NIKE WMNS DUNK LOW LIGHT SOFT PINK 25.5cm | The Best General Release Sneakers of 2023
Sneaker releases have been bountiful in 2023, with the calendar remaining stacked week on week. While collaborations and limited drops will always dominate headlines, footwear brands have been dropping heat for the masses in 2023. Ranging from OG classics to new and funky silhouettes, we took a look back at the past year of the best general releases of 2023.
‘Reimagined’ colourways bring a familiar but new take on classic OG colourways of , and the ‘White Cement’ got the treatment earlier this year for its 35th anniversary.
While ‘Reimagined’ sneakers such as the Air Jordan 1 swapped in new materials on OG colourways, the AJ3 ‘Reimagined’ went a more subtle route. The majority of the sneaker stays true to the original, but the biggest deviation is the 'Sail' midsole and heel tab that brings an aged and patinated look.
Even with massive numbers of inventory and Wool restocks, the sneaker sold out and is on the shortlist for the best sneaker of 2023, so it rightfully makes our list of the best GR sneakers of 2023.
We thought had a massive 2022, but the Japanese footwear brand turned things up to 11 and brought the heat in 2023. From limited collaborations to GR colourways of sneakers such as the GEL-Kayano 14 and GT-2160, the GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC blends the best of both worlds.
Kiko Kostadinov’s DNA is all over the ASICS GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC. Dropped in three colourways earlier this year, the Kiko vibes are apparent with the sneaker sharing the same midsole tooling as the collaborative ASICS Levitrack. The GEL-QUANTUM KINETIC uses an airy mesh upper with synthetic overlays that take inspiration from past KINETIC runners.
The funky GEL midsole provides more of an avant-garde look compared to other popular ASICS mesh runners but keeps it a bit more subtle compared to Kiko x ASICS/Novalis sneakers for the masses.
This one is really for the OGs. The sneaker debuted in 1984 and despite developing a cult-like following, it has never received a retro. The signature sneaker of John McEnroe is a grail for some OG collectors, and after years of clamouring for a retro, we got lucky in 2023 when the Swoosh listened. The retro maintains the OG's spirit while also ensuring its functionality. The cupsole and quality materials on the upper make it a very Friends sneaker that can still perform on centre court if necessary.
Nike Air Max SC-sko til mindre børn hvid hasn’t gotten a refresh since the sneaker debuted in 2001. That all changed earlier this year with the New Balance 991v2.
At first glance, they look similar to the v1, but the v2 has some drastic changes under the hood. FuelCell is now used in the midsole with beefier ABZORB SBS pods placed in the heel and forefoot, bringing a more plush ride compared to the original.
A staple in anyone’s rotation and hidden in plain sight, the NB 991v2 is much like a sleeper car build, putting a twin-turbo V8 inside of a Toyota Camry.
The has been around for almost 30 years, and the Sergio Lozano-designed sneaker is still going strong in 2023.
While we never get sick of the grey gradient colour blocking, Nike flipped it on its head with the ‘Black Neon’ colourway. The gradient now runs up from grey to black with the signature Neon accenting staying on the lace loops and Swoosh.
Somehow after thousands of colourways, Nike still makes the nike air zoom gt cut black crimson green feel new yet recognisable at the same time with this ‘Black Neon’ colourway.
Basketball retros from across all brands will always be the heartbeat of sneaker culture. While nostalgic sneakers are always welcome, things have evolved and brands have brought hybrid retros into the picture such as the Kobe-inspired adidas Crazy Infinity.
Blending the adidas Kobe 1, Kobe 2, and never-released Kobe 3, familiar design features from Kobe’s tenure are front and centre in the Crazy Infinity. The chunky and shrouded sneaker keeps things grounded with their monochrome colourways so far and would slide right in with Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God x adidas collection.
The signature sneaker for Charles Barkley is a reflection of Chuck’s game and attitude. Rugged, bold, and unapologetic, the Nike newsfeed der nike air force 1 toasty haelt euch warm just looks intimidating.
The OG colourway heightens things with its contrasting white and black build with a uptempo of Suns flair on the purple accenting. The chunky sneaker used a heel Air Max2 180 unit back in the day but now opts for a traditional Air Max unit in its place. While other colourways have dropped in 2023, nothing beats the original.