The summer on smash made it tight on cash for lots of sneakerheads. Yes, in only a three-month span an ample amount of heat dropped, seeing the normally slow shoe season rise above expectations. What were the best releases? Hit the jump to see the next 5 pics and tell us what you think.. Next 5 tomorrow
20. adidas Originals by Originals Kazuki Kuraishi x CLOT “kzKLOT” Superstar 80s Royal Blue
Released: June 22
No, we’re not going to type that entire name out again. Kazuki Kuraishi flipped the script with the classic adidas Superstar 80s, turning it out in mesh to deal with the sticky Hong Kong summers. Only the royal blue adi weren’t just a regional hit, they popped worldwide.
19. Ronnie Fieg x New Balance 999 “Steel Blue”
Released: June 22nd
Ronnie Fieg’s name has became a staple in sneaker blog’s “Best of” lists for the past few years and the king of Kith keeps it that way with his “Steel Blue” New Balance 999s. Inspired by the classic New Balance 1300, the 999s are pig suede perfection.
18. Nike LeBron 9 Elite “Miami Vice”
Released: June 2nd
LeBron’s postseason shoe was sick enough in its initial gold-accented “home” and “away” white and black, but when word came of a “South Beach” inspired colorway — that was a wrap. Provoking lineups despite the $250 retail tag, these Elites hit their mark.
17. Nike Lunar Hyperdunk+ “USA”
Released: July 12th, 2012
During the 2008 games in Spain, Team USA debuted the Hyperdunk and its innovation would change the sneaker game forever. In 2012 they took it a step further with the Lunar Hyperdunk+. Imagine a sneaker measuring your vertical on your jumper, how many trips down the court you made, and looking pretty fly in the process. The price tag on the Nike+ model is a bit extreme, but we can think of worse ways to spend your money.
16. Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite “NBA Finals”
Released: August 11th
The Swoosh continued to keep breaking out new colorways for its biggest star (sorry Kobe) on what felt like a nightly basis, but none as important as the “NBA Finals” player exclusives that had The King seeing red and finally showing no mercy at the right time. You had to buy a two-shoe pack to get them — and only in Miami — but these were worth the hunt.
