2023 in 23 sneakers, as told by 23 sneakerheads (2024)

Some of the best sneakers in 2023 have been the ultra-rare colourways, the once-in-a-lifetime collabs, the grails that prove the sneakerverse to be a more valuable and illustrious place than ever. The people just won't tire of it.

On the contrary, the sneakerheads are still as manic as ever. And in a bid to recount this strange year for trainers, we've slid into the DMs of some of the biggest experts, collectors and sneaker nerds to mark their biggest grail of the year.

The usual suspects are all here, sure. But 2023 has also been full of surprises. Blue was outrageously popular, gorpcore refused to die, and New Balance played a leading role. Here are the best sneakers of 2023, as told by 23 sneakerheads.

A-Cold-Wall* x Nike Air Max Plus ‘House Blue’

“I remember seeing these in person for the first time in Paris during Fashion Week in June. That ‘House Blue’ caught my eye straight away. Growing up in Paris, the Air Max Plus has always been an iconic shoe to me. Now that I live in London, seeing such a great execution of the silhouette by a UK label made me love them even more. You can really see Samuel Ross’ DNA through these.”

Thierry Tek, creative director at Beautifully Said

Action Bronson x New Balance 990v6 ‘Lapis Lazuli’

“From the colourblocking and the shape, all the way to the comfort, I love everything about this shoe. I legit struggled to find a pair in my size for most of the year. New Balance has done a great job of finding the right ambassadors and curators of late, and the Action Bronson ‘Lapis Lazuli’, in my opinion, hasn’t been talked about enough in our space.”

Jaysse Lopez, founder at Urban Necessities

Aminé x New Balance 610T ‘The Mooz’

“Since the gorpcore trend came into play, there’s been a bit of a resurgence of the New Balance 610T, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I love the rotten banana colourway, and the little details that Aminé added to this silhouette really make it stand out to me. This paired with an extremely comfortable fit makes for a perfect shoe.”

Saam Zonoozi, co-founder at Picante

Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Air Flea 2 ‘Faded Spruce’

“The Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Air Flea 2 is one of the best sneakers of 2023 because it’s provocatively different. When I saw the shoe for the first time, I desperately wanted it. I guess the proportions attracted me in the first place. I like products that add something incrementally new to the marketplace. Too many brands play it too safe these days.”

Till Jagla, founder at Flowers for Society

Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 SP ‘Pink Beam’

“This year has been a significant one for the sneaker space, but if I had to choose one of the best sneakers of 2023, then I have to give the Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 SP ‘Pink Beam’ a special shoutout. What this trainer means to British culture just can't be underestimated, and Corteiz killed it with the release and the guerrilla marketing around it.”

Wahaaj Shabbir, head of sneakers at eBay UK

J.L-A.L x Hoka Tor Ultra Low ‘Dune’

“The J.L-A.L x Hoka Tor Ultra Low has got to be one of the most comfortable shoes that I’ve even worn. They're so easy to style and they’ve stayed in my rotation for the entire year.”

Nicole McLaughlin, conceptual designer

JJJJound x New Balance 991 ‘Grey’

“In my opinion, JJJJound's take on the New Balance 991 is the perfect everyday trainer and one of the best sneakers of the year. They're extremely comfy, and the earthy colours work well with a lot of the earthy tones that we have released this season.”

Vik Tailor, creative director at Mki Miyuki Zoku

MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon ACS Pro ‘Blue Bonnet’

“I would pick the Salomon GCS Pro, now known as the Salomon ACS Pro. The reason is because this was created in the mid-2000s while I was living in Germany and working with the Adidas Innovation Team, otherwise known as AIT. I had full creative control from the beginning to the end, with full support coming from both Adidas and Salomon on all levels.

“It was a very successful collaboration between two brands that have very different products and creative mindsets. The new version of the shoe is still a testament of its futuristic design back then, and it continues to capture the attention of new generations.”

Christian Tresser, footwear designer

MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Cross Mid ‘Bering Sea’

“I don't believe in favourites. Right now, I like the MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Cross Mid. I like them because they're not too simple and not too trendy, and they're also one of the most comfortable shoes that I own.”

Dominic Ciambrone, founder and creative director at Surgeon

New Balance 550 Suede Pack ‘Team Royal’

“It took me a while to decide what my favourite sneaker of the year was, but if I had to choose just one, the New Balance 550 is my number one shoe of 2023. It’s so cool to see a sneaker that I designed in my early 20s dominating the market 35 years later. It’s humbling to see them all over the world.”

Steven Smith, footwear designer

New Balance Tokyo Design Studio 610S ‘Outerspace’

“For me, the New Balance Tokyo Design Studio 610S is one of the best sneakers of 2023. I like it because I feel like the shoe embodies what the future of New Balance looks like.”

Cesar Idrobo, footwear designer

Nike Mac Attack OG ‘Light Smoke Grey’

“My personal favourite from 2023 would be Nike Mac Attack OG ‘Light Smoke Grey.’ I’m all about reliving a past era that I couldn’t have experienced, and this sneaker does just that for me.

