Awesome Shoes

In Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, a young Flint’s first invention is shoes that can be sprayed on to avoid having to tie shoelaces. Jlaservideo thought it would be fun to bring the idea to the real world. It took a lot of trial and error to come up with the right formulation, but eventually he got confident enough in his spray-on fabric to make other garments.

Nike slims things down without skimping on bounce with the Dn8 in a vibrant purple. This low-profile sneaker packs eight dual-chambered Air tubes that shift on impact for supreme cushioning. A full-length Dynamic Air system sits right above the outsole for smooth, grounded motion, while breathable mesh keeps things cool. Drops 4.17.2025.

These stylish sneakers from Thursday Boot Co. easily go from casual to dressy. They’re made from full-grain leather with a soft leather lining and shock-absorbing footbeds for comfort. They come in several colors, but our hands-down favorite is this hand-finished toffee-stained leather. Available with a contrasting off-white or tone-on-tone toffee sole.

Do you drop your shoes on the floor when you walk in the door? The Quadrant Shoebox from Murmur Industries helps keep your place tidy while encouraging a shoes-off household. The high-quality baltic birch wood pivots open to store up to six pairs of shoes, then closes neatly to provide a bench for lacing up. Measures 19″ W x 17″ D x 17″ H.

Fans of Combat Flip Flops’ Jungle and Desert Fox high tops can now stomp in the stealthy, all-black Shadowban. Tougher than before, its leather toe cap and integrated tongue make it more resilient than earlier models, and the beefed-up the nylon material is extra burly. Its maker is owned and operated by US Veterans.

Is there really a reason to walk around wearing pineapples on your feet? Apparently so. After hearing that pineapple skins are fireproof, Connor Creates decided to put that to the test by making a pair of shoes out of the spiky tropical fruits. Along the way, he tested other fruits to see how well they held up to fire.

Danner teamed up Brandblack to create this hip and functional boot for everyone. Combining rugged and street aesthetics isn’t easy, but this shoe pulls it off. It has an off-white Nubuck upper, quick-adjust lacing, and a waterproof GORE-TEX lining. Its textured Vibram Wrap Tech midsole features Megagrip compound for confident walking on varied terrain.

With the massive success of Wicked, The Wizard of Oz is as relevant today as ever. Nike hops on the bandwagon to Oz with a pair of vibrant sneakers in a hypnotic hydro-dipped floral print, inspired by the scene in the field of poppies. There’s subtle “No Place Like Home” typography on the back. Drops 12.23.24 at 9 am ET in adult, little kid, and toddler sizes.

Brooklyn footwear designers Atoms outfitted the extra comfy, classic, versatile Model 001 sneaker with hidden tongue loops, stretch laces, odor resistance, and extra heel padding. Easy to wear without breaking in, it comes in essential colors, including our faves: black, black and white, white, bright white (limited edition), and the especially smart clove green.

Nike joins On and adidas in using 3D printing technology to manufacture shoes that combine sustainability with style. Unveiled at ComplexCon 2024, the Air Max 1000 combines the silhouette and airbag of the Air Max with a lightweight 3D printing material. It looks like a very early proof-of-concept, but it does seem mad comfortable.

The only time you can go wrong with Chuck Taylors is when it’s rainy. Not anymore. Converse has released a variant of the timeless sneakers that has a weatherproof Gore-Tex coating on the upper to help keep your feet dry. They also have improved OrthoLite cushioning. Available in dark grey, black, or light brown.

Chibson USA is known for designing quirky and humorous products for guitarists. While some of them are clearly fake, they do occasionally turn them into real products. Danny Jenkins couldn’t wait for them to make their Wah Slip-Ons wearable effects pedal, so he made his own with the help of a little tape.

In a year filled with comfy sandals and futuristic runners, Onitsuka Tiger wins our hearts with this utilitarian throwback. Part of the shoemaker’s 75th anniversary collection, the Wrestling A60 NM is modeled after the wrestling shoes that the company made for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Each pair is dyed and given a vintage treatment by hand.

Much like Run-D.M.C. and skaters, KoRn proved that you can be both counter-culture youth and dress like you’re already retired. adidas Originals celebrates the 30th anniversary of the nu-metal legends’ debut with a throwback collection filled with red, plaid, and edgy font. Highlights include a sequined tracksuit, Superstar sneakers, and a long-sleeve tee.

We love this earthy colorway of Puma’s Suede Trippy sneakers. Their suede upper combines smooth and fuzzy textures in organic shades of green and brown. They’re built for everyday comfort, and their rubber midsole and outsole provide cushioning and balance. Available in men’s and women’s sizes.

Trends come and go, but if we had to pick one that would stand the test of time in the current craze of sneaker moccasins, Mizuno’s take would be it. The Wave Prophecy Moc takes the company’s bouncy and eye-catching Wave Plate midsole and pairs it with an otherwise normal leather moccasin upper. They’re sold out but you might be able to find a pair on eBay.