(SPOT.ph) 2021 is almost over and we’ve just about hit that point in the year when we can look back on all the highlights, noteworthy occurrences, and big life events. There are many ways to measure a year—in daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee—but in our case, we prefer to recount all the coolest tech, the best restaurants, and this time around, the most buzzed about sneakers that made 2021 a year to remember. Below, we round up the 10 best sneaker releases of the past year in no particular order.
Now, before you feel the need to vent out strong feelings about our picks in the comments section, allow us to explain the mindset behind our choices. First, this list is limited only to pairs that were made available in Metro Manila. Second, there are hundreds of sneakers that hit the market each year, so narrowing the list down to 10 is no easy feat. What we’ve decided to do is stick to some clear-cut criteria: We’ve stuck with kicks that made waves locally—the pairs that caught people’s attention, were or are accessible to a wide variety of folks, and stood out among the rest. Those may be minimalist pairs fit for a diverse range of style preferences, news-worthy collaborations, or even local brands who made a name for themselves in the past year.
These were the sneaker releases in the Philippines that made waves in 2021:
New Balance Numeric 272 Sneakers by Margielyn Didal (P4,495)
Sneakers are inextricably linked to sports and we can’t possibly talk about Philippine sports in 2021 without bringing up the Olympics. The 2020 Summer Games held in Tokyo saw the country finishing with its most successful run yet—our first-ever gold medal, folks—and among the athletes and medalists to make the Philippines proud was Margielyn Didal. The Filipina skateboarder captured the world’s attention with her all-around good vibes, her knack for photobombing pictures, and of course, her effortlessly cool style. Her look was made possible by the athlete’s partnership with sneaker brand New Balance—a collaboration that months later, spawned these cool new 272 Sneakers. The pair was inspired by Didal’s younger days as a street vendor in Cebu where she sold pusô, a Cebuano staple (also known as hanging rice) made by boiling rice in a woven pouch of palm leaves. In a press release, New Balance said that Didal "discovered skateboarding while selling the [hanging rice], working alongside her mother, next to a skatepark in Cebu." Thus, the sneakers pay homage to her humble beginnings and are also a reminder of her incredible success.
Available at New Balance stores in Glorietta, Power Plant Mall, and Trinoma, The Athlete's Foot stores in Glorietta and Robinsons Place Manila, Common Ground skate shop in Cebu, and on New Balance's official LazMall page.
Also read:
Yes, You Can Cop the Custom Sneakers Margielyn Didal Wore at the Tokyo Olympics
Sanbera Real Sneakers (P2,295 each)
Though Sanbera was originally launched in November 2020, the local sneaker brand caught our eye about halfway through 2021. The brainchild of owner Mikko de la Paz—who teamed up with his father Noel—Sanbera is a new player in the centuries-old Marikina shoe industry, one that brings together the best of the old and the new; namely the community’s storied history and its still ripe potential. Though the industry has struggled amid the COVID-19 pandemic—shoemakers' main hub Marikina Shoe Gallery closed down in late 2020—the father-and-son duo believe the future is bright. According to the younger de la Paz, the goal is "to build a Filipino brand we could look up to." And how are they doing it? With a style philosophy that is all about simplicity and minimalism—and their flagship sneaker, the Sanbera Real embodies that. It sports a slim silhouette composed of a lightweight canvas upper, natural rubber outsoles, white shoelaces, and Coco-Coir Insoles—the kind of casual, understated elegance you might find in classic skater shoes or vintage high-tops. As of writing, it’s available in three colors.
Available online.
Also read:
10 Local Sneaker Brands to Check Out for Fresh New Kicks
Ultraboost DNA SEA City Pack Philippines by Egg Fiasco (P10,000)
In the last few years, sportswear giant Adidas has made a huge effort to collaborate with independent artists from all over the world. In 2021, they worked once again with local artist Quiccs on a pair of Forum Low sneakers—a follow-up to their previous collaborations—and for the first time, teamed up with Filipino painter Greg Guleserian a.k.a. Egg Fiasco. Together, they created a standout pair for the new Ultraboost DNA City Pack, which was released in November and served to highlight Southeast Asian artists and their unique cultural backgrounds.
