Coming off the heels of its successful “Small Wins Add Up” Gel-Kayano 20 release in September, the retailer has once again teamed up with Asics to give the aforementioned silhouette another new look. According to Bodega, the retailer got the go-ahead to drop “a small run” of the Gel-Kayano 20 in an alternate colorway that was “initially workshopped during the design phase” of the previous release.

The result is the Bodega x Asics Gel-Kayano 20 “Friends & Family.”

The mixed-material uppers were executed in brown and beige hues, and several green tones were used throughout, including neon green on the collars and laces and a forrest green in the Gel cushioning technology. Hits of blue also appear throughout.

What’s more, this collaboration comes with both a bag of Vietnamese coffee from Nguyen Coffee Supply and a custom Stanley Camp Mug. “Here’s to brewing up success in small batches, which in our opinion is what our time on this spherical track is all about,” Bodega said in a statement.

The Bodega x Asics Gel-Kayano 20 “Friends & Family” arrives Dec. 27 at 12 p.m. ET via Bdgastore.com. It retails for $180.

And if you’re still interested in picking up a pair of the Bodega x Asics Gel-Kayano 20 “Small Wins Add Up” collaboration, they can be found on the secondary market. For instance, StockX has pairs available now ranging in price from $105 to $290.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

The latest iteration of the Kai 1 Speed is “Pass the Torch,” a look Anta described as being inspired by the athlete’s “pivotal moment of triumph over his father, Dred, in a one-on-one game.” What’s more, Anta stated the “Pass the Torch” shoe “symbolizes the passing of the torch from one generation to the next, celebrating hard work, perseverance and the unbreakable bond of family.”

“This drop isn’t just about the shoe — it’s about the moments that define us and the people who shape us,” Irving said in a statement. “‘Pass the Torch’ is a tribute to my father and all the lessons he’s passed down. It’s an honor to share this story with the world through the Kai 1.”

To execute this theme, Anta created gray speckled uppers, which the brand said is a nod to “the textured pavement of the Irving family’s driveway.” Also, the shoe features hits of red, yellow and orange throughout, according to Anta, to “evoke the image of a torch’s flame, embodying the fiery passion, energy and competitive spirit that have fueled Kyrie’s journey.” What’s more, the brand stated the colors also reflect “the theme of passing the torch, representing the transmission of wisdom, perseverance and inspiration from one generation to the next.”

In terms of tech, the Kai 1 Speed is built with breathable mesh uppers, anti-slip rubber outsoles, padded mesh heel counters, the brand’s responsive full-palm nitrogen midsoles and lateral TPU support.

The Anta Kai 1 Speed “Pass the Torch” is available via Anta.com and Footlocker.com, as well as Foot Locker stores in the U.S., Europe and Canada. Retail price is $125.

After weeks of speculation, Anta confirmed in July 2023 that it had signed Irving, who was previously a Nike signature athlete. At the time of the announcement, Anta stated Irving would not only have a signature product line, but the athlete would also serve as its chief creative officer of basketball.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Both longtime market-leading brands and rising stars alike delivered hit after hit in 2024, tapping talent that included music megastars, influential retailers, high fashion standouts and more to provide newness to the marketplace.

The list, which was selected by FN’s sneaker editors, was curated with execution, storytelling and reception in mind. Several of the looks either instantly sold out at retail or had a price premium on the resale market.

With the year coming to a close, in no order, here are 26 of the hottest sneaker collaborations — 24 for 2024 and a couple more for good measure.

Nike has a slew of Valentine’s Day-themed sneakers ready to be released in 2025, but not all of the designs are as celebratory of love as others. In addition to “Love Is in the Pair” styles and rose-embellished Air Force 1s, the brand also has numerous Air Max 1 colorways coming which seem to embrace being single.

Originally previewed in December’s SNKRS Showcase in a bright pink iteration, official images of the “Valentine’s Day” Nike Air Max 1 have now surfaced showing the sneaker in a white-based colorway. The new imagery reveals further details of the holiday shoe, which is inspired by mylar balloons. 

On this colorway, that inspiration can be seen on the mismatched red lateral and pink medial Swoosh logos, which feature a glossy sheen. The shoelaces also come equipped with removable Nike letters in the shape of puffy balloons.

But the shoe’s most surprising detail appears on the laces themselves, which are printed with text reading “it’s not me, it’s you.” While it’s not the most festive messaging, there are sure to be fans who appreciate the playful departure from the usual holiday one-liners.

In addition to the aforementioned sneakers, Nike, Inc.’s Jordan Brand will also be a part of the Valentine’s Day lineup with an Air Jordan 3 Retro and an Air Jordan 1 Retro Low. 

