Best of 2011: G-Roc’s Top 10 Sneakers

Hello, my name is Gerard Smith, but I’m better known as G-Roc around the Internets (and real life). I’ve been reporting on new and upcoming sneakers, and seeing stuff that I can’t talk about for 5, going on 6 years. So you can imagine that it takes a lot to get me excited. Just like you, I have releases that were dear to my heart. However, I had to narrow them down to 10 releases, which was some what of a challenge. Prior to putting together my list, I had a pretty good idea about my favorite kicks. And that’s basically what my list is about, my 10 top favorite sneakers of 2011. What are you waiting for? Check it out!

10. Nike Air Trainer SC “Lightning”

This is one of those shoes that I’ve been searching all over for. I still would have rather found a pair on eBay or at a mom and pop shop, but at least I finally got a pair. They were pretty true to the 1999 release, too. The release caught me off guard, and it caused me to write an editorial. I enjoy hunting for kicks I want, and I feel like by Nike re-releasing them, it took away the thrill of the hunt. That’s why this shoe is not my number 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. I still like them, though. I feel like I cheated with this release. Oh well, at least I finally got a pair.

9. Nike Air Foamposite One “Royal Blue”

Many of you don’t know that this is my first pair of Foamposites that I wore. I got Eggplants back in 2009, but I ended up selling them (only to get another pair this year for $60. Yes, $60.) because I wasn’t feeling them at the time. I’ve always thought royal blue was the best color. In February I got the Royal Foams and unDS them on Valentine’s Day. It’s true, I lost my Foamposite virginity this year. I know, I know. Most of you lost yours in high school, but I just wasn’t ready then. Ha!

8. Concepts x New Balance 999

I remember seeing the preview of the Concepts x New Balance 999 on the cover of Sneaker Freaker Issue 20. Very rarely do I see a sneaker for the first time and say, “I’m coppin’!” But I definitely said that when I laid my eyes on these beauties. In the event that I had any second thoughts, these pictures sealed the deal. Like most limited edition releases, this launch was crazy. The shoe released at Concepts on April 16 and they eventually accepted phone orders (congrats if you were able to get through because the line was busy all day), and they released at a few retailers on April 23. They even dropped here in ATL, but no dice for me. I was a bit upset that I wasn’t able to score a pair when they released, but a few weeks later a special lady, let’s call her ZC, blessed me with a pair. Only thing is I ended up with a size 10. I still have the size 10, and I’m looking to trade for a size 8.5 or 9. PLEASE let me know if you can help. So yeah, this sneaker is special to me.

7. Ronnie Fieg’s Asics GT II “Ultramarine”

I know most people say Salmon Toes were Ronnie’s best shoe this year, and I can see why. No hate to the Salmon Toes because I own a pair and I like them. But the Ultramarine Asics GT II is my favorite 2011 RF drop. There’s no way you can look at the photo above and not tell me these kicks are sick. Yes, I’m talking to you, sneakHerbox Brandy, and everyone else. Materials are on point. The colors are so rich. Comfort is on another level. They look good on my baby feet. I kinda feel where Yung Ralph was coming from when I wear these kicks. And even my Nike friends like them. I can’t wait until spring/summer 2012 so I can stunt on all the old men at the nursing home I used to work at. I’m going to walk pass those vintage men with that same smirk I had on my face and the end of this video. And then look them right in their eyeballs and say, “I’m on a mop!” #ForNoReason

6. Nike Air Trainer SC II “Infrared”

Nike Sportswear left many Trainer and OG Nike heads wondering what the heck was going on with the OG Air Trainer SC II colors. I mean, they released several non-original colors, with no signs of the OG colors. Then they pulled a fast one on us and released the Citron and Infrared Trainer SC II’s. Finally! It sure does feel good to have a crispy, wearable pair. BO KNOWS!

5. Air Jordan 3 Retro White/Cement

I passed on them back in 2003. Not sure why, but I did. It’s very rare that I cop a pair of sneakers on the release date. Why? Well, most sneakers usually end up going on sale, so I usually wait until, especially if it’s a shoe I’m not trying to wear asap. As for the Air Jordan 3 White/Cement, I purchased them on the release date (January 22, 2011). I rocked them the following week, and I’ve been wearing them ever since. I really like this colorway. I should have bought 2 pairs. Don’t think I don’t have love for the Air Jordan 3 Black/Cement because I do (it’s my favorite Jordan 3), but it’s been years since this colorway was available, and the Black/Cement just came out in 2008, so I wasn’t as excited as I was about the White/Cement 3′s.

