Ranking the Best Sneakers of 2021 So Far | The Complex Sneakers Podcast

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts countdown the 10 best sneakers of the year so far. In selecting the shoes they also break down the criteria and go behind some of the arguments that go into deciding Complex's sneaker lists. How high does the Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 deserve to be? What's the best New Balance so far? The co-hosts debate these topics while running through the list. Also, Brendan celebrates his birthday, Welty lends some super helpful air conditioning tips, and Joe ponders PacSun's sneaker resell business.
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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 is the best sneaker of the year?

[@PUNK3N]

Pico no beeco

[@moldydonut3645]

Carmine 6s in my humble opinion tbh just cause it’s a timeless classic on the 6s if not the infrareds

[@stormshadow2012]

For me it is the AJ1 low neutral grey so far.... Maybe the LV AF1 might tilt my opinion.

[@agnivesh_1017]

Jordan x A Ma Maniére Retro 3 sneaker

[@aysiawatkins1620]

Oreo 4s are fire

[@CyriiL100]

Top 10 sneakers of 2021 so far, starts at 37:05

[@amirimranz]

thanks bro 😂

[@nitoshadow]

thanks

[@littleabin1]

🔹❤️real ones leave time stamps❤️🔹

[@MusaEllison]

I like the banter in the beginning of the episodes lol sometimes the best part

[@dong9786]

Thanks brother

[@icysolez23]

Trophy Room 1’s shouldn’t even be on this list smh. Disgusting how they handled that release.

[@Silenced_by_nazi_youtube]

EXACTLY!

[@danielwright334]

Couldn't agree more ☝️

[@johng9361]

F trophy room shall we say?

[@Silenced_by_nazi_youtube]

Thinking about it...maybe it deserves to be up there due to all the controversy. Def one of the most controversial sneaks ever.

[@NoName-tp6ib]

Cannot deny the shoe is fire

[@chasetiemeyer1056]

I have lived in Kansas all my life. Can confirm. Bought my first diamond T at pac sun.

[@MackMizzle323]

I learn of diamond Supply co because of Curren$y the hot spitta. If u know you know

[@671oneblood]

If it's all you got, it's all you got. Nothing wrong with it

[@andrewshively6475]

Kansas guy here too… yep. Lol

[@straydog91]

My favorites so far ( in no particular order): - New Balance 2002r “Water be the Guide” Salehe Bembury; - Air Jordan 3 A Ma Maniere; - Bodega New Balance 990 V3

[@quique7764]

Word. I want to get a closer look at JFG NB 990v3 tho I think the blue on the soles overpower the rest of the sneaker.

[@jackkuo9224]

a ma maniere for sure!

[@janicelgo4522]

Just commented about NB 2002r Salehe. Really like it. His whole story and the marketing campaign is great.

[@AN-ku2pf]

Trophy room 1’s is pretty much a friends and family shoe, since it never released

[@nicop-m1247]

keep the photos up for longer ^-^

[@dominicrivera9237]

I think the concepts asics gel lyte are pretty slept on and is on my personal list

[@nl5h]

i need a pair of these

[@poorboy1225]

Asics bacons

[@logintologan]

Shocked that the New Balance 2002r “Water be the Guide” Salehe Bembury didn't make the list? Anybody else?

[@amirimranz]

me too

[@JG-fp7hm]

It’s a top 3 shoe easily

[@Cashindomo]

Almost the best shoe

[@ocniner_dodgerfan589]

Probably because it kinda just came out

[@logintologan]

@@JG-fp7hm Facts

[@PUNK3N]

According to a Japanese legend, if you cannot sleep at night it is because you are awake.

[@Frej1]

Danm, really?

[@harrisonv7215]

Facts

[@thapalemexican]

“This is good practice for you”- Joe @ Welty for helping Brendan with his AC unit… fucking hilarious

[@maximkaiser7258]

Air Jordan 1 neutral grey for sure☺️

[@BoyCruel47]

Trophy rooms shouldnt be here. No one could get them. It's hard to appreciate them if you already know the controversy around them honestly

[@dereklimwaikit6286]

No mention of Salehe Bembury's NB 2002r 'Water Be The Guide' pair. Color on those are insane. Also, this was way earlier in January but the Notre Dunk High deserved a spot in anyone's list. Whitaker's Waffle One, in general, introduced a new silhouette in the Nike arsenal and I thought those are beautiful on its right as well.

