The 15 Best Air Jordans of 2020

 In these times of uncertainty, one of the few steady ships in 2020’s restless waters was Jordan Brand. On any given week, the line His Airness built filled up the sneaker release calendar with heat.

In February, Jordan Brand kicked off yet another promising year by paying tribute to… you guessed it… Michael Jordan. The “New Beginnings Pack” was released during NBA All-Star Weekend (which was held in Chicago of all places) and included an original colorway of the seldom-seen Nike Air Ship and an Air Jordan 1 in a color block influenced by an even rarer Player Exclusive version of the shoe Mike wore during his rookie season. Next came Virgil Abloh and Off-White’s collaborative tear-down-and-rebuild of the Air Jordan 5 to celebrate the shoe’s 30th anniversary. Jordan Brand was just getting warmed up.

In the midst of the pandemic in the spring, ESPN began airing episodes of “The Last Dance” well ahead of its planned release, and everyone gained a newfound appreciation for the late model Air Jordans that filled up episodes of the docu-series. In the spring and early summer, you couldn’t find two hotter pairs of shoes than the Air Jordan 12 and Air Jordan 13. The hype surrounding the Jordan 12 “University Yellow” and Jordan 13 “Flint” can attest.

Where did JB go from there? So many places. There are too many collaborations, new colorways, and returning “OGs” to name in the intro alone. So instead, let’s just cut to the chase. You probably want our list of the 15 Best Air Jordans of 2020, and we won’t keep you waiting any longer.

In no particular order, these are the very best Air Jordans released in 2020.

Air Jordan 12 “University Gold”

When you have a good thing, you don’t want to mess it up. Original colorways of the Air Jordan 12 like the “Flu Game” and “Cherry” are nearly perfect. So for the “University Gold” colorway of the Jordan 12 released in July, Jordan Brand simply applied the same two-tone color block and, what do you know? It was a home run. That it looks a lot like a Player Exclusive colorway worn by Gary Payton with the Los Angeles Lakers back in the day doesn’t hurt its popularity, either.

Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Black”

When Jordan Brand wanted to fully embrace the lifestyle movement happening all around sneaker culture, it turned to Virgil Abloh to create “The 10” collection. When it came time to roll out the red carpet for the Air Jordan 5’s 30th anniversary this year, Jordan Brand once again turned to Virgil Abloh. The Windy City native has been studying the intricacies of Jordans as a designer for the last few years and wearing them to show support to his hometown hero for even longer. Ironically enough, the Air Jordan 5 was the first Jordan model purchased by Abloh as a teen way back in the day. Although unlike the “Black/Metallic” colorway Abloh likely wore into the ground in the ‘90s, his Off-White rendition of Mike’s fifth signature shoe features innovative design elements like die-cut circular patterns placed randomly on the upper and a pre-yellowed sole for an already-worn aesthetic.

Air Jordan 1 High “Dark Mocha”

We didn’t really appreciate the Air Jordan 3 “Mocha” like we should have when it came out in 2001. At the time, we, the sneaker community, wanted to wear the original Jordan colorways that Mike wore with the Bulls or the new Jordans done up in the Washington Wizards’ blue and white. Long removed from those days now, a shoe like the Air Jordan 1 High “Dark Mocha” owes some of its success to the original coffee-influenced design that paved the way for it and many other lifestyle-based Jordans to exist.

Dior x Air Jordan 1

There are Air Jordan 1 collaborations, and then there is the Dior x Jordan 1. It isn’t so much a shoe as much as it is artwork that happens to be in the form of something you could wear on your feet. It’s $2,000 retail price, a first for any Jordan model, underscores its made-in-Italy, high-fashion origins. As do the “Dior Grey” leather overlays, dual-branded Dior and Nike Air nylon tongue tag, and embroidered monogram Swoosh detailing on both sides of the upper. A regular Jordan 1, this isn’t.

Air Jordan 6 “DMP”

In the 2000s, Jordan Brand used to honor some of Michael Jordan’s greatest on-court accomplishments by releasing “Defining Moments Packs” consisting of two classic Jordan shoes in new championship inspired colorways. The idea was quietly dropped somewhere along the way, but the “DMP” collections are remembered fondly by collectors for their unique packaging, retooled colorways, and exclusivity. Few were more sought after than the gold-accented Jordan 6 and Jordan 11 tandem that celebrated the kicks Mike had on his feet during his first and fourth NBA championship victories. The Air Jordan 6 “DMP” dressed in all black with gold accents received a standalone release for the first time this year. And it looked every bit as regal as we remember the OG design being in the aughts.

Air Jordan 3 “Red Cement”

The Bulls have been wearing road red team uniforms since Jerry Sloan and Artis Gilmore were members of the team. So it’s curious as to why more original Air Jordans didn’t come in a red leather base. The Jordan 3 “Red Cement,” released by Jordan Brand in February over All-Star Weekend in Chicago, imagines what an original red-based colorway of the iconic shoe might have looked like had it been around in 1988. Dressed with a red tumbled leather upper, elephant print on the toe and heel, and an embroidered Jumpman on a cement grey leather tongue and “Nike Air” on the back, the “Red Cement” is as OG looking as any of the four pioneering Jordan 3 colorways.

