STAFF PICKS: Sneaker of the Year
Published
I can’t legally wish you a Happy New Year because I follow the law of Larry David, but LD never gave guidance on the statute of limitations for Sneaker of the Year lists so we’re just gonna send it.
Give us a break, it’s still the first week of January and we’re all shaking off the rust after a long holiday break. Plus, brands were dropping heat all the way up until the buzzer at the ball drop, so if anything, outlets putting out their SOTY lists in November did you the real disservice.
By now, you’ve seen 50 different takes on Sneaker of the Year so you’re well aware how arbitrary and nuanced the entire discussion is. It all comes down to personal preference and taste, really. So, that’s what we’re going to do, just give you our personal picks and keep it moving. And we know you don’t need to know what our 7th favorite shoe of the year is because who the hell cares? Not us. That’s why we got one pick from everyone on the team in each category. Ain’t nobody got time for anything more, we know you’re trying to get your ducks in a row before the Marty Supreme ping-pong ball Nike Slides drop on Thursday.
We asked each member of the Sole Retriever squad what their Sneaker of the Year was without giving much context, whatever their interpretation of the term may be. We also asked which sneaker evaded them and caused the most frustration, aka ‘The One That Got Away’. Finally, we wanted to ask something we didn’t see any other SOTY list cover: which sneaker did you actually wear the most this year, regardless of when it came out?
Sneaker of the Year
Nick, Managing Editor - Wale x Nike GT Future
While Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 Brick by Brick is the clear winner from a hype and storytelling perspective, Wale finally got his own Nike collab. The DMV native has been championing Foamposites and Nike boots for nearly two decades. Seeing Nike finally give him his flowers is a moment that should not be forgotten. Not only that, but the GT Future marks the start of a new era for Nike Basketball, hopefully one that reinvigorates off-the-court wear for performance basketball. I was fortunate enough to take the lead on a full breakdown of the creation behind the silhouette, which only furthered my love for the model as a whole.
Drew, Editorial Director - Undefeated x Air Jordan 4
First, I want to preface this with the fact I decided my Sneaker of the Year too early, writing this up weeks ago before I was even aware that Reebok had partnered with Heelys on a bitchin’ pair of Club Cs. So, just keep that in mind. The Undefeateds made their triumphant return and helped a lot of sneakerheads finally check a grail off their bucket list. With only around 72 original pairs in circulation, some purists argued that flooding the market with the remake muddied the waters for the all-time legend but they can kick rocks because these are never going out of style and now the common man has a chance to add a pair to their collection.
Zach, Staff Writer - LAAMS x Nike Air Force 1 “Please Post Bills”
A shop collab with a clear theme and perfect execution that represents New York City and LAAMS equally, a first come first serve release that caused fist fights, and a SNKRS drop that absolutely no one hit. Just like the old days. I love it. (This was also another one that got away, someone send me a pair, please and thank you).
Scott, Social Media Coordinator - Nike Vomero Plus Orange Pulse
My favorite sneaker from a hype perspective this year was definitely the Nigel Sylvester Air Jordan 4 Brick by Brick. However as a new and very mediocre jogger and a full-time member of Team Comfy, the pair that has made the biggest impact on me this year was the Nike Vomero Plus. From the max cushion to the overall aesthetics, this is a sneaker that I love wearing for short walks to 5ks.
Juan, Writer - Sashiko Gals x Nike Vomero Plus (for Tim Cook)
For the reopening of the Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo, Tim Cook showed out in the greatest pair of Vomeros ever made, and they weren’t even the 5s that dominated sneaker culture for the past few years. Nope, it was a new Nike Vomero Plus transformed into a work of art courtesy of the Sashiko Gals, a group of Japanese mothers and grandmothers who came together to bring awareness to recovery efforts from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. They have recently made headlines in the creative space thanks to their creative usage of the traditional Japanese Sashiko technique, stitching pieces of used denim onto the upper of the sneaker with intricate patterns that give each piece a unique identity. Nike and Jordan Brand have released Sashiko-inspired sneakers in the past, but there’s something special and heart-warming about having them made by the people who uphold the art form’s legacy. Priced around $2500 a pair if you happen to win the rare raffle, it might be worth skipping a year’s worth of releases should the opportunity to own a pair of these come up.
