2026 Got 'Em list: Part 1 | Agatha's Archive

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 32 seconds. Contains 1078 words.

A few words

When I wrote my 2026 wishlist, I was a naive girl. I thought I liked a bunch of things I don't anymore, and I disliked a bunch of things I really like now. But most importantly, I made a wishlist for the entire year with just 4 sneakers; I was way too optimistic there. June is ending now, so we are officially at the halfway mark, and I thought it would be a great moment to stop and talk about my purchases since the list came out. So this is part 1 of the Got 'Em list. The name is a reference to what the SNKRS app says when you win a draw. Even though the app isn't available here, it sounds cool.

A brief note: all photos here are mine, taken with my ZFold 7 on "RAW" mode, with some minor retouching and the "Erase Shadows" feature due to limited lighting options. Then I converted to JPG and reduced the size to not post 40MB photos.

Nike SB Dunk 'Bronx Girl Skate'

A Dunk was not really something I expected. This came out in January, and I just didn't have the cash for it, a pass. Then, randomly, I was checking the website again, and my size had randomly returned! What luck! Likely a return, I took the chance, and indeed it was the only one left in my size. I'll be honest, this year became a year I refined my preferences, but this thing goes hard. I may not have a love for low tops, but this is easily an exception. It also has an awesome story celebrating Bronx girls in skate, which you can read about here.

Black low top sneakers with orange, green and red satin lines.

I couldn't really capture this one, but I got tired of getting the photo right, so it's a little bright.

Air Jordan 1 High 'Chicago Lost and Found'

An unlikely addition again, this was my first resale purchase, as I have recounted many times since then. Masterpiece, with no comments, it's the Chicago, what else can I say? This pair actually made me fall in love with the AJ1 in particular, and later made me realize I just shouldn't go after low tops anymore. Plus, it was at retail price, an absolute steal.

High top sneakers colored red, white and black.

These came out in 2022; they are my oldest sneakers to date. All the other ones were recent releases.

Air Jordan 1 High x Fragment x Union LA 'Varsity Red Sport Royal'

A tongue twister, and I'll go out and say it: prettiest sneakers I own, hands down. This was my first "defeat" to resale. I bought this at a premium over a month later, missing the limited release, damn website. I love these things, I know this is a trend here, but it's Union LA and Fragment! Beautiful tumbled leather, the oversized wings logo, the raw leather visible, the Fragment lightning! What else can I say?

High top sneakers colored red, blue, white and black with yellow shoelaces.

I also hate how most photos of these have the boring laces. The yellow ones are the correct choice, big and bold.

adidas Stan Smith Freizent 'Spongebob Black'

Ah, the SpongeBob shoes. The idea is great, the attention to detail is immaculate, the packaging has effort, and it even comes with a SpongeBob driving license (or, well, an attempt at getting one). It is meant to be ironic, but also holds on its own. I'll be honest, I bought this when I was trying to reset my baseline. I thought my expectations were too high, and I wanted a change of pace. I had seen these since their release, and they got a nice discount, so I grabbed them. Honestly? It doesn't hit as I thought it would. But they made me realize that I just don't really like low tops, even the ones I love, I like less than my AJ1s. Closest thing to a regret on this list.

Low top black patent leather sneakers with white shoelaces and a fake shiny spot on the tip.

Patent leather is a brutal material; see those violent creases? Just two uses!

Air Jordan 1 High x Virgil Abloh Archive 'Alaska'

Finally, the crown jewel of my collection. I almost couldn't believe these got released here, though only on an extremely limited local draft, half a country away from me, I had no chance. Yet, after careful consideration, I dropped a 250% premium on these on resale. Why? It's the VAA! I genuinely have no regrets, despite what my credit card bill might suggest. They may not be the prettiest ones I have, but the sheer design school and thought of these is unmatched. Plus, these were on the wishlist! Yes! I got one!

High top white and icy blue sneakers with purple shoelaces and a ziptie on the shoelaces.

You never see those with the purple shoelaces, but they rock.

I don't how I feel about my choices

If you went back and read the wishlist, you'll note that the Air Jordan 15 23RE "Black Muslin" is within dates for me to purchase, and indeed it got released here. First, I had just bought the Alaskas, I was certain the 15 wouldn't release, and I just didn't have money then. However, the more I looked at it, the more it felt not for me. I don't know, it didn't hit the way January Agatha thought it would, and that's fine.

Truth be told, I realized that the Air Jordan 1 High is my sneaker; it hits the exact sweet spot for me. They are bold even when they are muted, the swoosh just really brings it out together, and hey, high tops! So, it is a pass for me, I'd rather use the money and buy more AJ1s, frankly, which I did, now that I think about it.

The rest of the year

So, we still have 6 months to go. The rest of the list, i.e., the Air Jordan 9 and the 11 'Space Jam,' are still in. Plus, I added another one there, the Air Jordan 1 High "Royal", the blue and black colorway of the original run. These drop right between the other two. With the future of the 1 High looking grim, these might be the last big ones I'll get for a while, at least in terms of new releases.

← Back to the blog