Fragment x Air Jordan 3

Originally, Hiroshi Fujiwara, not Virgil Abloh, was supposed to have his own collection of Nikes and Jordans called “The 10.” That’s if you believe the rumors that have been circulating since 2017. While it’s never been confirmed by Nike, Abloh, or Fujiwara, there’s reason to believe there’s some truth to the idea. Just this year, Jordan Brand and Fujiwara’s streetwear label, fragment design, released an Air Jordan 3 that was supposedly part of the scrapped collaboration. The look is vastly different from Abloh’s vision of “The 10.” Clean white tumbled leather combines with a smooth black leather mudguard for a less-is-more approach that draws comparisons to the elegant styling of the Air Jordan 11 “Concord.” We may never get to see a fragment x Nike x Jordan Brand “The 10,” but if this Air Jordan 3 is any indication, there’s plenty of room in the sneaker universe for two “The 10” collaborations to live.

Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red - Silver Tongue”

One of the greatest original Air Jordan colorways ever worn by its model’s namesake is the Jordan 5 “Fire Red - Silver Tongue.” Flashy with the innovative performance chops to match, some of the most memorable moments of Michael’s career occurred while wearing the fierce-looking Jordan 5 “Fire Red.” On March 28, 1990, Michael scored a career-high 69 points on the Bulls’ division rival and perennial nemesis Cleveland Cavaliers while wearing the colorway. When it came time to celebrate the Air Jordan 5’s 30-year anniversary this year, there was only one logical shoe for Jordan Brand to bring back to life as a one-to-one remake that hadn’t already been its proper “true-to-original” just do: the “Fire Red - Silver Tongue.”

Union x Air Jordan 4 “Guava Ice” and “Off Noir”

While we can all agree that the Air Jordan 4 is one of the greatest sneakers of all-time, it’s not perfect. No shoe is. There isn’t a pair of sneakers on the planet that fits everyone’s foot the same—that’s why medium and wide sizing exists, after all. In terms of design, though, the Jordan 4 is a masterpiece from every angle. But even that is subjective. Union LA’s Chris Gibbs has been enamored with the silhouette since forever, but always found the height of its tongue to be too tall for his liking. So he set out to change it. The Union x Air Jordan 4  in both the “Guava Ice” and “Off Noir” features a stitched down tongue (the wearer has the ability to remove the stitches to obtain the traditional Jordan 4 look) that don’t get in the way of pants or exposed ankles. The result is a little less chafing and a whole new look for a timeless icon.

Women’s Off-White x Air Jordan 4 “Sail”

From sample to sold out, the Women’s Off-White x Air Jordan 4 “Sail” has lived an eventful life. Last year, in 2019, the cream-based monochromatic Jordan 4 appeared as merely a prop on a shelf at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s “Figures of Speech” exhibit honoring Virgil Abloh’s career. From there, well, you know what happens next. A proper retail release turned the clean, cream-colored shoe from a dream into a reality for sneakerheads.

Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Laser Orange”

Far removed from the “shrink-it-and-pink-it” era of women’s sneakers, new colorways, like the Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Laser Orange,” speak to the kind of shoes women have always wanted to wear. The Jordan 3, in particular, has become a go-to for female sneaker collectors ever since Anna Wintour and Jordan Brand teamed up in 2018. The “Laser Orange” isn’t as ambitious as Wintour and Vogue’s multicolor tweed “AWOK,” but it makes use of a timeless Jordan 3 design—tumbled leather, elephant print, and a secondary accenting color to bring the look together.

Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee”

A few of Nike and Jordan Brand models celebrated a milestone this year. As previously mentioned, the Air Jordan 5 got the red carpet treatment for its 30th anniversary—Nike had a similar rollout for its Air Max 90, which also turned 30-years-old in 2020. Another classic shoe in the Nike pantheon also had a special birthday recently, too: the Air Jordan 11. Originally released in 1995, the classy design is now 25-years-old, and Jordan Brand wasn’t going to let this accomplishment go unnoticed. Colorways like the Women’s Jordan 11 Low “Concord Sketch” and the Jordan 11 “Jubilee” bring to life early design concepts sketched by the shoe’s designer, Tinker Hatfield. The “Concord Sketch” had a moment in the summer when it was released and remains a super clean look for the Jordan 11, but the “Jubilee” is more in the way of some of the models iconic colorways like the “Space Jam” and “Bred.” Its unique “JORDAN” detailing on the side of the eyelets is supposedly how Hatfield intended for the shoe to look before he did away with it for the final product. With slightly more pairs in circulation thanks to its full family sizing release, the “Jubilee” is our pick as the year’s best Air Jordan 11 25th anniversary design.

Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red”

Patience is a virtue. Jordan Brand sure likes to test that premise. With all due respect to the retro Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red” from 2012 (and one “Mars Blackmon” and one “Laser” colorway from the mid-2000s that are based on the OG “Fire Red” look) that have been released, worn, and enjoyed by sneaker collectors, it always felt like something was missing with those shoes. A nagging feeling. The new “Fire Red” 4 absolves the sensation. Now, for the first time since the model’s original release year, 1989, a “Fire Red” colorway exists with “Nike Air” on the back. Like the remastered “Bred” before it, the updated-for-2020 “Fire Red” is as close to the original style, shape, and materials used by Nike all those years ago.

Air Jordan 1 Mid “Chicago Black Toe”

The Air Jordan 1 Mid had its biggest year ever in 2020. It’s no coincidence that the silhouette has been one of our best sellers of late, too. The Jordan 1 model is the people’s shoe, and the inclusive Jordan 1 Mid is an ever-popular choice for people just dipping their toe into the hobby of sneaker collecting and aficionados alike. Colorways like the “Disco Ball” live harmoniously with high-profile collaborations like Melody Ehsani’s watch-clad design in the Jordan 1 Mid’s world, as do looks that honor the silhouette’s heritage, like the “Chicago Black Toe.” The medley design combines the original “Chicago” and “Black Toe” colorways for a style that is both familiar and refreshing.

