The Best Sneakers of 2023 | The Complex Sneakers Show

This is the one you've all been asking for, the best sneakers of the year. The most hotly debated subject this year, or almost any year, what were the best sneakers over the past 12 months? After the panel at ComplexCon, many were wondering what we'd put as our top 10. Would Drake's Nocta shope be on the list? Would a Samba make it? How much did people care about Travis Scott's Air Jordan 1s still? Were we feeling the Nike SB Dunks this year? How good were the SB Jordan 4s? Would Jae Tips get a spot? Action Bronson? and more. We answer it all.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - 1:09: Intros
1:10 - 12:53: Gifting Fakes
12:54 - 14:38: JJJJound x Adidas Samba
14:39 - FSR Series Finale
20:29 - 21:15: CSS 2024 Guest Wishlist
21:16 - 24:07: Welty’s Interview with Mark Wahlberg
24:08 - 26:41: Sneaker Cam
26:42 Sneaker of the Year Panel
31:40 - 41:19: SOTY Honorable Mentions 2023
41:20 - 41:26: Revised Sneaker of the Year List 2023
41:27 - 45:18: Sneaker #10
45:19 - 48:53: Sneaker #9
48:54 - 53:51 : Sneaker #8
53:52 - 58:28: Sneaker #7
58:29 - 1:01:08: Sneaker #6
1:01:09 -1:04:28 : Sneaker #5
1:04:29 - 1:10:53: Sneaker #4
1:10:54 - 1:12:47: Sneaker #3
1:12:48 - 1:14:48: Sneaker #2
1:14:49 - 1:17:33: Sneaker #1
1:17:34 - 1:20:48: The Hosts Personal SOTY List
1:20:49 1-22:40: 2023 Flop Ten List
1:22:41 - 1:23:41: Outro
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@Complex]

What do you think was the best sneaker of the year?

[@Amankumar-kt4ro]

Adidas Kith Clark Samba. That you guys so embarrassingly sidelined in the Sneakercon

[@Postc0ital_mal0ne]

White/Red XIIs

[@ohiorichkidbeats]

Gratitude 11s..but' im an Og sneaker head from the 90s who actually saw Jordan on court

[@zanemontego8090]

Union x BBS x Jordan 1 Summer’96

[@juliethilinski4923]

Gotta be the SB Jordan IV 💪

[@therootwave]

3 Suggestions: 1. Give Welty and Dunne their own 1 hour top 10 special every year. This way they can represent all sneakers. 2. Use complexcon panel as a top 10 directed towards more hype, street cred, hip hop. 3. Release a JLP final top 10 special after complexcon panel and Welty/Dunne special. (This could represent complex top 10 If you’d like or make it its own thing) All the above provides more content, more dialogue and it allows for all different sneaker cultures to be represented. PS if you are hiring would love to join the team. (I work in digital marketing.) Thank you for the great content and work throughout the years 🙏

[@Newly.Balanced]

I’m here for all this, a “Big JLP Shoe” top 10 would be hilarious, I dug their suggestion of a GR top 10 not necessarily a Jordan GR list but an all Sneaker GR top 10 list would be Dope. Some Teddys, some Jordan’s etc

[@leep_uq]

Event better, give Welty and Dunne their own show!

[@victorbernal7142]

You want 1 hour of grey New Balances and hyping shoes because the designer is a friend?

[@therootwave]

@@victorbernal7142 nah, I want them to be smart and offer multiple angles of SOTY while not looking dumb or compromising themselves during complexcon. Cuz based on that panel is geared more towards street/hiphop/hype but they start talking other sneakers that aren’t that and look crazy up in that stage to the panelist. Which makes them look bad in the broadcast if that panel. If they offer different options like I mentioned it allows for more content and more representation of the different sneaker cultures.

[@notitleproductions]

Agreed with all this. Would love to see a Welty/Dunne show or special every so often at least. Breaking up the “panels” or groups discussing the list is always going to end up creating different lists, so instead of trying to shoehorn one end all, be all list that has to be changed multiple times; give different lists and just let people rock with which one they agree with. For all the “Welty will just pick grey New Balances” you’ll get a “JLP top ten black 95’s” or a “Friends and family of Dunne top 10” response so just let more complex personalities have their own lists. Jmo 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@ldk8]

Air Max 1 "Big Bubble" was a great sneaker. Nike finally listened to fans and gave the OG design

[@eddy_westside]

100%! The red and the obsidian OG releases have been amazing along with the new stuff like the Kids of Immigrants colorways, lost sketch, black denim, etc.

