It’s that time of the year again… Looking back, 2014 at size? has provided the platform for more releases than ever; every week something else has come out to spark days of debate, discussion and deliberation.

Rather than combining our lists like on our ‘The Best of 2013‘ post last year, we decided to give you the full feature; giving you the vast contrasts and eclectic mixes from across the office. From resurrecting retro’s to unveiling unknowns, all silhouettes past and present feature.

Be sure to comment below with your own Top 5’s and check back again next week for the friends of size? Top 5 Shoe’s of the Year 2014.

Paul Ruffles – Managing Director of size? & Footpatrol

1. Nike Roshe Run Flyknit – Black / White

2. New Balance 998 ‘Made in USA’

3. Nike Tennis Classic AC [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

4. Vans Sk8 Mid CA ‘Clean White’ [size? EU Exclusive] – Shop Now

5. adidas Originals Stan Smith OG – Shop Now

 

Tom Thurley – Marketing Manager

1. adidas Originals Select Collection Kegler Super GTX [size? Exclusive]

“Amazing pack all round but the black Kegler is the one for me. Been waiting for them all year!”

2. Nike Lunar Max 1 OG – Shop Now

“OG AM1 is my favourite shoe of all time. The Lunar is a good updated version”

3. Reebok Workout+ ‘Pastels Pack’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Both colourways are good but I particularly like the green and gum in the Workout; Steph Morris’ illustrations were wicked too! Good to see the brand popular again, which was definitely helped by the long awaited release of this pack“

4. adidas Originals Stan Smith – Shop Now

“Really good marketing campaign & good to see the silhouette back and not go straight to the sale racks”

5. adidas Originals Select Collection Centaur ‘Rayleigh’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Underrated silhouette and a good colourway in my opinion”

 

David Morris – Footwear Buyer

1. Nike Footscape Desert Woven Chukka – Black / White

2. adidas Originals Select Collection Trimm-Trab GTX [size? Exclusive]

3. Nike Flyknit Racer

4. New Balance 997 ‘Made in USA

5. Reebok Workout+ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

 

Daniel Langhorn – Multi Channel

1. adidas Originals Stan Smith OG – Shop Now

“Some people really don’t get this shoe, but for me the simplicity, ageless design and history of this shoe make it #1. Add that to the way adi took it completely out of the market for the 12 months prior to the release and you have the ingredients for what was one of the best re-issue campaigns of the decade so far”

2. Nike SB Jordan 1 ‘Lance Mountain’ – Black

“I’m not a skater, nor do I profess to know about the culture but what brings this shoe into my top 5 is the concept alone. Each shoe becomes totally unique to the wearer and is a beacon for the adage ‘Wear your shoes’. Legendary shoe, awesome execution.”

3. adidas Originals EQT Running Support OG

“One of my pet hates with adidas re-issues is when a Trefoil is used instead of a Performance logo. The latest run of EQT gear put that to bed with a great run of OG styled boxes, colourways and…logos. One of my favourite silhouettes that is now a great example of a performance shoe worn for everyday.”

4. Jordan Future

“A very clever move from the Jordan brand, they have created a future classic shoe that appeals to the core AJ market but can also be picked up and worn by anyone. Also the only Jordan that doesn’t make my feet look huge.”

5. Clarks x MF Doom Wallabee

“The link between hip-hop and Clarks is well documented and this release in particular does both collaborators justice. With the exceptional leather and construction showing all that is great about the Wallabee, the subtle additions from DOOM were refreshing to see and respectful to such a shoe. Simple lace tag, heel debossing, monogram lining and box branding were all that were needed”

Luke Matthews – Social Media Executive 

1. New Balance 997 ‘Made in USA’

“Less is more. A clean and clinical execution, eloquently accentuated on the silhouette of the 997. The shape alone has a notable aura of originality about it; the toe box and side profile are reminiscent of many of its early predecessors, a trait not many, unfortunately, can share anymore”   

2. Nike Footscape Desert Woven Chukka

“It has been one of my go-to shoes of the year; a simple black & white that can be dressed up or down.”