[@andressaenz9411]

was there ever a time you guys thought you were going to “quit” the sneaker game. And if so what dragged you guys back into it?

[@nl5h]

yea when i bought everything i wanted (2012). ive bought some shoes since but nothing crazy- random vans, gr new balances, some older gr nikes (am 97 silver, dt max 96, stuff like that- stuff i didnt have from 08-12). at this point ill just rock whatever i like that i can get up to 30$ over retail. after that its not worth it to me. im 39 thought i was around for all the 80s and 90s releases. i really like what new balance is doing with 327 and 57/40.

[@joshrogers4318]

10: 37:05 9: 40:20 8: 42:50 7: 45:52 6: 49:26 5: 52:31 4: 56:12 3: 1:00:03 2: 1:03:57 1: 1:07:45

[@pradapinkslips4049]

Joe styling on em with the painted pinkys

[@slyguy2196]

Top 5 1. AMM Jordan 3 2. Trophy Chicago 1 3. Supreme Nike SB dunk 4. Nike Dunk what the Paul 5. Kobe Proto Gold

[@mpm8980]

WHAT A SHOE TO GIVE AWAY!!! MY LORD!!!!

[@777VIV]

This was an Oscar-worthy episode. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I would've scrapped the Trophy Room Jordan 1 and not included it due to the shady backdooring from Marcus. I think the Hyper Royale Jordans deserved a shout in the top 10. They will age gracefully, but apart from that all 3 have been spot on! No dunks in the top 10 as well because Nike has plagued us with them. I am SO HAPPY you included the BAD BUNNY FORUMs. These are an elitist sneaker, built to last with that german engineering.

[@Sneakahead555]

Nothing but genuine laughter and sneaker talk 🔥🔥 Damn, those MF's are a classic, great giveaway Another dope episode ! The diversity in taste just make it so much more unique !

[@certifiedxnikehead]

On the Pacsun note, they do get authenticated by Magnolia Park owner Michael Guerra and team. Comes with a tag like the stock x tag but that's all I know about it lol, still too soon to know about the whole process..

[@slyguy2196]

Mag park when it was on melrose location sells fakes stuff and attempted to sell me a fake supreme Bogo 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 I wouldn’t ever trust any Mag Park ever !

[@Acontinouslean]

The staud x new balance 57/40 is the best nb colab and most underrated shoe

[@janicelgo4522]

Really like the STAUD 327 and the Bricks & Wood 57/40. Wish I could get the B&Ws. And love the Salehe Bembury 2002r Water Be The Guide.

[@mosdre7091]

The MF doom has soo much sentimental value to me 🥺 I want to know what was the first shoe that made you realize your a sneaker head?

[@Mww2056]

All caps when you say the mans name

[@dylinn8468]

Love the podcast guys!!!!!!

[@aldenn.]

I think the New Balance 2002R protection pack is super overlooked.

[@DasKapitalMusic]

Hasn't been globally released yet.

[@dariusyoung8297]

Damn them Dooms sure would look good in a glass case in my living room

[@smrn]

Should have included an asics in the honourable mentions at least, cncpts otoro one was 🔥

[@ayekaloji]

best shoe podcast in the business !

[@nl5h]

coupled with FSR yes

[@aldogaza7]

Greets from México guys✌️. My sneaker of the year is the ALD x NB 550

[@mitchellmitchellll]

slept on in this list they’re unreal

[@JackMediaComments]

I feel like listing retail prices is like having a conversation about horses and mentioning their horn specs. Horses don't actually have horns, that's completely mythical bro, like hitting on the snkrs app

[@doorsfloyd1]

Is there one thing on a sneaker that you like that others hate? Lace type, sole, tongue, etc, so kind of like a guilty pleasure that just makes you love a shoe more over what others say on it.

[@Elderunlimited9]

Salehe New Balance ‘Water Be the Guide’ deserves to be the on list

[@3MedallasInMyHand]

Big FACTS

[@jordanwright9502]

I would really like to know what the top 10 for each of you guys are. This list just feels like it has too much outside influence. Especially seeing the trophy room and the Supreme dunks on here. Not hating guys, love everything you do together.

