Top 10 Streetwear Sneakers (not just sneakers in general)

Everyone wears something on their feet. But a select few have a passion for footwear to the point of almost an obsession. Sneakers went from function of just wearing something to walk around, to a billion dollar modern art industry. The term sneakerhead usually refers to people in the streetwear culture with a love for sneakers. Classic, exclusive, or eye catching is a few ways to describe most of the shoes in streetwear culture. There is a number of elite sneaks in this culture but this list is of those that stood above the rest as well as sneakers that had a major impact on the streetwear culture. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER...HERE THEY ARE:


Air Jordan III: Jordan is arguably the best basketball player ever, and his shoes are arguably the best basketball sneaks ever. Like most of the early Jordans when released, the IIIs were something never seen before. Classic Jordans always have a place in streetwear and the introduction of the cement print on the IIIs were everywhere! Nah serious, for a while many other sneaks, shirts, shorts even socks had cement print on them because of this shoe; including another heavy hitter, The Supreme Dunks.





Nike Air Foamposite One: The Pennys. The "Foams" look crazy. When they first dropped they almost looked futuristic. This is a basketball shoe that gave people another option other than Jordans on and off the court. They have come out in head turning colorways since their original release and will always be a classic in streetwear culture.





Nike Dunk SB "Pigeons": This was one of those sneakers that brought back the early 90s Jordan type havoc in big cities over a shoe. In 2005, this skateboard shoe had people camped outside for days, and once released; fights, robberies and riots broke out. Over a shoe. Crazy.





Bathing Ape: This is a shoe a lot of people might not have liked. It essentially is a pair of expensive Air Forces. But the impact of the sneaker was monumental for streetwear. If it wasn't for this sneaker, the whole Bape craze might not have happened. This shoe sparked a trend where people were buying $100 screen print cotton t-shirts, and hoodies that zipped all the way up like a body bag.






Nike Yeezys: Kanye West is one of the biggest artist in the world, as well as a huge fashion enthusiast. He was first recognized in the streetwear culture before the world found out about Mr. West. His signature shoe with Nike was more than just an artist collaboration, it is almost as if he actually plays professional basketball and they gave him his own shoe. That's sick in itself, but to top it off the sneak glows in the dark.




Nike SB Supreme Blazer: In the mix of a bunch of classic dunks, nike collaborated with Supreme to create a staple in streetwear culture. The Blazer, a shoe originally for basketball became a popular style in streetwear, and none more elite than the Supreme Blazer. The simplicity style of the shoe is almost regal. The quilted leather like a Chanel bag, red and green Gucci pattern on the back, snakeskin Nike check, and a gold buckle to make my cypher complete, what more can I say Guru play the beat!





Nike Dunk "FLOM": F.L.O.M.-For the Love of Money. Futura designed shoe, only 24 created. This sneaker is for sale on Ebay for $9500...need I say more? How bout you can buy this house in Detroit for less than that. Boom.






Vans: Vans makes the list for bringing the laid back west coast style everywhere. Skateboarding is a huge influence in streetwear culture and Vans have been popular in skateboarding since its origin. Mainly right now the Canvas Authentic shoe, but from the W Tap Chukkas to the Japan Sk8 Hi's, Vans maintains a elite spot in streetwear by just keeping it simple.





Nike Dunk SB "Tiffanys": One of the most well known SBs among sneakerheads, the Tiffany's is just a beautiful shoe. Designed inspired by the jewelry story, the shoe has the Aqua colorway, as well as black crocodile print. This shoe was also responsible for me becoming a hypebeast. I felt just like the guy in this video.






Nike Air Max 1 "Kidrobot": Nike and Barneys New York collaborated with toy art company Kidrobot to produce a limited edition Nike Air Max 1 exclusively for Barneys New York. It is a very exclusive shoe and you have to be in the know to really get the hype. The shoe design is inspired by the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte III Royale and currently for sale on flightclub.com for $1400.





HONORABLE MENTIONS: Air Jordan IV Undftd: very expensive and exclusive, Air Max I "Amsterdam": one of the most popular yet exclusive air max, Adidas Superstars "Shelltops": Not really a streetwear shoe but thanks to Run DMC opening the door, sneaker companies collaborate with celebrities giving the opportunity for Questlove air forces Is and Pharrell Nike Dunks, Nike Dunk "Paris": selling for $4500, Nike Air Force 180 "Union": Another style basketball shoe, crazy design, very exclusive