The Definitive List: Best Lifestyle Sneakers of 2025
The end of a calendar year tends to bring a bit of holiday mayhem, but there’s one annual tradition that never fails to plunge Sneaker Freaker HQ into chaos – choosing the best sneakers that touched down over the last 12 months.
The world of footwear is so subjective and eclectic, especially when you account for all the one-to-one retros, collaborations, GRs, running speedsters, hardwood heaters and new models that are still finding their footing – and 2025 was a particularly varied smorgasbord.
That’s why this year we’ve laboured over two megalithic, definitive lists of 2025's best sneakers – one dedicated to street heat, the other solely looking to performance-geared drops. They're also separated into categories, to do it all justice.
The Definitive List: Best Lifestyle Sneakers of 2025 collects together the crème de la crème of lifestyle sneaker releases from the year.
The first category is Best New Releases, which accounts for shoes that simply made an impact on the 2025 sneakerverse – whether a particularly punch-packing drop, a crisp collaboration, or a retro that caused serious ripples. The second category is Best Colabs, and while its title is pretty self-explanatory, it is heavily focused on storytelling. Best of Fashion champions the best linkups skewed towards niche audiences within the fashion world, or opulent sneakers at the higher end of the price-point spectrum. Best New Models looks at the brand new underdog silhouettes that made themselves known in 2025. Best Retros – another contentious category – is packed full of bringbacks, mostly of . Finally, we had to include our Honourable Mentions – there were just too many bangers which didn't make it into the other categories.
It should be noted that within these categories, the shoes are unranked.
Scroll at your own risk– we can’t promise everyone’s favourite is included, so consider this your trigger warning for rage.
Best New Releases
The Best New Releases section was the category that caused the most arguments among Sneaker Freaker staffers, and has been chopped and changed multiple times over. After copious deliberation, here are our top fresh sneakers that impacted the 2025 scene.
This year was monumental for . The SoCal brand really pumped out a plethora of killer colabs, epic inline drops and even some inventive new models. But there was one pair that trumped all the others: the . The hype for this release was unprecedented, and even saw the return of store camp-outs to cop. Inspiring the Vans design team for the ‘Souvenir’ was a 2015 Chanel messenger bag, which featured a graffiti-style upper and pins. Not long after that initial sell-out release, Vans resurrected the iteration in a deep burgundy theme.
Of course, and also had a few releases that deserve their spot on the list, especially the . We contemplated putting these in the Best Retro category, but there were so many differences that they deserved to stand on their own. Dare we say the 2.0 even surpassed the OG in terms of construction and hype? In fact, the only downside was their super-limited numbers, making them one of the hardest cops of 2025.
Next up from Jordan Brand: the with on the , which took 10 months to land between initial reveal and release date – sending hype off the dial. Meanwhile the – not one of the most favoured models in Michael Jordan’s signature line – received plenty of love in 2025, thanks to Easy Otabar’s . This pair proved that you don't necessarily need the most-hyped Jordan model to build a monumental colab.
The last in our list from Nike is the . While there are many sneaker boutiques integral to the scene, few can boast about being in business for over two decades. One that can is Premium Goods, and they cemented their legacy with one of the best AM1 colabs we’ve seen all year – perfect colour-blocking and expert material selection. Too bad the whole world couldn’t enjoy ‘em!
There were three unexpected hits over the past 12 months. Firstly, the x x . This release arrived as a two-pack, plucking bananas and strawberries for inspiration. The builds weren’t too out-of-this-world, showing restraint and wearability – but both sold through faster than you could add whipped cream to your dessert, making them one of the sweetest releases of 2025.
The second surprise heavy-hitter was the . While this running shoe , it really found its footing in 2025. Intended as a cheaper, everyday version of the , it instead catapulted itself into behemoth territory, straddling the running and lifestyle markets. The final unforseen sensation was the collaboration between Colombian superstar Feid and , on the new XT-Pathway 2 silhouette. Our website was inundated as soon as we reported on ‘em, and the linkup's hype – alongside the many recent colabs from Bad Bunny – marks a pivotal point for Latin American artists in the 'sphere which we’re sure to see continue into 2026.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a real Best New Releases list without . The Boston crew experienced a stellar year, from ultra-hype collaborations to GR releases that whet the appetites of everyone from the US to the UK. There were two standout drops, both collaborations with NB's longtime partners: and . Baklava has shown he isn’t just a one hit wonder – the man is one of the most prolific collaborators we’ve seen in a long time. What we love about Bronson is his willingness to take wild shots, and simply create shoes he thinks are cool. We chose the 990v6 ‘Ainôzama’ as his best – There's an indescribable quality to this pair in-person, thanks to that pink mesh and tan mudguard combo. As for Fieg’s ‘Knicks’ Pack, we have no in-depth analysis – all we have to say is that these were pretty much perfect, presenting in two distinct colourways called ‘Home’ and ‘Away’. They're inspired by the uniforms of the New York Knicks – where Fieg remains as creative director.
