Year: 2019
Listing Price: $560
Size: 10

For Aimé Leon Dore’s second collaborative effort with New Balance, the brand really took things to the next level. Chances are you saw the [excellent video](instagram.com/p/B4sDBsTnWGp/) which accompanied the collection’s release, and even if that didn’t entice you to escape to the woods for the weekend and sit by the fire with your dog, it did showcase a superb rework of New Balance’s 990v2 model. Decked in tones of blue and green suede, with yellow accents and a cream midsole, this sneaker checked all the boxes. The brand was on fire in 2019 and this “Life in the Balance” 990v2 is firmly in the conversation as one of the best sneakers of the year.

Year: 2019
Listing Price: $550
Size: 8 (W)

Jordan Brand is in the midst of its highly popular “Fearless Ones” collection, a series of Jordan I collaborations with some of the hottest names in fashion, art and design, including Blue The Great, Facetasm, and Melody Ehsani, whose work can be found in this listing. Aside from shining a spotlight on a lot of these up and coming names, the “Fearless Ones” collection has significantly risen the profile of the much-maligned Jordan I Mid. Ehsani’s Jordan I Mid is arguably the best of the group, featuring bold design choices like a vibrant mismatched color palette and a watch face lace jewel. However, what really stands out is the inspirational text along the midsole: “If you knew what you had was rare, you would never waste it.”

Year: 2019
Listing Price: $494
Size: 8

For the 35th Anniversary of the iconic movie Ghostbusters, BAPE released a limited run of Ghostbusters-themed apparel, including this white Bapesta. This listing features a bright red shooting star logo and the Ghostbusters branding on the heel tab, as well as the Ghostbusters x Baby Milo logo on the heel. Even the box is customized with the Ghostbusters branding and the classic ECTO-1 car from the movie printed on the side. This marked the second time both entities worked together, as BAPE released Ghostbusters-inspired product in 2009 for the movie’s 25th anniversary, as well.

Year: 2015
Listing Price: $500
Size: 10

Released in collaboration with Cincinnati’s UNheardof and Anonymous, this SB Dunk from 2015 pays homage to the 1990 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds, specifically their bullpen crew of Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers, dubbed the “Nasty Boys.” The sneaker was released alongside an Oakland A’s version, the team which the Reds defeated that year. The “Nasty Boys” Dunk is draped in red and grey, the colors of the Reds’ road uniform, and features an American flag on the side. The crew of relief pitchers were Cincinnati’s version of the “Bad Boy” Pistons and dominated down the stretch for the Reds. This Dunk was a fitting tribute for the 25th Anniversary of the team’s World Series win.

Year: 2016
Listing Price: $145
Size: 12

We often wonder if life imitates art, or vice versa, but we’ve never had to wonder if sneakers imitated their box, until 2016 when Nike SB dropped its “Pink Box” Dunk. Solely inspired by the pink shoe boxes Nike SB was using in 2005, this tribute sported a 3M pink leather upper with a black Swoosh and a white midsole. But the coolest design touch has to be the sneaker box logo embossed on the side. It’s a nice little homage to an accessory from Nike SB’s heyday.

Year: 2019
Listing Price: $350
Size: 9

While it’s no shock at this point to see some animal prints grace our favorite sneakers, the “Dog Walker” SB Dunk is so much more than your standard print slapped on a sneaker. Inspired by every dog owner’s favorite pastime, this Dunk has so many lowkey canine-inspired design choices. From the pony hair meant to resemble all different shades of fur throughout, to the dalmation print on the side panel, to the red Swoosh meant to resemble a collar, it all works. In addition, there’s a “Sparky” dog tag attached to the back heel and they even come with clean up bags for when your dog’s walk comes to its “conclusion.” Dog lover or not, this is a really cool Dunk with incredible details.

Year: 2019
Listing Price: $250
Size: 8.5

Artist Steven Harrington has been working with Nike for quite some time now, featuring his unique brand of cartoon illustrations on all types of apparel. But in 2019, he designed three sneakers for Earth Day, including the Air Force 1 featured in this listing. What really separates this Air Force 1 from the rest, besides Harrington’s signature drawings, is its use of Flyleather material. Flyleather is designed to create an overall lighter feel, and it’s composed of a blend of traditional leather and leather-fiber material. Harrington’s illustrations stand out and decorate the sneaker from the Swoosh, to the heel, to the tongue, and it’s all capped off with an icy translucent sole.

Year: 2011
Listing Price: $600
Size: 5.5

Ronnie Fieg has crafted many successful sneakers with Asics over the years, but this “Salmon Toe” Gel Lyte III might be his most popular work to date. Released in 2011 for the opening of his Kith store in New York, Fieg opted for this Salmon and Navy Blue colorway for his grand introduction to the trendy NYC fashion space. The sneaker sports a suede construction over a split-tongue inner sleeve, and the Salmon and Blue is accented by white stripes and a matching midsole. In a decade where Fieg’s star steadily rose and he released a lot of awesome sneakers for his insatiable fanbase, this is still arguably his most sought after shoe.

Year: 2019
Listing Price: $1,799
Size: 10.5

Milan-based Slam Jam linked up with New Balance to release this collaborative 990 in conjunction with the brand’s 30th anniversary. Relatively simple in its aesthetic, the “Unfinished” 990v3 sports a lot of grey nubuck and mesh elements, as well as suede along the heel counter. The only place you’ll find any Slam Jam branding is the co-branded insole. Slam Jam has received a lot of love in the streetwear community for its Nike Blazer collab (which was featured on Rarest Sneakers last week), but this subdued 990v3 is an excellent piece of minimalist elegance as well, especially in a world where the 990 is one of the most popular models in the game.

Year: 2009
Listing Price: $340
Size: 11

The SB Dunk High featured in this listing draws inspiration from one of the most iconic characters from Jim Henson’s Muppets, Miss Piggy herself. The volatile and humorous Miss Piggy is well represented in this Dunk, with her patented pink dominating the colorway, offset by yellow accents which represent her famous curly blonde hair and brown panels. This sneaker is fresh off its 10th anniversary and was originally a limited quickstrike release. So while it may have been hard to get them then, it’s even harder to get your hands on a pair now, especially in this condition.