J Balvin x Air Jordan 1 “Colores Y Vibras”

Does J Balvin ever do anything quietly? That’s a rhetorical question, because we all know the answer is a resounding no. You won’t find the Colombian-born reggaeton superstar’s face next to the word “bashful” in the dictionary any time soon, and the word certainly can’t be used to describe his “Colores Y Vibras” take on the Air Jordan 1. An explosion of color and vibes as its nickname translated to English suggests, the look is all show with the go to match. Jagged panels in a rainbow-like assortment of colors combine with the artist’s smiley face logo on patches on the heel. Then there’s the dual branded tongue tags, the pink sole, and frayed canvas overlay on the toe. The first Air Jordan 1 designed by a person of Latin descent, J Balvin’s collaborative “Colores Y Vibras” is definitely one of the best non-original looks of the iconic shoe ever made.

What's Next? Our 2021 Sneaker Predictions

 The word “unpredictable” immediately comes to mind when thinking back to all of the wild sneaker trends that occurred in 2020. At the beginning of last January, someone of only Miss Cleo’s ilk could have forecasted that a New Balance shoe would be among the hottest NBA All-Star Weekend sneaker releases. Or that the Nike Dunk would shake off a mothball or two to become 2020’s de-facto “it” shoe.

But that was last year, and this is now.

So what’s on tap for 2021? Another Joe Freshgoods and New Balance collaboration? Original Air Jordan 6 colorways with “Nike Air” on the heel? An Off-White x Nike Air Shake NDESTRUKT to celebrate the craggy performance hoops model’s upcoming 25th anniversary? Time will tell.

With an eye to the future, let’s take a stab at predicting five sneaker stories and trends that will dominate headlines in the months ahead.

More Nike Dunks. Lots More.

We touched on it in the intro and it bears repeating—the Nike Dunk had one helluva 2020. The likes of Travis Scott, Virgil Abloh, and even Ben & Jerry’s and the Grateful Dead, for crying out loud, all lined up to put their respective spins on the shoe last year. If that wasn’t enough, usual suspects associated with the SB Dunk like StrangeLove Skateboards and Concepts released coveted colorways, as well, so there was something for every kind of Dunk connoisseur. Will the trend continue in 2021? We have no reason to think that it won’t, if the Dunk’s appearance on the Nike By You app or the six (!) Dunks releasing on January 14th are an indication. Hot take: Expect Nike to roll out the red carpet for the shoe, SB variant and regular models alike, in the near future. More Dunks on sneaker store shelves is never a bad thing.

(Image courtesy of adidas and Joshua Kissi)

Jerry Lorenzo/Fear of God x adidas + the Restart of adidas Basketball

Late in December, before everyone settled into the stupor of the holiday season, adidas shocked the sneaker and streetwear stratospheres by announcing it had reached a long-term partnership with Jerry Lorenzo and his Fear of God clothing line. Lorenzo, who had previously been under contract with Nike, revealed his alliance with the German footwear brand on his Instagram account with a dauntless photo of his newly minted Three Stripes neck tattoo. Game on. The headline of adidas’s press release reads “Adidas and Fear of God Reimagine the Future of Adidas Basketball,” and one doesn’t have to think twice about how adidas is angling its groundbreaking union with Fear of God: there will be an emphasis on revitalizing adidas’s hoops segment under Lorenzo’s creative guidance. What does that mean for adidas, Lorenzo, and Fear of God? Perhaps a Fear of God x adidas performance basketball shoe in the vein of the adidas Yeezy QNTM. Lorenzo might be tasked to add his input to James Harden’s signature line, one would have to think. Heck, could a Fear of God x adidas Crazy 8 be on the distant horizon? Stranger things have happened.

New Balance Picks Up Where it Left Off in 2020

New Balance came for all the smoke last year. Let’s run that last sentence back, and this time when you read it, let the words really sink in for a moment before proceeding. New Balance came for all the smoke last year. Wow. If that felt as good to re-read as it was for us to type out again, then here’s a virtual Stone Cold salute to the New England based brand bringing that same energy into 2021. New Balance fans have never needed a new model to stay enthusiastic. Some inventive collaborations with up-and-coming creatives, a few dozen wearable 992s, and letting Aime Leon Dore’s Teddy Santis unearth an obscure performance basketball shoe from the ‘80s were tailor-made for today’s vintage-obsessed zeitgeist, and just what the doctor ordered last year. More of the same in 2021? Hell yeah!

The Air Jordan 1 Mid Has a Moment in 2021

All signs point to the Air Jordan 1 Mid being bigger than ever in 2021. In 2019, the Jordan 1 Mid was on everyone’s radar when it was tapped by Jordan Brand as part of an expansive “Fearless” campaign, which included the release of Los Angeles based jewelry designer Melody Ehsani’s popular gold watch-clad colorway. Last year, more Jordan 1 Mids followed, including many that either directly or indirectly paid homage to some of the most storied designs in the silhouette’s history, like the “Chicago Black Toe,” one of our highest-selling models to-date. This year, we expect more of the same from Jordan Brand in regards to pumping out Air Jordan 1 Mids. Maybe even an unexpected collaboration, or two? Stay tuned.