Best Colabs
Collaborations make up a large portion of today’s sneaker scene, and this year has seen countless joint ventures – however there were only a handful that deserve the title of ‘Best’. We chiefly based our selection on storytelling, as well as how successfully the brands worked together to create a single product.
This year, Nike’s collaborative roster was bursting, and we saw many first-timers step onto the grounds of the Beaverton HQ. Arguably, one of the biggest of the year was the . The cult Japanese franchise has been part of plenty of sneaker releases in the past, but none were more fitting than this drop with the Swoosh. Why? This particular model was worn by character Katsuya Jonouchi, aka Joey Wheeler, within the narrative of the show (though the writers ditched its official name in favour of 'Air Muscle'). Two colourways landed: the blue ‘Joey’, and the Japan-exclusive ‘Jonouchi’.
That wasn’t the only crossover collaboration we dug during 2025. The x Nike Air Max 1 ‘Big Head Mode’ pack, inspired by Nintendo character Donkey Kong, was a certified banger. The particular model we've selected for this list is the Air Max 1 ‘Low Poly’, which was initially debuted by Kai Cenat in 2024. The term 'low poly' refers to the creation of video games' 3D graphics using polygons, which is precisely how the Donkey Kong franchise was brought to life – and Nike kitted this AM1 out in plenty of subtle, DK-winking easter eggs.
and were both must-includes in our 'Best Colabs' list. Sylvester’s all-red took the scene by storm in March, and goes down as the most hyped of the year. The inspiration behind the triple-red hue came from the iconic, brick-red buildings of Sylvester's native NYC, as well as the idea of building success one brick (or step) at a time. Meanwhile, Yachty’s AF-1 also reached the pointy end of the hype scale, deriving its colourway from the ‘golden era’ of sneakers and employing retina-searing patent leathers. Lil Yachty is a major sneakerhead, so witnessing Nike recognise and bless him with a collaboration was an event to behold.
Cincinnati-based have been having a killer time with their adidas partnership, which kicked off in 2024 with an inventive batch of Rivalry Lows bearing . With such a successful debut run, it would have been wild for Team Trefoil to neglect a follow-up – so in March, the linkup came through with the . Adorned in tonal pink, this pair drew its inspo from the retailer’s hometown and its nickname of ‘Porkopolis’ (thanks to Cincy's legacy pork production). Cartoon-pig graphics reached the outsole, rear heel and tongue, alongside special metal swingtags. Adding even more heat to the drop was the F&F ‘Bliss Blue’ colourway, which landed as a surprise at the launch event.
Last but not least: . These were one of the more underrated collaborations of the year, but for Fieg they represented something special. In a personal blog post, the founder wrote: ‘2010 was an incredible year in my life. It was the year I started Kith. It’s when the second chapter of my career began. Over a year ago, I began having conversations with New Balance about debuting a brand new silhouette – the 2010. It’s a model that feels as relevant today as it would have then. The name made me reminisce on that time in my life, so for this release, I wanted to take it back.’ The two colourways of Ronnie Fieg's Kith x New Balance 2010s arrived alongside the .
Best New Models
This year's abundance of new models made it a treat for those seeking new looks – it was as if almost every brand had ‘drop something fresh’ on their 2025 to-do list. The criteria for inclusion in our Best New Models section was pretty simple – the shoe had to be an impactful new silhouette that was released in 2025.
As a whole, 2025 was a top-tier year for New Balance, filled with high-heat drops, epic sporting moments and two brand-new silhouettes that caused quite the stir. The first was the , first clocked in February. This model was a far cry from New Balance’s usual catalogue, merging heritage and modernity into one crisp, futuristic package. Its highlight is the full-length ABZORB foam, a mainstay NB tech element that originally debuted as part of the . The design also moved away from the Boston brand’s signature suede look, instead going for a mostly tech-mesh with reflective detailing and printed overlays.
