SHBX's Top 10 Women's and Grade School Sneaker Releases of 2010

Hiya folks :)

This month, you've seen a number of lists proclaiming the "best" sneaks of the year from the Who's Who of the sneaker industry.  Interestingly enough, wimminz and kids selections were left out of a lot of these lists.  Not to worry, I Iz here to save the sneaker day with what I believe, were the dopest releases for women and subsequently kids, this year.  In compiling this list, I took some time to go back through posts I've made throughout the year as well as polling some sneakher chicks via Twitter to see what the buzz was for ladies' footwear in 2010.  You may agree with some of the picks, you may not, it beez like dat sometimes.  Anyhoo, whether you're pleased or displeased, be sure to hit the comment box to share your thoughts.  Without further adieu, here are Sneakherbox's Top 10 Women's and GS kicks for the year 2010.  Enjoy!

The List Starts After the Jump.




10. Nike Air Diamond Turf GS - White/Black - Sport Red
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/04/could-it-be-gs-return-of-nike-air.html

2010 bought about a number of retro kicks from yesteryear that packed a nostalgic punch.  The GS Retro of the Nike Air Diamond Turf (or as we frequently refer to them, the Deions) was well received amongst the shortydopwops like myself, with the first OG colorway being the gateway to several more cws to follow.  The Summer of 2010 never looked so good.






9. Air Jordan Retro 6 Girls - Coral Rose
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/01/available-for-pre-order-air-jordan-vi-6.html

Simplicity always wins when creating sneaker colorways.  Jordan Brand definitely took the simple route when coming up with this year's Valentine's Day offering.  Coral Rose pink replaced the well-known Carmine red we saw previously released in the Air Jordan Collezione 6/17 Package of 2008. The result was an effortlessly splendid take on a classic.  Such an awesome look had to make our list of top kicks for 2010.







8. X-Girl x Bearbrick Nike WMS Blazer Pack
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/02/collabs-x-girl-x-nike-sportswear-x.html

SHEDANGLES!

My list would be incomplete without mentioning one of my favorite collaborations for 2010.  X-girl linked up with Nike to produce this esthetically pleasing Blazer High pack featuring a plethora of silver and black sequin. Not to mention, the miniature Bearbrick was just the right touch.  Whew, swag to the max. 

7. Air Jordan Spiz'ike Girls - 'Miami Vice"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2009/11/kicks-air-jordan-spring-2010-girls-line.html

The first "Miami inpired" colorway on the list comes in the form of the Air Jordan Spiz'ike.  An instant favorite among the laydays, the playful spring colorway was just what we needed to kick start the year, literally.







6. Nike Air Max 95 WMS - "Grape"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/06/return-nike-wms-air-max-95-whitegrape.html

We love it when OG colorways are retroed, and the return of the women's "Grape" colorway of the Nike Air Max 95 was oh so pleasing.  The only thing better would have been a full air unit, but eh, a girl can dream.







5. Air Jordan XI GS - "Cool Grey"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/07/ysk-air-jordan-xi-retro-cool-grey-gs.html

Yeah, you were probably thinking this would be number one or something. Not sure if serious. Although I (along with plenty other ladies) was happy to see the re-release of this colorway, I cannot say this was the best release of the year.  Probably because of the slight variation in color from the 01, or maybe because the hype surrounding the release became increasingly underwhelming. Insignificant things, perhaps. Nevertheless, awesomeness cannot be ignored, and that is why the Air Jordan XI GS Retro "Cool Grey" comes in at No. 5.

4. Adidas Originals x Jeremy Scott - "Mickey Mouse"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/03/things-i-need.html

No, your eyes do not deceive you.  A switch from the Nike flooded list is what you are indeed witnessing.  The Adidas x Jeremy Scott collabs have received mixed reception from sneaker connoseiurs due to their nearly always off the wall concepts.  This particular release, however, was schmokin'.  You can't lose adding the most recognized mouse of all time to your shoes.  These were available in a full size run (men's sizes down to a 5) but in limited quantities, primarily overseas.  I wasn't able to acquire a pair, but I envy those who did. Nice job, Adidas.








3. Nike Air Max Lebron 8 GS - "South Beach"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/11/nike-air-max-lebron-8-south-beach-to.html

There probably wasn't a release this year that made me jump for joy and fill with rage more than the Nike Air Max Lebron 8 GS "Pre-Heat" edition.  Already being enamored with the model itself and swooning over the men's "SoBe" release in late November, I whispered through my twitter that I wished the Sneaker gods *cough Nike cough* would show some love to the small footed syndrome crew.  Shortly after the Men's release, news hit the web that they were, in fact, going to drop in GS sizes come December and I hit the ground running trying to find a pair.  On one fateful afternoon, I got word from one of my personal sneaker wizards that Niketown Chicago had their GS stock and  I. WENT. IN. Literally, and copped myself a pair. Oh, and my homegirls got theirs too :) A rare colorway of a non-Jordan sneaker that was only supposed to be available for men (in limited quantities at that) dropping in GS sizes was the shot heard round the world for sneakherhead chicks.  It said  and perhaps, our wants are finally being heard.








2. Air Jordan II x Va$htie - Lavender/Deep Purple - Del Sol
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/07/air-jordan-ii-retro-girls-lavenderdeep.html

What started out as an unexpected JB release that we didn't know much about turned into a milestone in female sneaker culture.  We eventually learned that The Downtown Sweatheart aka Vashtie Kola was the creative force behind the Lavender - Deep Purple AJII, the first female designer to work with the brand, ever.  Va$htie's input came in the form of material and color choices for the shoe, which she chose to correspond with her own brand, Violette.  Some folks would've expected Ms. Kola to collab on an Air Jordan III project seeing as though the Black Cement IIIs are her favorite but, the Air Jordan II model was chosen to commemorate the model's 25th Anniversary.  For me, these were special not only because of the historical value, but because we as women in the industry rarely see limited releases made specifically for us.  The collaborators and premium materials are usually brought in for the big footed fellas only.  With this release, a new day in female athletic footwear dawned, and we are looking forward to more "oh, you ain't got these" moments in the future.








1. Nike Air Max 90 GS - "Infrared"
Original Post: http://www.sneakherbox.com/2010/02/could-it-be-gs-nike-air-max-90-infrared.html

One of the most legendary colorways, ever, finally saw a re-release in GS sizes this year.  The Air Max 90 Infrared saw previous releases in "Men's Only Land" just a couple year's prior to this one. Initial reports of a drop were met with breath-holding on the part of us wimminz, until I came across the evidence that they were going to be available in sizes 3.5-7Y. Oh Joy! Prior to 2010's release, the Infrareds were dropped in GS sizes as part of the 2005 History of Air series.  Man, bishes were being less than reasonable with their resell prices for the few pairs that surfaced years after.  My love for GS retail prices and DS kicks was strengthened with this release, as I finally received what I consider a sneaker staple.