Party Like it's ‘96

As much as Nike spent 2020 progressing sneaker technology forward, it also looked inward for inspiration by throwing year-long anniversary parties for keystone models in its collection. The Air Jordan 5 and Air Max 90 turned 30-years-old last year, while the Air Jordan 11 and Air Max 95 celebrated a quarter century of anchoring sneaker rotations. Could other sneaker brands in addition to Nike, like adidas, Reebok, and more follow suit with anniversary bashes of their own? It wouldn’t be out of the question to see many of the greatest kicks originally released in the year 1996 return in 2021 to lap up retro glory on their 25th anniversaries. Some models to keep an eye out for: the Nike Air More Uptempo, Nike Air Shake NDESTRUKT, Nike Air Max CB34, Nike Air Penny 2, Reebok Question, Reebok Kamikaze 2, Reebok Shaqnosis, and the adidas EQT Top Ten 2000. Seriously, 1996 was the greatest sneaker year ever.

Under Armour Embiid 1 Performance Review

 The Embiid 1, Joel Embiid’s first signature shoe, is a solid performer that’s outdoor ready. I think it’s overall performance will surprise people. Thanks for coming to WearTesters to read the full review before purchasing. We’ve got all the details you need to decide if the Embiid 1 is the right shoe for you.

Traction

I was expecting great things from the traction as it reminds me a lot of the Nike Kobe 5 traction pattern. Unfortunately, my experience wasn’t quite at that Kobe 9 level of grip. Granted, I set these up for failure by putting them up against what I consider to be one of the greatest tractions of all-time, but, alas, the Embiid 1 still held its own on-court.

The only area I found to be problematic was at the center of the forefoot where the pattern design is almost like a block. It was a bit too square and the grooves were a bit too thick, so there would be certain plants and push-offs where I could feel the outsole slide from under me. Luckily, the rest of the outsole was solid so while I would have an initial slip, or jerk, the rest of the outsole would catch and I’d be fine.

Outdoors was a different story. This was where I never had any problems. Just straight up great grip. Yes, the rubber has started to fray, but even the best of rubbers will do that outdoors. Especially when you take them on multiple abrasive surfaces.

Cushion

Full length Micro G and a HOVR heel puck are in place for cushion. The last time we saw Micro G and HOVR together was in the Curry Flow 8 — and I was excited as hell to try it out. Like most Curry models, the cushion left a lot to be desired, which I felt was a major letdown. The marketing of the combination of the two cushioning systems raised my anticipation and hopes to a point where if it wasn’t at least OG Clutchfit Drive level of cushion, I’d be severely disappointed. Well, we all know how that went and I was annoyed with the cushion in the Curry 7.

The Embiid 1, however, feels like a return to the good ‘ol days of Micro G where you had a super comfortable, yet stable, shoe underfoot. Perfect for a big man like Embiid, but still made for players like myself who enjoy a well-balanced ride.

So, while the Micro G still wasn’t super bouncy like the Clutchfit Drive, they were at least on par with the old Brandon Jennings models like the Black Ice and Bloodline — both really solid models in UA’s early years in the basketball category. With the cushion being as good as it is, and the traction being as good as it is, the Embiid 1 is a really solid shoe on court, especially if you hoop outdoors.

Materials

Materials are pretty basic, and somewhat standard nowadays. The primary material is mesh. There are a few thin TPU panels in high-wear areas and stress zones, but the majority is mesh. For a signature shoe, I would like to have some premium touches. Some leather or suede placed somewhere. At the top of the tongue, around the heel, at the toe…anywhere. Yes, this is a personal preference of mine, but it’s the era I grew up in. Where signatures and non-signatures alike were made with good to great materials.

Now, the mesh performed well. So, with that in mind, Under Armour did a good job. The mesh is very breathable, something lacking when using raw materials like leathers and suedes. And on top of ventilation, the mesh required no break-in time at all. They were ready to go right out the box.

So, performance wise the materials are solid. But, for a signature shoe, I need some signature touches. Storytelling isn’t a premium touch to me. Materials are the only area that can check that box for me.

Fit

I went true to size and I feel they fit perfectly. My toes are right at the edge, and for a textile-based shoe, I feel this is perfect. Some people do prefer to have a thumbs-width of space within their shoes, but I feel this leaves too much room. And when the shoe has a softer build that leaves too much room for error. Your foot can, and likely will, shift inside the shoe which would make them dangerous to wear. Usually when I see people complain about fit with a shoe made of textile it’s because they went up at least 1/2 size to achieve the thumbs-width of space instead of going with their true measured size.

Lockdown was great. From heel to forefoot I had no complaints at all. There are two lockdown wings for some midfoot containment, and they help keep your foot on the footbed where it belongs. The medial lockdown wing on my right shoe did run into some durability issues as the stitching ended up failing after some use. Funny enough, I actually preferred the stitching not be there. I felt it allowed for more flex up front without losing any of the containment they offered. It might be considered a fail to some or a hack to others. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

Support

I felt the support was solid. Under Armour has done well in the support category over the years and the UA Embiid 1 is no exception.

The base is fairly wide, but does offer a slightly rounded edge for players that may be a bit shifty. There is a midfoot shank along with a sturdy midsole build that cups the foot in the rear. Add in the lockdown wings and you have yourself a shoe supportive enough for 7 foot center, but nimble enough for a smaller under 6 foot rec player.

Overall

Overall, Under Armour did a very good job with the Embiid 1. Traction and cushion are standout features, while the lockdown wings offer that extra layer of protection to keep you snug and secure on the footbed. Materials could be a bit nicer for a signature shoe, but the performance was there. Functionally, I can’t complain too much.

