5 Slept-on Summer Kicks

Wake up. It's time to wipe the cold out of the corner of your eye and finally get on this summertime kicks wave.

The retail machine doesn't stop producing kicks, which allows certain sneakers to be deemed "slept-on." It's a commonality these days, but that doesn't make it any less compelling. Dope kicks can go undetected like a 70's teenager sneaking into a Led Zeppelin concert.

Checking back on all that summer '16 had to offer, we wanted to talk about five particular slept-on kicks. These are shoes that can either still be picked up today or barely sold out. Either way, the following stompers represent footwear gems ignored by the general public.

Adidas D Rose 7

Adidas has taken up its current identity because of Kanye West's signature line and advanced runners. When you think Adidas, you think about Yeezys, Ultra Boosts, Tubulars and NMDs.

Basketball is an area that has continually been dominated by Nike and more recently, Under Armour. Adidas wants to change that notion.

Earlier this summer we saw the D Rose 7. A sneaker worthy of challenging the conventional thought process behind basketball kicks.

Adidas used a complex design to draw consumers in. The sneaker has been engineered with mesh. It's a nice change from the leather base we saw on the D Rose 6. 

Another big addition was the inclusion of a full-length Boost sole. To have that layer of cushion on your feet helps further the D Rose line—a line already built on comfort.

The design also takes a leap forward in the aesthetics field, thanks to the inclusion of Adidas' signature Three Stripe moniker on the toe box. It's a much-needed change of pace from the dull feel of the 6.

Shoes worn strictly on the court tend to distance themselves from hype, as was the case with the D Rose 7. The sneaker represents a big leap forward from Team Adidas and it should pay off.

Nike Kobe 11 'Blackout'

Image courtesy of Nike

Kobe Bryant's NBA career might be over, but his sneaker game hasn't wavered. The Kobe 11—Bryant's last on-court sneaker—turned out to be a tremendous offering.

A robust design allows this low-top cut to also offer plenty of support. With a gala of colorways hitting retailers dating back to early 2016, the "Blackout" model seems to have gotten lost in the sauce.

The Kobe 11 "Blackout" not selling out could be the result of oversaturation. We've touched on this topic many times before, but when consumers are bombarded with different models, certain ones tend to stick to shelves.

It's a helpful trend for those who bypass hype and simply want a great sneaker. The Kobe 11 fits the bill of greatness and the "Blackout" colorway is a timeless, simple look.

Air Jordan I KO 'Pure Platinum'

Image courtesy of Nike

There's a weird stigma surrounding the Air Jordan I. It's a sneaker that usually gains attention because of its history, yet when a risky iteration like the KO is released, the shoe tends to be devoid of hype.

It's a shame. Not all of the best Air Jordan Is come by way of the "Bred" or "Royal" colorways. The "Pure Platinum" KO version tends to prove that theory right.

Ever since Jordan Brand introduced the KO line, the shoe has remained a comfortable, durable and beautiful take on a classic. Instead of focusing on leather, the KO line uses canvas or quilted materials to cover the base of the shoe.

The "Pure Platinum" quilted model was released on July 30 without much fanfare. To this day, you can still enjoy a good size run across a host of retailers.

It looks good, feels good and is totally different. For those reasons alone, the Air Jordan I KO "Pure Platinum" earned a place on the slept-on countdown.

Nike Flyknit Racer 'Volt'

Image courtesy of Nike

Nike's ambitious endeavors in technology have centered on the word Flyknit. This array of intermingled threads has carried the brand in running, athletic wear and basketball for years now.

In 2012, Nike used a Flyknit Racer to turn things up. The "Volt" colorway dropped and quickly became a staple of the brand. Four years later, Nike brought the distinct look back to the waning feet of consumers.

A reprint of the "Volt" came amidst a busy August of Nike releases. It stayed on the SNKRS page and became an easy cop for consumers.

Like we've talked about before, hype doesn't always equate to greatness. The Flyknit Racer "Volt" is a wonderful shoe by all measurable accounts. It's extremely lightweight, lends a bevy of support and the colorway is a dynamic one—especially for summer.

People with an eye for flare could easily become addicted to this sneaker. It delivers in every meaningful way.

Adidas AlphaBounce

Image courtesy of Adidas

Adidas attempted to further push the boundaries of tech by adding the AlphaBounce to its lineup.

The shoe starts with an ambitious design, focusing on being an all-encompassing runner. It was created to reflect live motion.

Athletes who wear the shoe will appreciate the long-form support they get in the AlphaBounce. Another dope element of the sneaker is the lack of branding. You won't notice anything Adidas, minus a hybrid Three Stripe logo pressed onto the tongue.

In many ways the AlphaBounce feels sort of like Nike's Sock Dart endeavor—a shoe that was way too far ahead of its time. It should be applauded for challenging the context of design while not going overboard in the cost department.

With the Yeezy Boost 350 in toddler sizes going for $120, per Brendan Dunne of Sole Collector, getting the AlphaBounce model for $100 is a remarkable steal. It's especially remarkable considering this shoe is structurally superior to almost every other Adidas shoe out there on the market today.

All production information and release dates via Nike News and Adidas News, unless noted otherwise.