Summer Trainers
I dunno about you, but Summer is my favourite time of year. Perhaps like me, one of the most important decisions you make in the lead up to Summer. Isn’t just which beer gardens you are going to be hitting first. But what garms are going to find their way into your Summer rotation. Probably more importantly, which shoes are going to accompany them and become your Summer Trainers.
A lot of consideration goes into the choices we make style-wise for every season, but none more so than Summer. Those in the know will be acutely aware that there is a particular method for picking the right Summer creps. Although there are as many opinions on shoes as there are shoes. There is several factors to ponder when making your choices. So, what I’ve done for you good people, is try and come up with the most varied list you are going to find. To try to, if nothing else, inspire you as to Summer trainers to be repping. So here it is, 10 shoes you need for everyone’s favourite season.
Nike Air Max 97 OA London Summer of Love
When I was coming up with my list. The first shoe I settled on was the Nike Air Max 97 OA London Summer of Love. For me, a shoe can convey so much more than shape and colour. If there is a shoe that better captures the essence of Summer than this one. Then I haven’t found it yet. Designed by Londoner and Nike On Air Contest winner Jasmine Lasode. The influence behind this colourful take on the Air Max 97 silhouette stems from a first date spent on Primrose Hill. While looking to accurately convey the English cities Summer and the love shared within it.
Painted in a multitude of vibrant hues including orange, green, yellow, and blue on a palette cleansing white base. This design is playful, eye-catching, and unmistakably Summery. An intriguing “97P” text runs around the entire upper. While “Good Chat” text features on the pull tabs as a subtle nod and comment to the memory the shoe is based on. This shoe was an obvious pick for a lot of reasons. The lore surrounding it, colourful design and base material. As after all, nothing says Summer like a fresh pair of Air Max on your feet.
Yeezy 700 Inertia, the perfect Summer Trainers?
It is hard for me to run out of superlatives for the Yeezy 700 Inertia. Probably one of my favourite shoes around but also a very appropriate choice for a Summer rotation. Doused in an ultra clean grey hue – which could almost be described as having purple and blue characteristics – the Inertia is for my money the most aesthetically refined Yeezy you are going to find. The devil is in the detail with this model. Finely crafted from luxe suede, premium leather, and breathable mesh of the highest quality. The smallest fleck of tropical mango colour is delicately deployed along the side of the midsole. Which for me is the jewel in this Yeezy’s crown.
This all rests atop a chunky Boost infused midsole. Which is finished off with a robust and durable gum rubber outsole underneath akin to the Yeezy boots of the past. The Yeezy 700 Inertia has everything that makes up a good Summer shoe, bright, versatile while being most importantly, eye-catching. This design comes readily equipped with the reputation of the Yeezy brand while somehow able to stand alone. Thanks to its excellent design from top to bottom. If you are seen flexing a pair of these, then make no mistake about it, people are going to envy you.
Nike React Element 87 Royal Tint
A lot of people, me included, named the Nike React Element 87 as their silhouette of the year for 2018. I can assure you its reign of dominance is looking set to continue for Summer 2019. So with that in mind, the Nike React Element 87 Royal Tint is a sick choice for a Summer trainers. Definitely one I’m looking to acquire in the coming months. Obviously, there are a lot of great colourways to choose from in this ever-growing range. For me, however, the Royal Tint is definitely appropriate for the time of year.
Making use of a blue semi-translucent upper, similar to what you’d find on the Nike Zoom Fly. The crep’s main details arrive via its low slung Swoosh that dives right into the midsole. Exterior taping on the heel, and a wavy, trail-style lacing system constructed of leather and suede that boasts reflective accents – as does the heel tab. The React Element 87s most unique aesthetic feature comes in the way its appearance morphs due to its semi-translucent upper. Meaning your sock choices are definitely another key detail to consider and I lord the opportunity to experiment with this. The React Element 87 is perfect for hot days. As it is comfortable, lightweight, and positively sporty, I’ll definitely be repping with some shorts.
Off-White x Air Presto White
I’d be doing myself and all of you a disservice if I didn’t include one of Virgil Ablohs offerings on this list. After much to-ing and fro-ing, I have finally arrived on the Off-White x Air Presto White. Where you expect Winter shoes to be robust, thick, heavy duty and dark in colour. You naturally look for the opposite in Summer trainers. You want a shoe that is light, airy, bright, and most importantly, comfortable. The Off-White x Air Presto definitely delivers. A member of the fabled ‘The 10’ Collection. Abloh took the Air Presto we all know and love, adapting it into something infinitely more stylish.
Taking a deconstructed approach. Abloh imparts that sense of Industrialism throughout, with lightweight mesh covering the entirety of the shoes upper. Allowing for a breathable, airy and ultimately lightweight finish. This clean colourway couldn’t be more perfect for the summer months. A beige coloured Swoosh sits across the sidewall with that signature orange tab, now synonymous with the Off-White collection. The Air Presto has always been labelled with the phrase “t-shirt for your feet”, and I couldn’t agree more when it’s applied to this model; comfort and style, what more can you want?
Adidas Y-3 Runner 4D II “Bone White”
Newly released and perfect for Summer the Adidas Y-3 4D Runner “Bone White” marks the fourth Futurecraft 4D shoe from Yohji Yamamoto. Existing as an ideal merger of futuristic, technical innovation and unmistakably progressive Japanese style. Taking aesthetic cues from past models which Adidas expertly blends with new spec technology. This translates to a double-layered Primeknit upper painted in an ultra clean all-white colour scheme.
