The 10 Best Toy Story Sneaker Collabs

Toy Story 5, the fifth installment in Pixar's iconic film franchise that made them one of the most beloved animation studios in history, is set to release on June 19th. Despite sending off the original trilogy with a poignant ending that made an inordinate number of adults (who were children when the first movie dropped) cry in the theater, the wheels of capitalism dictate that no story that makes billions of dollars can ever really be over. One of the unintended consequences of Toy Story never truly ending is that we will keep getting sneaker collaborations between Woody and Buzz and the rest of the gang until the end of time.

The Disney licensing machine has sent the Toy Story franchise through the wringer of sneaker brands, leading to a number of collaborations that kids and Disney adults have been able to enjoy from general releases to rare exclusives. Even brands that have never made official collabs with Toy Story have released sneakers that hint at the films by doing just enough to separate them from the pack, not to mention avoiding Disney’s ever-watchful legal eagles.

Now, with adidas set to drop a new collection of Toy Story-themed sneakers, we decided to dig into the history of Toy Story sneaker collabs. Here’s a look back at the notable official Toy Story sneaker collaborations and the tributes that we’ve seen from brands that have winked and nodded at the movies.

10. Nike LeBron 16 Buzz Lightyear (2019)

LeBron James’ 16th signature shoe was filled with nostalgia-inspired colorways that ranged from classic sneakers in the Nike archives to pop culture touchstones that were a big part of his childhood. Along with the Nike LeBron 16 Martin that honored the classic Martin Lawrence sitcom during the 1990s, there was the Nike LeBron 16 Buzz Lightyear in the iconic colors of the Tim Allen-voiced space ranger. Understandably, without the Disney license, the tribute could only go as far as the colors of the sneaker as there are no actual references to Buzz or anything related to Toy Story.

Bonus: There is also a Nike LeBron 12 Flyease that released around the same time that some consider to be an homage, but the prevailing theory is that it’s actually a nod to the cartoon character Arthur and the popular clenched fist meme that James used a few years prior.

9. Puma RS-X Buzz Lightyear (2019)

As one of the more popular chunky trainers of the late 2010s, there were a healthy number of Puma RS-X releases around this time that were original creations by Puma and collaborations with popular franchises like Pokémon and TMNT. For the holiday 2019 season, Puma dropped an RS-X colorway in Puma White*, Green Gecko, and Royal Lilac. Even though it’s not an officially licensed Disney product, the RS-X’s retro tech aesthetic pushed the Buzz Lightyear story even further than maybe Puma wanted. However, there were also a number of outlets who were calling these sneakers a Joker homage making the lines even blurrier.

*Puma calling their shades of white and black Puma White and Puma Black will never not be amusing to people who write about these sneakers for a living.

8. Nike Kyrie Flytrap Toy Story PE (2018)

One of the signs that a Nike signature shoe line is performing well for the brand is the introduction of a takedown model several years later. Following the release of the Nike Kyrie 4 during his first season in Boston, the budget-priced Kyrie Flytrap dropped in 2018. What made the Flytrap stand beyond their price point and similarity in design to the mainline pair is Irving’s willingness to wear and promote them. One of the best examples of Irving showing love to the sneaker was when he wore a one-of-a-kind Toy Story player exclusive during a basketball camp. Featuring Buzz on the left and Woody on the right, it’s a great tribute to one of Irving’s favorite movies. Unfortunately, because they were so well-made, there was zero chance they were ever getting an official release without Disney’s blessing.

7. Nike By You Sabrina 2 Toy Story (2024)

The Nike By You custom platform is very judicious when it comes to allowing people to make mismatched pairs. When they allowed for the option to be available on the Nike Sabrina 2, that led to a number of customs that grabbed a lot of buzz on social media. One of the pairs that caught plenty of eyes was a Toy Story theme that was not unlike what Nike themselves did for the Nike Kyrie Flytrap years ago. While specific details like the cow print or space ranger iconography is out of the questions, there’s no mistaking the inspiration once they are placed together.

6. Toy Story x Li-Ning (2025)

Have you wondered what it would be like if Dwyane Wade ever got a chance to work with Disney? Well, through the magic of corporate synergy, it has actually happened thanks to Li-Ning getting the Toy Story license. Along with the highly regarded Li-Ning Liren series that received Buzz Lightyear and Lotso colorways, Wade’s takedown All-City sneakers got colorways based on characters from Toy Story 4.

5. Toy Story x Converse (2018)

Toy Story’s collaboration with Converse was not tied to any particular entry in the franchise but was rather a celebration of the characters that kids and grown-ups have loved for years and now will be able to show their appreciation on classic Chucks. Buzz Lightyear gets the solo treatment on the All-Star 100 Low while the rest of the gang can be found in an all-over print on the Jack Purcell Low and in All-Star 100 High in black and white and full color flavors, respectively.

4. Toy Story x adidas 30th Anniversary (2025)

Sorry, Disney adults, but adidas is not here to please you with their Toy Story sneakers. Their various collections through the years have included silhouettes like the Samba, the NMD, and the Ultraboost that could easily translate to grown-up sizes. But so far, adidas has held the line and kept them as kids' exclusives. It’s not a unique decision to only the Toy Story franchise as other movies like Monsters, Inc. have also gotten adidas sneakers that are only available in kids' sizes. But there have been wider Disney and Pixar adidas kicks in adult sizes for the more sedated designs, so it’s a curious decision by the brand.

3. Toy Story x Crocs (2025-26)

It would be more shocking if Toy Story did not have official Crocs. Disney theme parks are filled with kids and parents and childless heathens wearing Crocs either Disney-themed or full of Disney-related Jibittz. Toy Story’s full roster has gotten the Crocs through the years, including villains like Lotso and iconic locations like Pizza Planet. Their most recent drop highlights Jessie’s footwear with a pair of clogs shaped like boots she wears in the movies.

2. Toy Story x BAIT x Reebok Instapump Fury (2020)

There’s been plenty written about BAIT’s collaboration with Toy Story on Reebok Instapump Fury, but only one pair gets all of the attention. And the Woody and Buzz mismatched pair certainly deserves all the recognition it got when they released. But there was a second pair based on the Little Green Army Men in patent leather that was available via an online raffle and to the people who were able to purchase the Woody and Buzz pair first so they could have a chance to own the full set. The sneakers were even packaged like the Green Army Men in a plastic bag held together by a piece of Toy Story-branded cardboard.

1. Toy Story x Vans (2016)

It’s a little touch that almost every other entry in this list fails to recognize. Toy Story is a tale of Andy’s toys and his connection to them. One of the ways the movie showed his love for them was by writing his name on their feet. A major plot point in Toy Story 2 was the erasure of his name on Woody’s boots by Al the toy collector. On nearly every pair of Toy Story’s 2016 collaboration with Vans, Andy’s name was scrawled on the outsoles. Arguments can be had about whether Reebok or Vans or Crocs does right by Woody and Buzz, but that attention to detail is what puts the Vans collection over the top for us.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. After recently getting into Formula 1, he now has hot takes about who the greatest driver of all time is. Email: juan@soleretriever.com