2021 has been an interesting year for sneakers. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of the same silhouettes from previous years with just a small colourway switch-ups as the year went on but there have been some absolute gems that turned up and made this one of the best years for sneakers. This has also been the biggest year for BUY MY SNEAKER which meant that we’ve had the privilege of sourcing and stocking all of these incredible shoes on our list.
Air Jordan 4 Retro 'University Blue'
A classic silhouette with a classic hue – A winning formula. This has been one of our biggest sellers this year and it’s not difficult at all to see why.
Bad Bunny x Forum Buckle Low 'Back To School'
Kanye has been doing his thing at Adidas and it clearly seems to be working. Yeezys are still some of the best selling items in the sneaker world. When a brand new silhouette releases, it’s always going to be something special – especially if it’s something so different and so unique. Kanye got some help on this design minimalistic, yet futuristic design by Steve Smith.
These haven’t been able to stay in stock since they initially dropped in March.
YEEZY 450
Kanye has been doing his thing at Adidas and it clearly seems to be working. Yeezys are still some of the best selling items in the sneaker world. When a brand new silhouette releases, its always going to be something special – especially if its something so different and so unique. Kanye got some help on this design minimalistic, yet futuristic design by Steve Smith.
These haven’t been able to stay in stock since they initially dropped in March.
2002R 'Protection Pack - Rain Cloud'
This was part of what made New Balance have one of its best years. These were released as part of a pack of three sneakers which sold out instantly wherever it was released. Each pair featured textural suede panels overlaid with unfinished edges and flashes of exposed foam on the incredible 2002R silhouette which has been a hit since NB brought it back last year.
Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Cool Grey' 2021
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of this iconic shoe, Jordan Brand brings back a colourway first released in 2001 and retroed again in 2010. This is one of the best colourways of the iconic silhouette and there was absolutely no chance that they weren’t going to make our list. A must-have for 2021.
Comme des Garçons Homme Plus x Air Foamposite One
This has been such a hit. We absolutely love the fact that CDG has managed to take a silhouette, originally released back in 1997, and reworked it with its unique details and zen garden-inspired design which made for the first time that the mould has been changed since its inception. They were released in both black and white colourways.
Joe Freshgoods x 990v3 Made In USA 'Outside Clothes'
On paper, this combination of colours just should not work – but Chicago-based designer, Joe “Freshgoods” Robinson, returned to work with New Balance to give us one of the best releases of the year. This is such a beautiful shoe, especially in person.
The shoe was inspired by Joe’s experience of growing up in Chicago’s West Side during the ‘90s. And the 90s feel is what makes this such a special release for us.
Off-White x Dunk Low 'Lot 50 of 50'
RIP VIRGIL.
Of the huge “The 50” dunk low collection from Virgil Abloh and Nike, this pair represents the final instalment simply dubbed ‘Dear Summer’. It was the only pair from the entire collection of 50 shoes that stood out completely from the rest.
The black base, silver swoosh, exposed foam tongue, a secondary set of rope laces overlaid atop the upper, Virgil’s signature Helvetica text and the hints of purple makes this a great shoe to look at and to have in your collection.
Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low
Beating the high version, the Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low is the perfect representation of what makes a good collaboration. It blends signature details associated with both Travis Scott’s and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s brands onto an iconic silhouette.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3 Retro SP 'Raised By Women'
This shouldn’t come as a surprise if you are at all familiar with the sneaker world. This is just one of those releases that once they drop, you know that they are going to be the best of the year. We received our first shipment of these kicks back in June, and even back then with only half the year gone it was already set to be the top of our list.
Striking a perfect balance between heritage and modern-day design, this premium take on the Jordan 3 is simply perfect. Atlanta-based retailer, A Ma Maniére, has been part of some of the most desirable sneaker collaborations over the past few years. This would be thanks to James Whitner’s impeccable eye for details and a desire to tell crucial and timely stories.
