2022 was full of unique sneaker releases. Nike dropped a lot of Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 2, and it was also a good year for New Balance. Together with several sneaker enthusiasts in the scene, we look back at the best releases of the year and ask them what their most memorable moments of the sneaker world were in 2022.
Titi Finlay
Top 3 releases 2022:
- AMBUSH X Nike Adjust Force (Black)
- JJJJound X Asics Gel Kayano
- Social Status X Nike Air Penny
- Special mention: Helen Kirkum x Asics x Footpatrol project
Biggest L:
Definitely the Social Status Pennys. I wasn't able to get them in the UK or in my size!
Most memorable moment:
Taking over Nike Town three times, designing the spaces across 2 floors, releasing my own patches/product, and seeing all the community come through to share the experience with me!
DJ Turne
Top 3 releases 2022:
Although New Balance had some of the best, it just is not enough for me yet. And remember I am a simple man.
Biggest L:
Although shorty and everybody and they mama got em….. the Air Jordan 1 'Lost and Found'.
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment this year:
The Turnover! (Shout out to my Sneakerjagers team)
Most memorable moment:
adidas cutting Ye off. I told you last year I can't stand Kanye and right now that feeling is at an all-time high. A good side note is that it is evidently clear the man lost his marbles and needs help. Starting to feel a little sorry for him …. but only a teeny weeny little bit. Fuck em!!!
SneakerQueen
Top 3 releases 2022:
- adidas Rivalry Low 86 - Core White / Off White / Team Power Red
- SoulGoods x Nike - Dunk High Neutral Grey
- Nike Air Trainer 1 - Photon Dust / Lt Smoke Grey
Biggest L:
Nike SB Lobster Dunk
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
Working on a new sneaker collaboration with one of the big ones.
Most memorable moment:
When I took an L on the Lost&Found Jordan 1 and out of the blue an old colleague/friend who I hadn’t seen in over a decade came through with a pair for retail!
Erol Egotrips
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Saucony Azura Super7 Czarface Czarcony
- New Balance 2002R Salehe Bembury Water Be The Guide
- Afew x Asics Gel-Lyte III "Beauty of Imperfection"
Biggest L:
Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG A Ma Maniére and the
Nike x Tom Sachs General Purpose Shoe sneakers.
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
Our agency (Studio Egotrips) had the pleasure to design and realize the special box for the Afew Store x Asics SMU release this year. The overall theme was mental health and the whole project was also followed by an important charity action.
Most memorable moment:
In addition to the most beautiful performance, the same project for Afew and Asics was also my personal highlight or the most significant project for me in 2022. In addition to the special box, I was allowed to tell of my personal experiences with my past depression illness, in an interview video and give the project a voice.
Salehe Bembury x New Balance 2002R 'Water Be The Guide'
Jeroen Friso
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Reverse Mocha’
- Air Jordan 1 Retro High ‘Lost & Found’
- Louis Vuitton LV Trainer Monogram Denim White/Black
Biggest L:
First release that comes to my mind is the Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1 Low, specifically the
white/green colorway. It’s the perfect mix/collaboration between a classic Nike silhouette and my favorite designer brand LV. Honestly though, for a simple sneaker enthusiast like me with very few connections in the scene, it was simply too difficult to get a pair. I tried my
best, also on the online release with a big number of devices, but after waiting for like 8 hours straight, the release was done. Afterward, I felt like I literally had 0% chance of getting them, which was very frustrating. And now resell value is simply way too high. But if I ever win the lottery, it will probably be one of the first pairs I would cop for resell.
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
This one is simple for me: building my very own sneaker room in my own house! At the end of December 2021, I moved into my first house together with my girlfriend. In the beginning of this year I went to the local construction shop, got all the materials I needed and began putting up shelves and other stuff together with my dad. I transformed the empty room into my very own ‘sneaker heaven’. It’s so cool to have such a place in my own house, and every time till this day I feel so blessed when I step into that room.
Most memorable moment:
I don’t think I have one specific memorable sneaker moment this year. I feel like with every hard-to-get release, when I receive a win somewhere, it feels special in its own way. But if I have to name one, it’ll probably be opening the box of the Air Jordan 1 Retro High ‘Lost & Found’. The Chicago Air Jordan 1 has been a colorway I wanted for about 4 years now, but I never came across a pair in my (big) size in a decent condition for a fair price. When I first heard about the ‘Lost & Found’ release, I thought that was my chance. Although they aren’t the exact Chicago’s, I absolutely loved them when I opened the box for the first time. And I even managed to get 2 pairs for retail. I’ve been rocking one pair already and I keep the second pair deadstock until my first pair breaks (if that ever happens).
