Between high-profile collaborations, long-awaited retro returns, and thoughtful reinterpretations of classic silhouettes, 2025 has been an outstanding year for sneakers, as the culture felt both reflective and forward-moving. Some of the most legendary shoes in history made returns this year: the Air Jordan 1 High ’85 “Bred” came back in true OG form, the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 finally reentered the conversation after only 72 pairs released back in 2005. Nike brought back one of its most iconic releases with the Air Foamposite One “Galaxy.” We also saw the return of the coveted “big bubble” on the Nike Air Max 95, as nostalgia reigned supreme in 2025.
The year also marked a refreshing change for sneaker enthusiasts, though. For once, many highly anticipated releases didn’t immediately sell out. In 2025, you didn’t have to wake up at 10 a.m. ET and sit in an online queue just to miss out. In many cases, you could log on an hour later and still secure a pair, a rare but welcome moment of accessibility in modern sneaker culture. Currently, you can even buy Jordan 1’s, Jordan 3’s, and Jordan 4’s below retail, whether from retail stores or resale platforms.
At the same time, new collaborations and sneaker models drove massive attention and sales. Following the continued success of the adidas AE1 over the past three years, basketball sneakers officially made their return as everyday lifestyle footwear. Bold designs and athletes becoming more culturally relevant than ever played a major role in that shift. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Converse Shai 001 is a perfect example, and one of my personal favorite sneakers of 2025.
Sneakers and music have long shared a symbiotic relationship dating back to the earliest days of hip-hop and R&B. Artists have consistently used footwear as a canvas for self-expression, blending personal identity with cultural influence. In 2025, that connection reached a new level. Collaborations dominated many of the year’s best releases, with musicians taking a leading role in designing and promoting sneakers, further blurring the line between sound, style, and storytelling.
I couldn’t write this list without showing major love to Wale. While the DMV emcee still doesn’t have his own signature sneaker in 2025, his influence remains undeniable. Wale inspired and helped design a special-edition colorway of Nike’s latest basketball model, the G.T. Future. Hundreds of fans showed up for the exclusive Dec. 13 release Wale’s “Ice” colorway which serves as a testament to his status as a lifelong sneakerhead and one of Nike’s most authentic cultural ambassadors.
One of the year’s most memorable collaborations came from BMX rider Nigel Sylvester and Jordan Brand. His “Brick by Brick” Air Jordan 4 stood out not just for its design, but for its storytelling and marketing. As someone who appreciates attention to detail and narrative-driven products, this release felt like one of the strongest sneaker campaigns we’ve seen in quite some time.
Another standout was the Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Arctic Pink.” Awake NY reworked the upper of the Jordan 5, incorporated its branding thoughtfully, and paired the shoe with a community-focused rollout that included a block party, deli activation and even a giant slide. It was a true community sneaker and while it was unfortunate that many locals couldn’t get a pair, releases like this don’t come around often.
At the end of the day, retro footwear is still king, but 2025 delivered an overwhelming number of impressive sneakers across categories. With the year nearing its end, Billboard is ranking the 10 hottest musician sneaker collabs of 2025 for the second year in a row — highlighting the releases that defined the intersection of music, culture, and footwear this year.
Chase B x Jordan CJ1 T-Rexx
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Some sneakers feel like moments; others feel like milestones. The Chase B x Jordan CJ1 T-Rexx somehow manages to be both.
Over the past few years, Travis Scott and Jordan Brand have helped redefine what modern sneaker culture looks like, pushing collaborations beyond simple colorways and into full-fledged cultural statements. This latest iteration of the CJ1 T-Rexx expands that vision beyond Travis himself, landing with his longtime collaborator, fellow Houston native and creative partner Chase B.
With this release, Chase becomes the first artist to collaborate with Jordan Brand on Travis Scott’s signature sneaker, a milestone that speaks to both his influence and his role within the Cactus Jack universe. Known for living at the intersection of sound, energy and experience, Chase brings that same ethos to the CJ1 T-Rexx.
