Coolest sneaker collaboration of 2018

Sneaker collaborations are what we look forward to most and whilst we may only be halfway through the year, these are the biggest and best collabs to have landed in 2018.

Sneaker collaborations are all the rage. They’re the cause of slow Wi-Fi, ‘Sold Out’ stamps, and in-store brawls that flood onto the street. They are what we look forward to most, brawls excepted.

Whilst collabs are nothing new, brands have become increasingly more strategic and are careful not to saturate the market and risk their products losing meaning. Instead, they’ve opted for quality over quantity, making limited-edition drops something to be cherished.

2018 has seen some sensational collaborations but it’s a space Nike continues to dominate. Working with some of the biggest names like Virgil Abloh, Comme des Garcons and Kith, each collaboration is a revelation and always seems to surpass the hype.

We’re halfway through the year and although there will certainly be some big drops planned for the remainder, here is our round-up of the biggest and best sneaker collabs to have landed so far.

Sean Wotherspoon x Nike Air Max 1/97

It came out to some mixed reviews, but there’s no denying that Wotherspoon has designed one of the greatest sneakers of 2018. After winning the Vote Forward competition during last year’s Air Max Day, where a handful of global designers got to create their own dream Air Max model, Wotherspoon took an Air Max 97 upper and put an Air Max 1 sole unit on it. It’s a relatively simple idea, but sometimes that’s all it takes to create something effective. With an upper inspired by corduroy Nike hats from the ’80s, the shoe caught instant hype.

Merging elements from the brand’s GEL-NIMBUS 20 and GEL-VENTURE 6, Kostadinov’s take on the GEL-BURZ arrived in a trio of colourways. Sneakerheads were instantly frothing over this model, however the design is one of pure performance. It features proprietary ASICS technology like FlyteFoam, and GEL cushioning throughout.

Cast your minds back to 2007 when all-over print hoodies and outrageously coloured sneakers were in vogue. One of the greatest sneakers to emerge during this time was the Atmos x Air Max 1 “Animal Pack” which was, surprisingly, underrated. Slightly absurd, colourful, it had all the trappings of the time in which it was designed.

Much like a fine wine though, this sneaker aged well and when Nike and Atmos brought it back, it was snapped up quickly.

Abloh has stamped his name on everything, it seems. Capping off the original “The Ten” offering, was the release of his translucent Converse Chuck Taylor, which initially was pushed back a few months due to small changes made to the design. In keeping with Abloh’s ethos, it didn’t go to sale until absolute perfection was achieved.

Released in three different flavours, the high-fashion feel of these sneakers is evident no matter what pink colourway you fancy. Made for the slightly more daring and fashion-conscious sneakerhead, the 180 shines as one of the best collabs of the year.

If there’s one trend that has defined 2018, it’s the chunky sneaker trend. Since its inception, a number of luxury brands have weighed in with their own versions, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and others.

Created by Dior Homme’s Kris Van Assche, the B22 silhouette is perhaps the most balanced example of the chunky sneaker, featuring exaggerated proportions that find harmony with the shoe’s sporty aesthetic. With rope laces, well-appointed colour blocking and a subtle Dior Homme badge that round out the look, this sneaker is the perfect fusion of streetwear and high-fashion.