Every year holds new personal favorite sneaker pickups. Every favorite list is entirely subjective and represents an individual’s style and personal taste in sneakers.
2023 has been personally slow for pickups for multiple reasons. However, a list is still doable and justified every year.
Nike Air Force One West Indies Anniversary Edition
The original AF1 West Indies that dropped over twenty years ago is a major grail. The craze behind them was unmatched at the time. Although the OG pair would be nice to have, I have no complaints about the anniversary pair.
I surprised myself this year and bought my first every pair of Air Forces. When I saw this particular pair on sale on Nike, I knew I had to grab them. Most sneaker pickups for $60 are a great deal, but a brand new pair is rarely heard of at such a price point in 2023. “West Indies: Anniversary Edition” completes the iconic look on the tongue tag.
New Balance 574 x Joe Freshgoods
Although this pair is slept on, I knew I had to add them to my collection. A neutral pair of sneakers for a reasonable price is rarely passed on. This pair is extremely versatile and gets a lot of use because of how easy they are to wear. The materials are also constructed well together.
The 574 remains one of New Balance’s classic models. Joe Freshgoods has been killing his collabs with NB and shows no signs of slowing down. Expect more solid work between the Chicago native and the Boston-based sneaker label.
The partnership between Joe Freshgoods and New Balance has just scratched the surface of the full potential for both parties. Anyone who keeps up with sneakers has seen the power of a collaboration. New Balance prides itself on working with creatives who appreciate history while looking to break boundaries as well.
New Balance 550 x Aimé Leon Dore White
After twenty plus years of not buying New Balance, I bought several pairs this year. The brand has another supporter as they continuously produce amazing collabs and take pride in their craftsmanship.
This particular pair is versatile as well and has been one of my most worn sneakers this year. They go with just about everything and don’t look bad after getting beat up.
Teddy Santis and his label Aimé Leon Dore have been making serious noise in the sneaker community. His collabs with New Balance have been causing sneaker enthusiasts to flock to the highly popular 550 model.
Without any surprise, another New Balance makes my list of favorite sneaker pickups for 2023.
A Ma Maniere x Nike Air Ship Black/White
Nike dominates my top sneaker pickups yet again. The Nike Air Ship is typically a silhouette that doesn’t get much attention, but A Ma Maniere (AMM) changed the story this year. Through their impeccable collabs with Nike, AMM prides itself on quality and craftsmanship. Signature details such as an inner tongue label and premium sock lining highlight this special Air Ship.
The AMM Nike Air Ship revived some attention and appreciation for the sneaker. A luxurious feel for only $140 retail is damn near unbeatable in today’s sneaker market. The cream/”aged” midsole competes this pair to emulate the original Nike Air Ships. The pair that came before the iconic Air Jordan 1 doesn’t get as much love, but A Ma Maniere allowed sneaker enthusiasts to appreciate history more with this collab.
Nike Dunk Low Red Panda
The Nike Dunk Low has been over-saturated and run into the ground. However, an appealing collab or new colorway might come out every now and then. The Red Pandas immediately caught my eye when I first saw them online. The neutral/fall colors pairs well with my closet so this pickup was a no-brainer.
Perfect for the fall. A new colorway brings a refreshing look to the well-known Dunks.
Nike will continue to produce countless pairs of general release Dunks. Hopefully, the Oregon-bases giant will use collabs to encourage artists and creatives to give the model inspiring looks and stories to tell.
Sneaker Pickups: Looking Forward
Moving forward, I plan to be even more intentional with my sneaker pickups. New sneakers are being released everyday, so missing out on certain pairs shouldn’t lead to irrational decisions. Wearability and versatility are two major components that I look for in new sneakers. Loud and colorful sneakers may be cool to wear sometimes, but colors that pair well with numerous clothes typically get more wear and overall use.
Sneaker pickups are exciting year and year out. Personal style changes as will new sneaker pickups and the type of sneakers being collected.