Among other holidays, Valentine’s Day sneakers are an annual tradition for Nike and often focus on their classic retro sneakers. It’s likely that even more styles will join the already previewed pairs for ’25. 

Readers can expect these Nike Air Max 1 “Valentine’s Day” styles to be released during February for a retail price of $160 each.

First revealed in November alongside Aimé Leon Dore’s matching Porsche 993 Turbo, the Queens, New York-based brand’s latest New Balance collaboration uses the made-in-USA 993 model. The sneaker is outfitted in a color scheme which matches both the vehicle and a Porsche x Aimé Leon Dore apparel collection, which also launched in November. 

Dark “Pine Grove” green suede and mesh make up the base of the shoe, which features a yellow perforated leather liner for an especially elevated take on the 993 sneaker. White shoelaces add contrast to the look, which will also come packaged with an alternate lace option. A gold “ALD”-branded metal hangtag accompanies the pair, and the same logo appears on the heel of the left shoe. 

Although Aimé Leon Dore didn’t have a 2024 sneaker collaboration which reached the levels of hype surrounding some of the brand’s work in years past, it kept busy with a strong selection of New Balance projects. Highlights included a trio of New Balance 1000s, three New Balance 990v4s and a mismatched New Balance 997, which referenced the first sneaker collaboration between the brands in 2019. 

Aimé Leon Dore has previously launched extended preorders for its New Balance releases including its 550 and 860v2 collaborations. For the brand’s latest 993 preorder, the estimated ship date is September 2025.

Industry wide, sneaker preorders are infrequent, but other brands have experimented with the method. Not only does it provide consumers with an opportunity to secure a shoe that may otherwise sell out, but it allows brands to gauge interest and operate a made-to-order production. In October, Nike launched a preorder for the Air Max 1 “Low Poly” with pairs expected to begin shipping after roughly 120 days. 

Preorders for the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 993 are open now on aimeleondore.com for $220. The reservations will close Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Nike and Togethxr — the media and commerce company founded by Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird — a special edition of the G.T. Cut 3 basketball shoe. Both UConn Women’s Basketball and USC Women’s Basketball revealed team-inspired colorways of the shoe on their respective social media channels.

The highlight of the special edition G.T. Cut 3 is the appearance of Togethxr’s trademark “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” phrase at the heel.

In a statement, the Swoosh said “this collaboration continues to exemplify Nike’s commitment to growing the women’s game through innovation while making it better for the next generation.”

Though an image of the shoes have surfaced, release information has not been revealed.

In terms of tech, the G.T. Cut 3 features full-length ZoomX foam cushioning underfoot, which was added to offer more bounce into the shoe. Nike paired the ZoomX foam with a foam midsole to help the wearer “stay fresh for 4 quarters.”

UConn was ranked No. 4 in the country entering Saturday’s game, with a 9-1 record. USC was ranked No. 7 with a record of 10-1. The matchup, which is taking place at the XL Center in Connecticut, can be watched live via Fox.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Barfield Brown, who attended Howard University and has established herself as a leading fashion and beauty expert, gave her “Yardrunners” Air Force 1 Low a design intended as a tribute to HBCUs as a whole as well as her alma mater.

Her shoe’s cream-colored base is inspired by the long-lasting legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the first of which was the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1837. Brown accents celebrate melanin, while red detailing represents Howard and her sorority. Meanwhile, the tip of the shoe features coordinates for The Yard at Howard. 

Robinson’s design takes a more on-the-nose approach to pay homage to the Virginia Union University Panthers. The “Virginia Union” Air Force 1’s black upper is fashioned in a faux pony hair to resemble a panther, while metallic steel details represent the school’s colors. The pair is also customizable with enamel pins including the Panther mascot, Virginia Union University logo and the feather logo of Robinson’s streetwear brand, Diallo. 

Launched in 2020, Nike’s Yardrunners celebrates the history of HBCUs by enlisting alumni to help design special collections. 2023’s Yardrunners 4.0 initiative saw the release of five Nike Terminator Highs. 

Both of this year’s Yardrunners Air Force 1s retailed for $120 each and sold out quickly today from SNKRS, but can be found now on resale platforms.

Robinson’s “Virginia Union” style is reselling for an average price of around $250 from StockX, while Barfield Brown’s Howard-themed pair is going for roughly $220. Both pairs are also available from GOAT, where the “Virginia Union” colorway is selling for a low price of $306 and the Howard style starts at $181. 

Official product images of an upcoming Nike Air Diamond Turf in black and gold have surfaced. According to early reports, the pair has a “Signing Day” theme inspired by Sanders’ gold chain-swathed outfit during the 1989 NFL Draft. 