Egg Fiasco is known for colorful, eye-catching paintings that draw from a wide variety of influences including comic books, toys, tattoos, and pop culture. His graffiti-like style results in artworks that have a distinctly street-art feel with mutating figures and warped geometric elements being just a few key elements of his paintings. For his contribution to the DNA City Pack, the painter designed a pair of Ultraboost sneakers inspired by his childhood memories—in particular, he modeled the shoe’s concept after video-game design. The pair features a predominantly navy upper, keeping the style wearable even as it plays around with some pretty eye-catching elements including pops of bright yellow on the back of the sole and on the Three Stripes logo as well as geometric patterns overlaying the upper and lining the sole.
Available online and at Adidas stores.
Eco Theory Old Skool Tapered Sneakers (P4,498) from Vans
We have a bit of a soft spot for revamped classics and one of our faves this year has to be Vans’ updated Old Skool sneakers. The brand made waves in pop culture this year thanks to their plain white slip-ons, which skyrocketed in popular following the success of hit Netflix series Squid Game, but this minimalist pair is what really stood out to us. The fan-fave skater-shoes—beloved for both its high-top and low-top variations—embody Vans’ signature aesthetic and in October, they recreated the silhouette for their new Eco Theory Collection. The pair features the famous sneaker’s same canvas upper, but this time made with organically grown cotton as well as an outsole made from natural rubber derived from sustainable tree farms and shoelaces made from natural jute fiber. You can get the pair in a soft, baby blue colorway, but we’re in love with this white-on-white iteration, which gives the usually edgy silhouette a more understated look.
Available at Vans stores in Trinoma, Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall, and Robinsons Place Manila.
Converse Color Pop Chuck 70 Sneakers (P8,000)
When it comes to sneakers, Converse is one of those brands that exude timelessness as well as a charming, old-school feel. Unlike newer (sometimes notorious) labels in the industry, Converse isn’t out here making headlines for producing over-the-top styles, creating micro-trends, or releasing pieces with exorbitant price tags. They’re more of a reliable old friend in the sneaker game—you can walk into any Converse store around the world and you’ll always see their most popular, decades-old lace-ups still sitting on the shelves and looking as stylish as ever. One such example is the classic Chuck 70. In 2021, the silhouette got an #aesthetic makeover dubbed the Color Pop Chuck 70.
The low-top sneaker looks oh-so-delicate with a soft, cream-colored exterior and matching laces, finished off with pops of pastel color sitting along the sole and lining the heel. The muted shades of blue, yellow, and orange are thoughtfully placed all around the shoe with geometric overlays, giving the sneaker dimension and creating an almost architectural feel. They're a great pair of kicks for minimalists, normcore lovers, or white sneaker loyalists looking to add a little more flavor to their mostly neutral wardrobes without having to step too far out of their comfort zones. Even with its distinct look, these sneakers will go with pretty much all your outfits.
Available on Pure Soles' website.
Also read:
10 New Converse Sneakers for Your Collection of Classic Kicks
NikeCourt Legacy Mules (P2,595)
Before you freak out, yes, we know these kicks from Nike—as well other styles like it—are a bit of a hot topic. Some old-head sneaker fans are not into the silhouette while others enjoy their out-of-the-box look and fuss-free slip-on style. Either way, the pair got people talking and that includes us. The NikeCourt Legacy Mules are modeled after one of The Swoosh’s most beloved styles, but with a bit of a twist. In case you're unfamiliar, a mule is a type of shoe that has no covering or constraint around the foot's heel. While the sneaker has most of the OG version’s signature design elements, it has completely done away with the heel area of the shoe, allowing you to slip into it in a snap. Laces are still present, but they're decorative rather than functional in this case. Would you wear these?
Available online; see a list of Nike stores.