If you were looking for a solid all-around shoe that can be worn by any player and position then the Embiid 1 might be what you’re looking for. If you play primarily outdoors then these would also make for a great pickup. They’re moderately priced, will likely see discounts soon, and offer the cushion and traction required to ensure you can enjoy these for longer than the typical modern day basketball shoe.

These Are the 10 Best Sneakers of 2020, as Picked by You

 

The end of a very long and weird year is in sight. Anything from hiking, to puzzles, to knitting, to infinite amounts of walks with our pets may have been among the sources of entertainment throughout stretches of the past twelve months. With all due respect to our furry friends because we absolutely love them, nothing kept us more sane or more connected to what seems like a previous lifetime than sneakers.

Throughout 2020, we bought, debated, looked at, and obsessed over shoes like we did in 2019, 2018, and so on. And that was alright. Comforting. We sneaker collectors remained as dedicated as ever to the culture that never ceases to not amaze us with Dunks that look like ice cream cartons or Air Jordan 4s that sorta don’t look like Air Jordan 4s at all. Yes, it’s that deep, and nothing is gonna convince us otherwise.

Without getting any more emotional, the time has come for us to now celebrate some of the best sneaker releases of the year. More pointedly, the Top 10 Sneakers of 2020. Here, you’ll find ten kicks that fit in the criteria described in the last paragraph.

And in an effort to make things even more interesting, we turned the voting over to you with bracket-style, head-to-head Instagram Story polls last week to determine which shoe reigns supreme as the very best of 2020. The final ranking of the ten was determined by your voting results.

These are the Top 10 Sneakers of the Year, selected by us, and you!

10. Nike Air Max 90 “Reverse Duck Camo”

You had to know Nike was planning something special for this year’s Air Max Day festivities with the Air Max 90 celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2020. And that they did. Released alongside the debuting Air Max 2090, the Air Max 90 “Reverse Duck Camo” is a nod to a classic colorway in the Air Max pantheon: the atmos “Duck Camo” Air Max 90 from 2013. Doing exactly as its nickname implies, the “Reverse Duck Camo” flips the order of colors that originally appeared on the atmos shoe for a refreshing new design. Even though the “Reverse Duck Camo” doesn’t have any official ties to atmos, a great shoe is a great shoe no matter who designed it.

9. adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Triple Black”

The adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN “Triple Black” gets our vote for the best debut model for 2020 in Kanye West’s lineup. Originally released by adidas back in February, the fourth iteration of Kanye West’s “dad shoe” was the subject of much fanfare upon its entrance. The Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN features no sewn-on overlays in favor of reflective “700” branding across the upper (appearing backwards on the right shoe), and the same old-reliable Boost cushioning in the chunky midsole. We still don’t know what “MNVN” actually means, but we’re here for this sleek update to the 700.

8. Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 992 “No Emotions Are Emotions”

When was the last time a New Balance shoe commanded the kind of attention Joe Freshgoods’ “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992 did over the NBA All-Star Weekend’s annual sneaker mania? When was the last time New Balance even dropped something over All-Star Weekend? If you don’t have an answer, then that should clue you in to how monumental the “anatomy of a heart” colorway is and was. Not only did Joe freak the 992 like no one had before, the hype surrounding the shoe carried over onto New Balance’s other collaborations with the likes of JJJJound, WTAPS, and more. The “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992 was a coming out party for Joe and New Balance during one of the year’s biggest weekends for sneakers and sports. If that weren’t enough, we won’t soon forget the line of eager sneakerheads chomping at the bit in front of Fat Tiger Workshop waiting to get their hands on something cooked up by the native Chicagoan.

7. Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee”

Since 2009, Jordan Brand has released an annual Air Jordan 11 for the holiday season. The themes of these releases have revolved around returning retro colorways or new designs meant to salute the Air Jordan 11’s role as Michael Jordan’s signature shoe during the Chicago Bulls’ improbable ‘95-96 NBA season. Fate would have it that this year’s release, the “Jubilee,” does neither. Instead, the “Jubilee” references an original sketch drawn up by the architect of the Jordan 11, Tinker Hatfield. The “JORDAN” branding that appears on the outside of the eyelets of the “Jubilee” is supposedly how Hatfield intended the shoe to originally look, but the concept was scratched prior to production. It continues the now eleven-year-long (12 years if you count the Countdown Pack in 2008) tradition of holiday Air Jordan 11 releases we need in our collections.

6. The Grateful Dead x Nike SB Dunk Low

Only someone with insane psychic powers would have foreseen Nike SB teaming up with the Grateful Dead for three fuzzy Dunks for the ages. This Dunk is the sixth, and perhaps most eccentric, shoe on our top ten sneakers of the year list. The design is complete with fuzzy faux fur panels, charming “Dancing Bears” emblems on the tongue and insole, and a concealed stash pocket on the tongue for storage space for, well, you know. The pairing of the Grateful Dead, a classic rock group that came of age fifty years ago, and the irreverent Nike SB skate crew seems weird on paper, but it’s not. And since when does Nike SB ever do anything expected, anyway? Unequivocally, both entities boast unwavering fan bases. And we’re willing to bet more than a few people who’ve laced up a pair of SB Dunks to skate or chill in have listened to or at least vibe with the Grateful Dead and their peace-be-with-you ethos.

5. Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red”

Holding down the fifth spot on our Top 10 Sneakers of 2020 is the Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red.” Perhaps the most nostalgic shoe on this list, the “Fire Red” returned in true-to-original fashion in November. We’re talking about the original shape, materials, Nike-branded hang tag, color coordination, and shoe trees. And most importantly, it came with “Nike Air” on the heel, too. You’ll have to go all the way back to 1989 to find the last time this perfect storm of attributes underpinned an Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red.” So to say that people were hyped that they could finally get their hands on an original Jordan 4 colorway spec’d out per the way Tinker Hatfield drew it up, would be an understatement.

4. Union x Air Jordan 4

Find us a sneaker that isn’t surrounded by some form of pre-release debate and we’ll show you a shoe that no one is really checking for. Obviously people were going to debate at length over the adjusted height of the Union x Air Jordan 4’s tongue and off-the-beaten-path color block, because that’s what sneaker collectors do. A finicky bunch, that we are. When the dust settled and people actually had this masterpiece dreamed up by Chris Gibbs and company in their hands, well, all that jawing and jabbering subsided. The Union x Jordan 4 (released in “Off Noir” and “Guava Ice”) checks in at number four on our Top 10 Sneakers of 2020.

3. Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Black”

The Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Black” occupies the number three spot on our year-end sneaker list. The Jordan 5 was poised to have a big year—Michael Jordan’s fifth signature shoe turned 30 years old in 2020. Jordan Brand began its celebrations by tapping Virgil Abloh for his input on what a modernized version of the silhouette would look like had it been produced today. Like many of Off-White’s now-classic Jordan collaborations, the Jordan 5 in “Black” retains the spirit of the original model and welcomes nuanced details other designers wouldn’t dare touch. There’s an unfinished look to the whole thing, which is of course Abloh’s intention. He even goes so far as to place random circular cut-outs on the body of the upper. The thin film covering the holes dares the wearer to complete the removal process with an X-Acto knife for a personalized, one-of-a-kind touch.

2. Ben & Jerry’s x Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky”

If you ever find yourself in the position of needing a shoe to show to someone why you collect sneakers as a hobby, just pull up a picture of the Ben & Jerry’s x Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky.” It’ll be obvious that 1: your taste in style is the same as your taste in dessert and, 2: you must really be comfortable with yourself to be excited to wear two ice cream cartons that double as skateboarding shoes. Not only is the “Chunky Dunky'' one of the gnarliest Dunks yet, it’s a perfect shoe for the unpredictable times we’re living in. Nike SB has leaned on leftover pizza, picnics, and cheap beer as sources of inspiration in the past, but its never tapped Ben & Jerry’s for a hallucinatory made-up ice cream flavor. 2020 really was ridiculous.

1. Dior x Air Jordan 1 High

The Dior x Air Jordan 1 High’s $2,000 retail price and needle-in-a-haystack availability wasn’t meant to be for everyone, but that’s cool. The Italian fashion house and Jordan Brand didn’t intend for its collaborative Air Jordan 1 to be as ubiquitous as a Nike Air Force 1 “White on White.” We won’t soon be able to throw it into our collection and wear it into the ground and make memories with it, but the Dior x Jordan 1 High is less a shoe and more a work of art. It’s an acknowledgement from high fashion that streetwear paces the world of fashion and sneakers. And we’re A-OK with that.

Nike Zoom BB NXT Performance Review

 I finally got enough court time to test the much anticipated Nike Zoom BB NXT despite the pandemic limiting my options. Enjoy the full performance review and keep your fingers crossed that things get back to normal soon so we can all get back to our regular basketball schedules.

Traction

Beastly! The traction on the Nike lebron 18 is nothing short of beastly.

The pattern and rubber compound were solid from an outdoor perspective. I’d expect nothing less indoors, but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, indoor basketball isn’t a thing in California. Well, unless you’re invited to a private run somewhere. If you’re in the greater Sacramento area and have a high quality private run I can join, reach out on Instagram or Twitter.

I’ve been pretty surprised with the durability of the outsole. air jordan 35 tends to use soft rubbers on its models for indoor grip, but I’ve used these things on every outdoor surface you can think of. They’re barely showing any signs of wear.

Cushion

A triple-layered React midsole (the third layer is the React insole) and two large volume forefoot Zoom Air pods make up the cushion. And yes — it’s as good as it sounds.

You sit really high off the ground, so that’s something you’ll need to adjust to. If you play in max-cushioned shoes then it may not be that big of an adjustment. For those that tend to stick with shoes that are a bit lower to the ground, you’ll definitely feel weird until you get used to it. However, the tradeoff is you receive a ton of cushion from heel to toe. The tooling is built like a runner rather than a traditional hoop shoe. You’ll still feel fairly quick on your feet despite the higher ride.

Now, there’s one big drawback to the setup with the forefoot lateral Zoom unit. While it’s wrapped with a TPU wing for stability, it still compresses too much on certain movements. I’ve tweaked my ankle a few times in them. While I haven’t had any injuries, if another foot got under my foot then I’d have a big problem.

Can you try to avoid the stability issue by planting on the ball of your foot? Yes. That’s what I’d recommend — and something you’ll do naturally once you hit the spot on Zoom Air pod that makes it collapse. Is this a deal breaker? For many it will be. I still play in them because the cushion and traction are amazing. However, the lateral Zoom collapsing isn’t a small issue and should have been caught during Nike’s weartesting phase.

