Imagine walking into a shoe store in hopes of buying the perfect pair. Multiple shelves display everything from all-time favorite brands like Nike, Adidas, and Converse to trendy brands like Crocs and Yeezy. The wide selection of different brands, designs, and costs can be overwhelming, especially for those not too knowledgeable about the culture of footwear. Sneakerheads–passionate footwear collectors and enthusiasts–know which shoes and brands are excellent choices for anyone, so what would they recommend?
The majority of sneakerheads at Arcata High School choose Nike’s Air Jordan line as their favorite shoe brand. This is because of the shoes’ quality, material, and classic design.
“I’ve always been a Nike guy,” Charlie Espinoza, AHS’ Girls Varsity Basketball coach and sneakerhead stated. “Anything classic Nike, anything classic Jordan, I might have them. When I first got into shoes, Air Force 1s were dope. Jordan 11s, 3s, 4s… I could go all day about my favorite Jordans styles.”
Dawson Vallerga, AHS student-athlete and good friend of Charlie Espinoza, stated “Jordan made some of the most classic designs, which are the best looking in my opinion… Jordan 4 Breds are my favorite. If you want a more modern or new-age design, then I’d go with Yeezys.”
Nike leads the race of contending shoe brands with around $50 billion in sales in 2023. This is more than double Adidas’ sales in that same year. Adidas sales averaged $23 billion. Nike has its classic and trending designs and shoes for any budget.
Vallerga passed the interview baton onto his fellow student-athlete, Danillo Fanti. “I think the new Jordan 1 Mocha Lows are pretty cheap,” Fanti said. “They have the high version of the Jordan 1 Mochas and those are expensive, but the Mocha lows are not as costly and they look the same.”
Espinoza confirmed that ”Nike has good cost-efficient options with certain athletes all having a budget shoe. If you wanted a Lebron shoe without paying the full $200, you could get his budget version and still have a Lebron shoe.”
Nike’s Air Jordans line seems to be the favorite brand among sneakerheads. However, brands like Crocs and Yeezy are more comfortable options for everyday wear, while also being relatively cheap.
“I like a lot of Yeezy Slides and Foam Runners because they’re comfortable and easy to wear all day because some shoes start to hurt after a while,” Fanti said.
Yeezy shoes are still equipped with Adidas’ boost technology, despite its separation from Adidas in October 2023. Boost technology was first introduced by Adidas in 2013. This modification on the shoe cushions its midsole. This gives Yeezy shoes a comfortable feeling while also being trendy and stylish.
“Adidas I’d say have some of the most comfortable shoes,” Vallerga said. “They have that Boost technology that they use in their Yeezys. I have a pair of Yeezy Slides and Foam Runners and those are easily the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.”
