Demetrius young
MC301 Contributor
The box opens and the aroma of fresh leather assails your senses. However, for many, this feeling of euphoria has little to do with the happiness that you can now cover and protect your feet but more to do with the need to have the latest and most popular brand of shoes to brag about.
According to a NBC news report, owning a pair of sneakers like Jordans, is number 3 on the list of most coveted status symbols for Americans. They fall behind number 1, owning a home and number 2, owning a car.
For today’s generation, which shoes are the top picks?
Akil Muhhmmad, an assistant store manager at Hibbett Sports, says that most customers who frequent his store prefer Nike athletic shoes.
“The Nike Air Force Ones are bought year round, no matter what. Then it’s the retro Nike Huaraches, but they are new to the market but have become very popular since being rereleased. Jordans are also very popular and bring a lot of customers in the store on release day,” said Muhhmmad.
Devaughn Graves, a sophomore mathematics major from Jackson, Miss., is a fan of Nike’s Air Force Ones.
“I have a large Forces collection and I don’t see myself stopping. They are extremely comfortable and go with almost anything; to me they are the most timeless tennis shoes. My favorite pair are my all black high tops because they are extremely universal but laid back enough for me to just throw them on and go and do whatever I planned on doing that day,” said Graves.
Muhhmmad stated that Nike Huaraches are popular due to their unique look and comfort.
“The Huarache is bought more for comfort because of the light material and relaxed sole. They supply a lot of comfort and it comes from the running shoe make up, the soles are a light foam with a layer of rubber on the bottom for traction and the upper is made of cloth and a few pieces of either leather or plastic to supply some form of support and structure for the foot,” said Muhhmmad.
Muhhmmad added: “The Jordans and the Air Force Ones are bought more for fashion and whatever trend is in. Jordans, because of their different makes, they all feel different but most have a pretty comfortable feel. But Air Force Ones are mostly stylish and for fashion.”
Kevin Gardner, a sophomore engineering major from Jackson, Miss., is on team Jordans.
“I mostly wear my Jordans. I have a mostly black pair that I throw on whenever I feel like it but my other pair of Jordans, I try to keep clean because they are slightly expensive and they are not always in stock so I have to try to keep them clean and make them last as long as possible,” said Gardner. “It gets on my nerves slightly because I like the shoes and I really want to wear them but I cant because if I mess them up, I may never get another pair in my life. So it limits my wear and also my enjoyment of my own shoes.”
According to Highsnobiety, an online publication covering forthcoming trends and news in fashion, art, music, and culture, the top 5 selling shoes of 2016 were:
1. Air Jordan IV Retro “Cement”
2. Reigning Champ x ASICS GEL-Lyte III.
3. Just Don x Jordan II Retro “Beach”
4. Nike Kobe XI “Black Mamba”
5. NikeLab Air Max 1 Royal
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