Editor’s Pick: The 10 Sneakers That Owned 2017

This year, the sneaker game has been pretty unstoppable, with enough updates, colorways and killer collabs to fill our wishlists for the next century. As we gear up for another year of sneaker drops and cops, our editor looks back on the last year to decide on the top 10 sneakers that well and truly shook our 2017. 

 

Air Max 97 - Silver Bullet

Making top of the list, the Air Max 97 became the shoe that won the hearts of just about everyone, from die-hard sneakerheads to the average joe looking for a pair of sneaks to lift any outfit. Inspired by the movement of raindrops and the curves of the Japanese bullet train, the Air Max 97 looks to the future, even if it's now 20 years old. After its ‘silver bullet’ re-release at the end of 2016, the ’97 made an unstoppable come back, quickly getting a huge release of new colorways and becoming the must-have sneaker of 2017

Shop the the Nike Air Max 97 in Silver Bullet for $256.28 here.

 

Balenciaga Speed Trainer

In the year of all things ‘knit’ and laceless in the sneaker world, fashion pioneers Balenciaga followed suit, producing a minimalist, laceless silhouette, paying homage to Vetements’ already popular sock ankle boots. The refined shoe quickly became the it-shoe of winter’s fashion weeks and the shoe of choice for the internet’s biggest influencers. 

Shop the Speed Trainer for $695.00 here.

 

Nike Air Vapormax 

Birthed back in spring, Nike’s Air Vapormax was nothing short of revolutionary. Designed to flex with the natural motion of the foot, the technologically advanced shoe took over seven years to create. The main concept of the shoe was to eliminate the layers of foam that normally exist between the upper and midsole. The outcome was not only the lightest Air Max sneaker ever made, but also a sneaker that raised the sneaker game entirely. Since its release, the Air Vapormax has collabed with the likes of Comme des Garçons, OFF-WHITE and Virgil Abloh, proving its already respected stance in the sneaker world. 

Shop the range from $190 here.

 

adidas Superstar Slip-ons

After the on-going, reigning success of the adidas Originals Superstars, the global release of Superstar Slip-On in early February 2016 made for a modern update on a much-loved classic. After the shoe’s growing admiration through 2016, 2017 brought new colorways (such as Bold Onix) and even more success, keeping the spotlight on the updated strapless sneaks.

Shop the Superstar Slip-On for $65.47 here. 

 

Reebok Classics

By no means new, the 90s symbol makes the list with its timeless and seemingly unstoppable charm. With its distinct silhouette and block colour leather upper, the Reebok Classic made a bit of comeback in 2017, delivering a wave of new colorways, including ‘English Emerald’ and ‘Rose Cloud’. Repped by fasion editors, models and performers like Gigi Hadid and Ariana Grande, the classic received every bit of love it deserved this year. 

Shop the Reebok Classic from $39.97 here.

 

Fenty Puma Mid Trainers 

With Fenty’s building success throughout the year, the constantly updated Puma line has been one at the centre of attention across 2017. With a tonne of releases from the cleated creepers, to creeper sandals and slides, the brand has seemingly ticked every seasonal box. But for sneakerheads, all eyes were on the Fenty Puma Trainers, released in multiple colorways. After the release of the new Fenty Trainer Mid with added ankle strap this month in three colorways, there’s no denying that the brand are ending the year on a high. 

Shop the Fenty Puma Mid for $183.81 here.

 

Vans Old Skool

By no means new, the Vans Old Skool is another unstoppable classic. Despite it’s creation way back in the 70s under the name ‘Style 36’, the skate shoe turned fashion staple has seen a fashion surge in 2017, seen on everyone from actual skaters, to fashion editors and high-profile celebrities. Affordable, minimal and endlessly versatile, it’s easy to see why the world fell in love with this silhouette all over again this year.

Shop the Old Skools for $60.00 here. 

 

Balenciaga Triple S

The Balenciaga Triple S model, or ‘dad sneaker’, is undoubtably a shoe that shook up the game this year completely. Released only in September and inspired by the chunky, ‘practical’ and dorky AF shoe that the world’s dads love to love, the silhouette quickly became a trendsetter, creating an influx in ‘chunky’ shoe releases from a range of designer and high street labels. Since the release, the Triple S has been updated in a range of colorways and set a streetwear focal point at 2017’s winter fashion weeks. Whether the dad shoe trend survives another fashion year, no one knows, but one thing is for certain: Balenciaga’s dad shoes owned 2017. 

Shop the Triple S exclusively in-store for $767.65 and find info online here.

 

Nike Air Force 1

Birthed in 1982, the original Air Force 1 was a high-top sneaker designed for the basketball court, featuring a cushioning sports sole. After it’s gradual development through the years, the white Air Force 1 Low is now one of the bestselling shoes of all time, consistently holding it’s place in a way that not many silhouettes have ever been able to do. Despite its ongoing success, the recent major return of the shoe is hard to miss, boosted by a constant stream of collabs and colorways, as well as the empowering ‘Force is Female’ campaign giving the old soul a feminist rebirth this year. The truth about the Air Force 1 is that it’s a versatile, much-loved classic, available in so many variations that the possibilities feel endless. We can only wonder where this much-loved model will take us next. 

Shop the Air Force 1 ’07 for $90 here.

 

Chanel x Pharrell x adidas Hu NMD Sneaker

The last shoe on the list is nothing short of a power collab. Designed by Chanel, Pharrell Williams and adidas, the highly anticipated silhouette was released on November 21 with only 500 pairs available and sold exclusively by Parisian retailer, Colette. Featuring a bold, monochrome design, the statement and off-limits sneaker was priced at $1180 and sported by Pharrell himself. No longer available to purchase, the power sneaker created an international hype among sneakerheads, making way for the possibility of new silhouettes and collaborations in the coming year.   

 

For more sneaker talk, check out these 3 reebok slip-ons. 

Images adapted from @chloebbbb and Stephen Cheetham via Pinterest.