MUJI Less Tiring Balmoral Sneakers (P1,650)
In the last decade or so, sneakers have been closely linked with luxury fashion and streetwear, but we here at SPOT.ph still like to believe that many of the best lace-ups out there are those that are widely accessible to many people. That’s why we have to appreciate understated and budget-friendly styles like MUJI’s new Less Tiring Balmoral Sneakers, which retail for just P1,650. Unveiled in late November, the pair perfectly blends the Japanese retailer’s form-meets-function philosophy. It sports a monochromatic design—you can choose between a fresh Off-White pair or a cool Black set with both styles sporting just one shade from the soles to the laces. Look closely and you’ll notice that while the minimalist style sports a mostly no-frills design, the shoe is made more distinct with structured stitching as well as slim paneling on the upper and heel, highlighting the sneaker's silhouette and giving it a little more dimension. The pair is finished off with a rubber outsole for maximum support, comfort, and durability. The result is a pair of lace-ups fit for most casual occasions and everyday outfits.
Available online; see a list of MUJI stores.
Air Jordan 1 Centre Court in White on White (P6,495)
The first-ever Jordan Store in the Philippines opened in December 2020 and it’s nothing short of paradise for sneakerheads, sportswear enthusiasts, and basketball fans. Following the store’s opening, the brand released the Air Jordan IV Retro Manila sneakers, which would go on to be auctioned for well above P400,000. While some would consider the limited-edition pair the highlight of Jordan’s launch in the country, we have to shine a light on these Air Jordan 1 Centre Court Sneakers in White on White, which also hit the BGC store just a few weeks after it opened. It’s a low-cut take on the coveted Air Jordan 1 featuring vintage design elements and an understated look. We're in love with the soft greige suede tongues and wings-inspired detailing on the heel overlays, which add a dreamy touch to the pair. Though Jordan is best known for their standout basketball sneakers, this is a pair that can appeal to both casual sneaker lovers as well as diehard sports fans.
Available at the Jordan store in Bonifacio Global City.
Also read:
10 Places Where You Can Shop Jordan Sneakers in Manila
Finn Cotton Moxie Sneakers (P9,000)
Local sneaker brand Finn Cotton was established in September 2020. Less than a year after opening, the brand became one of the sponsors of the Philippine Basketball Association Season 46 Rookie Draft—Joshua Torralba, RK Ilagan, Santi Santillan, Alec Stockton, Jerie Pingoy, and Anton Asistio were among the draft hopefuls who wore Finn Cotton shoes on their Big Day. And we’re not surprised: As far as sneaker design goes, Finn Cotton can compete with some of the most famous sportswear and streetwear brands in the world thanks to their modern, one-of-a-kind silhouettes. The star of their selection has to be the Proxima White sneakers which sport a jagged and translucent outsole with curved lines all around (including on the unique lacing patterns), and you can get it in a variety of standout colorways. If you’re more of a minimalist, go for the Moxie sneakers—our pick for this year—which come in all-white or all-beige and feature a sleek silhouette, clean stitching, and Velcro straps up top.
Available online.
Mexico 66 Paratay in Liberty Fabrics (P5,190)
Japanese sportswear brand Onitsuka Tiger is a popular pick among sneakerheads thanks to classic styles like the ever-popular Tiger Corsair, which you probably know best in its OG red-white-and-blue colorway. Over the years, the old-school sneaker (along with other flagship silhouettes in the brand's lineup) has gotten cool some pretty makeovers—2019's Ecobember Pack, for example, was a minimalist take on their beloved styles. The latest iteration of the brand's famous pairs, however, went in a daintier direction with sneakers decked out in pretty floral patterns. Our fave from the set is this revamped version of one of their flagship silhouettes, the Mexico 66. Staying true to the styles’ decades-old look, it sports a predominantly white exterior with delicate floral prints adorning the heel adding a pop of color and personality to the shoe. The floral fabrics on the sneakers were made in collaboration with Liberty Fabrics, a famous London-based textile design company that has been around since the 1890s.
Available at Onitsuka Tiger stores in Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza, Glorietta 5, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM Aura, Two Parkade BGC, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, and SM Megamall.
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