[@nikeboy8870]

Yet no one mentioned it at all on any list. Lame

[@vincenttyler4667]

Love my pair and so comfortable

[@Yesyou_]

Brendan is the only one who questioned Marcus Jordan and called him out while Welty and Trinidad stayed quiet and that’s why Brendan is the man

[@user-kj6nz6ce9q]

I’m sure that was intentional. You couldn’t have all 3 of them attacking the guest. Even two of them would have been a bit much for their series finale.

[@golfinguru11]

@@user-kj6nz6ce9qBrendan is also technically their boss (or at least was) as the editor in chief of sole collector

[@DoctorMahek]

Thats BC they want back door product from MJ going fwd. LOL..

[@DoctorMahek]

@@golfinguru11 doubt anyone has boss over others. they're all =

[@Doc19999]

I really wish you guys would pushed harder for ASICS and New Balance…I really feel like 3 pairs should have been on that list!! I respect what you guys are trying to do with trying play into the audience but to me and I’m pretty sure you guys are seeing what I’m talking about

[@tom-3]

Yachty probably had the best head for the panel, regardless of what people think of his sneaker knowledge. I feel like Clark Kent and Jim Jones would’ve happily had 10 AF1s on the list, but I know for sure if I hear the phrase “Easter feets” again it’s gonna be a long day for everyone

[@bern717]

Nothing but Air Force 1 Air Force 1 Jordan 1 Jordan 4 Air Force 1 Dunk 🥴😭

[@Flemo2140]

yeha Jim Jones needs to strop trying to make 'Feets' a thing

[@BookerT69]

TOP 10 GR LIST WOULD BE DOPE!!!!! People need to know what’s good and available!

[@walterroux291]

great idea, I LOVE seeing fresh GR's that can compete with the big collab releases.

[@BookerT69]

@@walterroux291 that’s a fact There’s a lot of cool stuff out there

[@Amankumar-kt4ro]

I wish!!!! But these guys would never bring up anything that’s not Jordan/hypebeasts

[@El3ctroclash]

Now the REAL best sneakers of 2023. Not the BS the other day. Thank you

[@DoomDeity]

nope its still trash not having an sb dunk in the top 10 is CRAZY it was obviously the most hyped model this year BY FARR

[@timli1830]

Thank you to the team at Complex for posting this video today! I was just told that I have a non cancerous brain tumor which I did surgery for yesterday. This video has really brightened my day!

[@mattkaminski1832]

Get well soon my guy!

[@llyun9961]

best wishes my g!

[@carluyabut1461]

Hope the recovery goes smoothly through Christmas! God be with you!

[@cliffordjones9765]

Good luck with your recovery!

[@Dubb910]

Get well...I had brain abcesses before. It almost killed me but I had brain surgery they drained 1 of them....Was in hospital almost a month then like a month of antibiotics thru a iv/ pick line and all this other medicine at the house....Thank god they saved me that was a really tough time in my life. Was about a year b4 I felt a 100% back to normal.....Today's doctors ,medicine, and technology helps alot God bless I feel your pain the brain is nothing to play with

[@errolcsy]

Thanks to the guys for a great year doing the Sneaker Show!

[@stonecoldsteez]

Brendan getting to go out on his shield pressing Marcus was phenomenal. Sad we never got Wale, Koston, and one sleeper honorable mention; John Mayer would have been a great guest. In 5 years we need a reunion tour. Couple of live FSRs.

[@GotAwayWithMurder]

Those JFG Blue Chicago kicks are absolute fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@tedztlee]

the personal lists are way more genuine and in touch with real sneakerheads rather than the top 10 list thanks guys!

[@2g4u7y]

Thank you Welty for representing the West Coast. There is hard feelings about the list without those two. FYI people on the west coast ain’t dunked out. If they’re SB they’re timeless. 20 years from now when we look back at the Born x Raised & Jarritos people will grail those easy.

