Top 10 Sneakers of 2008
By now you should have returned all the presents you got that you weren’t feeling and hopefully exchanged them for something sweet. I went to one of my sneaker spots with some cash I got for Christmas (Thanks Grandma!) when I got the idea that I should give a shout out to my favorite sneakers of 2008.
KD 1 in at #8Now, some of the kicks on this list don’t drop until early ‘09, but what the heck, you guys have seen them on this site already. I made the list based on price, style, and overall hotness.
10. Converse Jack Purcell: Now, a lot of you guys weren’t feeling these at all. But since the day I got a pair I have worn them out on at least 5 dates and each time I was complimented on them.
9. adidas TS Creator: Earlier this season I saw Tracy McGrady play in these and wanted these joints right then and there. The TS Creator is by far one of the hottest on-court joints out. The Chauncey colorway they released for his return to Denver was absolutely bonkers.
8. Nike KD 1: This sneaker (pictured above) doesn’t drop until February but come I had to get them in the top 10. Not only are they lightweight but the colorway is stoopid! (If you know me then you know what I mean)
7. Nike Air Max 90 Boot: Now, I know this doesn’t technically classify as a ’sneaker’ but Nike sold me when they combined two of my favorite kicks; the Air Max 90 and the Nike Boot.
6. Jordan Brand Six Rings Championship Pack: Another collaboration that I totally was feeling. A combo of all the kicks MJ wore when he got his ‘chips were at their hottest this past year with the release of the this Championship Pack.
5. Converse D. Wade 4: Another pair of kicks that some of you guys didn’t really feel, the D. Wade 4 grew on me also. The all-white colorway is bangin’ but the special edition white (with the orange and black specs) are the business.
4. Jordan Brand Fusion VI: I have been a fan of the Jordan Brand’s Fusion collection since day one. I like the Fusion VIs because it is a bit more of a high top…and those are always better to rock with jeans.
11 plus 12 = #1
3. Jordan Brand Melo M5: Like I said in the original post, the M5 is exactly what I want in a basketball performance sneaker. You really can play the 1 to 5 and still benefit from these joints.
2. Nike Zoom LeBron VI: Yo, I have a couple of pairs of these and they don’t even touch the court. Although this is a bball performance shoe, They might be the hottest kicks on the street for hoopin’ and chillin. The Big Apple Zoom LeBron VI is nothing short of bananas.
1. Jordan Brand XI and XII Coundown Pack: I mean…the Air Jordan XI and the Air Jordan XII together. You can’t go wrong. Most sneakerheads will tell you that the AJXI is the greatest sneaker ever. I am not arguing.
What Were Your Favorite Sneakers of 2008?
December 31st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Smitty313 says:
Besides the Jordan retros I would take the new Kobe’s and Hyperdunks over everything on this list. The new D-Wades, D-Wade himself dose not even like them. He never wears them. I hate the six rings. Jordan needs to stop mix shoes up.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Kobeef says:
No mention of the ZK4 or the Hyperdunk? I smell a hater
The Wade’s are f-ugly. Even wade is wearing his old shoes.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Kobeef says:
Wow – that is weird – we (Smitty313) just said the same thing (basically)
December 31st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
original2k9 says:
the hyperdunks dont even make the top 10 ? fo real ?
December 31st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Kobeef says:
Seriously, best shoe of 2008 is the Spiz-ike
http://swagger.files.wordpress.com/2007/01/spizike_black.jpg
December 31st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
bruce says:
come on ya list sucks… HYPERDUNKS, 6RINGS, 12 and 11 pack, zoom soldier 3, and zoom soldier 2, cb 34, air bakin, the air flight premium,
December 31st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Smitty313 says:
I know I’m a big Kobe fan but, you can’t tell me there were ten better shoes than the hyperdunk. Dime would not give anything Kobe affiliated any love. Melo shoes are some of the worst of his career. Know lat year the Kobe three were ugly as hell (but I still own a few pair), but the Kobe 4 are nice. KD1 look like Kobe 2 lites, D-Wade 4 garbage, Lebron 6 reminds me of nike boots. I don’t know if that was Lebrons aim for his shoe. I’m also a big King James fan (I KNOW THERE IS SOME UNWRITTEN RULE SOMEWHERE THAT IF YOUR A KOBE FAN YOU HAVE TO HATE LEBRON), and a few pair of his shoes.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:43 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
This list is a joke with no HYperdunks. The best bastketball shoe ever invented.
Forget that Kobe endorses the shoe, if you’ve ever played in them you know that no other shoe comes close.
Cleary CGF is a fashionista and not hoop guy.
But thats cool.
December 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
jmg says:
dWades converse are terrible! DIME step your kicks game up!!
