According to Sneakerheads, These Are the Only Pairs Worth Buying In 2023
The sneaker world and the fashion world, though tightly intertwined, involve two very different types of expertise. As a fashion editor, I may know every last detail about the next breakthrough designers coming out of Paris and Milan, the outfits with sneakers making headway on Instagram and TikTok, and the latest arrivals dropping at Zara and Mango, and at the same time be out of the loop on what sneaker models are booming on the secondhand market. So when I tasked myself recently with upping my knowledge in the sneaker world, starting with 2023's most anticipated trends, I knew I had to call in a real expert.
To find out which pairs I should be buying now for 2023 rather than later (aka, when the prices have skyrocketed so high I can't possibly obtain them), I called on the merchandising director of sneakers and collectibles at StockX, Drew Haines, who kindly shared everything from macro trends and specific models to watch out for next year to hard-hitting footwear data. Of course, my first thought—after quickly picking up one of each of his predicted styles, that is—was to share the wealth. Below, see which sneakers StockX's top sneakerhead is betting big on for 2023.
On Kendall Jenner: Adidas Samba Classic Shoes ($75)
"Classic soccer silhouettes are back in style, a trend we began to see pick up midyear as sales of Adidas Sambas shot up on StockX," says Haines. "The revival of the 73-year-old sneaker is not all that surprising given the success of recent collaborations and new attention from high-profile celebrities like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber, who were spotted in different Sambas this summer." According to the director, especially popular colorways include both the brand's classic white and black versions, as well as a green-and-cream pair from its sought-after collaboration with British menswear designer Wales Bonner. "With the World Cup kicking off later this month, we're expecting that this is only the beginning of what will be a bigger focus on soccer in 2023," says Haines.
Shop soccer sneakers:
On Bella Hadid: Nike top; Dior Your Dior 2 Sunglasses ($174); Mondo Mondo Lover Earrings ($245); Salomon S/Lab XT-4 Advanced ($765)
"StockX's midyear report revealed that Hoka—known for running and trail-ready styles—was the fastest-growing sneaker brand on StockX year over year," Haines shares. Among the brand's most-wanted styles are its Anacapa Low Gore-Tex styles in both black and tan, as well as its Kaha GTX high-tops.
But Hokas aren't the only brand performing well in the outdoor category. "Between the rise in popularity of their S/LAB line and collaborations with Palace, Dover Street Market, and Hidden NY, Salomon is a must-watch brand in the sneaker space," Haines says. "Following a strong week in demand, the Salomon XT-6 White Lunar Rock became the third most-traded Salomon shoe in StockX history."
Shop outdoors sneakers:
On Laura Harrier: New Balance 550 Sneakers ($490); New Era x Saint Laurent Monogram Cap ($275); Velvet Canyon The Poet Sunglasses ($239)
According to Haines, StockX is seeing a major shift toward chunky, basketball-inspired sneakers as of late. "Silhouettes like the New Balance 550, the Jordan 2, and the Adidas Forum were born on the basketball court, but brands have revamped the silhouettes to appeal to a lifestyle aesthetic, and the shoes are performing very well as a result," he notes, adding that the 550 was a major contributor to New Balance achieving 200% trade growth on StockX in 2022. "Seven of the 10 best-selling New Balance sneakers on StockX in H1 2022 were 550s." For 2023, Haines says that the high-top version of the popular basketball sneaker, the 650, is next, followed closely by the Adidas Forum and the Jordan 2."
Shop basketball sneakers:
On Emily Ratajkowski: Nike Classic Cortez ($99); Bottega Veneta The Chain Pouch Leather Clutch ($3800)
"Certain physical products can trade like traditional commodities, and that's leading more people to consider investment potential as a factor when shopping for sneakers," Haines explains. "Some of the styles we've seen appreciate in value this year include Jordan 4s, the collection from JJJJound x New Balance, and, believe it or not, the Nike Cortez line." According to Haines, the Jordan 4s are sought-after mainly because of how infrequently they're released, meaning there's limited supply of them and more demand on the secondhand market. "We've seen releases like the Jordan 4 Retro White Oreo (2021) appreciate 56% in price year over year," he adds. New Balance's collaboration with independent shoe designer JJJJound, for which the designer worked with the sneaker brand's 992 silhouette, was equally sought after, with one gray style appreciating nearly 50% year on year. "As for the Cortez, it has been around since the 1970s, but in the last year, prices on the secondary market have been climbing," says Haines. "Classic colorways like the Nike Cortez Basic Leather White Black (2017) (+93% YoY), the Nike Cortez Basic Nylon Obsidian White-Metallic Silver (+83% YoY), and the Nike Cortez Basic Forrest Gump (2019) (+70% YoY) have all made major price gains on StockX in 2022."
Shop more investment sneakers:
More It sneakers for 2023:
If you're going on a warm-weather vacation, you need to bring these with.
The most in-the-know sneakerheads are into Nike's ACG (All Conditions Gear) line.
I've been eyeing a pair of these for months, and there's no time like the present.
Asics are having a moment right now. And if you ask me, it won't end anytime soon.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Next: The Only Sneaker Trends That Matter This Year, According to Sneakerheads
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
-
Naomi Osaka Is Bridging the Gap Between Court and Street Style
The 26-year-old is currently playing in the US Open.
By Eliza Huber
-
The 32 Best Sneakers to Buy From New Balance, Adidas, and Nike Right Now
Nothing here is over $250.
By Natalie Cantell
-
Dua Lipa and EmRata Are Already All Over 2025's Top Sneaker Trend
Prepare to see these everywhere next year.
By Eliza Huber
-
Bella Hadid Wore Fall 2024's Most Elegant Denim Trend
It might be time to buy some new jeans.
By Allyson Payer
-
Emily Ratajkowski Just Re-Created One of Carrie Bradshaw's Most Iconic '90s Looks
So Carrie coded.
By Natalie Munro
-
Bella Hadid Just Wore Fall 2024's Richest Bag Color Trend
If you order just one fall bag trend…
By Allyson Payer
-
The Stunning Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry That's Worth the Investment
Shine bright like a diamond.
By Ana Escalante
-
We're Fashion Editors—the 9 Best Items From The Row That Are Truly Worth the Investment
They'll never date.
By Emily Dawes