[@LightNWavy]

Thank you all and happy holidays to everyone!!!! This was refreshing to listen to after having strong feelings towards the complex con panel! ❤

[@Sneakahead555]

Kick game so properrrrr ! Straight into it ! Not a Friday without this man ! Such amazing conversations all in detail ! Really enjoyed this one ! Great job, guys !

[@Phamousillday]

To weltys point at 57:45 I agree with him because I didn't see any TS airforce 1s at complexcon but definitely saw Baklavas 990v6 in the wild.

[@VooDeux66]

Great season! Sad to see FSR go, but it's great to know that this podcast is still going strong!

[@adriantorres5485]

The TS Air Force just throws me off lol I’m from California, and I’ve never seen them on feet or even in the consignment stores lol

[@savagebyreason]

The color blocking is a bit boring to me especially after the panda hype

[@heronshorts]

To add on to the terror squad 1s, it is a sneaker nerd shoe. I got these and my gf was not impressed at all, to her it was just black and white air force lol.

[@kyleelliott512]

Love Welty. Flop10 would be amazing

[@chrisbeech6044]

“Soo just know if yu see me walking around with the green patch it’s legit” was such a GOAT quote from Dunn lol

[@erik_n.]

The guys that should be on the panel next year. This is my SOTY episode ♥️🤘🏾🤝🏾 Great job guys

[@damegrand2954]

Big ups to the crew, will miss fsr big time! Thanks for the content guy!

[@RemikxBeats]

Top 3 for me: 1. SB Jordan 4 2. Ambush More Uptempo Lows 3. Supreme Dunk High

[@830boy]

I really appreciate you guys and your knowledge on the sneaker community. I really do hope you change the way you rank the SOY or make multiple list would be better.

[@stuartswanton1676]

For the panel - I'd much rather hear from footwear industry people who work day in day out in shoes. Not just some people who have clear brand affiliations and can get anything they want at the drop of a hat. There's also a strange section of the internet that think if a shoe doesn't make the top 10 that must mean its not a good shoe. So many good shoes this year.

[@anthonydixon69]

The glazing for those terror squads was ridiculous

[@VooDeux66]

Action Bronson, and Anders Holm being mentioned in the same sentence (Chef's kiss!) Happy Holidays!

[@prestan152]

Big Body Bes 1 was the best ep by miles

[@ohiorichkidbeats]

The last episode was ok..it was cool to hear from the BACKDOOR KING himself😊

[@valerieevering290]

rocking my new JFG Intros for this episode with Welty 😤

[@bigdaddygucciabg836]

Matt: tell us why it’s a good shoe besides it being a hype black shoe. Joe: it’s black, it’s hype

[@frankchan5547]

Ajajaja

[@hiruys]

Great to see the video quality has improved. 60fps makes a difference. Don't agree with the Tiffany AF1 being on the list but, this list is way more accurate than the booboo list at Complexcon. I too think Jae Tips should have been Top 5. Merry Christmas guys! Hope to meet you at ComplexCon in Melbourne.

[@sneakerdad8324]

Sending out vibes that the three OG Kings can draw in a full crowd at complexcon so they don’t rely on heavy bias’ panel

[@cooby_lb]

I think top sneakers in different categories will be better. New silhouette, best collab, biggest comeback, etc

[@lessglass]

Getting an eBay authenticity ad while they are talking about the fake stone island sweater is hilarious

[@christopherbrown9573]

This is what I came here to comment. lol - Dunne DGAF!!! That’s why we love him. 😂

[@Itsjusdion]

I don't care about the drama surrounding TWG but the AMM 5s was my late pick for SOTY. Yes.....I know it came out late, and had its own issues but that sneaker was beautifully done and deserves some recognition . Some of the best details imo.. even better in hand!

[@armendjerrahian3743]

Totally agree with Matt Welty, the BAKLAVA V6 should have been in the top 3 of the year. The shoe are mad comfortable, the color combo are amazing and I believe this is the most personal artist/brand collaboration ever done. For who ever knows Action's painting and inspiration, you know it has been translated perfectly in those 2 models.

[@MisterSkipworth]

Honestly, I cop shoes from poshmark, always run them through checkcheck, and “sellers” will argue with you even if you have a dissertation explaining how the shoes are easily identified as fake irl… so I’m glad they processed the return without making you have to jump through hoops.

