Sneakers are one of the fastest-growing markets in the world and it will only continue to get bigger as companies like Nike, Jordan, and Adidas continue to drop the most sought after and limited shoes. Every week a new sneaker comes out that is not only limited in supply but also high in demand which has created a robust reseller market for sneakers. From Jordan ones to Nike SB’s if you aren’t able to get your hands on certain pairs on the release date, the penalty may be having to pay over triple the retail price to add the shoes to your collection. Below are five of the best sneaker releases from 2020 and 2021 that all had insane hype for a good reason.
SB Dunk Low x Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Dunky
Release Date: May 26th,2020
Ben and Jerry’s the ice cream company have always been known to be a loud and outspoken brand so when their chance to collaborate with Nike it was obvious that they would make a loud and unique shoe. So Putting their unique packaging from their ice cream on one of Nike’s most popular models, the Nike SB lows lead to it being one of the most popular releases of 2020. The tie-dye color scheme and the melting swoosh along with the limited supply box shaped like Ben and Jerry’s ice cream packaging was extremely low in supply. They instantly sold out at a retail price of $100 and now if you want to get your hands on a pair of Chunky Dunky’s the lowest price on Stock X is $1,245.
Supreme x Nike SB Dunk Low
Release Date: March 4th, 2021
Another Nike SB low model makes an appearance on the best sneakers list this time due to Nike’s collaboration with Supreme. Since Supreme was created in new york in 1994 it has been one of the most popular streetwear brands in the united states. Nike and Supreme have a long and detailed history of Collaborations that have always created a large amount of buzz and demand for their shows. Now in 2021, they went all out releasing four different colorways of the Nike SB lows with a supreme labeled insole and reflective stars on the outside of the shoe. The colorways “Black”, “Mean Green,” “Hyper Blue” and “Barkroot Brown” are all a reference to Nike and Supreme’s first collab together from 2002. The shoes retailed at $110 and just like the Chunky Dunkys they were extremely limited and sold out almost instantly.
Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 High OG
Release Date : February 10th, 2021
Trophy Room was founded by Marcus Jordan the son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time Micheal Jordan. Although Marcus Jordan has often been in the news for doing business in the wrong ways when it comes to his sneaker store these shoes still had everyone hoping they would get a chance at purchasing them. The Jordan 1s are already one of the most iconic sneaker models in athletic and streetwear so when Trophy Room added a twist on the original Chicago colorway from Jordan’s rookie season it took the hype to another level.
The Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 High OG were given the nickname “freeze out” as a reference to when MJ was frozen out of the 1985 All-Star Game. The shoes came with MJ’s signature engrained on the heel of the shoe and the Trophy Room logo on the insole along with blue laces, they retailed at $190.
UNDEFEATED x Nike Zoom Kobe IV
Release Date: April 2nd, 2021
The next sneaker on the list is also inspired by one of the greatest players in basketball history, Kobe Bryant. While Kobe may have passed tragically too soon with so much left to give his legacy still lives on and Undefeated decided that they would retro their Collab from 2019 with part of the proceeds going to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation in memory of Kobe and Gianna. On the back of each heel, the numbers 8 & 24 were featured as a reference to Kobe’s jersey numbers he wore as a player for the Los Angles Lakers. While Kobe’s iconic logo made an appearance on the tongue of each shoe. Kobe Bryant still has a massive following so the shoes were extremely popular and sought after, all five colorways black, teal, orange, purple, and green retailed at $180 only on undefeated.com.
Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”
Release Date : TBD
The last shoe on my Best Sneaker list has not been released yet but has been confirmed for the end of the year like many of the previous Air Jordan 11s have been. The Cool Grey Jordan 11s first released in 2001 meaning that this release in 2021 will mark the 20 year anniversary of the shoe being available. While the Cool Grey 11s aren’t a part of the OG colorway line from Micheal Jordan’s playing days on the Chicago Bulls, he wore them as a member of the Washington Wizards. These have easily become one of the most popular shoes from the Air Jordan catalog so whenever a release date is set, those who want a pair should be ready to make a note in their calendar.
