The Complex Sneakers Podcast The Best Sneakers of 2025 | Complex Con(versations) Panel
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Nov 7, 2025 
In this lively panel at ComplexCon 2025, hip-hop artist and sneaker icon Fat Joe joins a vibrant discussion alongside Vashtie, Matt Welty, Brendan Dunne, and Upscale Vandal. They delve into the most notable sneaker releases of the year, passionately debating the appeal of Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 and the cultural impact of Lil Yachty's Air Force 1. The panel also highlights the timeless quality of the Awake x Jordan 5, while contemplating the significance of nostalgic releases like the Neon Air Max 95. It's a sneaker lover's dream conversation!
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Basketball Shoes Reentered Style
- Converse's Shea 001 signaled basketball shoes returning to streetwear relevance.
- The shoe's design energy and fashion-first approach made it notable despite rollout timing issues.
17 Low Sparks Mixed Feelings
- Panel recalled Infinite Archives’ Air Jordan 17 Low as a collectible tied to deeper storytelling and nostalgia.
- Fat Joe admitted he never warmed to the 17 silhouette despite its cultural moment.
Yachty AF1: Cultural Hit, Creative Critique
- Lil Yachty's AF1 divided opinion: loved by youth but seen by veterans as a familiar template.
- The panel wanted more creative risk from Yachty despite the shoe's cultural resonance.