The shoe features an all-black leather upper which is accented with gold on its branding, lateral and medial mesh paneling, lace tips and special embroidery on the heel, which reads “you gotta believe” in reference to one of Sanders’ famous sayings used to rally his college teams. This detail, coupled with the sneaker’s black-and-gold color scheme, makes it fitting for Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes as well as his late ‘80s attire. His signature appears on the insole, seemingly confirming the draft day theme. 

In addition to this newly surfaced pair, Nike has plenty of Coach Prime-related sneakers in the pipeline for 2025. Confirmed during Nike’s latest SNKRS Showcase preview is a retro version of Sanders’ “Falcons” Air Diamond Turf, which is expected to arrive in January. Also on the way for the model is a new “Must Be the Money” Air Diamond Turf colorway inspired by his brief rap career and a return of the sneaker’s original “Emerald” look.

Beyond the Air Diamond Turf, Nike will also continue to issue new versions of Sanders’ equally popular Air DT Max ’96 model. In November, he posted an Instagram video asking fans to pressure Nike into releasing a white-and-gold version of the sneaker.

The Nike Air Diamond Turf “Signing Day” does not currently have a confirmed release date, but the sneaker is expected to debut at retail early in ’25 for a retail price of $160.

Ronnie Fieg revealed his first three-way collaborative effort with Adidas Originals and Clarks Originals in March 2023 to much fanfare. More than a year later, the Kith leader is still producing can’t-miss footwear with the brands.

Arriving before month’s end his latest 8th Street installment, which features snakeskin executions alongside Adidas Originals and Clarks Originals to three shoes: the Gazelle, the AS350 and the BW Army.

For the collaboration, each shoe was executed using Clarks’ signature suede and nubuck, which is paired with snakeskin on Adidas’ standout Three Stripes and heel tabs. The trio opted for a custom off-white hue, and all of the looks feature Clarks’ crepe outsoles.

To mark the collaborative effort, debossed tri-branding was added to the tongues. The tri-branding is also debossed on the tonal leather sockliners. They also include custom fobs and come in special packaging.

A drawing for a shot at purchasing 8th Street by Ronnie Fieg for Adidas Originals and Clarks Originals range for winter 2024 is open now via the Kith App. Also, the shoes will be available in limited quantities starting Dec. 23 at the Kith stores, as well as online at 11 a.m. ET via Kith.com, CA.Kith.com and EU.Kith.com. They will also be available on the Kith App.

Fieg took his love of Clarks Originals to the next level in March 2021 when he revealed 8th Street, a label within the brand that feature original silhouettes of his design. He launched 8th Street with two silhouettes, the Lockhill and the Sandford.

“8th Street is where it all started for me. If you ask anyone over the age of 35 who lived in the city, that was the epicenter of footwear in New York, maybe even the world,” Fieg told FN. “It was a very influential block where people automatically knew to go when they wanted to see the newest footwear that was offered. And it wasn’t necessarily something that they shopped for that they knew they wanted. It’s where they went to see new things. There was no social media, so you would have to go in person and ask, ‘Hey, what’s new?’ It’s such a f**king crazy thing to think about today.”

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About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Jalen Hurts wore mismatched Air Jordan 11 cleats when the quarterback led his Philadelphia Eagles to victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13 on Dec. 15. His footwear reportedly landed him a $5,628 for violating the NFL’s uniform and equipment rules.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Hurts was fined “for wearing a shoe color that’s not one of the Eagles’ ‘Constitutional team colors.'” On Twitter (X), Pelissero quoted the league’s rulebook, which stated, “A player may wear shoes that are black, white, or any Constitutional team color, or any combination of black, white, and a Constitutional team color.”

On Friday, Jordan Brand — which has backed Hurts since August 2023 — confirmed it will pay the fine. The brand also provided a photo of the letter confirming the fine.

“We’re paying the fine. You can’t ban greatness,” Jordan Brand said in a emailed statement.

A fine of this nature is a familiar one to those who love sneakers. In 1984, the NBA sent a letter to Nike in February 1985 that stated Michael Jordan’s black-and-red shoes worn “on or around October 18, 1984” violated the league’s dress code rules. The story that has been shared for decades, which has never been confirmed with concrete evidence, is that Nike paid a $5,000 fine every time Jordan wore the shoes. This led to Nike’s brilliant marketing campaign promoting the Air Jordan 1 that has stood the test of time. (Though the campaign promoted the Air Jordan 1, the shoes MJ would have worn at the time of the violation was the Nike Air Ship.)

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.