Image via Complex Original
Another year, another chance for you to make this summer a movie, whether it be traveling, making new memories with friends and family, or residing on your bed every day until September arrives. Whichever way you choose to spend these coming months, the essentials are required: water, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and footwear that is compatible with the warmer weather ahead. Of course, slides are the go-to for many summer occasions, but there are other options if you don’t want to go for the ol’ reliable summertime shoes.
In this list, we’ve compiled a series of sneakers that are functional and versatile while also having a distinctive look for midsummer. What may be the right shoe for you can be subjective based on your location and your preferences in footwear, so we took variety into account. From collaborative retro Nikes and tech-based runners to archival Adidas models, these are the best summer sneakers to wear in 2022.
Hello Kitty x Nike Air Presto
Price: $140
When the news broke last year about this shoe re-releasing (courtesy of Complex), it felt surprising as this had been one of the earlier obscure collaborations Nike had officially done alongside shoes like PlayStation x Air Force 1s and Coca-Cola x Nike Air Prestos. Since then, Nike has more frequently had licensed collaborations, from Uno to Ben & Jerry’s. Now, here we are in 2022 with a revamped take on the Hello Kitty x Nike Air Presto from 2004. Whereas the first Sanrio collaboration sported a predominantly white upper, this version sports university blue instead. It shares Hello Kitty graphics across the spacer mesh like its predecessor but builds upon this theme with a custom rubber lacing cage featuring Kitty White’s face molded onto the heel and her signature bow branded on the tongue. Complete with custom insoles and Hello Kitty shoebox, this collab embodies the essence of Kitty White’s character that’s reminiscent of the days when Nike made colorways of the Presto based on their own characters like Unholy Cumulus, Brutal Honey, etc.
Not all sneaker collabs with pop culture icons turn out well. There’s a fine line between being wearable and looking like a display piece. However, it’s safe to say that this collab stuck the landing and, with its playful yet tasteful design, is a great candidate for the summer sneaker rotation.
Salomon ACS Pro Advanced 'Lunar Rock'
Price: $240-$270
The playing field of sneakers has been leveled out over the past years as various brands have been getting a lot more shine than they once had in the sneaker community. Salomon has been one of those rising in recognition in recent times. Alongside the outdoors trend of gorpcore and appearing on a fair share of posts on Instagram mood board pages, models like the Salomon XT-4 and XT-6 have been at the forefront of technical yet fashionable footwear. Adding to this list of sneakers, Salomon has introduced the Salomon ACS Pro Advanced. The design was inspired by the Salomon GCS Pro that was released in the early 2000s, with this “Lunar Rock” colorway being a clear nod to that shoe. Dressed in subtle shades of gray with a pop of red at the heel, it is an understated colorway that does enough to accent the interesting features in the sneaker like the TPU cage containing transparent mesh for breathability and metal eyelets. Made with lightweight materials, an easy toggle lacing system, and an all-terrain Contragrip outsole, this is an “if you know, you know” type shoe that you could wear throughout the summer season and into the colder months too.
Kasina x Nike Air Max 1
Price: $170-$220
Every couple of years, sneaker brands shed more light on certain models more than others. This concept isn’t new. In 2022, we’ve been seeing that with the Air Jordan 2 and Jordan Brand collabing with Union Los Angeles and A Ma Maniére on special pairs. On Nike’s end, it’s currently giving special treatment to the Air Force 1 in honor of its 40th anniversary and the Air Trainer 1 and Air Max 1 for their 35th anniversary. As part of the Swoosh’s celebration of the Air Max 1, we have seen it get unlocked on Nike By You and notable in-line colorways releasing like the “Blueprint” and “Wabi-Sabi” Air Max Day pairs. There have also been projects with Travis Scott, Concepts, and Korean retailer Kasina. Telling a story about relationships, the Kasina x Air Max 1s are inspired by Mandarin ducks, which can be seen through both colorways, usage of pony hair materials, and custom hang tag. The two pairs are suitable for the summer days ahead, boiling it down to a personal preference whether you’d like brighter colors or toned-down colors on feet during the day. Coming in premium leather and suede on the upper, wooden lace dubraes, and custom outsoles, the “Won-Ang” Air Max 1s remind us of what makes sneakers fun in the first place.
New Balance 990v2 'Sea Salt'
Price: $220-$250
Recently, New Balance has significantly grown in popularity within the sneaker community and it’s clear why. The amalgamation of classic models, good general release colorways, superb materials, and notable collaborations with Joe Freshgoods, Salehe Bembury, and Aimé Leon Dore were bound to attract consumers. With Aimé Leon Dore’s partnership being so successful, even reviving archival models like the 550, the next step was New Balance appointing ALD’s founder, Teddy Santis, as the creative director of New Balance’s Made in USA line. Since the photo Teddy leaked a few months ago of his first Made in USA collection, fans have been anticipating when the pairs will drop. One of those pairs was these New Balance 990v2s in the “Sea Salt” colorway, dressed in neutral tones that are done subtly yet will serve as a nice accent to your fit. Entirely white shoes are a go-to for the summer (unless you’re Joe La Puma), so if you’re looking for a sneaker to fill that niche this summer that isn’t a white-on-white Air Force 1, these are a great alternative.
