Much of the growth of the sneaker game over the last decade can be credited to the ‘collaboration’. It’s the rare occasion when a sneaker brand reaches out to another well-known staple of the urban fashion/culture game – a store or even an individual – to create a unique colorway of a sneaker that reflects the unique and individualistic nature of the label. Stores like Supreme, mita, and UNDFTD as well as pioneers of urban culture and art like Stash, ESPO, and Bobbito Nike Free Run 4.0 V3 Garcia have experienced a mutual benefit when collaborating with sneaker brands, and it really isn’t much surprise that most of the sneakers listed in this Top-50 are also among the greatest sneakers ever. Check out a sampling of what constitutes this awesome list below and be sure to head to Complex for the entire feature. Want to see where your favorite sneaker collaboration lands on this list? Check out the entire list over at Complex right now.
A sneaker collaboration with Black Apple seems appropriate in the wake of Steve Jobs’ passing, and the degrees-away poetry continues with a sneaker design so impeccable it’s been around through what would effectively be a hundred iPhone generations. But this isn’t a tribute to one of the great technological innovators who passed before his time, but rather, a collabo between two standout designers from Air Max 2012 Men Shoes a pair of burgeoning brands working on an utterly timeless silo. The Black Apple x Nike Chuck Taylor Free Run sees Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow black-out the Chuck’s upper in a way that really stands out against the all-white sole. A Nike Free Run Sale mere 60 pairs of these will be issued, but as you can see when they’re posed with one of Black Apple’s punkish denim vests, these are a solid anchor for your aggressive fashion days. Click through to see more angles and stick with Sneaker News for the US release date. via FRESHNESS
Medicom Toy is one of the all-time leaders when it comes to cranking out simple yet satisfying sneaker collaborations, and this latest duo is no exception to that nearly decade-long trend. The Bearbrick x Nike Chuck Taylor Free Run and Air Max Purcell are made even more playful thanks to a pristine fuzzy upper that looks like a day off from school filled with fun and your favorite toys. The Chucks are notable for the addition of an embroidered Be@rbrick logo on the lateral side opposite the traditional medial patch, a smaller version of which can be seen on near the Purcells’ heels. Check out both pairs in more images after the jump and look for these at select Nike retailers come November. via HB