With summer here in San Diego in full swing, I want to take a moment and list some of my go-to summertime kicks while I drink some ice cold water out of my 40 oz Hydro Flask. *spoiler alert* they're all low tops.
What is summer 2017 in San Diego like? F**KING HOT. When the weather gets like this, as a sneaker head, I prefer lightweight low tops. Perfect for wearing with shorts or light joggers (even though I still wear my denim, f**k it). This list consists of some of my go-to sneakers in my collection for casual summer wear.
NIKE AIR MAX 1
left: nike air max 1 EM; right: nike air max 1 essentials
Let's start with a classic, the Nike Air Max 1. It's fairly lightweight (I say fairly because there's a much lighter shoe on this list later), it's a low top, it's comfortable, it's durable, it's basically everything you want in a summertime sneaker you can wear everyday. More recently nike has released some of its more popular Air Max 1 models (ie OGs, jewel swoosh, atmos, etc...), if you're lucky they might still have your sizes available, also when the hell did everyone all of a sudden fall in love with air max 1s? wtf yo.
NIKE AIR HUARACHE
nike air huarache "scream green"
The Nike Air Huarache was made popular again by the sudden trend of runners as a fashion accessory in recent years. For me, the first time I saw them was on the feet of bboys in my city and I thought they were the dopest shoes. They came in so many color ways you could match them with any outfit and still continues today. As a casual shoe they're great, lightweight and comfortable, you could even (and I don't recommend it) wear them without socks. The combination of neoprene and leather makes this shoe more durable than it looks, still holds up to todays standards if you ask me.
ADIDAS ALPHABOUNCE
adidas alphabounce engineered mesh
Sticking with the "runners theme", the Adidas Alphabounce is a slept on shoe. People have called it the Poor man's YZY, but its not, because it actually does what its supposed to do, and thats to be a shoe used for physical activity. The engineered mesh version I own is a great summer shoe for San Diego's muggy summer weather. This version allows for great air flow all the while keeping your feet contained (if laced up properly, but this is hip hop we don't choke our laces so kill that noise), and the bounce cushion system is especially useful for when you're doing a lot of standing around at your summer cook out. If there's one shoe I highly recommend on this list for this summer that's up with the times as far as fashion trends, it's these Adidas Alphabounce shoes.
ADIDAS INIKI RUNNER
left: adidas iniki runner "pearl grey" ; right: adidas iniki runner "pride of the 70s"
So you want an Adidas runner, but don't want to shell out the dough for Ultra boosts? Here you have the Adidas INIKI runner. A combination of the old and the new to bring you into the world of "boost gang". This mix of neoprene, suede, and boost is the perfect blend for summertime kickbacks, im gonna be honest, that's all its good for really. Can't wear them in wet weather, I don't recommend them for the gym because of the lack of lateral support, you can run in them so long as your route doesn't take you down hill, otherwise you'll be smashing your toes. As a casual wear shoe, I absolutely love them. For $120 a pair ill take every color way i'm feelin and just rotate them throughout the season.
ADIDAS GAZELLE & PRO-KEDS ROYAL PLUS
left: adidas gazelle "rawfiki miadidas"; right: pro-keds royal plus "cream"
I'm a B-boy, these are a couple of my favorite shoes to dance in, there's going to be some bias here, okay a lot of bias.
First the Adidas Gazelle, I seen one of my B-boy idols, Ken Swift, wear them in a video and knew I had to have them. 3 stripes, hip hop, clean, not much else I want from a classic adidas shoe worn by bboys and bgirls. The gazelles don't get the same attention as the superstars, but these are actually really good shoes for something that debuted in the mid 1960s. Whether you're like me and use them to dance in or wear them casually you'll like them for an everyday shoe. All of the retail options for gazelles come in suede and in all different colors.
Why Pro-Keds royal plus? why not. A classic B-boy favorite, well, one of my favorites at least. Just ask my wife, she'll say i'm a hip hop purist, and these are as pure as you can get (kind of). The term "keepin it real" comes to mind when I wear these shoes in a cypher, at a jam, or just out doing hip hop things with my friends. SURE they look like chucks, BUT DID ROCK STEADY CREW WEAR CHUCKS IN FLASHDANCE? didn't think so...maybe. I digress, these are on the list because of materials, durability, fit, and style. Summer appropriate. Visit pro-keds website, they have an array of colors to choose from and styles. (they plan on bringing back the mid top versions of this shoe ;-) )
AIR JORDAN 11 LOW
air jordan 11 low "UNC"
You didn't think I wouldn't have AT LEAST 1 Air Jordan on here, did you?. The Air Jordan 11 low "UNC" just screams summertime, low top, mostly white upper, carolina blue patent leather, low top, icy blue outsole, did I mention it's a low top?. The AJ XI is already a classic, low top versions take one of the best on court performers to an off court casual sneaker you can wear with anything. I could also just be bias, XIs are my favorite shoes of all time, low tops just makes me love the shoe even more, making these guys one of my favorites for summer 2017.
There you have it, my go-to list of summer 17 kicks. other honorable mentions: Nike Cortez leather, puma blaze, kobe 8, air jordan 12 low. Please keep up with us, we've got some things in the works and two of my friends have come on board to help with the site.
