10 Must-Have Customizable Kicks
The evolution we've seen absorb the sneaker industry has been tremendous over the years. Brands have given consumers so many new styles, colorways and releases that it's hard for people to keep their heads on straight.
Missing anticipated releases is a pain true addicts of the sneaker world understand. But sometimes it's better to bypass the hype and create something on your own.
Nike, Adidas and other companies have all put resources into the customization process. It's first and foremost another revenue stream for the brand. And at the end of the day, the dollar speaks loudly and coherently.
The positive outlook is that, for almost the same price, you can build the shoe you want down to the T. Sovereignty like that is liberating.
Though a handful of sneaker companies offer customization options, we've trimmed our first list down to 10 must-have sneakers by Nike and Adidas. Both brands are near the top of the made-to-order game and their products showcase that.
Honorable Mention: NIKEiD Elite Socks
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The natural passage for customization in footwear to undertake is going from personalized sneakers to socks. Nike has realized this and it has used its powers for good, giving people the chance to personalize a dope line of signature socks.
With the NIKEiD Elite socks, you can now add your own lettering and numbers to feel like a real sports superstar.
Extensive colors and patterns make this option worthwhile. You can veer into Kevin Durant territory or rock out the classic way with Kobe Bryant's Flight Pack series. No matter what choice you make, having personalized, high-quality socks is a must.
NIKEiD: Air Force One
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Getting the chance to reinvent a classic silhouette is always a pleasure. Thanks to the vaunted NIKEiD program—launched all the way back in 1999—designing Air Force Ones has become viable for sneakerheads.
The artistic boundaries Nike has given its devoted followers are limitless. You can customize everything from the swoosh logo and lace dubrae, all the way down to the sole itself.
Limitations are gone, and that's given consumers a shot at becoming Air Force One aficionados. That's why, out of all of the NIKEiD-eligible shoes, the AF1 has to be my personal favorite.
Adidas ZX Flux
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Those who have read any of my sneaker pieces over time know that I'm a big fan of Adidas. The company has created some really excellent products and put them into the marketplace in an accessible fashion.
One of the freshest sneakers in the brand's arsenal has been the ZX Flux. It's a running shoe by trade that's been beautified with hazy patterns of colors and prints.
The shoe also has become a huge customization piece. Adidas launched an app called "mi ZX Flux" that allows customers to seamlessly upload images from their phones onto the sneakers. The possibilities have become endless, as this software allows you to take pictures from your life and plaster them onto kicks.
When a sneaker is able to match performance with design, it's a wrap. You can't top that combination of riches. In Adidas' case, the ZX Flux has effortlessly fit into that matrix.
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NIKEiD: Kobe X
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Nike's connection with Kobe Bryant has been crazy beneficial for everyone involved. The laundry list of Bryant's signature sneakers rarely disappoints.
Just look at the Kobe X. It's really a clean-looking shoe loaded with all of the technological features you'd want.
Following Nike's pattern of giving people a chance to tweak the brand's marquee products, the Kobe X hit NIKEiD shortly after its initial "5AM Flight" colorway released.
The Flyknit material and mesh overlay make for some unique looks. Peep the image we have slotted above. That's one of Nike's "featured designs" that you can either work from or select as a final product.
Either way, you're bound to come up with something eclectic and meaningful with the Kobe X on NIKEiD.
NIKEiD: Kyrie 1
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Nike's latest signature athlete to have his own sneaker is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, and man, was he a good choice.
Late in 2014, Irving got his own set of kicks, dubbed the Kyrie 1. It was an impressive looking shoe, covered in mesh with elements of high fashion dripped around the back like excess candle wax.
The Kyrie 1 hit the public in a variety of colors—most of which worked. But when Nike gave it the personalization treatment, that's when things got super reckless.
Flipping ingredients like a chef in the kitchen, you can sprinkle a ton of varying colors on your Kyrie 1 without remorse. Customize away, because the sky is the limit when it comes to these mid-top gems.
