12 Most Anticipated Kicks of Spring '15
March 20 is the official date of spring 2015. That's in calendar terms and in sneaker terms.
Besides the majority of us bidding farewell to the perils of Old Man Winter, spring weather also brings a change in style. Brighter colors and more vibrant patterns make way for bolder wardrobe decisions.
In the kicks department, things tend to change as well. While the traditional hues and concepts are always going to be a constant, the major brands across the world tend to shift their focus toward more festive looks—Nike's Easter Collection and Adidas' Florist City Collection are two examples of that.
Taking a look at all of the spring '15 releases, we've compiled a list of the 12 most anticipated sneaker drops.
Misplaced Checks 'Black'
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John Geiger's decision to jump into the sneaker game has created a new wave of kicks for consumers to get their hands on. Debuting with a limited run of his Misplaced Checks creation at the end of February, Geiger set the sneaker community abuzz.
Continuing with his trend of disruption, the Misplaced Check series returns with a black edition. Though images are scarce at the moment, anyone who saw the original Checks has to be thrilled about this follow-up pair.
Typical of most exclusive kicks floating around out there, getting your hands on a pair of these could prove to be a daunting endeavor. Despite that conviction, the Misplaced Checks series has already crossed into legendary territory.
Brandblack J. Crossover II
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Brandblack has emerged as a serious up-and-coming sneaker conglomerate thanks to an innovative philosophy and their flagship model, the J. Crossover II.
Serving as the latest signature release for Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, Brandblack gave the fluid scorer a gorgeous shoe to get buckets in.
Debuting with a red-and-black colorway—as well as the alternate white-and-blue version—in mid-March, the J. Crossover II quickly cemented itself as a hot sneaker.
Piggybacking off its initial success, Brandblack decided to push out three more distinct colorways.
The "BKNV" model is an all-black venture. Instead of going with a basic black overlay, Brandblack weaved shades of navy blue into the shoe as well to give it a more desaturated look. The result was a stunning sneaker.
After the "BKNV," comes the "GRY" version. A simple monochromatic colorway gives people a lighter pair of kicks to play ball in.
Finally, there's the J. Crossover II "RED." Instead of being an all-red shoe that leaned on one dominant hue, these kicks actually have more of a menswear feel to them. A relaxed intermix of colors translates into a stunning canvas.
Stayed tuned, because these outstanding J. Crossover II sneakers will be released on April 20.
Nike Air Foamposite One 'Goldposite'
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Nike's Air Foamposite series has become one of the flagship silhouettes for the brand ever since Mike Bibby and Penny Hardaway broke them out in the '90s.
Since then, Nike has reinvented the Foams with new colorways and fresh ideas. The year that is 2015 has already become a monumental one for Foams, and we're only a few months into this thing.
During NBA All-Star Weekend, Nike dropped the "Mirror" version of the kicks as a limited run. Glossed over with a chrome finish, these were one of the most difficult pairs of shoes to get your hands on.
For those who missed out, don't stress too hard. Nike's decision to drop the Air Foamposite "Goldposite" should quench your sneaker thirst.
Gold is in. Starting with 2 Chainz album cover a few years back and ending with the new MacBook, this golden time continuum we're living in is real. With Nike giving fans the "Goldposite," now people can dress their feet in the color of success—sorry, green.
Slated for a March 20 release, you can be sure this will be another hot seller from the Nike imprint.
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D Lillard 1 'Rose City'
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Like Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving, Damian Lilliard's first shoe has been treated to a bevy of different looks. The D Lillard 1 "Rose City" is another interpretation that sneakerheads can get behind.
The all-red look works with this low-top cut no matter what angle you approach it from.
Comfort is another big part of the D Lillard 1. In that world, it has quickly become one of the top basketball shoes on the market. The support is there, even though your foot doesn't even feel cramped or in a tight spot.
Part of the Adidas' coveted Florist City Collection, the D Lillard 1 "Rose City" is more than an impressive performance shoe.
Kobe X 'Silk'
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Don't let anyone tell you any different: Nike's Kobe X is a great shoe.
Built as the sequel to the prestigious Kobe 9, the X's have quietly become one of the best sneakers to emerge from Nike's relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers guard.
Kobe Bryant himself doesn't rock these on the court—thanks to an injury he sustained in this season—which in a sense makes the Kobe X's allure that much greater. They are the first shoes the veteran guard hasn't worn during a season since he teamed up with Nike in 2003.
The "Silk" colorway set to hit stores on March 21 should catch the eye of all Kobe X fans. That distinct blend between burgundy, gold and orange works well. When fused together, the colors almost illuminate off of the mesh exterior.
Those looking for a terrific casual and basketball shoe won't be disappointed by all the Kobe X "Silk" has to offer.
Air Jordan IV 'Laser'
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Jordan Brand's decision to give some of its most sought after silhouettes a laser treatment turned out to be a great decision.
After the Air Jordan I and Jordan XX "Laser" dropped, people immediately got to see the quality and attention to detail the company put forth.
Credit goes to the design team, remastering these sneakers was a bold way to go about things.
Now that we've seen the first two models, the Air Jordan IV "Laser" is next in line. Patiently waiting its turn like a 50 Cent record from 2003, the IV is a beautiful, pristine sneaker.
The laser-etching process covers every part of the shoe, minus the sole and mesh pockets placed on the upper. Telling the story of Michael Jordan on the kicks, these shoes have a special meaning for Jordan enthusiasts.