December 31st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
NTstateOFmind says:
in no particular order…
– Nike Hyperdunks in general
– Jordan XX3
– AirMax 95 neon retro
– Jordan XI/XII pack
– CB34s
– Marty McFly Hyperdunks
– AirMax 90 infrared retro
– Adidas TS Creator
– Piet Mondrian SB Dunks
December 31st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
rob stewart says:
Nike Zoom Sharkley’s. They were everywhere.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
control says:
Here are the shoes I bought this year:
3 pairs black hyperdunks
3 pairs white hyperdunks
2 pairs (one brown, one black) of docker dress shoes
It’s obviously a mistake that the hyperdunks aren’t on the list…someone is starting the jello shots a few hours early eh?
December 31st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
CJ says:
Awesome list Christian!
K, now back to reality. Allow me to echo the others in saying this list is a joke.
With criteria based on “price, style and overall hotness” it’s amazing you don’t do this professionally, oh wait.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Danny says:
HYPERDUNKS
December 31st, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Jay says:
Having the 6Rings and VI Fusions on this list made me laugh.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
BRUCE says:
Jordan VI (6) + XVII (17).
VI — Carmines. Shoes is worth at least $300 alone.
XVII is just a bonus.
December 31st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
¢ says:
nice diverse list. and tho i wouldnt cop the kd’s. the orange and navy sole is pretty cool
December 31st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Ric Hardwood says:
for bball, Hyperdunks…
for stylin’, Supra Skytop…
December 31st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Alex from AZ says:
Hyperdunk has to be close to #1 if not #1. That shoe has changed the industry standard forever.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
mrcanadian says:
“But since the day I got a pair I have worn them out on at least 5 dates and each time I was complimented on them. ”
…so the guys that you’re dating really like those????
December 31st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
weng santos says:
10. Zoom Windmill (literally a sock for the court. Needs additional insoles, but fine on a taraflex or other synthetic cushioned court)
9. Adidas TS Creator (traction and support)
8. Jordan Melo M5 (not kidding, great for ballin’, anywhere, any style)
7. Nike Huarache 08 (feels like a lightning fast running shoe)
6. Jordan Olympia (all-arounder)
5. Nike Zoom KB4/Hyperdunk hybrid (damn, can’t get my hands on these, but a Hyperdunk upper plus the new refined KB4 botton should be amazing)
4. Jordan XX3 (black/red; other colors ok, but the classic Jordan colors are hot like fire!)
3. Adidas Rapid Bounce (epecially in white with blue patent- Yikes!)
2. Nike Hyperdunk (too light, too fly with the showoff Jordan 7 look)
1. Jordan 11/12 countdown pack (Nuff said)
December 31st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
bruce says:
well dime as u can see u made a HUGE mistake for not adding the hyperdunks or penny 2 retro.. yall sneakerr dude is wack im just sad to say
December 31st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
dennisfromdallas says:
The dislike/hate for anything Kobe is soooo transparent…Hyperdunks shoulda been no lower than #2.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
KING PLOW says:
How can a shoe that doesn’t come out until 2009 (Fusion VI’s) be one of the top shoes of ‘08?
you say get em, i say got em
December 31st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
QuEsT??? says:
damn cgf u are living my dream lol!
December 31st, 2008 at 7:01 pm
JCARR says:
@CGF
Are you the only one in the office who cares about sneakers?
December 31st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Pioneer says:
It seems like not a whole lot has changed in terms of Nike’s relationship with Dime. This may as well have been a Nike advertisement.
January 1st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Eric says:
you definitely missing the ZK4’s and the hyperdunks!!! classic joints!! i mite even throw the old school G-Hill’s (…they came back out as the Ninety6’s) in there b4 them D-Wade’s or the Melo’s. Stop the KOBE HATING!!! LOL..Im feeling your #1 though…that package was fire.
January 1st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
AB_40 says:
yeah where are the hyperdunks?
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 am
Jason says:
List of basketball shoes I purchased this year:
- Red/White/Blue Team USA Hyperdunks
- Black/Red Hyperdunks
- Black/White Hyperdunks
- Black/White Zoom Air 20-5-5
- Blue/White Air Zoom Flight 95
- Black/Grey Air Zoom Flight Five
The Hyperdunks are byfar my favorite basketball shoe of 2008 and I think most people who have played in them would also agree.
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
buffalo balla says:
the jack purcell’s are truly “jacked up”!!!!
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 am
Tadex says:
How can you make a top 10 sneaker list without pictures? Not everyone knows all the models by name and googling them is just additional unneeded hassle.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
joe says:
OK U GUYS DONT KNOW ANY THING ABOUT SHOES HYperdunks FUCKING SUCK DICK THEY RIP IN LIKE A WEEK BECAUSE THEY R TO LIGHT AND THE 6 RINGS IS A WAY BETTER SHOE THEN THAT PEICE OF SHIT HYPERDUNK AND ALSO JORDAN TRUE FIGHT AND JORDAN FUSION 5 AND COUNTDOWN PACK 5′S AND 18′S SHOULD OF BEEN ON THE LIST