2020 was probably the year of loungewear, seeing many of us in sweatpants and sneakers most of the time. as many markets were hit by the pandemic, this one was probably one of those that grew. companies like nike launched their move to zero initiative with sneakers made from recycled materials while adidas kept pushing technological innovation with fully athlete data-coded shoes. the sneaker hype continued, fuelled by social media and unexpected collaborations that sold out just seconds after their launch.

2020 has been quite a year — that’s something we can all agree on — and as we say good riddance to it and anticipate 2021, we take a look back at some of the most intriguing sneakers presented this year. from deep research leading to innovation, to artistic interpretations fusing shoes with porcelain, we highlight our TOP 10 sneakers of 2020.

NIKE ISPA road warrior

NIKE ISPA is NIKE’s most radical, cutting-edge division, seeking to rethink sneakers and sportswear while improving athlete’s interaction with the built environment. deriving from the words improvise, scavenge, protect, and adapt, the experimental division unveiled its 2020 collection of functional, versatile and adaptable footwear and apparel informed by what it means to be human, prioritizing performance and utility. the most radical design on the collection might be the NIKE ISPA road warrior, a shoe that takes the most purposeful innovation from running, basketball, training and outdoor footwear.

adidas futurecraft strung

the adidas futurecraft strung is the first fully athlete data-coded shoe. every thread is individually selected and data-mapped for a seamless, lightweight fit that supports and enhances the natural motion of the wearer. inspired by architecture, the innovation uses robotics to build the fiber structures, which helps ensure minimal material is used throughout.

ZX8000 porcelain art sneaker by adidas X meissen

adidas teamed up with meissen, europe’s oldest porcelain manufacturer, to bring haute german craftsmanship to life. both brands have come together to create an exclusive art piece: a hand-crafted porcelain ZX8000 sneaker made from premium leather and hand-painted by meissen. weighing exactly 950 grams, the pair of sneakers was painstakingly assembled over a six month period.

vans autism awareness collection

vans released a footwear collection featuring sensory-inclusive elements chosen specifically with autism spectrum disorder in mind. it features a calming color palette and design features that focus on the senses of touch, sign and sound.

NIKE air vapormax 2020 flyknit

one of NIKE’s most sustainable shoes to date, the NIKE air vapormax 2020 flyknit is made with at least fifty percent recycled content by weight. this designation is achieved through a creative implementation of circular design principles in the shoe’s varied elements.

adidas x LEGO ZX 8000

in september, adidas originals announced its upcoming ZX 8000 sneaker collaboration with LEGO as part of its ongoing A-ZX series. demonstrating that you’re never too old to play, this unique pair of sneakers saw the danish toy company bring its instantly recognizable aesthetics to an adidas archival icon.

‘this is grown’ shoe by jen keane

inspired by the notions of sustainability and fascinated with new digital and biological tools, jeane keane explores how these technologies could be employed to design a new generation of hybrid materials, and perhaps change our approach to making. this is grown — the designer’s graduation thesis project — is exactly that, a project driven by the frustration with plastics aiming to demonstrate a biological approach to material design.

pharrell x adidas NMD HU

pharrell williams’ collaboration with sportswear giant adidas is the gift that keeps on giving. continuing the line of pharrell x adidas NMD HU sneakers, a set of vibrant new colorways is set to be released. as reported by justfreshkicks, the new ‘pastel pack’ series will feature shoes in blue, orange, green and pink. similarly to the previous designs, the fresh colors will be embroidered with bold text spelling out ‘ULUNTU’, which translates to ‘humanity’.

best before by shahar asor

shahar asor knitted children’s shoes with an expiration date using biodegradable thread that can disassemble at a pre-defined timeframe. titled ‘best before’, the material research project applied the concept of an expiration date to the fashion industry as a way of bridging the contradiction between the long ‘shelf life’ of a garment, and people’s undeniable need to often change their wardrobe. fully-fashioned on a double bed knitting machine, the shoes consist of one knitted piece with different textures, which includes the soft upper part and the strong, flexible sole.

NIKE adapt auto max

in celebration of its 33th air max day — march 26, 2020 — NIKE made a surprise online release of the ‘adapt auto max’. finished in NIKE’s ‘motherboard’ colorway, the self-lacing sneaker channels the DNA of tinker hatfield’s design aesthetic and sampling elements from his air max 90 and NIKE mag sneakers. the shoe features a sleek grey synthetic upper, rounded gum soles with LED lights, and an abstract black line drawing around the midsoles.