Cole, CTO - Hartcopy x Adidas EVO SL
Juan had my favorite pick by far, I love what Sashiko Gals are doing. My backup pick are these friends and family-only polka dotted Tour de France-inspired EVO SLs. Hartcopy stripped off The Three Stripes on the outside for a seamless look and took inspo from one of my favorite races. They functionally debranded the shoe and made it 100% more fun. I’ve never run in a pair of adidas but I would let these be my first.
Brandon, Social Media Manager - Nike A’One “Pink Aura”
For the first time in more than two decades, Nike released a signature sneaker for a Black woman with A’ja Wilson’s A’One. Debuted during NBA All-Star Weekend, the history-making model was sleek, packed with details personal to A’ja, and first introduced in an eye-catching pink colorway that has already become synonymous with her brand. Nike supported the launch with an all-encompassing campaign, highlighted by an ad directed by Malia Obama, while the initial wave of colorways—including “Pink Aura”—sold out instantly at retailers nationwide. Most importantly, A’ja backed the moment with an all-time great season, capturing her fourth MVP, third Defensive Player of the Year award, and third WNBA championship, cementing the A’One’s place in sneaker history. The A’One met the moment—and A’ja exceeded it.
The One that Got Away
Nick - Air Jordan 4 Retro White Cement
I was banking on a certain retailer to come through for me like they usually do, but an error caused my Air Jordan 4 Retro White Cement to be canceled. Yes, it’s probably the best OG AJ 4 colorway and arguably the best of all time, but I was able to get my hands on some other great Jordan 4 colorways this year. Not only was I able to cop two Brick by Bricks for retail, but also the Nike SB AJ 4 in Navy, Undefeated 4s, and was sent a pair of the A Ma Maniere AJ 4. I think with all the heat I was fortunate enough to get this year, I can settle with the fact that I don’t have the White Cements in my collection.
Drew - Wale x Nike GT Future
More specifically, the actual pair that Nick got and spoke about above. As fellow size 13 brethren, we are often going for the same limited stock on hard-to-win raffles, especially with a shoe like the GT Future where you have to size up. We both entered every raffle we could fast and furiously, trying to snag a pair of the most polarizing kicks of the year, and in the very obscure size of 13.5 or 14. So when I got laughed at by the SNKR app and Nick hit the work chat gloating about his win, it was hard to be happy for him. But that’s my guy, and I still found it in my heart to congratulate him… until he kept rubbing it in, saying things like, “They really are like a sculpture or an art piece when you can hold them yourself.” Dude wtf. [“Diced Pineapples” plays in the background as I stare at secondary market listings]
Zach - Village Psychic x New Balance Numeric 1010
New Balance Numeric is doing the coolest things in skateboard footwear these days, and the best thing they did in 2025 was team up with NYC-via-Twin Cities skate blog Village Psychic for a pair of brown and blue hairy suede 1010s that were so good they sold out at skateshops before I could secure a pair.
Scott - Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0
Like most I downloaded the I.S.R.U app and started doing all the challenges trying to keep up with and win the highly touted Mars Yard sneaker. But between work and life getting in the way I fell off on the challenges and was only offered the “Loser” model which I passed on. Hoping the rumored wider release drops this year so I can finally get my hands on a pair.
Cole - Nike Moon Shoe SP Jacquemus Alabaster
Jaquemus capitalized on the low-profile shoe trend all while making reference to Nike’s ‘72 Moon Shoe silhouette. The alabaster colorway is incredibly limited but the most “true” to the original. This shoe zigged when everyone else seemed to zag: unstructured upper with an ankle cinch, minimal cushion, visible stitching, decidedly low tech. It’s all in the low cut silhouette and subtle Jaquemus detailing. Magnifique.
Juan - Playstation x Reebok Pump Omni Zone
This is less about being a fan of Reebok or the Pump Omni Zone and more about being a sucker for anything that references the original Playstation and its iconic logo. When the announcement that Reebok would be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Sony’s first gaming system, I got my hopes up that it would be less of a hassle to buy since Nike fanboys would avoid these like it was the console wars of the 1990s all over again. Unfortunately, regional exclusive releases in limited quantities meant that I would still have to compete with Playstation fans and that was always going to be a losing effort.
