5 Sneaker Drops That Made Waves This 2025
From new takes on neutrals, nostalgic references, to artisanal touches, these sneakers are (so far) this year’s standouts
Which sneakers got the most hype this year?
We’re ten months in this 2025, and we’ve gotten our fair share of buzz worthy shoe drops. With a good mix of retro comebacks, fashion crossovers, and culture-driven collaborations, the sneaker game is alive and well, and certain brands continue to drive and define the scene today.
Here are some kicks that have caught our eye this year:
Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Shattered Backboard’
Originally released in 2015, the Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘Shattered Backboard’ was inspired by Michael Jordan’s legendary dunk during a 1985 exhibition game in Italy, where he shattered the backboard. The colors reflect the uniform that the veteran player wore that time.
Ten years after its launch, Nike reissued the shoe with new colors and textures, giving a modern expression to an all-time classic.
Jil Sander x Puma King Avanti
1998 saw JIL SANDER partnering with PUMA to reimagine the latter’s iconic football lace-ups as high-end leather sneakers. What began as an elevated take on a classic evolved into a multi-collection collaboration that blended the worlds of luxury and sports.
The 2025 piece is a revival of the King Avante football silhouette, made with premium leather. The JIL SANDER logo inside and in golden foil, plus the tongue flap with the PUMA logo on top, make it a collector’s item.
Asics Gel-Kayano 14 JJJJound Edition
A reimagining of ASICS’ early 2000s performance runner, the Gel-Kayano 14, this new iteration is created in collaboration with Montreal-based design studio JJJJound. The sneaker marries technical heritage with understated design—even the JJJJound logo printed on the shoe is quite the subtle detail.
New Balance Joe Freshgoods x 992 Made in USA ‘Aged Well’
The New Balance Joe Freshgoods x 992 Made in USA ‘Aged Well’ makes neutrals cool with muted shades of orange and pink. This running shoe-style sneaker with a suede upper combines the performance-based focus of New Balance with the bold and expressive visuals of Chicago-based lifestyle clothing brand Joe Freshgoods.
CLOT x adidas Espadrille Pack
Hong Kong-based label CLOT turned adidas’ classics into summer staples—designer Edison Chen reimagined the Samba and Stan Smith into comfy espadrilles.
For the latter model, CLOT also released versions with an artisanal touch, complete with beading along the heel.
Banner photo courtesy adidas
Photos courtesy Nike, PUMA, ASICS, New Balance, adidas