[@carluyabut1461]

Air Max 1 Big Bubble was in my top ten definitely. And the Royal Reimagineds are beautiful shoes, didn't need the slander 😢

[@cliftonbrown4051]

I 100% agree These fools

[@relaxxin]

Joe's sigh after Welty's KAWS Original Fake joke 🤣

[@ZombieStrantz]

No Hal Studios? Their 1130 Glacier and the velosamba they did are AMAZING!!!!

[@Phamousillday]

The action bronson Baklava 990v6 is top 5! New silhouette, crazy colorway, great materials, and story. Only shoes I think were better were reimagined 3s, corteiz AM95s, and SB4s. That shoe (Baklava's) made a statement it put the sneaker world on notice.

[@cliftonbrown4051]

Bet

[@moeboom43]

Oh my god Welty pressing Joe on the Tiffany’s was amazing

[@peterrossini6345]

I think Marcus was a great guest ! Awesome stuff as always

[@sbutter31]

Couldn't agree more with Paul Wall! He was so friendly and seemed like a joy to speak with!

[@NorthridgeOG]

I got onto full size run during quarantine . So the quarantine episodes home a special place for me. Tom segura is my all time favorite. One of my favorite moments was Dunne clapping back at NLE Choppa for having airmaxs on and trying to say they were reeboks 😂

[@peterrossini6345]

Thanks guys for doing show so close to holidays ! You guys have amazing work ethic and that I admire !!!!

[@Doc19999]

I don’t like the Tiffany af1 myself but I think it’s because the dunk sb set the bar so high that it’s gonna be hard to knock it off its thrown

[@jonsar713]

Double cup Welty 🍇

[@russlerjones3278]

I thought the last episode of fsr was perfect completely agree with the reason behind Marcus being the last guest, I like him even though the back door scandal has put me off trophy room (same as amm) and the energy was great too, you guys nailed it heads up fellas.

[@CheechElMexicano]

I said it once and ill say it again. Im happy af to have my pair of Jordan Sb4s 🙏🏾 i love these shoes all around

[@MetaMan09]

56:51 yes Welty the ppl live the TS A1 🙄🙄💯💯🔥🔥😤😤😤

[@IBE-DOLO]

Can you guys bring back the sneaker give away back? How about bobito Garcia on the podcast? It would also be cool to hear some stories of Daves quality meats come up and story behind sneakers/ ALIFE as well.

[@akoo5053]

I want Weltys top 10

[@jvizzle17]

Would love a podcast episode for SOTY featuring the full panel of Complex writers who contributed to the final SOTY list so that we can see everyone's differing opinion and it'd be cool to get a glimpse of what the process must've been like

[@lee4pres]

I enjoy the discussion of the list more than the panel who judge and revise it.

[@rudy7406]

Double white cup on set, Welty living life.

[@mattkaminski1832]

Keisha blues are sneaker of the year let’s be real!

[@sweetgregt]

Definitely need more variety in the panel at the con than the Jordan/Nike lovers. Ronnie Feig would be huge. Bringing in Yachty was great.

[@omgyesse6666]

Solid show Solid list love you guys💯💯💯

[@javon478]

Best GR"s is a great idea. And Samba hype must be a regional thing cuz I ain't seen nobody in the South rocking a Samba.

[@BookerT69]

Yall need to make the show longer you always call it when you just gettin cookin

[@DoomDeity]

not having an sb dunk in the top 10 is CRAZY it was obviously the most hyped model this year BY FARR

[@barcalounger10]

Best version of the list for sure. You should find a way to include a voting public Top 10 to go with your actual Top 10 list just for reference.

[@alimbandasgupta6293]

This is still a nike of the year list

[@MarkliketheBible]

Last FSR guest should have been the old Host 😂

[@LouFlow]

The thing that I dig about sneakers is that they are art, and therefore opinions about them are subjective. I don’t agree with every sneaker on the list, but I don’t have to - it’s not my list. Some of my low key sleepers of the year: Fear 3s, Washed Black 1s, Kith x MSG NB New York Rangers, Kith NB Toronto Marshmallow, Black Toe 1 Low, Union x BBS Jordan 1, Phantom 4s, Royal Reimagined 1s, the entire Kith x ASICS X-Men Pack. Thanks for a great year of shows, fellas! Here’s to a happy, healthy, and wealthy 2024 🍾

[@bmorefocusraver]

Great Episode. Wat to end off the year!