Materials

Textiles are used for the upper and, like most of the current generation of basketball shoes, there’s really nothing special about it. It’s comfortable, breaks in quickly, and additional overlays help keep the soft build from getting too thrashed. We all know what’s really going on. Nike is just doing what Nike does, cutting costs. They can save a lot of money by using cheaper textiles rather than raw materials.

This setup has proven to work well enough that I don’t feel it’s a big deal. If it works, it works. But I would love to have the $180 I spent on these be reflected in the build quality as well as the cushion. Not just one or the other.

Fit

I personally went down 1/2 size due to the shoe looking like a runner. Other WearTesters team members bought true to size and enjoy the fit.

Lockdown has been solid, although the last nylon lace cable chafes my pinky toes. It’s super annoying and again, something that should be caught during Nike’s weartesting. Other than the lace cable hot spot, the build and sculpt of the shoe haven’t disappointed me. They fit like a glove. Which, if you’ve read my reviews before, is exactly how I like it.

Support

The overall support is solid, but the lateral Zoom Air unit keeps them from getting the Starting Five badge. If the lateral Zoom wasn’t a problem, then the Zoom BB NXT would be one of the more beastly offerings in the entire basketball category. And that means all brands, not just Nike’s basketball lineup.

Aside from the Zoom pod issue, the moderator plate works extremely well as both a moderator for the cushion and as a torsion plate. The upper fits me like a glove, which is why, when I rolled over, I was able to bounce back quickly. The rear also fits well with the internal heel counter and sculpting.

Nike just has to make sure the lateral Zoom Air pod is stable enough on next year’s version.

Overall

The Nike Zoom BB NXT is a really fun shoe with some killer traction and cushion. The fit and sculpting from the tooling makes for a fun ride. I don’t think they’re perfect, but they’re a step in the right direction.

Nike Basketball products have been pretty bland over the last few years (with the exception of the Zoom strobel introduced in the Nike KD 13). So the Nike Zoom BB NXT is a refreshing change of pace. I just wish they had better weartesters that could catch simple issues like the lateral Zoom Air pod collapsing and the nylon lacing cable pinching the toes.

adidas Pro Boost Low Performance Review

 Bye Pro Bounce, hello adidas Pro Boost Low…plus Lightstrike. Does the change elevate Adidas to the top of the team basketball shoe category? Find out below as Bryan and Jalique share their experiences testing the adidas Pro Boost Low. After hearing what they have to say, you can decide for yourself who rules in the world of team basketball shoes.

Traction

Bryan: Herringbone, herringbone, herringbone. How many times have we said “herringbone” at WearTesters and rejoiced when it appears on a new shoe. The reason is that herringbone works, and the majority of the time it works well (ok, the nike lebron 18 did let me down). The Pro Boost Low uses a full herringbone pattern in the middle of the outsole (the Boost section) with a modified pattern covering the rest of the outsole. With some slight wiping about every third game this pattern worked as well as any shoe in my arsenal. It isn’t an aggressive stop, but a smooth roll into stillness. Even on stop-and-go, hesitations and step-backs, I didn’t slide at all.

Laterally, forward, backward, even on defense moving to get in front of my man, I was grabbing the floor then pushing off to change directions without a second thought. The best feeling in the world is in transition. I knew I could catch the ball on the move and either stop and pop, put it on the floor and drive, or do a one dribble pull up without any problems from the ankle down.

Playing outdoors? Actually, yeah, it might work. The pattern is definitely outdoor-friendly. The rubber, while not the thickest pattern, is slightly harder than most and should last for a few months on the blacktop.

Jalique: Patterns? On point. Compound? On point as well. The colorway I tested utilized gum rubber so it could differ slightly from other pairs. Regardless, the combination of herringbone surrounded by multidirectional blades didn’t disappoint no matter what movements I made.

Though I wouldn’t consider this a shallow traction set up, my only nitpick for the outsole would be to make it slightly deeper and/or to widen the grooves. This is something that would’ve helped me a bit after stepping in mud and caking things up a bit. But, maybe I’m the fool for trying to make Rodman saves outside after a couple of rainy days.

Though I primarily played outdoors in the Pro Boost with no issue, the time I spent indoors on a dusty court was still a good experience. I didn’t slip or wipe a lot despite utilizing all my typical our court movements. I’ll take it.

Cushion

Bryan: Wait. Waaaiiiiittt. WAIT!!!! WHAT????? Lightstrike, which we already know feels nice and soft and responsive from the Harden Vol 5, N3XT L3V3L, and air jordan 35, is used as a carrier for…BOOST? Yeah, it is, and the cushioning feels freaking fantastic under foot.

I’ve heard from some in the WearTesters Discord that they couldn’t feel much cushion (no shade, everyone feels things differently). But I’m 210-215 pounds, so the compression is a tad bit stronger for me. The initial feel is the Lightstrike. It’s soft and cushioned under foot, feels great upon step-in, and it absorbs impact very well. At a certain point, the Lightstrike reaches its limit, which is where the internal Boost helps. When the Lightstrike starts to bottom out, the caged Boost is stiffer and responds with a spring. This system felt quicker than both the regular Lightstrike of the Dame 6 and the Boost in the Rose series while still being ultra-cushioned. This may be my favorite cushioning setup from adidas in years.

One thing to note. The Lightstrike does feel softer than the Boost, which can lead to some edge compression and collapsing if you land awkwardly. But in the two months I’ve played in the Pro Boost Low, this hasn’t caused any problems.

