They’re undeniably timeless, with a white-sock-revealing low top and clean lines. They’re also on Nike’s more affordable side, coming in at just a little more than $100. These not only top our list but take the superlative of “most mentioned,” an astounding feat when you consider that we heard about more than 40 pairs when reporting this guide. Unsurprisingly, the sneakerheads we talked to had much to say about the cult-favorite–to–classic Air Force 1. Material: Leather | Sizes: 5–13 with half-sizes | Design: High-foam midsole, toe perforations | Price: $$ Even if, from a practicality standpoint, white sneakers can be a bit of a chore - especially if you like to keep them as pristine as possible - there’s no denying their appeal. (Like “ It” girl Alexa Chung, I subscribe to the philosophy that you should scuff them up a bit before your first wear.) To find the very best of the best, I turned to sneakerheads and shoe obsessives for their favorite white sneakers, from minimalist low-tops to Tabi-like split-toes. These latest iterations (and the inevitable ones to follow) are further proof of the kicks’ power. Think of the Stan Smiths craze that unleashed many a copycat and the ubiquitous ugly-trainers trend that’s showing no signs of stopping: There are orthopedic-esque Salomons and Hokas out on the streets as we speak (it’s all about comfort nowadays). Whatever he made from the shoes, it’s certainly gigantic.Hypebeast or not, it’s hard to ignore the white-sneaker boom of the last few years. There are many figures floating around, and some go as high as $100 million. His deal is reported to be gigantic, especially compared to other Puma deals. He has lived up to the hype, and Puma was not afraid to take a chance on him. The little Ball brother exploded onto the scene in the 2020 NBA draft, and has been one of the most exciting players in the league. Even if Kuzma isn’t a star, setting the precedent of going after more established players is a big deal if Puma wants to expand. That shift is a big deal for Puma because it means they can start to branch out in a way they haven’t been able to over the past few decades. That shows, while their focus remains on rookies and new players, they don’t mind going after more established players when the time comes. Kuzma is notable because he was the first player to join Team Puma who wasn’t on a rookie contract. However, none are bigger than Kyle Kuzma and LaMelo Ball. Their recent signings have given them 19 total players, most of which are pretty big names. They now have a slew of other NBA players using their shoes, including Kendrick Nunn, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Rudy Gay, and Danny Green. Since taking five of the top 16 picks back in 2018, Puma has exploded onto the NBA scene in a big way. They paid him $2 to $3 million per year, giving him the biggest rookie shoe contract since Durant signed his $60 million contract with Nike back in 2007. While Bagley hasn’t seen the same on-court success as Ayton, his deal also pushed Puma into the spotlight. While it seemed unorthodox, the Bahamian loved the brand growing up due to its association with Usain Bolt. The number one overall draft pick broke the mold by going with the company, and set a new precedent that didn’t exist before he came into the NBA.Īt just 19, Ayton signed a four-year non-disclosed million dollar deal. While all of the above five signings helped push Puma forward, the largest one was easily DeAndre Ayton. They got a foothold in the NBA, and one they have only improved on since. Signing five NBA rookies in one draft turned Puma from a fringe shoe company to a much more serious professional brand in one fell swoop. That showed they were in it for the long haul. Not only that, but they locked up all five of the players to multi-year deals. That year, they signed DeAndre Ayton (Suns), Marvin Bagley (Kings), Kevin Knox (Knicks), Zhaire Smith (76ers), and Michael Porter Jr (Nuggets). That’s not something completely unheard of, but it marked a big change for the brand that led to instant success within the NBA. In 2018, rather than going after big names or more established players, Puma targeted rookies. They did it by completely changing their strategy. That year, Puma went from having no big athletes to many big names. While they had some success here and there, they just couldn’t quite break in. They stayed that way for the 2000’s and most of the 2010’s. They tried to break onto the professional basketball scene during the early 2000’s, but quickly lost their athletes to the other big shoe companies everyone knows. Anyone familiar with shoes or the NBA knows that Puma, while big, is not a household name.
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