The sneaker draws inspiration from the iconic MF Doom Nike Dunk and DJ Clark Kent’s, Nike Air Trainer 1 from the “112 Pack.” One of the best parts of the sneaker is the striking neon green outsole that glows in the dark. It’s a subtle but powerful detail, a reminder to bring your own light into every room you step into.
Where the release truly separates itself, however, is the packaging. The glow-in-the-dark shoebox, something we haven’t seen done before, turns the packaging into a core part of the story rather than an afterthought. Chase B understood that presentation matters just as much as the product itself, and the execution reflects that intention.
Lil Yachty x Nike Air Force 1 Low Lucky Green
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The Lil Yachty x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Lucky Green” features red, yellow, and green patent leather color blocking across the upper, calling back to the “golden era” of Nike Air Force 1s in the early-to-mid 2000s. A double Swoosh adds to the maximalist feel, adding to the loud energy that defined that era.
Branding tied to Yachty’s Concrete Boys collective appears throughout the shoe: the group’s signature stick-figure logo is embroidered in red on the lateral heel, while the fuller Concrete Boys logo is printed across the heel tab. Additional nods appear on the tongue, with “IT’S US” callouts landing on the tongue, sockliner and transparent hangtag.
What really made this sneaker special was the rollout: in a surprise move, Yachty hit the streets of New York City to personally hand out pairs to fans. He then returned with a limited batch, hiding magazines throughout the city that acted as golden tickets, allowing those who found them to claim a free pair.
By blending nostalgic design, unmistakable branding and a community-first rollout, the Lil Yachty x Nike Air Force 1 Low “Lucky Green” stands as one of 2025’s most memorable musician-led sneaker collaborations.
Don Toliver x BBC IceCream Board Flip
Image Credit: Sara Jaye/Getty Images for Complex
Ice Cream, the skate-focused side of Billionaire Boys Club founded in 2004 by NIGO and Pharrell Williams, carved out its own lane by merging fun graphics with skate culture. The Board flip first debuted in 2005 through Reebok, which was a perfect culmination of fashion, music and the authenticity of Ice Cream’s skate team. Originally released under Reebok’s RBK lifestyle division, the Board Flip also served as the official footwear of Pharrell’s Ice Cream Skate Team, grounding the sneaker firmly in skate heritage.
The Ice Cream “Watermelon” Board Flip by made its official return with an exclusive Las Vegas release in October, reconnecting the sneaker with both its past and its future. The silhouette’s 2025 revival stays impressively faithful to its roots. Modeled closely after the original 2005 release, the sneaker features a pink-accented T-toe, a perforated green suede upper, a brown outsole and a crisp white midsole finished with a pink stripe. The iconic ice cream cone graphic reappears on the lateral side, while the Ice Cream cloud logo is stamped on the tongue and heel.
Ice Cream’s return to the Board Flip in 2025 became one of the year’s most surprising and nostalgia-driven moments, with Don Toliver playing a key role in bringing the silhouette back into the spotlight. What makes this comeback particularly meaningful, though, is how it bridges generations. Limited to just 500 pairs worldwide, the release revived a design that helped define Ice Cream’s impact on skate-inspired footwear. While the extremely limited availability left many fans like me wanting more, the momentum continued: a 72-hour preorder window for Don Toliver’s upcoming “Banana Split” Board Flip collaboration opened in November, featuring personalized branding on the tongue tag and hangtag.
Tobe Nwigwe Reebok Chukwu ABUO
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Houston-based artist Tobe Nwigwe has built a creative movement grounded in authenticity, culture and empowerment. With his second partnership with Reebok, he brings that same spirit into the Reebok x Chukwu ABUO collection.
The sneaker offers a refreshed take on the classic Reebok BB 4000 II. Dressed in Nwigwe’s signature mint hue, the design blends hairy suede, nubuck leather and textile materials, striking a balance between elevated craftsmanship and everyday wearability. The name “Abuo,” which translates to “two” in Igbo, reflects the concept of duality, honoring heritage while embracing modernity, and merging function with fashion, discipline with creativity.
More than just a sneaker, the ABUO represents perspective and legacy — something you carry with you. That philosophy extended into the rollout, which notably included children’s sizing. This wasn’t an afterthought, but a deliberate decision to ensure the next generation was included in the story.