"After almost 40 years, the Mac Attack has finally been retroed for the first time ever, making this release quite special. I’m glad that Nike started with the original colourway, and they did a pretty good job on the materials, shape, and packaging.”

Dennis Mazur, CEO at Sneakerdenn

Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’

“The Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’ is such a clean shoe. A fusion of Jordan Brand's iconic aesthetic with SB Dunk technology just hits hard. Bringing skate culture into the basketball realm, it's infused with a preppy old school New York vibe. An easy to throw-on pair, it can be easily dressed up or down, automatically making it one of the coolest Air Jordan 4s ever.”

Moses Rashid, CEO and founder at The Edit LDN

Oakley Factory Team Edge Boot ‘Black’

“OK, so they're not technically a new sneaker. These brutes were first released in the early 2000s when my mother would never have allowed it. But I'm my own person now, with rent to pay and proper grown-up existential dread, so I can have Oakley's re-released Edge Boot.

"As the name strongly implies, it's a trainer with all the chainmail of a real romper stomper. Which means a super thick sole (one that takes its cue from Oakley's best-selling Chop Saw, FYI), and a silhouette that's chunky without verging on f*cking ridiculous. Plus, 2023 has been the Year of the Oakley: the wraparounds have made warehouse raves look all the rosier, and the torquey sneakers make your 12-hour shifts all the more cushioned.”

Murray Clark, senior style editor at GQ

Reebok Premier Road Modern ‘Tonal Silver’

“I really like the innovative side of this trainer. Reebok producing a shoe with a fully-moulded upper, an injected outer sole, and a design that's specifically tailored for the natural running action brings the brand straight to the forefront of the market. This really is an athlete’s shoe."

Joe Foster, founder at Reebok

Rtfkt x Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Murakami Drip’

“The Rtfkt x Nike Air Force 1 Low is a very important shoe from many perspectives. Rtfkt is a recent acquisition by Nike Inc. and is the first one since Converse in 2003. It's the Swoosh’s big vote on the future of Web3, Blockchain, and digital creations. It’s also a massive move for artist Takashi Murakami. And, of course, it’s absolutely insane that three nerds built this incredible brand in a such short amount of time.”

Jeff Staple, CEO at Reed Art Department

Stone Island x New Balance 991v2 ‘Black’

“For me, the Stone Island x New Balance 991v2 is the perfect everyday shoe. I've worn them so much since getting them and they still look brand new. I'm also a huge fan of the updated look of the 991. It's funny because all of my work explodes with colour, but when it comes to my everyday pairs, I'm always opting for a nice, easy colourway that goes with any outfit.”

Lorenzo Federici, artist at Lorenz.OG

Stüssy x Nike Air Penny 2 ‘Fossil’

“As a female with small feet, it’s historically been hard for me to get my hands on retro basketball silhouettes like this, so when Stüssy released the Air Penny 2 in smaller sizes, I was stoked. I love the continuation of the streetwear label's hemp treatment that we’ve seen previously on the Air Force 1 and Spiridon – it’s super chic and easy to style.”

Titi Finlay, multidisciplinary artist

Tiffany & Co. x Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘1837’

“I was very pleasantly surprised by the understated appearance of the when it was released; the black suede and ‘Tiffany Blue’ Swoosh was the perfect colour combination on an AF1 silhouette. The silver hardware was the right amount of jewel, and despite its high wearability, I suspect that anyone who was lucky enough to acquire a pair will likely keep it safely stored away in their closet.”

Natasha Advani, consultant and founder at Not/Applicable

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Golf ‘Olive’

“It's been another big year for sneakers. The Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Golf in ‘Olive’ is my top pick. I love the intersection between streetwear and golf.”

Scott Cutler, CEO at StockX

Vandy the Pink x Clarks Wallabee Boot ‘Burger’

“A classic silhouette that can be dressed up or down, one of my favourite releases of the year is the Clarks Wallabee, more specifically, the Wallabee Cupsole. This has a much thicker sole compared to the regular version, and it gives off both a casual and dressy look at the same time.”

Vandy the Pink, artist and designer

Vans Vault Half Cab ‘Lux Duct’

“I love the story behind the Half Cab ‘Lux Duct’ by Vans and what it represents. The pre-distressed look will always be a winner in my book.”

Phillip Leyesa, artist at Philllllthy

Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba ‘Leopard’

“In my opinion, this was the most non-sneaker year ever. While the post-pandemic footwear fan gravitated towards trail shoes and the Dunk Low ‘Panda,’ 2023 felt like an agnostic season when it came to fashion below-the-ankles. The ubiquity of Mschf, Crocs, Birkenstocks, and other mules sounded a protest against participating in the gruelling sneaker race.

"There are only so many drops to keep up with, and less funds in the bank to afford the action. If there was ever a shoe that captured the attitude, however, it was the Adidas Samba. Low profile, unassuming, yet stylish and opinonated. And I feel like Adidas saved the best for last, delivering the Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba ‘Leopard’ as a part of a four-pack. A leopard print Samba underscored with blue accents made for a perfectly likable, algorithmically winsome shoe in this dry climate. It was almost too easy.”

Bobby Kim, co-founder at The Hundreds