The second model from New Balance's designers was the ABZORB 2010, which also used the vintage tech but acted as something of an accompaniment to your Made in USA or UK collection. in a crispy beef and broccoli colourway, it wasn’t long before the 2010 saw collaborations alongside Kith, and .
adidas came through this year with a plethora of new models, but the and took the top spots for the Three Stripes. The latest update to the Climacool franchise , and marked an industry first: an entirely 3D-printed, one-piece lattice upper offering full ventilation. The Jellyfish, made in collaboration with , is one of the cornerstone releases of this year. Drawing inspiration from the Team Trefoil archive, this chunkified beast , selling through with the quickness.
While Nike didn’t shy away from the retro and hype cycle, they did have their share of timeline-dominating freshness. One of the best was the , which at the beginning of the year after being teased just ahead of the . The Peg Premium is a running shoe first and foremost, but its lifestyle appeal meant the model found its way into rotations as a daily driver. Since that initial January 30 release, this speedster has forged its own path in a and even a .
The found itself a similar groove of performance-plus-lifestyle. This hot new hardwood hooper had been teased consistently across the past year, – but despite the lack of pro-athlete ambassadorship, the model is actually kitted with an Air Zoom unit, full Zoom Strobel and Cushlon 3.0, all comprising Nike Basketball’s most advanced underfoot tech yet. The Swoosh's was maybe one of the most underrated releases of this year (the techy silhouette makes for an almost perfect beater) and the last Nike on our 'Best New Model' list is the 3D-printed , with .
Finally, Japanese brands and came through with their own fresh models – the ASICS and . The former technically , but gained steam in 2025 with a batch of . The latter silhouette brought together the 1985 Morelia football boot and the recognisable midsole, blending the brand’s archival design with futurismo.
Best of Fashion
This category became a last-minute addition to the Definitive List when we decided to highlight smaller, fashion-focused brands creating killer colabs. Within this section, we looked to the brands catering to niche audiences – whether through higher price points or outre design – who made their mark on sneakerdom this year.
Ever since the late sat at the helm of , the luxury brand has become a key player in the high-end sneaker space – and this year proved they’ve still got it, with the . This freshly minted silhouette was created during Pharrell’s second year at the house, presenting a leather-loaded build chock-full of 70s style with daubs of of Pharrell, and Abloh’s design DNA. What makes this sneaker so good is the proprietary, buttery upper, made from lamb’s leather.
and ASICS share a relationship deeper than most in the 'sphere, further cemented this year via a massive number of inline models and the continuation of . One release that proved their collaborative prowess was the , which features a midsole designed by Kostadinov. The upper boasted a psychedelic mesh, mixed with textured overlays that oozed that Kiko feel. While they weren’t the most hyped Kiko x ASICS drop of all time, they demonstrated the linkup's evolution over time.
Amongst the year's algorithm-breaking fashion partnerships were a couple from . The German sportswear giant has brought out its collaborative claws this year, one of its best endeavours landing with Parisian outfit , in a of the mid-2000s Levitation sneaker. The core of the February two-pack was its eye-catching ‘floating heel’ – created using recycled TPU. Keeping to ROMBAUT’s sustainability pledge, all materials used were 100 per cent vegan, with synthetic leather and repurposed components utilised throughout the build to minimise environmental impact.
Another of 2025's hype-deserving collaborations was the NO/FAITH STUDIOS x . Resurrected this year, the two German brands came together to create a triple-black shoe – but the material on the upper is unmatched. Just across the road from PUMA, adidas again enlisted for another surreal linkup, crafting the balloon-footed . The independent Swedish fashion brand were responsible for the last year, and brought the same uncanny sculptural flair to their newest silhouette.
New Balance continued with their legacy collaborators in 2025, namely and . The former are a Japanese label responsible for many of NB's most luxurious models, having previously remixed the 204L, T500 and 990v3. In 2025 they decided to go for 1986's obscure 475, delivering a two-stack which utilised opulent fabrics in dusty yellows and greys. Stone Island followed in a similar, high-end vein for their 998, dubbed ‘Raso Gommato’. It was named after the pioneering Stoney archive fabric, which is constructed with a stain weave that’s then covered with polyurethane.
