It’s sort of surreal to see that the 4th of July is already upon us, and that subsequently the 2015 calendar year is well past its halfway point. With a myriad of notable models and signature silhouettes becoming available during this year, we at Nice Kicks saw it fit to unveil our list of The 25 Best Sneakers of 2015 Thus Far.
Headlined by several Nike staples, adidas releases, and notable collaborations, this list will certainly peak your interest and potentially surprise you with our number one selection.
To see for yourself, scroll through the selections below to enjoy our list and let us know in the comments section your thoughts on our selections.
25. Nike Kyrie 1 “All-Star”
With his star beginning to rise, it was incredibly unfortunate to witness Kyrie Irving go down during the NBA Finals, but I’m willing to bet the immensely talented guard returns to form and even surpasses his stellar play from before. That sentiment is also shared for the next silhouette within the Nike Kyrie linage. However, when it comes to his inaugural signature sneaker, Kyrie and Nike made a strong impression within the sneaker industry. With a variety of different iterations, the “All-Star” colorway certainly drew fans’ attention as its tonal makeup and adjacent hues fit perfectly with the NYC themed All-Star game. – Pierce Simpson
24. Air Jordan 11 Low “Playoffs”
The annual 11 Low release the past few summers has become a hugely anticipated drop. After Jordan Brand launched the “Concord” Lows last year, fans of the model (read: everyone) couldn’t wait to see what was in store for 2015. Much like last summer’s 11s, this year’s launch actually incorporated some oft-forgotten history dating back to the sh0e’s original 1996 debut. The Black / Varsity Red lows, just like the “Parade” 11s, were an original PE made for Michael. He was spotted at his Flight School camp during the summer of ’96 in the red-lined version that’d eventually release some 19 years later, though many were hoping for
the black-lined pair he wore for a first half in the Finals instead. Either way, the “Playoff” 11 Low was a hugely anticipated launch that gave fans a chance to wear one of the most iconic Jordan silhouettes in a summer-ready Low. – Nick DePaula
23. Nike Air Presto “Lightning”
Long before there was the Roshe Run, there was the Presto. Released in shirt sizing and sporting graphic uppers years before the ZX Flux, the sh0e was an early attempt at lifestyle running by the best-known-for-basketball and alway innovative Alpha Project collective.
Instantly impactful, the sh0es sold upon initial launch and years later received the retro treatment with Lunar adaptations and other pushes. In 2015, they came back in all their OG glory with drops like the “Lightning” and “Brutal Honey” colorways. These kicks won’t cause campouts, heck they might even go on sale, but they’re pushing forward the forever stuck in the ’90s retro wave while meeting modern fashion on the way. Everybody wins. – Ian Stonebrook
22. VILLA x Wale x ASICS Gel Lyte III “Bottle Rocket”
Having released just in time for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, this drop mixed premium suede detailing with patriotic vibes that surely set off a few fireworks upon its debut. – Gregory Williams
21. Nike KD 7 “What the KD”
Adding yet another new chapter the the storied “What The” motif, the Nike KD 7 “What The KD” combined the elements of 18 different colorways into one eye catching mashup delivery. If you slept on any of the other proper KD 7 colorways, this one surely made up for the loss in a major way. – Gregory Williams
20. J.Crew x New Balance 998
There is a history of magic that happens when menswear curator J.Crew and New Balance connect. This time, both sides collaborated on the fan-favorite 998 in a “Hilltop Blues” colorway as part of Crew’s “In Good Company” release. The combination of sandy brown mesh with navy and brown suede panels made this joint effort one of the best so far. Not to mention, the grey laces, reflective 3M, red accents and overall inspiration of the Big Apple’s neighborhood ballparks. – George Kiel III
19. PALACE x adidas Pro Primeknit
How real is this? While A$AP acclaim has helped propel PALACE from London skate staple to international ‘it’ brand, their work with adidas has continued to widen their range. Much like the Mob, Palace does a good job of staying true to their roots while representing references that read as cross-cultural and the adidas Pro Primeknit is a perfect example. Blending Samba steeze with Primeknit nuances and half pipe performance, you’ve got a sh0e that caters to all while still serving its core customer. – Ian Stonebrook
18. Ronnie Fieg x Diamond x ASICS Gel Lyte V
Bringing the East and West coasts together in highly anticipated fashion, Ronnie Fieg and Diamond Supply Co. mined a premium retail gem by way the Gel Lyte V. – Gregory Williams