3. Nike Air Max 93 ‘Metals’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“One of the most underrated releases of the year; perfectly balancing form and functionality with the use of its meticulous measure of materials, meaning they’ve become an all year round essential. The neoprene sock liner of the Air Max 93 adds extra height onto the silhouette, giving the shoe a different dimension to many of the contrasting Air Max counterparts.”

4. Reebok Workout+ ‘Black Winter’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Reebok have rallied somewhat of a resurgence in 2014 with the help of several size? Exclusive releases. The ‘Black Winter’ is the stand out performer for me, standing centre stage with a heavy duty waxed leather and taking the applause with its winterised features throughout”

5. Nike Flyknit Roshe

“Ever since the Roshe first dropped in 2012 I’ve been on their side. Weathering a heavy storm of defeats and bordering on relegation in 2013, they re-grouped, headed into the transfer market and with the addition of Flyknit, rose straight back up towards the top of the league.. Well, at least into the Europa League places…”

 

Garth Merritt – Head of Merchandising 

1. Nike Lunar Max 1 OG – Shop Now

“A modern reinterpretation of one of the top shoes of all time.  Maintaining the classic endearing colour scheme that is still the most popular combo 27 years on, and as far as possible the same silhouette and panels on the upper.  The addition of the lunar midsole shows how versatile the Max 1 is without compromising on aesthetic as well as establishing the Lunar technology as a ‘core’ application for Nike now.”

2. Nike Air Huarache ‘Triple White’

“All white shoes always seem to overlooked in favour of triple black options.  For Nike, Air Force and the Air Max 90 have always been the stalwart options for this combo, but Nike dropped it on the hottest silhouette since the rise of Air Max 1 a few years back and cemented the Huarache as a firm favourite across all ages and genres.  Clean, light, retro, relatively unbranded yet immediately recognisable.”

3. Nike Huarache Light ‘Mowabb’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Whenever the ACG colour scheme appears on trainers it seems to create a different kind of buzz, one that resonates with people in-the-know, a more savvy crowd that remembers the ACG values and quality, and they appreciate it.  To drop it onto the Huarache Light at a time when we’re trying to establish it as an ‘accepted’ reissue has done the silhouette a huge boost.  In this colourway the shoe looks mature, robust, understated yet somehow gets people asking “hey they’re nice, haven’t seen those before . . .” “

4. adidas Originals ZX Flux NPS ‘Weave’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Flux is an interesting shoe as it pretty much hit the high street all at the same time rather than filtering down the ranks of stores to become accepted.  The size? Exclusive NPS version, much like the ACG Huarache Light in my view gave the silhouette a more grown up and winterised edge rather than just churning out more colours of the same thing.  The uppers are clean and simple with the focus on the neoprene sock lining.  The addition of the slightly chunkier midsole offers a more premium winterised finish.”

5. adidas Originals Hamburg – Shop Now

“The Hamburg reissue was a welcome bring back for the slightly tiring adidas Originals Archive category.  With the cooling of the Tobacco style after a number of colours the Hamburg brought a new silhouette to the front and kept things moving nicely.  In recent years a lot of the archive were suede to maintain a retro aesthetic, Im surprised there weren’t more in leather as this Hamburg proves that a rare white leather trainer can still cut it.”

Gabriella Moul – Multi Channel Lead

1. Nike Footscape Desert Woven Chukka – Black / White

2. Nike Flyknit Racer – Black / White

3. adidas Originals Stan Smith OG – Shop Now

4. Converse Chuck Taylor 70’s AS OX ‘Folk’ – Shop Now

5. Reebok Workout+ ‘Black Winter’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

 

Harrison Chidlow – Assistant Buyer

1. Nike Air Force 1 Mid QS ‘Flax Pack’

“Shoe of the year for me, my all time favourite silhouette in a great colourway with amazing materials.”

