The Crep Protect drop award for the best kicks of 2023 (so far) goes to …

Now that we are over the halfway point of 2023, we thought it was only right that we would share with our 5 Drops of the Year (so far). So take a seat and relax as we countdown our 5 favourite pair kicks of 2023 that are a must-have to your rotation. (That is only if you can get your hand on these pairs, of course)

5. Nike SB Dunk Low x ‘Jarritos’ ( May 2023)

Image Courtesy of @wneloy via Instagram

This year Nike SB Dunk returned with all the flavours when linking up with Mexican drink company Jarritos on the Lows, and this collaboration was unforgettable! The Nike SB Dunk Low x Jarritos stood out for many reasons, one being its hemp overlays offered an almost authentic but unconventional feel to the skating silhouette. Its ‘Jarritos’ green Swooshes, rubber soles, and pops of orange branding on the rears all signalled to the popular drink brand. To finish, the co-branded wordmark on the heel rounded off a shoe was also nothing less than perfection.

4. Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany& Co (March 2023)

Image Courtesy of @the.archive.store

The makings of a masterpiece. Marking Air Force 1’s first-ever collaboration with the luxury jewellery brand, the Nike Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co release was a pinnacle moment in sneaker history. An 18 year follow up from the “Tiffany” Diamond x Nike SB Dunk Low, the silhouette was everything you could’ve expected from this luxury heat drop and more.

Premium suede leather made up most of the fit's entirety in black, while a ‘Tiffany Blue’ Swoosh added a pop of colour to laterals. Tongues were bolstered up with padding for that extra element of comfort and rope-style laces added textural depth up top. Co-branded Tiffany sign-offs also reminded us that this was a shoe that many of us couldn’t get our hands on. Unless you have a spare $1600 (£ 1,300) lying around!

3. Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’ (March 2023)

Image courtesy of @kickedout.shop via Instagram

March 2023 was a great month for sneaker releases and the Beaverton brand certainly upped the ante with the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’. This marrying of the two icons was a collaboration that no one wanted to miss out on, given that the last time these two linked up was in 2019 with the Nike SB x Jordan 1 High ‘LA to Chicago’, this one was hands down a must cop.

A Jordan 4 makeup with a skate-friendly vibe, the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 ‘Pine Green’ arrived in premium leather, canvased in white, while ‘Pine Green’ accents added a pop of colour to the midsole, eyelets and rubberised heel tab. Jumpman branding was swapped out for SB branding, suede toe caps prevent scuffs from skating and its gum rubber outsole was identical to those found on a variety of SB Dunks.

2. Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Reimagined’ (March 2023)

Image courtesy of @bstnstore via Instagram

Where would the Jordan lineage be without the Jordan 3? Did Tinker Hatfield save the brand? Many opinions circulate around the success of the Jordan 3’s, but one thing we know for sure is that it is one of the greatest of all time. First released in 1988, the ‘White Cement’ colourway was famously known to be worn on Michael Jordan’s feet during the NBA Slam contest where he scored 4 out of 6 perfect scores of 50. Since then, the grail has boasted 5 retros throughout its tenure ( 1994, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2018) and then made a statement with the Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Reimagined’ in March.

In celebration of the silhouette’s 35 anniversary this year, the Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Reimagined’ utilised the OG tooling from its early ‘88 predecessor including its thick tumbled leather, elephant-printed overlays and slightly yellowed midsole and rubber-coated heel counters. Jumpman logos are stitched in red - the same as the originals - and ‘Nike Air’ logos proudly states heritage.

Take a sneak peek at the Jordan 3 'Oreo' here

1. Jordan 1 Low x Travis Scott ‘Olive’ (April 2023)

Image Courtesy of @dropsbyleo via Instagram

Released in April 2023, the dynamic Jordan and Travis Scott clan hit our shelves with the Jordan 1 Low x Travis Scott ‘Olive. Being the 5th star-studded collaboration on the Jordan 1s from the two powerhouses, sneakerheads and others alike gathered in their masses for this high heated release.

Rumour has it that this was supposedly the last Jordan 1 collaboration from the Cactus Jack brand and while we let that old folk tale marinate for a bit, the Jordan 1 Low x Travis Scott ‘Olive’ was turning heads at every corner of the globe. For this gem, Olive reverse Swooshes tool centre stage in true Travis style and leather suede uppers joined its clean white leather overlay for a minimalist feel up top. Slightly yellowed provided that faux-aged aesthetic and red Cactus Jack branding gave an instantly recognisable finish to the heels.

What is your favourite shoe from our countdown? Let us know in the comments

Take a closer look at our 7 Favourite UNC Inspired Kicks of All Time here