Making Waves: The sneaker silhouettes that took over 2021
2021 was another crazy year for trainers. Despite global supply chain issues, brands big and small still managed to fill our calendar with drop after drop of crazy heat. As is customary at this time of the year, KickWave is dropping a list highlighting some of the very best shoes of 2021. However, instead of focusing purely on limited collaborations (of which there were some good ones) we wanted to highlight some of the overall shapes or silhouettes that had a really great year.
New Balance 550:
We’ve given the New Balance 550 plenty of praise already on this website. It was originally an obscure basketball released in 1989. In 2020 it was resurrected by New York fashion brand Aimé Leon Dore to widespread acclaim. But if 2020 was the 550’s breakout year then 2021 was the year that New Balance took it to another level. Of course, there were more highly limited and sought-after collaborations, both from ALD themselves and newcomers to the model including AURALEE and Lebron James’ agent Rich Paul (yes really). But more importantly, 2021 was also the year that the 550 became more accessible to your average sneakerhead. This year, the 550 has had general release models that have come in a variety of iterations, usually one colour on top of a white leather base. It is worth noting that whilst the supply of 550s from New Balance has increased dramatically, it is still being matched by demand. Even the GR versions of the 550 usually sell out quickly and there is still plenty of interest in them on the secondary market. New Balance has had a strong 2021 in general, but with the 550 it seems that they have a model that’s reasonably priced and adored by mainstream sneakerheads that wouldn’t usually look towards the brand. With Nike increasing the price of the Air Force 1 in 2021 as well, it feels as though New Balance finally has a direct competitor for the swoosh’s lifestyle juggernaut.
Adidas Forum:
Speaking of competitors for the Air Force 1, we’ve got another one for you in the shape of the Adidas Forum. In many ways, the Forum, which comes in low, mid and high cuts has had a similar journey to the aforementioned 550. First released in 1984, the Forum was a premium model that came at a premium $100 price point. Rereleased in 2020, momentum for the model began to grow. But it was in 2021 that the Forum really roared back to popularity. There have been plenty of subtle, general release colourways for us to enjoy and the Forum is a model that has the rare honour of looking great in high, low, and mid cuts. But whilst adidas may have given everyone the opportunity to buy a pair of Forums this year, it has also been the model of choice for many of the Three Stripes’ heaviest hitting collaborators. Some notable highlights include the series of near universally adored Forum Los from Latin American music superstar Bad Bunny to a far more eclectic Forum High from Kerwin Frost, a designer with growing influence at Adidas. Finally, from an up-and-coming designer to an Adidas legend, Jeremy Scott returned to the brand with both a Forum High and a Forum Lo, both sporting the iconic ‘money’ design. In 2021 the Forum managed to both return to the mainstream and become an alternative choice for in the know sneakerheads. It’s certainly a model to keep your eye on again in 2022 as well.
Yeezy Slide:
Should this ‘sneaker’ even be on our list? It doesn’t matter, The Yeezy Slide has been one of the most influential silhouettes of 2021. On the face of it, the Yeezy Slide is just a single piece of utilitarian rubber. Despite this, every sneakerhead seems to want a pair. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic even the ‘hype’ trainer world has trended towards comfort over style. Yeezy has leaned into this hard with the continued success of the Foam Runner, as well as newer silhouettes such as the Knit Runner. Despite this, the Slide is the king of them all, most likely due to the ease with which it can be worn and styled. There are those who just don’t understand the appeal of the Yeezy Slide, particular those who find themselves outside the echo chamber of sneakerhead culture. But in 2025, when we look back upon the silhouettes that have influenced modern trainer trends, we’re sure that the Yeezy Slide will be looked at as a pivotal moment in sneaker history. Certainly, it deserves its place here as one of the most influential silhouettes of 2021.
Image credit to: HIGHXTAR, Fit For Health, SNEAKERFREAKER, Hypebae