[@bmorefocusraver]

Thanks for cleaning up that mess. Still agree Tiffanys could have been left off the list. I would wear the shoe but felt no desire to chase this shoe down at one bit.

[@sneaky6ix]

FSR finale was brilliant, ignore the haters. Gonna miss it 👍🔥

[@drew1534]

My favourite show of the year ❤

[@RefiloeMohale-yb2te]

Ja la puma greatest interviewer of all the time

[@juneheat85]

Sb 4s definitely should be number one. They were number one on my list on my KZbin page☀️

[@keepitthoro]

ASICS gel kayano 14 was easily the best shoe of the year

[@ERSQ001]

Great episode, great finale as well.

[@robertowest1894]

NB 991v2 gray and navy, 990v6 baklava, and the air Jordan 3 reimagined, and the jjjjound 991v1 top 5 for me! Thanks for doing this after that horrible panel list 😂😂😂

[@user-rw9dr9re7u]

Really doe, never had an issue with an SB dunk, 2 days wearing the SB J4's wierd little blisters on my little toes. Wish the Action's were available in NZ along with the Corteiz . Would of loved to come up on the second Colour-ways; Aegian Storm and Lapis Lazuli.

[@Govereverythin]

Favorite moment has to be Druski returning all his homies stuff, because sometimes it just be like that.

[@upmohst_]

I’m excited for the J Balvin 4s!!!

[@sanchessr]

Joe is the manager that’s always working from home but won’t let their employees work from home.

[@MetaMan09]

Overall I’m in on this list 💯

[@christophpettis1221]

If I could only subscribe to this podcast, I would

[@apenasmarcosfelipe]

"he got fried cuz they were cooked" love it!!!

[@cbsnewsatlanta]

SB 4 hands down. People really aren't exaggerating the comfort. Wear mine at least twice a week

[@benzero7928]

I love what they did with the shape and comfort. Colorway was lame.

[@illastyles]

Yall praise the TS1 toe box for not crumbling but the SB4 toe box gets thrashed after one wear 😂

[@solesoldier2577]

3 hour podcast is pipe dream

[@TiderCollects]

The Jordan 2 as an unpopular Jordan with a $300 price tag is crazy too.

[@joeytaylor7568]

Them Top Boy 95s deserve more love (even if they’re not available to the public)

[@adrianmaria7651]

I love Welty man such a nice guy

[@alexsmart4423]

Well done on the list, great to see the Jae Tips on the list. A shoe that wasn't on the list were the Jordan 1 low Chris Paul. I thought these were a beautiful shoe.

[@axeonwax1372]

N1 goated and elissa stramer show with the insights on how they changed it to be more suitable for skaters 🤝🙏💕

[@madrush24]

Why y'all rushing this show? If 1:15:02 it take 3 hours, I'm here for it. This is the most important conversation of the year. Same with the actual panel. 1 through 3 is most important and got mere seconds of attention. 😢

[@YoungAmzn]

Markus jordan was alright, I don’t like trophy room; but atleast it wasn’t so bad. Imo I wouldn’t mind if it was someone else. Thanks for the sneaker show as always tho guys! (Ps. Love how Welty was thinking about the audience/consumer when talking about the sneaker list. 👍🏼 Dunne & Welty very well educated men. Welty & I are always on the same page especially with the baklava! Could’ve been higher! Lol thanks for replying always either on twitter or ig big W.

[@hotstudiosyoutube1805]

Make a raffle for someone in the crowd to sit on the panel, the list is for the people

[@Dontbemad1]

The comfort of the sb4 is amazing, not saying it’s the most comfy but it’s way more comfy than a reg. Jordan4

[@Heavyfooted]

"That friends and family pair is CHEEKS" 😂😂😂

[@pgarcia23ksk11]

Simple fix. Run the list from December through November. Then run the top 3 in each brand and one of a wild card brand. Base it on at least 2k pairs sold. We’re done. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[@user-kj6nz6ce9q]

List feels incomplete without an SB dunk. Born and Raised should have made the list. It wasn’t the best in my opinion, but with Spanto’s passing the release took deeper meaning. Lord knows that sneaker had a lot more heart and soul than that Tiffany collab.