Tasha Bains
Top 3 releases 2022:
1. Joey Freshgoods x New Balance 9060 'Inside Voices'
2. Hysteric Glamour x Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS Gel-Quantum 'Lylia'
3. Stüssy x Nike Air Max 2013 'Fossil'
Biggest L:
New Balance x Joe Freshgoods 'Performance Art' - Blue
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
Working with so many amazing brands including size? and Footpatrol as well as featuring on hypebae's/chivas regals roundtable talk with women in sneakers!
Most memorable moment:
Seeing so many women thrive in the scene and have their voices heard! Such as Titi Finlay's work with Nike this year! SO HUGE!
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 90/60 'Penny Cookie Pink' - Inside Voices
Marco Rizzi
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Stray Rats x New Balance MT580ST2 aka the green one
- FootPatrol x Mizuno Wave Rider 10
- Beams x PaperBoy Paris x New Balance 1500
Biggest L:
The latest one, Salehe Bembury x New Balance 990v2 “Sand be the time".
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
I pushed myself back to writing more, published some amazing stuff, and re-opened my blog after years. I also had a chance to interview Denis Dekovic during a live panel at Sneakerness Milan! Would say a tie between both.
Most memorable moment:
The amazing dinner we had to celebrate the Sneakers 76 x Le Coq Sportif latest collaboration in may. A lot of great friends & some amazing food & lots of sneakers chat. The first time it felt like we were properly back after two shitty years.
Miraldo Walden
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Nike Dunk Low x Size? Exclusive 'Dark Driftwood'
- Concepts x Nike Air Max 1 'Far Out'
- Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1 'Baroque Brown'
Biggest L:
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low 'Mocca'
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
I completed the Consepts x Nike Air Max 1 pack.
Most memorable moment:
Bought the Size? x Nike Dunk Exclusive for a steal on Sneakerness.
Hypetobs
Top 3 sneaker releases 2022:
1. adidas Response CL (GR colorways)
3. Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL 'Beige'
Biggest L:
When I ordered the GUCCI x adidas Gazelle, the package got lost on the way and I had some crazy weeks & months to finally be able to get at least my money back. That was a big L.
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
I was able to get two pairs off my wishlist: The Bad Bunny Forum 'The first Cafe' (even as a sample!) and the adidas Human Race Burgundy F&F pair!
Most memorable moment:
In general when I got in touch with a lot of adidas employees and friends again after such a long time without seeing & meeting each other. Feels good to discuss ideas in person again! But the most memorable sneaker moment was the adidas Press days where I was able to see a lot of upcoming pairs and talk about these with the PR people! A lot of great stuff coming 🙂
Jonas Cozone
Top 3 releases 2022:
Biggest L:
I'm usually not really interested in the most hyped releases so I easily managed to get all the pairs I wanted. No L's for me this year 🙂
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
Releasing my "Street RPG Characters" book, collaborating with Zalando to design the decoration of their booth at Sneakerness Amsterdam, and the Sneakerjagers collab too of course.
Most memorable moment:
Everything, working on my projects, sharing them, selling books, prints, shirts, etc. online and on events like Sneakerness and so on. Being thankful for the support I get!
Ernst-Heinrich Beckmann
Top 3 releases 2022:
- adidas Rivalry 86 Lo (Retro)
- adidas Centennial Lo (Retro)
- adidas El Dorado High (Retro)
Biggest L:
Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP – 'Reverse Mocha'
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
As one of only a handful of sneaker collectors worldwide, I was asked to provide a text for the autobiography of adidas design legend Jacques Chassaing.
Most memorable moment:
adidas dropping Ye.
Fabrice le Goff
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Diadora V7000 x L’Original & Bisso 'Strong Together'
- Air Jordan 1 High 'Lost & Found'
- Nike Air Force 1 'West Indies'
Biggest L:
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 'White'
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
My two collabs. One with Diadora and the other with Kangaroos.
Most memorable moment:
The release of my collaboration with Diadora sold out in 1 minute. It's something incredible.
Amadeus Thüner
Top 3 releases 2022:
- Nike SB Dunk 'Orange Lobster'
- A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4 'Violet Ore'
- Patta x Nike Air Max 1 - The Wave 'White'
Biggest L:
None.
Biggest sneaker-related accomplishment:
Playing Lollapalooza festival with OH, SCHUHEN!
Most memorable moment:
Playing Lollapalooza festival with OH, SCHUHEN!
SNEAKER OF THE YEAR 2022 - Presented by Sneakerjagers, Powered by StockX
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