2. Jordan Future – Black / White

“Definitely my favourite new silhouette of 2014. The most recent colourways with a solid white midsole have all been great but black/white is always going to win for me.”

 

3. New Balance 990 ‘Made in USA’ – Shop Now

“The 990 has the best shape of any NB silhouette at the minute in my opinion and this really wearable colourway works really well with the red heel accent. The materials used on it are unreal with soft pigskin suede on the upper and a Vibram outsole.”

4. Nike Footscape Desert Woven Chukka – Black / White

“Worn this so much this year, a really comfortable shoe and black/white is always a winner.”

5. Reebok Workout+ ‘Black Winter’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Strongest size? Exclusive of the year in my opinion, waxed leather upper is great for winter plus subtle 3M reflective accents to blind the haters and a milk white sole softens it.”

 

Mark Fletcher – Head of Design

1. Reebok Workout+ ‘Black Winter’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

2. Vans Sk8 Mid CA ‘Clean White’ [size? EU Exclusive] – Shop Now

3. Nike Tennis Classic AC [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

4. New Balance 996 JP – Shop Now

5. Reebok Pump Fury OG

 

Dean Tymon – Content Creation & Designer

1. PUMA R698 ‘Sahara’ from the ‘Wilderness Pack’ [size? Exclusive]

“Shoe of the Year 2014… My favourite PUMA silhouette, rough unkempt suede with a matte perforated leather toe box. ‘Sahara’ was the first shoe I had to pleasure of taking control of concept & design… slightly biased”

2. Reebok Workout+ ‘Pastels Pack’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“The best size? Exclusive in 2014, the ‘Pastels Pack‘ as a whole is so strong but the Reebok Classic purple Oasis tonal panels with a subtle clear ice sole is super clean”

3. Vans Old Skool Reissue CA ‘Forest Night’ – Shop Now

“One of my favourite general releases… Worn this shoe a lot this year, a very adaptable silhouette and colour”.

4. Vans Sk8 Mid CA ‘Clean White’ [size? EU Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Great materials, leather is premium with a hit of brown leather on the heel… Any time any where kind of shoe”

5. Reebok Workout+ ‘Pastels Pack’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

“Reebok Workout+ as a silhouette has really re announced itself in 2014… Reebok+ Pastels ‘Seaglass’ Amazing materials short soft suede and smooth perf nubuck with the fat chunky Gum sole such a strong contrast”

 

Steph Morris – Artworker

1. New Balance 530 Suede [size? UK Exclusive] – Shop Now

2. Reebok Workout+ ‘Pastels Pack’ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

3. Reebok Workout+ [size? Exclusive] – Shop Now

4. Nike Air Force 1 Lo – Shop Now

5. Nike Lunarspeed Mariah – Shop Now

Chris Binns – International Merchandiser

1. adidas Originals Stan Smith OG – Shop Now

“I love a white tennis shoe and this has got to be the daddy of them all. So happy this has been returned to its former glories, it literally compliments any outfit and  is always relevant… easily my most worn shoe this year”

 

2. Converse Chuck Taylor 70’s AS OX ‘Folk’ – Shop Now

“The perfect Converse silhouette with one of the best finishes of the year… This could have easily been so wrong but the final product is so right”

3. Nike Air Force 1 Lo ‘Black Suede’ – Shop Now

“The wardrobe staple with a premium suede finish… What’s not to like? I fell in love at first sight”

4. Nike Footscape Desert Woven Chukka

“Easily the best quickstrike launch this year. A shoe that just gets better and better each time I see it; all three colours were good but I think black just pips it. Nice and clean, just how I like it.”

5. New Balance 997 ‘Made in USA

“Have you seen it? What’s not to love about it. The best New Balance shoe this year by a long shot; the materials are spot on and that shape is just right. You can’t go wrong with a grey running shoe, especially when it’s this good”