Representation sits at the heart of this collaboration. For Nwigwe, offering kids’ sizes was essential so his children could see themselves reflected in the project. He represents them, they represent him, and together they represent something larger than any individual. The idea reinforces that, while everyone brings their own identity, they are ultimately part of a collective. Making the sneaker accessible for the entire family transformed it into a shared experience rather than a standalone product.
As Nwigwe explained, family extends beyond bloodlines to include the people you grow with and lean on. He hopes wearers see their own families, crews, and communities in the shoe. While the details may stem from his personal life, the emotion behind the design is universal, turning the ABUO into a wearable expression of unity, legacy and belonging.
Bad Bunny and adidas Gazelle Cabo Rojo
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The Bad Bunny x adidas Gazelle “Cabo Rojo” arrived as part of the artist’s Puerto Rico–inspired City Series, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the island that continues to shape his identity. Named after Cabo Rojo, a coastal town known for its rare pink salt flats, the sneaker pulls directly from that natural phenomenon, blending tones of salmon, clay and soft ash pink throughout the design.
Originally released as a Puerto Rico exclusive during opening weekend of Bad Bunny’s No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí residency, the City Series generated overwhelming demand on the island. The response was so strong that adidas Originals and Bad Bunny chose to take the Gazelle “Cabo Rojo” global, marking the first City Series colorway to receive a worldwide release and offering fans outside Puerto Rico their first taste of the once-exclusive project.
The broader Gazelle City Series celebrates Puerto Rico’s vibrancy through three distinct colorways, each inspired by meaningful locations across the island. “Cabo Rojo” stands out not only for its story, but for what it represents: a cultural moment rooted in place, now shared with the world.
Design-wise, the sneaker features a premium mix of suede and smooth leather across the upper, paired with a translucent outsole that subtly references Cabo Rojo’s salt flats. Finishing touches include gold-embossed city branding, a puffed tongue, a reworked toe shape, and “adidas para Bad Bunny” text stamped on the sockliner, small details that reinforce the personal nature of the collaboration.
Feid Salomon XT-Pathway 2 FERXXO
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Colombian superstar Feid delivered one of Salomon’s most compelling collaborations of the year with the XT-Pathway 2 FERXXO, marking his first sneaker project as a creative director. Rather than simply lending his name, Feid infused the silhouette with his full creative vision.
The XT-Pathway 2 FERXXO channels Feid’s world into Salomon’s performance-driven design language. Inspired by the lush green mountains surrounding Medellín, the sneaker pulls heavily from his signature neon-green palette, and mirrors the genre-blending energy that defines his music.
Beyond aesthetics, the shoe serves as an extension of identity. Green has long been central to Feid’s visual language, symbolizing optimism, his roots and a touch of prosperity. That symbolism carries through the design, with vibrant, near-glowing green tones appearing across luminous panels, glow-in-the-dark details, and custom charms integrated into Salomon’s Quicklace™ system. The finishing touch comes in the form of a hand-drawn caricature by Feid himself, reinforcing the personal nature of the collaboration.
Saucony x Westside Gunn ProGrid Triumph 4
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First teased on social media, the Saucony x Westside Gunn ProGrid Triumph 4 immediately sent sneakerheads and Griselda fans into a frenzy. Loud, unapologetic and impossible to ignore, the sneaker marks Grammy-nominated rapper Westside Gunn’s first collaboration with Saucony, and the beginning of what both sides have positioned as a long-term partnership.
The design fully embraces Gunn’s maximalist aesthetic: a glow-in-the-dark green upper sets the foundation, while bold hits of yellow, orange, and pink splash across the overlays. A scorpion-textured tongue adds another layer, complemented by a blue inner lining and silver tongue branding. Finishing touches include Westside Gunn’s signature Griselda scorpion logo stamped on the left insole, marking Gunn’s identity.
The inspiration pulls directly from professional wrestling icon The Ultimate Warrior — including his vividly painted, multi-color masks, a reference that aligns perfectly with Gunn’s love for spectacle, art and larger-than-life presentation. Like his music, the sneaker isn’t subtle by design. It’s meant to command attention.
