, like it has done in the past, and applied tiger camo print with a snakeskin-like finish. Those aren't regular attributes for an Air Max 1--they usually have suede and mesh, but atmos' vision for the sneaker is what made it great. The Air Max 1 might have been the first sneaker to show off Nike's Air unit, but it had never received a pairing of materials like this before.

9. BAPE x UNDFTD x adidas Originals ZX5000

The BAPE x UNDFTD adidas pack should have been on the 2012 list if all had gone as planned, but thanks to a pushback on the release dates, here we are in 2013. The Campus '80s were cool, if a bit too subtle (is that the first time "subtle" has been used in reference to a BAPE project?), but the ZX5000s were more or less perfect. BAPE camo, gold embossed logos, and red, white and blue stripes came together flawlessly, all capped off with a gum sole.

8. Sole Collector x Nike Air Zoom "The Glove"

Sneakerheads were already happy to see Gary Payton's Zoom Flight 98 "The Glove" return in 2013. The only thing that could make them better was Sole Collector putting their own spin on them, paying homage to Gary Payton and the city where he spent most of his Hall-of-Fame career. With so much hype and a limited release which sold out in minutes, a re-release via Foot Locker is set for this month. Consider that approval for a great sneaker.

7. Nike LeBron X "Cork"

If there was a LeBron shoe this year created solely for stunting, these were them. In truly creative fashion, Nike used cork as the material of choice for the LeBron X celebrating LeBron's championship. Very few silhouettes would allow for cork to be used, much less look this good. Even though they weren't made for balling, you couldn't deny these kicks' uniqueness.

6. Ronnie Fieg x New Balance 1600 "Daytona"

Ronnie Fieg had a big year of sneaker collaborations, and his best work was done with New Balance on a pair of 1600s that were inspired by his trips as a kid to Daytona Beach. A lot of New Balance collaborations look a little similar, but Fieg made an attempt to do something different with the Boston-based brand. The toebox was blue suede, and the upper was tan and light brown perforated leather with hints of pink. The Daytonas were also the sneaker to drop this year on Black Friday, and Fieg was able to make a chunky New Balance runner into something that discerning heads could rock with.

5. Concepts x New Balance 998 "C-Note"

A new $100 bill was brought out in 2013, and Cambridge, Mass.-based Concepts took advantage of the vibrant new currency and used the color scheme for the year's best pair of New Balance sneakers, a Made in USA 998. It looked like the sneaker had a yellowed midsole, and paired it with a muted upper with hits of brown, tan, and blue. By usual standards, it was a dull sneaker, but Concepts and New Balance assured that the quality of the sneaker was leaps above standard collaborations.

4. Nike HTM Flyknit Chukka

The design collective of Hiroshi Fujiwara, Tinker Hatfield, and Mark Parker run things at Nike, and for good reason: They make awesome sneakers. The crew's take on the Flyknit Chukka gave a sports-inspired sneaker without a true purpose, but lived up to Nike's innovative past and future, The colors, grey and blue, were light and not abrasive, but the focus on the use of Flyknit in a mid-cut sneaker. It's easy to look at this sneaker, and see how Nike was able to transition this concept into the Kobe 9.

3. Air Jordan III "88"

Most people thought Jordan Brand bringing back the original Nike Air logo on its retros would never happen again. But, in commemoration on the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, the white and cement retro Jordan III released sans Jumpman on the heel tab, fulfilling a lot of Jordan purists' dreams.

2. Nike LeBron XI

LeBron James himself might disagree, but the LeBron XI has all the hallmarks of a future classic. Nike seamlessly blended most of their their topline technology-Flywire, Hyperfuse, Hyperposite, Lunarlon-into what amounts to a postmodern sculpture that you can wear. Lighter and lower than previous LeBron models, this is what the future looks like. We can't wait to see the Elite version.

1. Air Jordan I Black/Royal

Is it weird to declare a more or less exact reproduction of a sneaker from 1985 the best sneaker of 2013? Maybe. But the black/royal Air Jordan 1 retro was just that good, and that long-awaited. The last time the black/royals were available was in 2001 (remember the chrome Jumpman hangtags?) when the sneaker landscape and market were tremendously different. This time around, a true hightop Air Jordan 1 with "Nike Air" branding wasn't to be missed-and in that red and black Nike box, it couldn't be. And the black/reds are still coming? 2013 was the year of the Air Jordan 1, and we're not mad at all.