Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2025 was the Year of the Snake. As usual, sneaker brands took the Chinese New Year imagery and ran with it, especially in Beaverton, where the snake motif was an easy add to Kobe’s Mamba gear. The Three Stripes also got in on the serpent energy with a Year of the Snake colorway of Anthony Edwards’ AE 1, and with the Year of the Horse celebration starting in February, adidas is already prepping a Lunar New Year AE 2.
The adidas AE 2 Year of the Horse features an upper in sleek silver, plush tan, and baby blue, and it is already looking like one of the most off-court-friendly AE 2 colorways we’ve seen yet. Starting with silver on the toe that evolves to creamy tan as it moves up the lace panels, the silver continues across the mesh side panels and TPU vents. The internal bootie is light blue with a red AE logo on the tongue, and a gold horse head logo on the heel to represent the Chinese New Year holiday.
adidas AE 2 Chinese New Year
After finding huge success with the AE 1, adidas is looking to keep the hype train moving with the new AE 2. After kicking things off with the “With Love” colorway in peach and pink, we’ve seen a series of colorways with Timberwolves colors ahead of the coming NBA season. So far, though, we haven’t seen many AE 2 colorways that would translate to the lifestyle side of things as well as the AE 1 did, but in silver mesh with cream accents and baby blue hits, the Year of the Horse colorway is a great first step off the hardwood for the silhouette.
The adidas AE 2 Year of the Horse will be available Spring 2026, likely in February for the Chinese New Year, through adidas and select retailers in-store and online. For now, the price and sizing details are still TBD, but keep it locked to the Sole Retriever mobile app and we’ll add more info as soon as we know it.