Adidas mi Tubular Runner
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Shooting our way through traffic, past the ZX Flux, Adidas' next stop on the personalization train is the mi Tubular Runner. This model is another robust one straight out of the Adidas fleet.
The Tubular comes with a sophisticated design that's accentuated by smooth materials. When you get to craft your own version of this shoe, you can add a variety of textures and colors, giving it an even crisper feel.
Honestly, the Tubular Runner is another rugged performance shoe that just so happens to look the part. And constructing a custom-made edition filled with fluid materials usually leads to hummocks of happiness.
NIKEiD: LeBron 12 Elite
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Putting LeBron James' signature kicks on this slideshow was going to happen at some point.
According to Forbes' Kurt Badenhausen, James is currently the most popular athlete in the world when it comes to sneaker sales. His $340 million in 2014 was a staggering, "fall back in your chair" total.
Keeping that engine greased up and groovy, Nike made sure that the King's latest shoes—the LeBron 12—got the NIKEiD treatment.
Unlike a lot of iD models, the LeBron 12s have a bevy of different features you can utilize. You can gravitate toward more expensive materials or stick to the basics. No matter what you decide, the pickings are intense.
Because of all of those features and swatches of color, there's a really good chance that your LeBron 12s are going to look much different than anything your friend can create. That alone makes them must-own, customizable sneakers.
Adidas mi Superstar 80s
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We told you about those classics, right? You really can't go wrong with a piece of art history strapped to your feet.
The Adidas mi Superstar 80s is one of the all-time great sneakers. Its backstory runs deep, penetrating all sides of pop culture along the way.
There has always been this crazy longevity tied to the Superstar 80s. They never seem to go away, no matter what goes down.
Along with that legacy comes the ability customize the shoe to fit your personal taste. The image above is an example of something one can make. Fiddling with different materials and shades allows you to put your own spin on the Superstar.
Some styles come and some styles walk down the old, dusty trail, never to be heard from again. At least we can all take comfort in knowing that the Adidas Superstar 80s will remain a staple of the sneaker world.
NIKEiD: KD 7
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Kevin Durant's KD7 model is an excellent choice for people who don't like the robotic look of the LeBron 12s.
The KD7 feels amazing as you're gliding around the court and the shoe provides that feeling without bulking up at every corner. Considered to be one of the top releases from the Nike family, the KD7 was destined to hit the world of custom-made sneakers.
Similar to LeBron's shoes, Nike allows you to mix-and-match motifs without skipping a beat. The design featured above is one of many choices you can make that will give your KD7s a graphic boost.
Remember, these shoes play exactly the same whether you get your hands on a general release or make your own. So why not go the custom route? Or as we call it, the road less traveled.
Adidas Mi ZX Flux 'Slip On'
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Let's take all of the goodness that the Adidas ZX Flux has to offer and remove the laces. What's the result of that exercise in unholy customization? The mi Adidas ZX Flux "Slip On."
Who needs laces anyway? These joints are complete fire. A "ride on a private jet, luxurious"-type of fit is what you get when sliding your feet into these Fluxes.
Adidas gave folks the chance to customize this model and, if we're being honest here, that was a blessing. You can manipulate each area of the shoe, adding dashes of color to give it signs of vitality.
The end game is a customizable sneaker that fits like a glove.
NIKEiD: Air Huarache Run
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A recent—but welcome—addition to the NIKEiD collection was the Air Huarache Run.
Another one of those nostalgic silhouettes, the Air Huarache Run has been a stalwart for Nike. Getting unleashed in the realm of NIKEiD was a good thing for these kicks. It gave people an opportunity to fall back in love with this model like Amazon Prime reruns of Beverly Hills, 90210.
Speaking of 90210, you can't get more '90s than sporting a pair of Air Huarache Runs. That decade is written all over the OG strap on the back and the layered mid-sole.
You could do worse than securing yourself a pair of these personalized kicks. From our viewpoint, they are without question among the must-have sneakers of the year.
All Nike product information via News.Nike.com unless noted otherwise. All Adidas information via News.Adidas.com unless noted otherwise. Customization colorways shown may not always be available to the general public.
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