To complement the upper, a full-length Futureraft 4D midsole is deployed in ‘White Bone ‘. Which is a departure from the ‘Aero Green’ units that we’ve come to love. This runner is a real front runner in the industry and looks to set the pace for all that follow in 2019. Making it a perfect pick for Summer trainers. The 3D printed construct means it is lightweight, and because of its mesh-like composition, it is incredibly breathable, so you won’t need to worry about sweaty toes in a pair of these.
Adidas Nizza Donald Glover
When Donald Glover dropped his new Adidas collab by literally Air Dropping them into peoples phones at Coachella, not going to lie, I was filled with envy. So it made sense for me that an Adidas collaboration with one of the worlds biggest rappers that dropped during the sunny Coachella festival would definitely be worth repping this Summer, and I wouldn’t be wrong there.
The Donald Glover x Adidas Nizza uses the silhouette that first appeared on basketball courts back in the 1970s. Featuring a canvas upper capped off with the signature rubber toe bumper. With a vulcanised outsole that helps with this model’s clean, streamlined look. Oozing with Childish Gambino vibes, this interesting take on a retro classic falls into a similar category to the likes of Vans, Converse and other lighter weight trainers. So they are in my mind ideal for the beach, the park or other sunshine based activities. Make no mistake about it, these kicks might be understated, but the best thing about them, is their story, tell it to everyone who asks.
Nike Air Fear of God 180 Bone, the ideal court shoe Summer Trainers?
Perhaps some would say the Nike Air Fear of God 180 is a bit heavy duty for a summer shoe, but hear me out. What Jerry Lorenzo has created here is a court shoe lifestyle hybrid and a damn good one. Let’s face it when the weather gets hot, a lot of you will be shooting hoops. The Air Fear of God 180 is perfect for exactly that. Boasting a mid-cut leather construction. A duo of durable canvas straps work in unison with a conventional lacing system for the ultimate lockdown fit which has been borrowed from the 1992s old school Air Raid. While taking inspiration from the Air Force 180 for its name.
Painted in an ultra clean off white hue. A giant black Swoosh logo hits the lateral and medial sides of this FOG sneaker, and down below, a chunky white midsole is present with debossed branding on the heel and a transparent blue piece which adds a pop of contrast. Jerry Lorenzo’s latest addition to his ever-growing Air Fear of God portfolio might not be for everyone this summer, but if you are the type to go shooting 3s in the sun, you really can’t get better.
OBJ x Air Max 720
The last three shoes on my list are shoes that actually aren’t available just yet. Have no fear, they are on the horizon just as the Summer months are. The OBJ x Air Max 720 marks a collaboration between Nike and one of its most valuable athletic assets – Odell Beckham Jnr. He’s one of the very few who can command an off-the-field signature shoe. Simply because his style is so distinctly unique and appealing to young fans. The Air Max 720 silhouette, in my opinion even without a high profile name attached to it is an excellent option for Summer trainers. Due to its record-breaking full-length Air unit, allowing for unmatched comfort to truly put a spring in your step.
This collaboration, however, has only further elevated this shoes appeal. As it boasts an attention-demanding colour palette which effortlessly matched OBJs personality. With a combination of neon overlays, mesh detailing, trippy marbled tie-dye print, and cork insoles ensure that no matter what angle you view this pair from. There’s always something that’s bound to catch your eye. The party then continues on the bottom half, as a clear Air Max unit with two-tone embellishments and an alternate textured outsole that completes the unique look.
Off-White x Air Force 1 MCA
Rumoured for quite a while now since photos emerged on Instagram of the pair being worn by the man himself, Virgil Abloh. The latest addition to the Off-White x Nike portfolio is one that is built with Summer in mind. Using the iconic Air Force 1 as its base, the MCA takes neon inspiration from the success of the previously released Off-White x Air Force 1 Volt, but instead of luminous yellow this new design touted for a May 2019 release opts for an all over electric blue construction.
A shimmering silver Swoosh shoots down the lateral and medial sides for a look that’s both bold and beautiful. An orange tag is present for that deconstructed look that we all know and love, and this is further emphasised by Abloh’s signature red cable tie that adorns the laces, introducing a pop of contrast. This shoe screams Summer, bright, bold and as its an Off-White it is sure to get you noticed, the MCA will be made in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and I for one can’t wait for its release.
Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Black
Last but most certainly not least, we have probably the most coveted shoe on this list. Touted for a June 2019 release the Yeezy 350 v2 Black takes the newest version of the 350 silhouettes that debuted with the Static reflective and non-reflective colourways late last year and have painted it – translucent stripe and all – in stealthy black. This is the first solely black model we have seen since the ‘Pirate Black’, and the anticipation for this release is massive.
Usually, I would suggest a triple black pair as being best for the Summer months, but this release cannot be ignored. Having a pair of these is going to be essential; they are going to become a key pair in your rotation I don’t doubt, giving you the Yeezy 350s you always wanted, in everyone’s favourite, triple black. If you want to read more about all the shoes on this list plus a whole host of other upcoming online trainer releases and everything else trainers, make sure you keep it Laced where you can buy and sell your shoes today.