Brandon - Clipse x adidas Samba LT
I’ve been fortunate enough to own a lot of cool sneakers, so missing out on a release usually doesn’t bother me—it’s pretty much always on to the next one. The exception this year was not having access to Clipse’s adidas Samba LT collaboration, which dropped as part of the rollout for Let God Sort ’Em Out. I mean, sure, they’re “just” white Sambas with custom text. But that white hits different when it’s dealt by Clipse, feel me? Either way, still Album of the Year and still getting that Grammy.
Your Most Worn Sneaker This Year (From Whenever)
Nick - Nike Air Max 95 Neon
I entered every raffle possible for the Neon 95s, a colorway that I never owned until this year. Very fortunate that I was able to win the Concepts Miami raffle. Also lucky because the store closed shortly after. You can’t go wrong with Sergio Lozano’s OG color scheme for one of the greatest sneakers of all time. Being mostly grey and black means the shoe goes with almost any outfit. I’ve probably got the most compliments about my shoes wearing these over any other sneaker. A close second would be Undefeated 4s, shoutout to the guy in Costco who always sees me.
Drew - Tie Between Patta x Nike Air Max 1 Waves and Aminé’s New Balance 2000 ABZORB Biblioteca
From the time my New Balance fam sent over a pair of Aminé’s vivid green Bibliotecas to try out before my interview with the artist, I was hooked. While skeptical at first of the sneakers that looked like spaceships, the silhouette and the story behind this specific release both had me sold, and they became my daily drivers for the rest of the year. Prior to that, I was in the process of beating my Patta Waves from 2021 into complete and utter extinction. Once my favorite shoe when they came out and a pair I kept crispy and clean, they inevitably got dirty at some point and became my kept-by-the-door-and-worn-for-any-and-all-errands-or-yardwork-sneaker. Unto dust they shall return soon. That reminds me, I need to cop a new pair of those. No bracelet needed.
Zach - Bodega x New Balance 990v3 Here to Stay
The 990v3 is the best New Balance silhouette ever made, and this earth tone anniversary collab colorway from Bodega’s 15th birthday in 2021 is still one of my favorite pairs from the current decade. I beat this pair into the ground so bad this year that I hit eBay and copped a backup… so they might be my most worn in 2026, too.
Scott - Hoka Bondi 8 Oat Milk
This sneaker started as my jogging/walking sneaker of choice but I loved wearing them so much they quickly became my daily use sneaker, I even purchased a new pair for when these are totally unwearable anymore.
Cole - Skepta x Nike Air Max 97 Ultra 17
These were my first real sneakerhead pair of shoes. I still remember, I got mine on GOAT in 2018 for under retail and wore them 5 days a week to work. They’re flashy and have a green/orange shimmer that reminded me of the iridescent 350Z in NFS Underground.
Juan - New Balance 991 Made In UK Urban Winter
In our New Year’s Resolutions for the Sneakerhead piece, I mentioned that there is something special about being able to bring New Balance sneakers that were made in the UK and Japan back to their country of origin. Last March, I brought my Urban Winter 991s (released December 2023), a sneaker that was already a regular part of the rotation, back home as part of a trip across Europe. With a combination of leather, ripstop, and suede, the sneakers were perfect for the chilly and occasionally rainy weather. From England to Paris to Cologne and back, these 991s made those long walks a breeze.
Brandon - Nike Zoom Vick 3 Falcons
The Nike Zoom Vick 3 is probably the least practical walk-around shoe there is—but I’ve never really been a practical sneakerhead. Somewhere along the way, the Vick 3 became the shoe sitting by my door for grocery runs, taking my cat to the vet, or heading to the doctor’s office for a dreaded checkup. In my defense, once you get past the hassle of the complicated strap system and internal bootie, it’s actually a very comfortable, well-cushioned shoe. It also doesn’t hurt that it turns heads everywhere I go. And really, you can’t blame a 757 Virginia kid for reppin’ the local heroes.
Drew oversees content at Sole Retriever and hates writing in the 3rd person soooo I'm going to stop. I've written for countless blogs and magazines, from Complex to XXL and everywhere in between. Spent a long time in LA, running content and working on branded collabs at The Hundreds. Now, I'm back home on the East Coast freezing my ass off. Email me at drew@soleretriever.com with scoops, story ideas, and size 13 heat.
