I've always found it interesting how sneaker culture puts a premium on colorways and the stories they tell. I think it's great how a simple combination of colors can reference a country, a moment in history, or something in the ever-changing world of popular culture. However, like any story, a colorway done way too many times loses its impact every time a new shoe bearing the same hues comes out. Don't get me wrong. There a few colorways out there that are timeless. But at the same time, there are few that were better off as a one-and-done. And with that in mind, the color scheme I want to see gone this year is the "Red October"/Tonal Red look.
When an all-red version of Kanye West's second shoe with Nike dropped out of the blue last year, the internet went crazy. The hype was at its usual levels but it soon reached fever pitch when Nike released them online without any prior warning. Lucky sneakerheads picked them up, while thousands of Kanye Stans were left salty and bitter. Since then, Nike and other brands have tried to recapture that lightning in a bottle moment by pumping out sneakers in tonal red colors. And with the lines between streetwear and high fashion almost nonexistent at this point, even luxury footwear brands got in on the action as well.
It's gotten to a point where almost every wannabe sneaker designer throws the colorway up on a pair of customs. Sadly, with news of an all-red Foamposite and a "Red October" SB Dunk in the works for this year, it looks like this trend is going to suffer a long, drawn out death.
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