The 6 Top Sneakers from the Last 6 Years

With a lot of negativity surrounding the current year, it’s always best to look toward and recognize the positive things all around us. With this, 2ndopinion.ph celebrates its 6th anniversary with the top sneaker releases per year since its founding. The basis for choosing the shoes on this list consists of various factors such as style, technology, impact, influence, innovation, value and mainly personal preference. Let’s get started!

2015: Adidas UltraBoost 

Starting off this list is Adidas’ well-received launch of the UltraBoost into the sneaker world. This shoe also introduced Adidas’ new “Boost” technology, fusing both comfort and style with its cloud-looking sole which, honestly, was so comfortable that it made you feel like you were actually walking on clouds. One of the main reasons why this sneaker took off the way it did was how Kanye was often seen rocking these shoes, specifically the triple white colorway, during his concerts, attending NBA games, or even just walking around being followed by paparazzi. 

Another reason why this shoe has a lot of significance is how it put Adidas “back on the map,” so to speak. In the years prior to this shoes’ release, Adidas’ sneaker game had seen a decline in sales and overall popularity — be it in leisure, training, or sportswear —mainly due to underwhelming design and performance. This consequently led to Nike taking control of majority of the market and even seeing the emergence of other brands, such as Under Armour. The UltraBoost’s success has led to many more releases and versions in the years to come, including several popular collaborations with hit TV series Game of Thrones, football clubs Bayern Munich, Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as various streetwear brands such as Undefeated, Bape and Kith. 

2016: Adidas NMD 

Following the success of Adidas’ UltraBoost is the Adidas NMD which saw similar success as its more expensive sibling. Just like the former, NMD also sports Boost technology. What differs between the two, however, is that the latter has either a PrimeKnit or a Mesh upper. Once again, Adidas hit it out of the park with this perfect blend of style and technology. 

If the release of the UltraBoost the year prior wasn’t enough to boost Adidas back atop the sneaker game (pun intended), the success of the NMD the very next year definitely put both the shoe, and the brand, back on everyone’s radar. As with the UltraBoost, the NMD’s success has led to many more models and versions in the years to come. It has also led to several other collaborations, most notably with musical artist Pharrell Williams. This collaboration, dubbed as the “Human Race NMD,” gives a slight twist to the sneaker’s original design with vibrant colors and large text. 

2017: Adidas Futurecraft 4D 

In recent years, one of the more popular technological innovations has been 3D printing, and has consequently been used in several different aspects. Whether medically for stem cells and artificially created body parts, industrially for mechanical parts, or creatively for art and jewelry, 3D printing has played an integral role in the advancement of these fields. In 2017, Adidas decided to utilize this technology in creating the Futurecraft 4D, which features a woven-like sole generated through 3D printing. 

Adidas partnered with Silicon Valley-based company Carbon, which uses Digital Light Synthesis, to create this sneaker. Although aptly named “Futurecraft,” there are still familiar elements to Adidas’ previous sneakers that are present in the shoe, specifically the PrimeKnit upper attached to the sole, as seen in the NMD. It’s always exciting to see the use of technological advances in aspects outside of the more obvious and common. With the success of the Futurecraft 4D as well as continuous innovation, expect more and better sneakers to release not just from Adidas, but from the entire industry. 

2018: Nike Element React 87 

What once was a mere trend in sneaker culture, shoes being versatile enough to be suitable for both performance and lifestyle has now become a staple in the industry, and the Element React 87 embodies just that. Nike’s “React” sole, which was first seen in basketball shoes 

Hyperdunk and Jordan Super.Fly, uses foam-based cushioning technology for a very comfortable fit and feel. Some consider their “React” sole to be the counterpart for Adidas’ “Boost” sole, which is high praise considering how well-received the latter is. 

In terms of its design, a transparent textile spanning from toe to mid-foot allows breathability and light weight. Springy rubber nodules strategically placed at either ends of the sole also allow for better grip and flexibility. On a personal note, one thing I like most about the Element React 87 is the variance and creativity in colorways that Nike has been releasing. It’s to no surprise that this shoe has been often spotted in both sporting purposes and in leisure. 

2019: Nike Kyrie 5 “SpongeBob” Pack 

Previously in the NBA, players were only allowed to wear shoes of either neutral colors or shoes in line with their team’s colors. However, with the League easing restrictions at the beginning of the 2018-2019 season allowing players to wear any color and/or design, players have definitely been more creative, expressive, experimental and just straight-up free in terms of their on-court kicks. Kyrie Irving was one of the many players to make the most out of this with the release of his Nike Kyrie 5 “SpongeBob” pack. 

Included in the collection are 5 shoes representing 5 characters from the beloved cartoon: SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Sandy. Not only do each of these shoes give off vibrant colors and flavors, but also give a feeling of nostalgia and reminiscence. As someone who can speak in SpongeBob references all day, it doesn’t get any better than when multiple things I am fond of — basketball, sneakers and SpongeBob  — all come together. It also definitely plays a factor knowing that these NBA stars, the very players I look up to, are likewise big fans of something that meant a lot to my youth. 

2020: Titan x Nike LeBron 17 Low “Agimat” 

Speaking of multiple things I am fond of coming together, Nike and LeBron James’ collaboration with Titan to release the LeBron 17 Low “Agimat” might just be the epitome of that. As much of a fan I am of basketball, much of it is a product of the very rich and historic basketball culture here in the Philippines. Titan, a local basketball concept store founded in 2010, most definitely represents and portrays that very culture of Pinoy hoops. Hence, I feel Titan, well, represents me as well. 

It’s one thing to see The King wear a shoe in collaboration with a brand close to heart, but it takes it to another level when seeing the details in the all-red kicks. The shoe features many details from Titan’s 10-year history, from LeBron’s motto “Strive for Greatness” translated in Tagalog to “Para sa Kadakilaan,” to Titan’s logo (which pays homage to the Bagobo Tribe) and motto “For Love of the Game.” This is actually Titan’s third collaboration with both Nike and LBJ, having previously worked on the LeBron 16 Low and LeBron Soldier 12. I may not be the biggest LeBron fan, but as someone who lives and breathes Philippine hoops, seeing The King himself represent me on the biggest stage of all hits close to home, literally.