Jae Tips x Saucony Grid Jazz 9 I Love You But I’m Busy
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Bronx-born Jae Tips is one of the most dynamic forces in the fashion and music world, bringing fresh energy to retro favorites. With his collaboration on the Saucony Grid Jazz 9, Tips reintroduces the iconic silhouette with a theme that resonates deeply: “I Love You But I’m Busy.” The phrase reflects the delicate balancing act between personal relationships and an entrepreneurial, creative lifestyle, the constant negotiation between ambition and connection.
The design roots trace back to a hat Tips created inspired by a Mickey Mouse, and Ralph Lauren collaboration with the NFL. That early influence resulted in a sneaker palette that is vibrant and bold: rich blue suede overlays collide with pops of pink, yellow, silver, orange, red and black, creating a lively, expressive shoe. Completing the collaborative touch, a hangtag featuring Jae Tips’ flower logo is attached to the laces, making the sneaker a fully personalized statement piece.
Construction combines a breathable mesh upper with suede and synthetic overlays, while custom tongue branding, an embroidered heel, and a specially designed insole elevate the overall design. What sets this sneaker apart is the signature details on the heel: the left shoe reads “I Love You,” while the right completes the sentiment with “But I’m Busy.” It’s a message that thousands of creatives can relate to.
Travis Scott Fragment Air Jordan 1 Low OG
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Travis Scott’s sneaker collaborations continue to sell out in seconds, and this release was no exception. Fueled by the excitement of a rare three-way partnership between Fragment Design, Jordan Brand and Travis Scott, the sneaker instantly became one of the most sought-after drops of the year.
The design leans into a familiar yet elevated Air Jordan 1 formula. A white leather upper serves as the foundation, accented by chalked edges and a mix of military blue, black, and sail. Military blue details appear across the outsole and accents, while sail hits the tongue and midsole for a vintage-inspired finish. A distinctive lace tie positioned just above the toebox adds a unique touch we haven’t seen before.
Branding is split cleanly between collaborators. Cactus Jack logos land on the left heel, while Fragment’s iconic lightning bolt is paired with the Jordan Wings logo on the right. Travis’ signature reversed Swoosh returns on the lateral side, this time in Fragment’s unmistakable blue, while the medial Swoosh remains in its traditional placement. The sneaker ships with black and pink alternate laces as well.
This release marks the third three-way collaboration between Travis Scott and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design on the Air Jordan 1, a partnership that continues to dominate sneaker culture whenever it resurfaces.
Typically, lists like mine focus on sneakers that most of the community had a fair chance to purchase. However, this pair demanded an exception. The Fragment x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 shattered raffle records, drawing millions into digital queues and logging approximately 4.4 million legitimate entries, making it one of the most coveted sneaker releases ever.
Pharrell Williams adidas VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish
Image Credit: Christopher Claxton
When Pharrell Williams collaborates with adidas, the sneaker world takes notice. Since their partnership began in 2014, Pharrell and adidas have consistently delivered forward-thinking, boundary-pushing designs, and the VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish stands out as one of the most anticipated and innovative releases of 2025.
This sneaker embodies Pharrell’s signature intersection of music, fashion and design: inspired by the fluidity of a jellyfish, the silhouette features an exaggerated midsole that echoes floating gills, layered mesh panels, and exoskeletal side details for depth and texture. Subtle branding, including “VIRGINIA” on the upper and “Jellyfish” on the insole, ties the design back to Pharrell’s roots while reinforcing its futuristic aesthetic.
The Adistar Jellyfish reimagines adidas’ performance heritage into a sculpture-like, avant-garde sneaker that remains wearable. Its playful, chunky form is a direct nod to the era of bold, oversized sneakers, proving that exaggerated silhouettes are far from dead. Nature-inspired, fashion-forward, and distinctly Pharrell, this design balances creativity with function in a way few others can.
The release sold out instantly on the VIRGINIA website, the adidas Confirmed app, and select stores, and it continues to command attention on the secondary market. More than just a sneaker, the Jellyfish marks another step in Pharrell’s ongoing effort to explore his culture, identity, and roots through innovative adidas collaborations.