Mix in the trademark icy blue sole that the "Laser" line has been blessed with, and what you have is a really dope Air Jordan IV. Expected to drop on March 21, this particular model looks like it will be a visual home run for the brand.
Under Armour Curry One 'Black Taxi'
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Stephen Curry is not only an MVP candidate this season, but he also got his own signature shoe thanks to the generosity of Under Armour.
The Curry One is a crucial part of this new movement giving young guards their own kicks—Curry's shoe fell around the same time as Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard's sneakers.
After the Curry One's initial release, Under Armour started to publish follow-up colorways. April 3 is the date when the latest offering—the Curry One "Black Taxi"—comes out.
It features the same technology but uses a different approach visually speaking. The crawling yellow pattern is surrounded by black, painting this taxi cab-like landscape in pastels.
Historically, Under Armour isn't known for its shoes. The company has always drawn a massive following in the apparel realm. But with the Curry One, it is a welcomed addition to the landscape. The shoe fits beautifully and is easy to move around in.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Curry One "Black Taxi" edition and the alternate "Underdog" version, both dropping on the same day.
KD 7 'Easter'
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Each year, Nike goes out and creates an Easter-inspired collection for all of its athletes' signature kicks.
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and now Kyrie Irving receive fresh hues and splashes of paint on their sneakers. But of all those Nike stars, Durant's Easter collection has emerged as the cream of the crop.
The 2015 KD 7 "Easter" edition takes that trend and pushes it forward once again. Per usual, the shoe itself is the same from a technical vantage point. All of the bells and whistles that make the KD 7 such a popular and well-performing hoops shoe are attached to this model.
A light green coat with grey and orange dabs on top of it turn the upper into a clever camo blend of brightness. Those particular hues cover the rest of the shoe, minus the black Nike emblem across the front and the traditional KD 7 strap over the laces.
Colorways like this aren't for the faint of heart. Remember that. Nevertheless, the KD 7 "Easter" edition is a great shoe, and it's scheduled to drop April 2.
Air Jordan X 'Double Nickel'
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Michael Jordan's return to basketball after a brief stint in minor league baseball was capped off by the release of the Air Jordan X.
Rocking the No. 45 upon his comeback, this year Nike decided to stitch that number along the top of the ankle on the Jordan X. Sure, this shoe isn't as recognizable as say the Air Jordan XI or XII, but that doesn't mean it wasn't a critical shoe to the brand.
A cornucopia of colorways have been released over the years honoring the shoe, but 2015 pays homage to one of the most sought after—the Air Jordan X "Double Nickel."
The name is derived from MJ's 55-point performance against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden that first season back.
Original colorways and concepts are always going to be an in-demand choice. That's why the Air Jordan X "Double Nickel" should thrive in the market. The white, black and red lining and the mythological No. 45 pressed onto it is all you really need in this life of sin.
Kyrie 1 'Brotherhood'
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Signature shoes these days hit shelves in a multitude of different ways. Aside from the original colors assigned to a pair of kicks, pretty much all of the major brands flood with the market with alternative options.
The Kyrie 1—Kyrie Irving's initial sneaker—is no exception to that train of thought. The "Brotherhood" edition is the latest in this imaginative series.
With colors paying tribute to Irving's days at Duke, the Kyrie 1 "Brotherhood" is a perfectly time released considering the NCAA tournament is underway.
Duke isn't always the easiest team to love. In fact, it has a pretty tumultuous reputation with fans. Regardless, the "Brotherhood" variant is an outstanding offering from Nike.
Scheduled for a March 21 release, the Kyrie 1 "Brotherhood" will go down as one of the most attractive adaptions of this shoe.
Air Jordan I 'Chicago'
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Jordan Brand's decision to retro some of the top colorways in 2015 didn't stop with the Air Jordan X "Double Nickel." The return of the Air Jordan I "Chicago" is a fitting tribute to one of the most memorable sneakers of all time.
To say there have been a slew of different Jordan I color patterns over the years would be an understatement. We've seen pretty much everything. But a grail like the "Chicago" motif will never go out of style.
Like a valiant painting hanging in the Museum of Modern Art or a classic album, the Air Jordan I is timeless. It goes with everything. Doesn't matter if you're torching jumpers from the three-point line or kicking it with your friends on a rainy Saturday, this shoe will never skip a beat.
Make sure you keep your eyes peeled toward the end of May, because these shoes are a must-have for any true Jordan cognoscente.
Kobe X Elite 'Rose Gold'
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Finally, the Kobe X is going to get the Nike Elite treatment.
Constructing a high-top version of one of the best basketball shoes out there right now, Nike has given fans three variants of the Kobe X Elite. Though each one of them has a distinct colorway and complex pattern, the "Rose Gold" joints are serious.
The attention to detail Nike gave these kicks is almost haunting. Peep the black upper, laced with splash of rose and a big golden swoosh. Isn't that something?
When we venture down to the sole region, that's where things start to get even nastier—in a good way. The clear, milky-white sole with black paint chips and a hyper-pink heel completes one of the best looking shoes to come out of the Elite series.
An early-June launch date has been tagged to these special kicks. Of course, stay tuned for updates on that front.
All Nike product information via News.Nike.com, unless noted otherwise. All Adidas information via News.Adidas.com, unless noted otherwise.
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