2017 Shoe of the Year?

I’m not a sneaker kind of person, and i don’t stay up on shoe trends, but I have seen a lot of wool uppers lately, which I like.

I do like what i have seen from the Adidas Wings & Horns. Shoes and clothing.

I’ll bite…

Obviously I’m kinda biased here being in the footwear industry, but I have to say I’m not so happy what I’m seeing.

Less and less innovation and more and more hype multiplied by a factor of x100 on the ugly scale and incestous copying is how I’d mostly define Footwear 2017.

I’m not sure when actual aesthetic design and technical innovation lost the game to being different for the sake of being different but everything is so different now that it all looks the same.

The deconstructionist aesthetic is just one small part of this.

All those Filling Pieces things Yo posted above look to me like a Chinese knockoff of a Presto combined with an Italian Hogan built on the last of a diabetic shoe, at best. The ugly boot is the same as the Kayne collection 100s of things from Aldo ($) to Gusieppe Zanotti ($$$$).

Everyone is literally making the same shoe. Brand Black (once a very innovative and design driven brand by a great designer) is using retro/ugly runner Vibram tooling that is used by everyone with the same sort of random upper pattern on it that is the same as what you could get from a factory for free.

The Air Monach is now a fashion shoe? WTF?

Everything and everyone is making the same sock fit knit upper that if it weren’t for real, would be a joke in how far it’s gone (see Balencianga Sock runner which is just an actual sock stuck to an outsole).

On the flip side, there are some bright spots. Nike Air Max Vapor is a great evolution of the brand and technology.

Adidas has obviously been doing well pumping out the same NMD/Boost silhouette, but nice to see some actual innovation in the Futurecraft product (outsole).

I wish I could say more makes me excited. Bbest I can see if the evolution of some of the core athletic brands finally finding a good balance between performance and aesthetics offering sleeker, more streamlined product.

![nike-off-white-collaboration-gallery-5.jpg|1200x800](upload://7h1UaaRNL9x3WZgaNzNnMRw8EOc.jpeg) ![balenciaga-mens-triple-s_3_grande.jpg|600x450](upload://rOHyRmkzyJrwx2wmGoLViNrLGrT.jpeg) ![yeezy-supply-kanye-west-wave-runner-700-101.jpg|1119x746](upload://stTuMvjY2l7cfbYh046udlTHhPr.jpeg) ![air-monarch-iv-mens-training-shoe.jpg|400x400](upload://urCR0EXV1XnoDsMAmS1AccFrQe5.jpeg) ![Balenciaga-Speed-Trainer-Sock-Race-Runners-Triple-Black.jpg|1200x800](upload://ezbZGw2POB622g7QGT4EWB92RGI.jpeg) ![504880836_1_ShoeSide.jpeg|402x267](upload://mRyeBWbxauAFE38mLGBziOArcJr.jpeg) ![imgrc0075606932.jpg|602x340](upload://oU7PZug9agfxw29rQilq8Uj0UxQ.jpeg) ![adidas-futurecraft-4d-details-00.jpg|960x576](upload://j6B5h8DAGKBhZxcy8QyjymGHBOu.jpeg) ![blue.png|674x364](upload://jn6yMFGljLE3zKUurWWrBxCif5H.png)

PS. Been thinking about this for a while and hoped I’d have more positive to add. Will dig into some of my links to see if I can find any bright spots.

R

Richard, that is kind of why I brought it up. I don’t feel like I understand all of the off-white/ acronym type collars… but I never understood the Jeff Staple put a bird on it thing either. Throwing a zip tie, writing AIR giant or cutting in an awkward zipper doesn’t seem like design to me, personally. It feels like hype for hypes sake. VS when the Air Max 95 came out in silver in 1995… it was just an awesome shoe. But maybe I’m just getting old? I need to think about it.

I do tink Adidas is doing some really nice stuff between 3D printing, the Bounce stuff, and more tasteful collaborations that iab brought up… other than that Kanye meatball shoe. That is what we used to call stuff like those puffy white leather shoes, meatballs. Certainly trends are cyclical, but I think any extreme looks pretty foolish a couple of years out…

We used to call shoes like the Monarch “BBQ shoes”. It’s the “sport” they are designed for. Super cheap PU coated action leather to make BBQ sauce removal easier :wink:

I have a catalog of price point white training shoes circa 2001 that I’m pretty sure all came off the shelf from some factory in China that doesn’t look too different than the ugly Kayne ones… will scan if I have some time later.

R

totally… not for the guy that plays the game, for the guy that watches the game. Anti Dorrito dust coatings on the laces :slight_smile:

On a more positive note, maybe it’s just the international playing field opening up, (and my exposure to it) but I’m seeing a lot of really great talent and interest in footwear design lately on IG! Perhaps the next generation of designers can bring something interesting to the table and change things up!

R

Too me, every shoe in the last few years just look like Yeezy’s. Which I hate. It’s like the whole industry said “Hey guys! Let’s just make socks with soles!!”

Granted, I’m not really into footwear as much as you guys (I’ve worn the same pair of Red Wings for 3 years straight), but I totally agree with Richard on this. Everything is just the same.

And on the Monarch’s… my Father in law (71) and brother in law (35) both wear them, and so do all their friends. When they’re not wearing work boots on the farm. That’s the target demographic for those badboys. Besides, Pete Carroll.

All points are great to hear, that’s why its a forum.


I do like the simple material focused approach NoBull has taken in a sea of loud over the top footwear.




Maybe instead of focusing on best shoe of 2017, it would be interested to dive into the best components.

Best Outsole design?
Best Midsole design?
Best Technology development?
Best Upper?

Food for thought.

Agreed. The Nobull stuff is really nice and restrained with great use of materials and colors.

R

hadn’t seen those top two Nobull’s Leather wedge on a sneaker? So cool! Probably not comfortable, but awesome.

Wedge is a weight lifting shoe. Actually makes sense for stability.

R

ah, yes, that makes sense.

As an avid CrossFitter that isn’t particularly thrilled with the sporty-sportiness of most of the Reebok and Nike stuff, I really like Nobull’s aesthetic. I really want a pair of those perf leather hi-tops to wear as casual shoes.

Agreed 100%

I agree that the sock upper has been too much of an innovation trend.
Predators have always been the innovation factor in soccer footwear, I played soccer for the majority of my life and don’t like the sock closure around the heel because of the pressure and looseness that I am sceptical if it will work when playing the full 90+ minutes.

We just want to have great shoes, there are some nice examples here.

Here is another recent prize-winning shoe because it adds value in a niche environment:
https://vanberlo.nl/news/107/a-healthier-hospital-starts-from-the-feet-up

Crocs?

R

Smart ones!

I like the 2017 Air Max too, if only for the video promotion: