Summer Sneaker Stuntin'

Summertime footwear is a forgotten art, especially where some folks’ idea of fly footwear is a pair of dollar store, foam flip-flops in assorted colors. For $7 you can ball out for the summer with every color flip flop in the rainbow, right? WRONG! So before you break that $10 bill to splurge at the Dollar Tree, Dollar General, 99 cent kingdom and 99 cent universe, let your boy hook you up. You know my motto; you don’t need to break the bank to look good, but ain’t nothing wrong with spending some cheddar to look a little better either. After all, we’ve waited 16 months for an enjoyable Summer and many of us are ready to step out and enjoy it. Make sure you step out correct and in style with footwear that’s sure to make a statement. So here are my top picks for the summer that will take you from the streets, to the beach, and everywhere in between.

I like to think of summer sneakers in 3 different categories; Clean, Colorful and Casual. Sneakers within each of these categories can fit the bill for any vibe you’re going for in your look.

Clean

Air Force ones

• Colorway: White on White

• Occasion: On the Go, Summer BBQ, Beach Day

• Price: $90

• Where to get them: Foot locker, Champs, Nike.com

You Cant go wrong with a pair of white on whites. New York always had love for the Air Force One Low tops, aka, the Downtowns, but ever since Nelly dropped that “Err Force Ones” track, everyone across the nation has been coppin at least two perrs every summer. Rock these to that all white BBQ at your cousin’s or to the mall to run some errands. Nothing beats a pair of clean air force ones around the way.

“Stan Smiths” Adidas

• Colorway: White/ blue trim

• Occasion: Loungin'

• Price: $85

• Where to get them:Foot Locker Champs, Adidas.com, your local sneaker retailer

These are a classic among all ages, demographics and walks of life. This sneaker also crosses over for occasions. This is one of the few all purpose kicks to pack on a trip, that would work for the beach, a day on the town or a casual dinner out with your people. This shoe is offered in three color ways. All white, white with green and white with blue. My favorite; the white with blue trim which offers some contrast but will still work with any outfit from blue jeans to pink shorts

Air Jordan III

• Colorway: White/ racer blue / concrete gray

• Occasion: Loungin’

• Price: $235 and up

• Where to get them: Your local sneaker head spots i.e. Stockx.com

The most sporty out of the sneakers in this section, the AJ III racer blues are a clean look for those sneaker heads and the average sneaker wearer. This wouldn’t be my choice for an all purpose sneaker to wear out to dinner, but it’s sure to turn heads when you’re kickin’ it with your guys

Colorful

Air max 97

• Colorway: Los Angeles

• Occasion: Stuntin’ and Stylin

• Price: $210 and up

• Where to get them: Goat.com

One of my recent discoveries it’s become one of my favorites. With its shades of orange, i get instant summer vibes. rock these with jeans, swimming trunks, chinos and it’s sure to pop. My advice is to pare them with a solid pair of jeans or pastel chinos with a white tee, or a floral print shirt.

Adidas NMD R1.V2

• Colorway: Yellow (neon)

• Occasion: Stuntin’ and Stylin’

• Price: $140

• Where to get them: Adidas, Footlocker, Champs

Another sneaker with the “wow factor, you don’t need to do much when you throw these on. Add Jeans or shorts and you’re good to go

SIA Collective “Saved by the Bell”

l Colorway: Saved by the Bell, (Gray, White, Fucshia, Sea Blue, Gold)

l Occasion: Stylin and Stuntin

l Price: $220

l Where to get them: SIAcollective.com

Those that know, know. Real Sneakerheads know about this brand and the multiple drops. You can pick this up on pre-order, though they will not make it to you before this summer ends. I may pick up a pair myself, since these colors give me south beach vibes. The great thing is that this has so many beach colors that it’s easy to pair with any shirt that matches any of the multiple colors therein. These are a fun sneaker that won’t disappoint. And you’ll even get some exclusivity points from the streets.

Casual

Thursday Boot

• Colorway: Toffee

• Occasion: out to dinner,

• Price: $129

• Where to get them: Thursday boot.com

Ironically, known best for their boot collection, they make a mean casual sneaker. These sneakers give the elegance of a shoe, with the comfort of a balling shoe. These shoes are great for transitioning into the evening and with business casual ensembles.

Aldo Kirilenko

• Colorway: Dark Beige / Textile Mesh

• Occasion: out to dinner,

• Price: $40

• Where to get them: Aldo

Technically, espadrilles are not sneakers, they are casual wear. They’re inexpensive, they're comfortable and you can wear them from the beach to dinner and all points in between. These versatile kicks are the ones you’ll want to keep close at home and when you travel.

Friends, summer is a time for letting your hair down, and if you ain’t got no hair, time for letting the baldy breathe. In other words, you don’t need to wear hard bottom wing tips all year round. Whether you’re chillin’, stuntin’ or keeping it casually stylish, there’s a sneaker for you. No matter what you choose, make sure you keep the summer vibes going.

Stay Suitabull guys.