to create global impact. – Marcus Vinicius, Senior Editor
The Hypebeast Team’s Top 10 Sneakers of 2024: A Year in Review
The end of December is upon us and it’s time for the Hypebeast team to come together and reflect on the best new sneakers of the year. From Cecilie Bahnsen’s floral ASICS to Kyrie Irving’s ANTA debut, these 10 footwear brands made the cut. Each pair has a personal connection to its owner and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the styles that captured our attention in 2024. Check out our passionate breakdowns and special stories below and let us know which shoe you would add to the list!
POST ARCHIVE FACTION (PAF) x On Cloudventure Peak: The Perfect Fusion of Function and Form
Logan Fairbrother/Hypebeast
The sneaker industry is always on the hunt for something new and exciting. While brands like On and HOKA have made strides, their styles failed to hold my attention for long. That all changed when POST ARCHIVE FACTION (PAF) came into the picture. By collaborating with the elegant South Korean technical label, On’s Cloudmonster 2 transformed from just another performance shoe to a sleek and stylish must-have. I was immediately drawn to the project when I saw images of their Paris Fashion Week pop-up in June of last year. But it wasn’t until their follow-up showcase in January, where they revealed the Cloudventure Peak, that I knew I needed these shoes in my life. After patiently waiting for months, I finally got my hands on a pair in November. And let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Every step in these shoes is filled with excitement as I appreciate their comfort and beauty. Despite my initial doubts, this collaboration exceeded all expectations and solidified its spot as one of the best sneakers of the year. – Logan Fairbrother, Associate Editor
P. Andrade x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14: A Fusion of Local Inspiration and Global Appeal
Marcus Vinicius/Hypebeast
Global brands often turn to Brazilian creatives for local projects, but these collaborations rarely have a lasting impact beyond their borders. However, ASICS and P. Andrade broke the mold with their original release that seamlessly blends local inspiration with global appeal. Based on the story of an Amazonian beetle, this design caught my eye with its combination of innovation and cultural narrative. Its widespread distribution speaks to its universal appeal, capturing the attention of both streetwear enthusiasts and sneaker aficionados. I hope to see more projects like this in the future, as it sets a new standard for how brands can use local creativity to make a global impact. – Marcus Vinicius, Senior Editor
