As we head deeper into the second half of 2022, it’s time to reflect on some of this year’s most game-changing sneakers. The New Balance 550 stole the show in the first half of 2022, but it’s the MADE in USA 990v3 that’s set to dominate as we edge closer to the end of the year. No colour on the wheel was left untouched by the Nike Dunk, with gentle, pastel hues landing alongside more high-volume colourways, designed to make an impact.
Collaborations have reigned supreme in 2022 and the industry has seen some seriously unexpected partnerships. From Gucci x adidas to a second (and third) capsule from Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance, 2022: Part One has set the bar high, but can the latter half of the year keep up?
New Balance
First up, Boston-born brand New Balance has taken the fashion world by storm this year. We first saw the New Balance 550 shaking things up back in 2021, but it achieved icon status in 2022 thanks to a whole array of fresh colourways landing each month. Aimé Leon Dore’s Teddy Santis took things even further, launching a high-top iteration — the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 650 — and a second, autumnal-hued 550 capsule landed right in the middle of 2022. For the latter half of the year, we can expect to see more in the way of 327s, 990s and 530s as NB continues to dominate the sneaker scene.
Nike
A brand that always leaves you wanting more, Nike came through in early 2022 with more Dunk colourways, highly anticipated collaborations and celebratory sneakers for the brand’s 50th anniversary. Stealing the show was the long-awaited Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1, which finally saw release in May. Keeping up the pace for the rest of the year, the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low Reverse Mocha is gearing up for release in July 2022, while the later months are dedicated to the Air Force 1 in honour of the silhouette’s 40th birthday.
Yeezy
Although not a new silhouette, the Yeezy Slide has been more popular than ever in 2022. Dubbed the “perfect holiday slide”, this poolside style landed in a coveted ‘Onyx’ colourway that became an instant fan-favourite when it landed in May. Elsewhere in Ye’s world, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 has restocked its most in-demand colourways, most notably the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Onyx’ and ‘Bone’ hues.