Finally, Nike came through this year with their own top-tier colabs to whet the appetite of the Fashion Week elite. First was the , and if you’ve read this far you already know we marked this silhouette as one of 2025's best new models. Helping the debut hit peak fanfare was Korean brand Hyein Seo, who the Ava Rover in an elegant all-black build. Meanwhile, supplied another batch of her signature , of 90s LAN party video gaming and even creating a custom gaming chair to match.
Best Retros
Retros deserve their own category on any 'End of Year' list, but particularly for 2025, because it was one of the biggest and best years we’ve seen for bringbacks. With an array of Air Jordans and IYKYK models like the ACG Phassad and Air Max Craze making new moves, store shelves were looking like a whole different era. The criteria for this list required each shoe to be, of course, a retro – but also broadly rated like the ‘Fire Red’, or hold a certain status like the Undefeateds. An example of a model we didn’t include was the retro, because they weren’t widely available enough to be enjoyed by fans around the globe.
Kicking off the category is the fifth retro of the ‘Black Metallic’. There was no argument about including these bad boys, because their OG brethren are universally adored – and come February, it seemed every creature on two legs was trying to .
There are two other OG-colourway Air Jordan 5s in the mix here: the (with that tasty ‘23’ on the rear) and the juicy ‘Grape’, which . There's one more AJ5 we couldn’t forget (but almost did with an accidental push of the delete key): the ‘Tokyo’. This canary-hued pair initially touched down back in 2011 for the Jordan Tokyo 23 basketball tournament, and has since been considered a unicorn. To everyone’s surprise, Jordan Brand the pair for Michael Jordan’s fifth signature’s 35th anniversary. While there were some subtle changes , the 2025 ‘Tokyo’ painted IG timelines yellow and sold out faster than you could say ‘Yoyogi Park’.
The has remained a dominant force across the past five years of the sneaker scene, holding a similar cultural position to the Air Jordan 1 during the late 2010s (when there were ). Between January and November of this year, there were almost too many AJ4s released to count – though one pair stood above the rest, and that was the retro of the legendary x Air Jordan 4. Originally landing in 2005, the mere 72-pair linkup marked the first time the Jordan name was ever used in a collaboration alongside a boutique. There have been multiple rumours of a retro over the past 20 years, but 2025 saw it actually – and Undefeated .
The other Air Jordan 4 deserving of plaudits is the . This year marked the fifth time one of the GOATs of the released, so we couldn’t not add it in. We were also incredibly happy with the shape and overall construction – !
The celebrated a milestone this year, and Jordan Brand went all out with a bundle of bangers that knocked the socks off even the most pessimistic sneakerheads. In September, Beaverton HQ nine AJ11s set to drop over the holiday period and into 2026, and we wanted to include them all... but many are region exclusives, and therefore can’t be enjoyed by everyone around the globe (making them ineligible for our list). One that we were intent on including was the ‘Gamma’ – the 2013 cult classic! While they were not yet released at the time of writing, there’s been that they're a must-include.
Michael Jordan’s dominated this list, but there were buckets of other retros that deserve acclaim. Many at SF HQ were slightly skeptical that we would actually see the ‘Galaxy’ Foams return to shelves, as they're a very of-the-time kind of shoe. Originally launching in 2012, the Nike Air Foamposite ‘Galaxy’ caused an at a Florida mall when they dropped for All-Star Weekend in Orlando. Rumours of the return started back in April of 2023, but it of this year. Despite not fitting easily into the modern sneaker scene, the ‘Galaxy’ retro will be be remembered for a decade to come.
You can’t talk about the best retros of 2025 without the . For Air Max collectors, the retooled AM95 in the OG colourway was a must-cop. Everything about the rerelease was , though we wish it wasn’t so limited – we’re looking forward to the restock next year. Last, but definitely not least – because it hit wallets hardest – is the . This year, the Boston brand their five-year retro cycle of one of their most legendary sneakers ever created. The 2025 release marked the fifth time this particular model was available outside of Japan, where it was once a region-exclusive.
Honourable Mentions
Thirsty for more? Here are the lifestyle sneakers which didn't quite make the 'Best of 2025' podium, but still deserve recognition.
Keep your eye out for our wrap-up of the year's best sport-focused drops – and in the meantime, our list of all the sneakers rumoured for release in 2026.