Since this was my first year really stepping away from Nike primarily, I was able to discover some extremely dope pairs and appreciate some of the other brands that I had been overlooking for years. Still copped a Nike or two hear and there, but 90% of my 2015 pickups were from every brand except Nike, and I will say it's quite refreshing.
Below are my favorites from 2015 in no specific order:
HONORABLE MENTION: Adidas Ultra Boost: I'll admit, I came late to the party basically due to other pairs dropping always taking priority over them. But once I actually tried on a pair while on vacation, I understood what all the fuss was about.
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Nike Air Force 1 High "OG Purple": For years I envied anyone I saw who had an original pair of these, so when Nike decided to give them a "retro" it was a no brainer for me.
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Nike Air Jordan 1 "Chicago": A true to form Chicago retro? Now I can finally toss my 2013s
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Adidas Yeezy Boost 350: Initially passed on the Turtle Doves, but once I saw how they could actually be worn (not dressed like Kanye) I wanted a pair. My wife gave birth the weekend of the Turtle Dove release, so I was pretty much unable to try to cop especially since the hospital wifi was horrid. But once pictures of the Pirate Blacks were revealed, I knew I had to have a pair. Long story short, I basically scored a pair online from Adidas, and got lucky on another pair locally which I then traded for Turtle Doves.
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Titolo x Reebok Ventilator "Desert Dawn": A very dope color way on a very under appreciated shoe. I think that had this color way been on their Aspics 25th anniversary collab, they would've been better received.
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J. Crew x New Balance 998 "Hilltop Blue": Such a wearable color way with incredible quality. These were also my first New Balance 998s.
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Packer Shoes x Raekwon x Diadora N 9000 "Purple Tape": For nostalgic reasons alone, these had to be copped. Also makes it easy when the shoe is actually dope as hell.
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Nikelab Air Force 1 CMFT SP: A pretty random drop that I was glad that I was online for at the right time. Quality is dope and it's a nice versatile color way.
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Size? x Asics Gel Lyte III "Iris": An unofficial 25th anniversary drop, I'm still shocked at how overlooked these go simply because of promotion and backstory. By far my favorite Asics pickup of the year
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Sneaker Freaker x Saucony Grid 9000 SD "Kushwacker": If it's not obvious by now, I have a thing for purple sneakers. Was all about these since teaser pics leaked and was lucky enough to cop during the initial online drop.
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Nike Flyknit Racer "Multicolor 2.0": Wasn't paying those ridiculous prices for the 1.0s under any circumstances, so when news dropped of the 2.0s, that was right up my alley. First time the SNKRS app came through for me too so I was stoked.
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