[@cgafken]

Top 10 Sneakers of 2021 (so far) 1. A Ma Maniere 3’s 2. Salehe Bembury X New Balance 2002R 3. Stingwater Magic Mushroom SB 4. Trophy Room 1’s 5. UNC 4’s 6. Travis 6’s 7. Bodega X New Balance 990 8. Air Max Bacon 9. What The Paul SB 10. Yeezy 450

[@Behzey2fly]

Brenden in that vacation photo looks like he just walks on water all day... lmfao

[@Freeskiingisdabest]

Carpet Dunks + CLOT Kiss of Death’s are really unique and creative shoes. For me both are definitely in the Top 10

[@georgecallacna621]

The CLOTs definitely are growing on me. Maybe has to do with Trinidad James rocking the see through shoes. The look is growing on me.

[@itsthemelody7346]

Out of any collab hype shoe, if they didn’t have the collab, which one would still be able to hold on its own and still be as hype as it is?

[@ashtonkennedy1686]

AMA 3s

[@davidguillebeau4708]

Great top 10!!! I think you guys hit the nail on the head with most. Also thank you for leaving the uninspiring Dunk craze out of it. The few you guys mentioned deserved to be there. It’s over saturated at this point with Dunks.

[@FroPhoenix46]

That Fragment dunk comment was absolutely true. Super saddened by the quality on them, Nike had a huge opportunity to really bring the dunk high to a spotlight with these as opposed to the lows and they missed the mark :/

[@Patrick22222]

My question for you guys is; Do you prefer the look of purposefully aged or clean sneakers?

[@justinh9814]

Gulf shores shoutout caught my attention! My family lives there

[@yourmom-zt1ye]

had to drop a like after i heard him say, “100th episode, we had bad bunny, everyone goes, “who is this, who is this” - so funny to see how the culture was so different even then

[@angusmiller]

Great episode. Really enjoyed the convo. Thanks guys 👍

[@CLbites]

I know the quality control on the Jordan 1 University Blues wasn't great but the shoe itself just looks incredible, but I also get it's not revolutionary. Would be on my list though.

[@sayatbekarian7628]

What are some hobbies you guys have outside of sneakers and networking for your jobs

[@bigdawgsgottaeat5028]

I’m shocked there was no mention of the UNC 4s or the Hypers

[@JGuapo_]

Time stamps please 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@brandonleet1669]

Love this!!!

[@mav6232]

We need a top 25 of all time sneakers list , or maybe top 50

[@anthonyfranco3516]

New balance 990v3 bodega as of now but the Joe Fresh Goods will top thay once they release

[@bradleysmith4317]

A Ma Maniere all the way. Best shoe of the year by far IMO. I’d put the Ishod Dunks 2nd and the Carpet Company’s 3rd

[@brianrodriguez7883]

Would’ve been nice to see the Salehe Bembury (water be the guide) new balance 2002R on the list

[@K.amikazi]

Should’ve definitely made the list wayyy better than the preme dunks imo

[@husamkhan9694]

No mention of the AMBUSH Deep Royal Dunks, not even in the runner ups? Such a dope shoe in terms of quality, design & execution.

[@rowlandtrevino6201]

What are shoes you guys copped amd regretted because the looked better in pics than in person?

[@geoffwen6408]

2002r Salehe imo needs to be on here.

[@nb_fanatic]

Ranking/discussion starts at 29:27 🥸

[@krich7581]

I have hit on none of these so far and have tried on all of them. Been a rough first half of the year . A ma’s my number 1

[@josegurrola9021]

My favorite shoe on this list is definitely What The P Rods cuz I'm a huge Paul Rodriguez fan. Want to buy a pair but $1000+ resale is too steep for me My favorite pair this year that I actually own is the New Balance 2002R in the Incense colorway. 2nd are my Michigan St. dunk lows

[@nikoenciso01]

Honestly them black and white dunks the best shoe this year

[@LilGummy10]

Yes, to the number 1 so far! Beautiful shoe!

[@SCRandall]

I love how #2 and #1 had the worst and best releases of the year, respectively.

[@janicelgo4522]

Personally like the NB 2002r Salehe Bembury Water Be The Guide over NB 990 Bodega.

