Kicks of the Year 2017

As 2017 gets ready to close up shop and pull the curtains down, Bleacher Report wanted to reflect on the best sneakers released over the past 12 months.

Falling in love with kicks this year was easy. With Adidas and Nike trading blows and Under Armour finding its footing again thanks to the Curry 4, brand wars were prominent and gave consumers plenty of options on which to spend their hard-earned coin.

Outside of that spectacle, footwear changed. Trends evolved—say hello to the dad shoe—and the industry was forever altered thanks to the Ball family.

Sure, 2017 was hectic. But it was beautiful, messy and full of surprises. And in footwear, we wouldn't want it any other way.

Off-White x Air Jordan I

Off-White mastermind Virgil Abloh became Nike's savior in 2017. His Ten Icons Reconstructed project put the Swoosh back on level footing with Adidas in terms of streetwear relevance and hype.

Using the timeless "Chicago" Air Jordan I style, Abloh tore down and rebuilt a classic. The sneaker was not only a fresh take on the Air Jordan I, but it also helped put the brand back in good standing, as it was worn by influencers, athletes and supermodels from across today's media landscape.

Abloh's decision to debut the kicks at the 2017 Met Gala, as reported by Nice Kicks' Ray P, was indicative of the shoe's success. From a brand perspective, you could make a case it was the most important Air Jordan I release in decades.

KAWS x Air Jordan IV

Image courtesy of Nike.

This year was lively when it came to Nike collaborations. Between Off-White, Tom Sachs and KAWS, Phil Knight's empire delivered to its wide-ranging consumer base.

What's special about the KAWS x Air Jordan IV partnership is the concept it delivered on. By Nike News' account, the shoe "recognizes that behind every game-changer lies the desire to master one's craft."

Removing the sneaker's traditional plastic accents, KAWS instead covered the entire silhouette with premium gray suede and even added a glow-in-the-dark outsole. The end result was a beautiful, meticulously crafted sneaker.

We'll remember the KAWS x Air Jordan IV for its masterful design and its ability to call attention to one of Jordan's earliest signature models.

Big Baller Brand ZO2 Prime Remix

If nothing else, Big Baller Brand's ZO2 Prime Remix deserves recognition for being the most polarizing sneaker released in 2017.

Emerging from the ashes after LaVar Ball's war with the world's top sneaker conglomerates, the ZO2 took social media by storm, partially because of its $495 price tag. It was Ball's way of changing the narrative, exploring how athletes can bypass the bigwigs and produce their own products if need be.

The elder Ball has been instrumental in preaching Big Baller Brand's message. And after linking up with Brandblack—known for its work with Jamal Crawford—the Prime Remix version was delivered.

It may not be a transcendent shoe. However, the ZO2 Prime Remix is a dream come true for anyone out there trying to compete with box-top brands. It will remain an important footnote in sneaker history and Lonzo Ball's career.

Under Armour Curry 4 'More Rings'

Under Armour needed a hit after the Curry 3 struggled to produce, according to ESPN.com's Darren Rovell. The next edition would have to deliver in an aesthetic capacity, as well as in the performance realm.

Enter the Curry 4.

First worn during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the More Rings edition was stunning. The all-white base, speckled midsole, gold accents and icy sole became a manifesto of sorts for Curry and his line. The Golden State Warriors were back after winning another NBA title in convincing fashion over the rival Cleveland Cavaliers, and Curry's line was taking a dramatic step forward in terms of its look.

Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard

Image courtesy of Nike.

Space exploration meets divine sneaker design. The Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard epitomized both of those traits in 2017.

Though unique, Nike's collaboration with artist Tom Sachs became a hit thanks to an aerodynamic blueprint and an earth-tone colorway. Combining a cork sock liner and mesh upper gave the shoe an ultra-comfortable vibe and gave it cult status.

Sachs' attention to detail sealed the deal, as the insoles and box were laced with sketches and notes.

KITH x Nike LeBron 15

"This is my favorite shoe to date," LeBron James told Nike News. No surprise there. The LeBron 15 pulled off the impossible thanks to lead designer Jason Petrie: blending cultural trends with a performance beast.

When KITH founder Ronnie Fieg got involved, the dynamic changed. Fieg and James' joint venture came at the right moment. Not only did KITH's vision enhance the LeBron 15, but the shoe managed to level up in a streetwear sense.

Between the countless collaborations with KITH and all the "player exclusive" models worn on the court, the LeBron 15 has secured its place in history. It's the coming-of-age shoe for the best player in the universe.

Off-White x Nike Air Presto

Virgil Abloh returns with another Nike offering. This time around, it's the Off-White x Air Presto.

The Air Presto has proved to be a resolute sneaker. Acronym's version took 2016 by storm. The Off-White edition may not have garnered as much hype, but the design is worthy of any year-end list.

Distinct branding notations, a set of neon laces and a black base add up to Abloh and his Off-White imprint securing themselves another moon landing in footwear.

Nike VaporMax

Image courtesy of Nike.

How many times can you run a sneaker through the retro machine before its aura starts to rub off? Nike and Jordan Brand have tested the limits of that notion, which makes all of us super excited when a new silhouette drops.

In 2017, the Air Max line received a facelift courtesy of the Nike VaporMax. A flexible Flyknit upper and Mars Attacks! cushioning system were forged, providing simple yet future-forward aesthetics.

The VaporMax is a bold statement. It furthered the conversation in terms of Air Max design and helped Nike redraw the map for original releases.

Balenciaga Triple S Trainer

Dad bods, dad hats, dad shoes? Kanye West made it a conversation piece with his Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner in 2017. Fashion house Balenciaga took it to a different place by unleashing the Triple S Trainer.

Tabbed with an exorbitant $850 retail price, these are Wave Runners on a cycle of steroids. The dad shoe with quilted filaments and a carnival of color was a head-turner. It provided a high-fashion level of acceptance for a trend that ran rampant in 2017.

Adidas NMD Hu Trail 'Earth'

If Kanye West is Adidas' Michael Jordan, Pharrell Williams is the brand's LeBron James.

Since the inception of his NMD collaboration, the N.E.R.D. frontman has pushed the boundaries using provocative colorways and powerful messaging. In 2017, Williams' NMD Trail Hu pack featured a promenade of refreshing cuts, bringing expression back to footwear.

The "Earth" design adorned a modern sneaker in 1970s nostalgia, using color graphs and bold catchphrases to carry the shoe. It's a testament to Williams' aggressive sense of creativity and willingness to challenge the status quo.