The year 2022 has, once again, flooded the sneaker market with a countless number of releases.
A Top 10 is still a difficult selection to make and is never unanimous.
The goal here is not to share the 10 most hype pairs of the year, nor the most expensive pairs for resale.
We share with you our unranked selection according to our tastes here at More Sneakers on pairs that remained accessible this year.
1 - Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Lost & Found 'Chicago'
Unsurprisingly, this Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Lost & Found 'Chicago' makes it into this year's top 10.
The releases of this coveted silhouette have been numerous again this year but with much less hype than usual.
This OG colorway version, aged with over 37 years of heritage, comes with a solid storytelling and great detailing, from the box to the vintage receipt.
This is a must have for any Jordan collector without hesitation.
However, I reiterate my preference for the 2015 release which, while a bit forgotten, remains one of my favorite pairs in my collection.
2- Nike Dunk Low Jackie Robinson
A dunk that clearly stands out for me this year and even compared to previous years.
Crazy details on the whole pair: Mini swoosh on the front, quotes all-over, logo on the tongue and so on.
A tribute to Jackie Robinson, an emblematic figure and civil rights activist.
The only regret as often with this kind of release, it was a US release only.
No choice but to go through the secondary market.
3 - Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Military Black'
The Air Jordan Black and White are actually rare in the Jumpman collection, both in OG and non-OG colorways.
I wasn't expecting so much from this release at first, but I was pleasantly surprised by this Military Blue cover.
An easy to wear pair and more comfortable than the other Air Jordan 4's released recently.
That’s a no brainer.
4 - Air Jordan 1 Retro High 85 'Georgetown'
I've always been a big fan of the Georgetown University Hoyas colorway.
Who doesn't know their famous Jack the Bulldog mascot that used to appear on some of our t-shirts in the 90s?
I was not lucky at all on the Air Jordan 1 Retro High 85 releases. I bought this Air Jordan 1 Retro High 85 'Georgetown' on resale shortly after the release, not too expensive.
It remains one of the best Air Jordan 1 High of the year for me.
5 - Nike Air Max 1 SP Concepts ‘Far Out’
Certainly the most colorful of the 3, this colorway is part of a pack of 3 Nike Air Max 1 released in collaboration with the NYC store Concepts.
Once again a release reserved for our American friends with a Special box version and a Regular Box version.
I personally copped the other 2 pairs of the pack, this one remains on my aftermarket wishlist.
I am a big fan of the work done on this collaboration: daring choices, a sharp research on materials and their arrangement on the silhouette as well as the variety on the 3 releases.
The 'Far Out' version with its flashy colors, Paisley patterns and original designs remains one of the best AM1 of this year.
6 - A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4 Retro
Jordan Brand has clearly increased the rarity of the Jordan 4 in recent years. This has increased the hype and demand from the fans.
This A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 4 'Violet Ore' is no exception. Highly anticipated after a great AJ3 & AJ1 in 2021, the collaboration continued earlier this year with the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 2.
This Jordan 4 was one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
Once again very successful, the pair has the usual A ma maniere color code with a Dark Violet tone with cream accents.
James Whitner elevated the classic model with luxe uppers, quilted liners & always a positive message for the community.
Definitely a must cop for all Jordan fans this year.
Small downside though, the quality control seems to be quite random according to our customer feedback
7 - Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Waves 'White'
I announced it on twitter as soon as I got the pair in hands, this collaboration between Patta and Nike on the concept 'the Wave' is clearly one of the most successful and especially on this white colorway.
The history between Patta and Nike is not new, but the way they managed to revisit (again) the Air Max 1 without overloading it, is remarkable.
This colorway surprises us with a perfect contrast between a white and a silver gray on a beige sole, a very good quality and beautiful details.
8 - New Balance 990v3 MADE in USA 'Sea Salt'
I had to pick up at least one New Balance for that Top 10 this year.
I do like the 2002R & the 550 but I can't really think of one colorway that stood out this year except for the 1st Protection Pack drop but that's in late 2021.
With Teddy Santis as Creative Director of New Balance's Made in USA line, we saw a series of elevated craft and premium materials.
The 990 V3 has clearly been a focus of the Boston brand this year with numerous releases and collaborations.
The JJJJound 'Olive' remains my favorite this year but the collaborations with the Montreal based label are usually very hard to catch on the European side.
The New Balance 990v3 MADE in USA 'Sea Salt' echoes the AM1 Patta with a white, cream and silver palette.
This release however differs from most 990V3's with the use of a white leather replacing the sneaker's usual suede.
We add to that excellent comfort and beautiful finishes.
The retail price may make you hesitate, but remember that the pair is made in the US. Quality has a price, even more in 2022.
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9 - Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG SP 'Reverse Mocha'
After the success of the Fragment Design x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG, many of us were waiting for the next colorways.
Personally less fan of lows in general, I ended up appreciating more and more this low version with the big reverse swoosh.
The Air Max 1 pack released during the year has finally not made so much noise.
Their postponed release dates and the tragic events related to Travis are surely for something.
This reverse Mocha has in any case relaunched the machine with a mixture of Mocha, Cream and hits of red embroidery all around the shoes.
No luck for me on SNKRS again for these. I could pay resell I guess if I sell a few pairs of my collection.
10 - Louis Vuitton LV Trainer 'White Black Denim'
We talk a lot about the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 and very little about this silhouette designed by the great Virgil Abloh himself.
So yes it's a luxury pair, with a retail price close to 1000€ but the LV quality is there.
The pair, handmade in Italy, has literally no flaws and the quality of the leather is +++.
Beyond the price, I'm still a big fan of the fusion Virgil managed to do on this silhouette :
we feel a basketball touch with a shape close to an Air Jordan 3, then a skateboard vibe with this thick tongue, all in respect of the luxury codes.
A black and white 'Panda' colorway is applied with a mix of materials well distributed on the inserts of the pair and here is the result.
The pair was still quite difficult to get in 2022, often on the waiting list with an LV seller.
Nevertheless, it has been restocked at the end of the year and is expected to be released in a 2.0 version in the next collection.
The year 2023 is already announcing a lot of interesting releases and positions from the brands that we are all waiting for.
Stay tuned with us for the next episodes next year.
Thanks to everyone from the community for your support.