As the year draws to a close, we’re looking back at the sneakers that have been overlooked. Here are our top 5 underrated sneakers of 2020.

2020 has been the year of some of the hottest releases, many of which may be regarded as grails for generations to come. But buried among these releases are some hidden gems that many of us may have overlooked. To ensure these sneakers get their time in the sun, we’ve dug through this year’s drops to present what in our opinion are the top 5 most underrated sneakers of 2020.

Nike Air Vapormax 2020
Retail Price: S$299

43einhalb

Unveiled in 2017, the Nike Air Vapormax was introduced to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of Air Max technology. Its see-through, cleat-like construction received mixed reception, but overall, has remained one of Nike’s best releases. In 2020, Nike completely reinvented the Vapormax, giving it an improved midsole and a “Space Hippie” like sustainable construction. However, unlike its predecessor, the Nike Air Vapormax 2020 did not fly off the shelves, and we don’t understand why. With this sneaker, Nike has pushed the boundaries of cushioning technology, easy entry design and sustainability, placing it at very edge of footwear design. Get yours from one of the links below.

Buy here:
End Launches | Nike.com | Stockx | Farfetch

Human Made x Adidas Rivalry Low
Retail Price: S$220

adidas

Nigo, the original founder of Bape and also the man behind Human Made, released an unexpected collaboration with Adidas based on the archival silhouette—the Rivalry Low. The collab brought back some of the most highly sought-after Bapesta colorways at an affordable price point. For OG sneakerheads who remember and appreciate the impact of Bapestas, like Iqbal Arshad, these Rivalry Lows are a must-have. It’s unfortunate that all three colorways have sat on shelves and on some sites, have begun to go on sale. If you love Bape, Human Made or Nigo, add these kicks to your rotation by checking out the links below.

Buy here:
End Launches | Limited Edt | Stockx | Farfetch

Feng Chen Wang x Converse Chuck 70
Retail Price: S$225 

Gadget Match

The LVMH-nominated designer Feng Chen Wang grabbed the attention of the sneaker world with her drastic reinterpretation of the classic Converse Chuck 70. Her designs create the illusion of a sneaker encased within a sneaker, doubling up accent elements like the ankle collar and outsole in contrasting colors. Easily one of the best-looking and most adventurous Chuck 70 collabs of the year. Like many others on this list, it didn’t grab the attention it rightfully deserved and can be readily found at the sites below.

Buy here:
End Launches | Limited Edt | Stockx | Farfetch

New Balance 99x sneakers
Retail Price: Approx. S$202 – S$329

Nss Magazine

New Balance has been on a roll, especially so with their 99x line of sneakers. Originally seen as a staple for cool dads, the sneaker has finally caught on among sneakerheads, carving itself an entirely new niche called “dad shoes”. The Yeezy Boost 700 and Balenciaga Triple S are just some silhouettes that have emerged out of the influence of the 99x line. In 2020, New Balance has given us more dad shoes to choose from by extending its 99x line to offer the 991 and 992. Yet, new colorways have gone largely unnoticed and many of them sit on shelves and have gone on sale. These hand-crafted sneakers made from high-quality suede attached to plush midsoles definitely deserve a spot on any sneakerhead’s rotation.

Buy here:
End Launches | NewBalance.com | Stockx | Farfetch

Pyer Moss x Reebok Experiment 4 Instapump Fury
Retail Price: S$349

Highsnobiety

This year, Pyer Moss released its trail-ready rendition of the Reebok Instapump Fury. The updated rendition streamlines and modernizes the sneaker that was futuristic to begin with. It also came in a range of bold and muted colorways, so there’s a choice to suit various personal styles. Surprisingly, these were slept on and can easily be found online. Get yours at one of the links below.

Buy here:
Limited Edt | Stockx