Jalique: The love-hate relationship with the Pro Boost midsole is real over here. It’s not anything like what I would expect from a shoe of its name, yet I find it to be a very solid setup. For those that asked for a more stable Boost setup, you get it here. But don’t expect the plushest Boost feeling since its caged inside the Lightstrike foam.

The midsole excels as a stable, low to the ground platform with surprisingly smooth transition. It’s got a subtle response underfoot that provides impact protection even if it doesn’t seem like its heavily absorbent. It’s not my favorite Boost option for basketball, but it is one I think a lot of players might enjoy, given the proper amount of time and break-in.

Materials

Bryan: The materials are pretty typical for what we get on most shoes these days. A fabric/textile/woven material (this one happens to be a nylon textile with tighter-woven ribs along the upper) and fuse areas for strength. Only, wait…no fuse here!!! This may be the first shoe since 2010 with absolutely no fused areas on the upper. The upper has no stretch at all along the sides of the shoe, meaning the fit is the fit from start to finish.

The toebox is covered in the lovely adidas felt material and a synthetic leather overlay. This many layers in the forefoot normally make a shoe feel stiff and inflexible. But the design and placement of the materials in the Pro Boost Low doesn’t hinder movement at all. The same pleather can be found on the heel as a layer for the counter, but it’s entirely unnecessary. The lace loops are a sewn-in cord system that doesn’t do any more than normal loops but does add to the looks.

The tongue is where things get interesting. There is a STRONG elastic band under the tongue that runs over the top of the foot. The tongue is then sewn on top of the band, meaning the tongue is external from the shoe. It is sewn in at the bottom and across the band but otherwise is unattached, making entry into the shoe easy. The heel and ankle areas feature some thick padding and I didn’t get any chafing at all in that area.

Jalique: I’m honestly over the materials adidas uses for nearly all of their hoops models. The Pro Boost does its job from a performance perspective minus one issue I have, but it’s discouraging to see some of the cheapest textiles and synthetics on hoop shoes. Especially when things like felt materials are used so minimally. Why use the felt at all? I wish they wouldn’t.

The synthetic toecap doesn’t hinder performance and is there for durability purposes. It does take away from the on-foot consistency from heel to toe, especially since the the midfoot gore band keeps the shoe so close to the foot in comparison to the toe’s extra volume.

Speaking of the gore band, there is no buffer between it and your foot, so if it bunches up, be prepared for some unwelcome pressure. Still, the shoe is tolerable enough for a few hours of play and adds containment, making this a secure option.

Fit

Bryan: I’m resigned to the fact that I am a size 10 in adidas (minus the D.O.N. Issue 2…smh). I’m normally a 10.5 in everything Under Armour, Nike, or Jordan. I went down a half size in the Pro Boost Low and the fit is perfect. For reference, I’m a 10 in the Dame 5/Dame 6 and a 10 or 10.5 in the Harden Vol 4. The midfoot has no movement at all from the lacing and the elastic band. The lacing and strap also pull the shoe up and around the ankle/achilles to stop movement of any kind. With the external tongue, the laces feel like they pull the shoe down on top of the foot for further lockdown.

Jalique: Regardless of what size works for you, the gore band seems effective around the midfoot. I prefer the fit of a half size down over true to size. Even going down a half size feels a bit longer than what I am accustomed to.

Because the midfoot band does not extend down to the footbed, I am more concerned with how those with higher insteps will adjust to the Pro Boost Low versus wide footers. For either, I would highly recommend knowing the return policy where you purchase in case the shoe doesn’t work out. Or, of course, try them on in store if circumstances allow.

Support

Bryan: The first support feature I noticed was the way the midsole cups the foot and also flares slightly under the heel and forefoot. There’s no real outrigger to speak of, but the Pro Boost Low has a wide base with a slight angled flare under the forefoot. The Lightstrike comes up almost 1/4″ around the entire foot, working to keep your foot secure over the midsole, and it works great without feeling bulky. Confidence is the most important part of shooting and it starts with a solid base and the Pro Boost Low’s base is solid.

I don’t feel a midfoot shank embedded in the Boost. Even without it, the Pro Boost Low provides great arch support and midfoot stiffness. The heel counter is really stiff. The lacing system and the heel counter lock in your foot, thus providing ample true ankle support.

Jalique: If there is one thing you can count on in recent adidas basketball shoes, it’s the inclusion of a stable, and at times creative, platform. While visually the Pro Boost Low’s midsole isn’t quite creative, it fits the bill for stability with a nice wide and flat base.

The gore band, if you couldn’t already deduce, is effective. But I haven’t mentioned heel stability. Although it doesn’t feel like the heel counter is substantial due to the low height of the sneaker, the heel lockdown worked fine. Stop and go, two-way lateral movements, pivots, defending back cuts…all of it worked well for me.

Overall

Bryan: The adidas Pro Boost Low is now my go-to shoe of 2020. Seriously. If I’m going to a new court, or one I know is bad, I take both a review pair and the Pro Boost Low. If you’re looking for cushion, traction, and fit, I can’t think of another shoe that will perform as well. While I was excited about the prospect of a drop-in Boost midsole, the midsole construction is better than I dreamed. Seriously, besides the adidas “suede”, I can’t think of a single bad thing about this shoe. Even the crazy tongue setup isn’t bad per se.

Jalique: Though not exactly what I expected, the adidas Pro Boost Low is a solid performer. With a mid option also available, the Pro Boost should fit the preferences of all types of players with its biggest flaws (the instep issue) not really hindering performance much, if at all.

The adidas Pro Boost Low is worth a try if you’re considering it as your next hoops shoe.