[@badfnews3521]

What’s da most reputable shoe you’ve ever worn and why ?

[@DwayneCarter]

Can’t believe the neutral grey 1s are not even mentioned, should be top 3 in my book. The AMM 3 on #1 is a no brainer tho.

[@CezzzP]

Great podcast but personally very surprised Water Be The Guide wasn’t mentioned..

[@littleabin1]

Joe I love the nails 💅

[@dvnnystone5500]

University blue 1 are the best ones of the year no one was even able to cop the trophy rooms 1 💯💯💯

[@gundyrstein6656]

Do you think the limited edition shoes (including the dior aj1) are done in an ethical way towards the workers?

[@jakegetscake4672]

Ald nb 550 white/grey still so happy I got them for retail

[@christianberrios3213]

The taupe haze union 4 should be on here

[@mariorodriguez9924]

Joe whats up with your pinky nail?

[@plaincheckereds]

This guys deserve a clean edit. Lmao. Their other podcast is just over the top edits.

[@Behzey2fly]

i still remember those damn big mouth fish commercials on cartoon network

[@raulrivera622]

Can we do a sneaker shopping with an artist going on the SNKRS app and having them get an L…. I would like to relate for once

[@thomas1204]

Yall really put the trophy room 1’s on this list wtf

[@Yaboi713]

Honestly this list is backwards. Trophy rooms should be at the number 10 spot.

[@waltzforvenus_9164]

Im amazing the union 4s didnt even get an honorable mention

[@ForeverYoungBDE]

Put some Respect on the Prods!!

[@ethanspruill1518]

I agree with #1 but where are the UNC 4s

[@reubenkight794]

What is the one sneaker that you own that you hate but cant seem to get rid of?

[@willrobertson1664]

I wish you had Trinidad on here some times

[@kevinthomas-welch6699]

anyone know what shoes dunne and welty are wearing in this?

[@subhradiproy2007]

HEY RESPECT YOUR decision BUT FOR ME FRAGMENT AJ 1 LOW AND HIGH BOTH WOULD MARK UP AT TOP 5 SNEAKERS OF THE YEAR AND THE LOWS WOULD BE NO 1

[@kemori_]

tan welty w/ hair

[@Su006]

Where do you submit questions for them to answer on the show at? Jealous of the winner this week getting the MF DOOM's

[@jvsting531]

I really don’t get the hype around the trophy room they’re not that great. The #1 choice is solid and I can’t see anything unseating it.

[@CherryTheLatina]

I’ve worn some brand new Dunks one time and the toe box looked like shit on one wear so yeah, it’s def the shoe.

[@OriginalBoondocksXVIII]

The classic Nike trade-of: tons of colorways being pumped out meaning you have a better chance of picking up one or two that speak to you, but you can bet that at least 85% of them will have plastic for leather.

[@simonmucchiut1469]

What about the Reebok Bronze or the Adidas Zivilist Rivalry Low Collabo? Greets from Austria, Graz

[@scottrichardson6864]

Last week was a bummer with no pod!

[@RYAN-tq1en]

Did y’all catch when he said “icy” and looked at joe. Iykyk

[@JDLCruz]

Have y’all ever gotten a sneaker seeded to you by a friend or brand but didn’t like it?

[@landon4216]

AWESOME episode, thx guys! Not sure I would put Supremes at 3. I have the black + brown pair (one was a gift) and I don’t plan on keeping them. Why? Look at that tongue….it’s horrific and cheap looking, IMO. Salehe wasn’t considered? Great list nonetheless

[@jeffii9890]

I'm at 6 and I'm fighting you in the streets on sight

[@elevenocean4471]

With all due respect, timestamps on the videos pleaseee

[@gfeast4518]

Love all the old school references 😂 I definitely need some nice shorts, I need some recommendations!

[@stevendiaz7587]

Tuned max shouldve def been on the list

[@mariorodriguez9924]

They got the #1 right 🤟

[@djmsports9168]

Anybody know the name of Welty’s NB he’s wearing

[@jaymaysbattle8860]

I feel like the best tops sneakers of 2021 is to me is what the paul , street hawker sb dunks, supreme dunks , trophy jordan 1s , 992 new balance, Cactus plant dunks, cool Grey's jordan 11s period that my tops sneaker of the 2021 so far