The Complex Sneakers Podcast The Shoes That Didn't Make the Sneaker of the Year List
Oct 31, 2025
Delve into the world of sneakers that narrowly missed the Sneaker of the Year list. Discover the buzz around Pharrell's jellyfish silhouette and the debate on mass releases. Explore the innovative 3D-printed Nike Air Max 1000 and its potential. The hosts share quirky picks like the Air Rift and analyze the cultural impact of Nike Shox. Unpack the storytelling behind the Yu-Gi-Oh Air Max 95 versus its execution. Plus, get insights on the pop culture relevance of designer-influenced Vans souvenirs. A vibrant discussion for sneaker enthusiasts!
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Mass Recoloring Kills Hype
- Brands keep re-releasing popular colorways until the silhouette loses its specialness and mass-market saturation kills hype.
- Upscale Vandal and Matt Welty argue true innovation should prioritize new silhouettes or manufacturing breakthroughs over endless recolors.
Innovation Over Retro Recycling
- The hosts say sneaker innovation should be more visible and marketed instead of repeatedly retroing old silhouettes.
- Upscale Vandal calls for brands to invest in genuinely new product stories that invigorate the next generation of fans.
Colorway Segmentation Built Desire
- Upscale Vandal recalls the segmented colorway strategy of his favorite early shoe and how exclusives created desire.
- He contrasts that with modern releases where excessive colorways dilute storytelling and perceived value.