4. Banned Air Jordan 1

This shoe is probably on everyone’s Top 10 2011 list. The materials are on point, the return of Nike Air, banned X logos, unique box, and the way they released was totally unexpected. The concept was dope because the NBA banned the red/black Air Jordan 1. All of the above reasons are true, but the fact that this shoe made everyone go on a sneaker hunt made them that much more special. I truly feel like this shoe brought a lot of fun back to the game, and it was fun to watch and participate in.

3. Nike Air Flow “Bright Cactus”

Let me start off by saying, I STOOD IN LINE FOR THESE. Yes, I waited on line (as my NYC folks say) in the hot ATL summer sun for these motherlovers. Now, you might be wondering why I started off by saying I waited in line. Well, me and lines don’t get along very well, especially sneaker lines. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve waited in lines before, but of course I prefer not to. But don’t we all? See, before TSG I’ve always had favor and great relationships with store mangers, employees, etc. On crazy releases, I could usually just ask them to hold my pair, and pick them up later. That’s how it was and still is, thanks to the Sneaker Illuminati. For whatever reason my membership didn’t work that day. I reached out to the store manager and he said he was going to hold me down. Lies! It’s all good because I still got my pair. I didn’t have to wait in line long, and the line wasn’t that long. But it was hot as heck. Funny thing is, there was a group of guys waiting in line for the Quai 54 Air Jordan 5. Long story short, they left with empty hands. So that knocked the line down a lot. I was able to get two pairs of the Bright Cactus Air Flows with no sweat (well, kinda). I rocked them all summer long, and they feel so good and the hue of green is like no other. I also respect the history, the designer, and the fact that I don’t have any sneakers that resemble them. A super dope 2011 release, and shame on you if you passed on them. If you did, go to your room and write, “I will not pass on Nike Air Flow original colorways ever again” 100 times. I want it on my desk first thing in the morning.

2. Nike LeBron 8 V/2 Low “Solar Red”

When the Solar Red LeBron 8 V/2 Low released back in July, I originally thought this shoe was going to be my number one pick. I still remember the day in June when I picked up Premium Pete of SneakerTube.tv from downtown Atlanta. He was wearing the Solar Red Brons and when I say how bright they were I was like, “WHOOOAAAA!” Sure, I saw pictures online, but it’s a whole different shoe in person. I told Pete that when those shoes hit stores, “I’m coppin’”. Point blank, period. They ended up releasing in July right before my family vacation to Disney World. The Solar Reds was and still is the perfect summer shoe. Being a sneaker guy, I’m used to getting attention and turning a few heads, but I shut down Animal Kingdom the day I decided to unDS the kicks. To date, I don’t think I’ve seen so many people flirting with my shoes and asking questions. I’m talking 60+ year old white dudes and all. “Those are some sharp tennis shoes, young man.”, “I’ve never seen a shoe that bright before in my life.”, “What color is that?” You name it, I heard it or was asked. Aside from all the attention, the shoe is crazy comfortable and I love the colorway. Hats off to the folks at Nike Basketball.

1. Nerf Nike Zoom KD IV

YES, I said Nerfs, as in the Nerf Zoom KD IV. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a shoe release. This release totally caught me off guard, and the overall product was absolutely marvelous. This was an official collaboration between Nike and Hasbro. Not to mention this shoe was so sick that it forced everyone to pay attention to the Zoom KD IV. You may not like the Zoom KD IV, but I’d have to call you a fibber if you said the Nerf KD IV didn’t make you say, “Cowabunga!!”. Everything about this collaboration was on point, the shoe, box/packaging, and retail price.

I’m not going to front, I’ve made a lot of good friends and strong connects which makes getting those hard to grab releases easy at times. However, not for this shoe. I reached out to everyone in the industry that I could think of, but no luck. I ended up getting them through my close friend DJ Imperial by way of the homie Duane “Dsicle” Smith. Thank God for those guys. I got the shoes and tee on Concord Day, but my attention was focused on Nerfs that day. Special shout out to Leo Chang, Kyle Yamaguchi, Erick Goto, Golnaz Armin, Eugene Rogers, Will Eberhart, and whoever else at Nike Basketball that played a role with bringing the Nerf Zoom KD IV to life. And of course shouts to the man himself, Kevin Durant.

Call me Ginuwine because I was so anxious. I got the shoes on December 23rd, and wore the shoes and tee on Christmas day. I didn’t have any time to waste. These kicks make me feel like a kid again.