As 2020 winds down, we took a moment to think about our favourite sneaker releases of the year. Although there were many, many awesome pairs to choose from, we all managed to eventually narrow down a single release as our favourite. Check out our Staff Sneaker Picks of 2020 below!
Get to know the Sneakerjagers crew and their sneaker staff picks 2020
Name: Mats
Job: I’m just Mats from Sneakerjagers
Best part of working at SJ: Working together with an amazing group of people from whom you can learn extremely much. Besides that it is amazing to share stories about sneakers and especially the stories behind the sneakers with our followers
Where did your passion for sneakers start: It all started with the stories behind the sneakers. The curiosity to find out the story behind the design or what happend in this shoe, and share that story with my friends or family. That’s why I’m a huge fan of the Jordan sneakers. Behind every sneaker is always an inspiring story of a certain moment in the career of Michael Jordan
How many sneakers did you buy this year: Just two. The Nike Dunk Low ’Syracuse’ and The New Balance 992
Fave sneaker release of 2020: This must be the New Balance 992. The quality, the comfort and of course the looks. The New Balance 992 had some amazing releases this year including some pretty awesome collaborations. And even the New Balance 992 has a cool story behind it. It was the favourite sneaker of Steve Jobs, and he wore this amazing model several times with his outfit. Namely a black turtleneck jersey tucked away in a pair of Levi’s 501. Classic!
Name: Tim
Job: I created the website and write the software for Sneakerjagers
Best part of working at SJ: The most fun part about working at Sneakerjagers is that we take on every project we can think of and that we execute every aspect ourselves without any help. This means learning many new things every day
Where did your passion for sneakers start: In the early 2000s when I was a skateboarder and Nike SB was founded
How many sneakers did you buy this year: This year I bought about 10 pairs of which most were Nike SB Dunks and Air Jordan 1 and 3s
Fave sneaker release of 2020: There were a lot of favorite releases, however, the pair I am happiest with is the Nike SB X Strangelove Dunk Low
Name: Claire
Job: Digital Marketing Director
Best part of working at SJ: There are so many things to get involved in, there is always different projects going on, different content being made, no day is the same! And the staff are a brilliant bunch of people to work with
Where did your passion for sneakers start: When I started at Sneakerjagers!!
How many sneakers did you buy this year: Only one pair, I moved from England to The Netherlands this year and that used up all of my money haha
Fave sneaker release of 2020: It's got to be the Nike Air Force 1 Shadow 'Pastel', I really like pastel colours so these sneakers really caught my attention
Name: Stefan
Job: Co-founder / Marketing Manager
Best part of working at SJ: Every day is a completely different experience through contact with partners, sneaker releases, shock drops, restocks, the latest sneaker news. So much happens every day, so no two days are the same
Where did your passion for sneakers start: That started in high school. I always wanted to have something different from my fellow students. I can still remember that the Puma Sparco's were very hot and everyone wore them. But I didn't want the same thing and therefore wore the Nike Air Drive
How many sneakers did you buy this year: Pfff that's a difficult question. Can’t remember them all. Need to dig into my memory. I think about 14 pairs
Fave sneaker release of 2020: I think the Nike Air Max 90 Time Warp By You. Nike gave us the opportunity to design it before the release within the options of the By You configurator and to make our own story of it
Name: Maren
Job: International Content Coordinator
Best part of working at SJ: Being part of the Sneakerjagers Fam, which I totally love. And also: Talking about sneakers the whole day!
Where did your passion for sneakers start: I always liked sneakers best out of all shoes out there and I was wearing them since I was a kid. But the real hype about them started in my teens, when the latest and hottest kicks were worn all around me at my football club
How many sneakers did you buy this year: Something around 10
Fave sneaker release of 2020: 2020 was the year to the Dunks and the Nike Dunk Low SP Community Garden 'Lemon Wash' is my absolute favourite. I like the patchwork look and pattern and that every pair was slightly different - like we all are. And also, it goes with the sustainable movement and sets a message what I really like
Name: Tom
Job: Brand Director
Best part of working at SJ: Working with sneakers all week and creating interesting content around sneakers
Where did your passion for sneakers start: Early 90’s in small sporting good shops and on the back of Hip Hop album covers
How many sneakers did you buy this year: Too many!!
Fave sneaker release of 2020: Air Max 3 Eggplant. Because it’s the first retro ever and the colorway remains to be one of the best on a Air Max 3, aka Air Max 90.
Name: Erik
Job: MD
Best part of working at SJ: The energy and renewal drive of my colleagues
Where did your passion for sneakers start: Everyday
How many sneakers did you buy this year: 10
Fave sneaker release of 2020: New Balance M992GR 'Made in USA' Grey
Name: Dion
Job: At Sneakerjagers I partly take care of Instagram. Every day I post several photos there with the latest sneaker news, special rumors or the release reminder for that popular sneaker that is coming. Keeping the release calendar up to date is part of this. Adding new releases and raffles every day is all part of it. But I also regularly check the Sneakerjagers search engine to make sure all shops and sneakers are listed correctly
Best part of working at SJ: Working at Sneakerjagers never bores, there is not a moment when nothing happens. From a new podcast to a cool give-away always being invented and new concepts. It's all set up and everyone can participate and think along with all the concepts. Being busy daily with your hobby and passion is priceless
Where did your passion for sneakers start: My own love for sneakers actually came from skateboarding when I was about 8 years old. Back then it was always important to have good shoes that you could skate with. Years later, when I couldn't find Nike SB Dunks in my city, I started surfing the internet and came into contact with the world behind sneakers. One thing led to another and so a new hobby was born
How many sneakers did you buy this year: 2020 was a year with an average of one sneaker per month, so a total of 12 pairs could buy. Unfortunately here and there an L, but all in all very happy with this year's pick-ups!
Fave sneaker release of 2020: My favourite sneaker this year is the Air Max 1 Lemonade retro. As a fan of the Powerwall series it is hard to score pairs, as the prices of this series are bizarre. So the fact that it is now possible to get the Lemonade colorway is great!