Tom Sachs x NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe
Price: $270-$440
Expectations were high for what was to come next from the Tom Sachs x NikeCraft partnership. Fast-forward to 2022, and we are introduced to the Tom Sachs x NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe, which is “boring” as Nike describes it. That term wouldn’t be far off from the reception these shoes had from many people, who noted how much they resemble a pair of Nike Killshot 2s you can find at J. Crew. Although there is no denying a resemblance, there’s something special to be said about these shoes and the idea Sachs is trying to push through these sneakers. It’s not a deeply profound meaning; it’s simply to just wear the shoes and not have them wear you. That feels like a message he’s been trying to convey from his scribbles on the shoebox of the 2017 Mars Yard 2.0, saying, “These shoes are only valid if worn and worn to death by you. Posers need not apply.” The ad for this release describes it as a “do-more sneaker, an own-less sneaker.” Retaining elements from the previous Mars Yard releases, the shoes feature their signature pull tabs, Tom Sachs x NikeCraft branding on the inner tongue, and a custom shoebox. The similarities stop there as this new rendition is simplified to be a general-purpose shoe that shares the essence of previous Tom Sachs offerings. A common theme in this list is the practicality within sneakers. So if you choose to grab this pair, trust that it’ll be a shoe that can fit almost any occasion during the warmer seasons.
Reebok Question Mid 25th Anniversary 'Silver Toe'
Price: $154.99
Reebok has been on a consistent run lately of simple yet effective colorways of the Question Mid, such as its original “Blue Toe” color blocking as well as a new “Mocha” colorway. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Allen Iverson’s first signature sneaker, Reebok has released this special “Silver Toe” colorway that features hits of metallic silver on the toebox, eyestays, ankle collar, and vector branding across the shoe. A cool detail is the “25” embroidered on the back of the right shoe to pay homage to its 25th anniversary. Built with tumbled, full-grain leather atop of a Hexalite midsole and bottomed out with an icy outsole, it’s what we can expect out of a Reebok Question, which is nice quality at an accessible price point. Again, while it is completely subjective as to what colorways can and cannot work during the summer, it’s the low-key colorways like these that’ll always win in its simplicity and give you points for not looking like someone who’s trying too hard to have the best sneakers.
Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 Cloud White / Blue Rush
Price: $120
A few years ago, Adidas played an important role in ushering the “dad shoe” trend by selling sneakers that feature a chunky midsole with multiple overlays and panels on the upper. Notable sneakers from this era include the Adidas Yeezy 700 line, which is still running to this day. Now, with the “dad shoe” aesthetic being normalized in the sneaker community, the trend sort of meshed into the wave of archive sneakers, whereby both consumers and brands were digging into the vault and bringing back lesser-known or obscure models. This year, the Three Stripes brought back another archival runner from the early 2000s: the Adidas Supernova Cushion 7. They retain a retro style but also have an aesthetic that feels like the futuristic runner designs we see these days. The shoes include adiPrene cushioning on the midsole with a torsion system for arch support and a much-needed breathable mesh upper for hot sunny days. Coming in this Cloud White / Blue Rush colorway, these are a solid pick for a summer sneaker and may also be an alternative for those who are looking for a New Balance 993 or Salomon XT-6 type of shoe but want to branch out to something that one may not see as often (yet?).
Nike SB Dunk Low 'Be True'
Price: $142-$160
As part of Nike’s annual “Be True” series, Nike included a fan favorite, the SB Dunk Low, in its 2022 collection celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Designed in a toned-down manner, these shoes consist of a predominantly white leather upper, midsole, and outsole. The rainbow accents are integrated underneath the overlays of the upper as the white paint could wear away akin to previous Nike Dunk releases (and notably the Nike SB x Air Jordan 1 collabs from 2014 and 2019). This customization factor of wear-away uppers is always appreciated as it furthers that one-of-one feel people may have with their sneakers. Rainbow details can also be seen on the stitching of the Swoosh, insoles, and “Be True” branding on the heel. While on a surface level, these appear to simply be an all-white SB Dunk, it’s details like the three sets of different laces (white, blue, and pink), hidden stash pocket in the tongue, and exclusive “Be True” packaging that add to the creativity of the shoe and make it feel even more special.
Asics UB3-S Gel-Nimbus 9 Rum Raisin / Green Sheen
Price: $170
The ongoing partnership between Bulgarian fashion designer Kiko Kostadinov and Asics has helped shift people’s perception of the brand into a new light. Whereas previous Asics shoes were seen as solely workout sneakers, these new renditions have a fashionable appeal that’s driven interest in purists and newcomers alike. With previous collaborations receiving a refreshing take on models like the Asics Gel Kiril and Asics Gel-Quantum Levitrack, these Asics UB3-S Gel-Nimbus 9s carry a similar spirit despite not being an official Kostadinov collab. Instead, these sneakers were created with assistance from Kiko Kostadinov Studios for Asics’ Sportstyle line. It’s said that these were made with the outdoors in mind, and that is clear with this color scheme that will show minimal signs of wear after your explorations on a mountain hike or walk to the bodega. Equipped with Asics’ signature Gel technology for added comfort and shock absorption, plus added new details like the elongated pull tab on the tongue and composition of at least 30 percent recycled materials, these are a solid runner selection for the summertime.
Air Jordan 6 'Red Oreo'
Price: $203-$250
Jordan Brand has been on a streak recently of remixing OG and popular colorways of past retro releases by swapping them with a new color palette. The “Oreo” Air Jordan 6 from 2010 has been rehashed this year into a red iteration. Although this pair does not have the “Carmine” Air Jordan 6 color blocking which was used on the original “Oreos” 6s, similarities have been drawn mainly for the speckling details that were definitive for the 2010 release. White speckles can be seen across the red midsole, pull tab, and lace lock, with the rest of the shoe being primarily white leather. In general, Jordans are an easy and useful sneaker to wear year-round, but there are colorways that feel more appropriate for different seasons than others. In this case, the Air Jordan 6 “Red Oreo” is that Jordan that feels synonymous with being outside in the summer heat in 2022.