Top 5 Sneaker Drops of 2025 -- What has the throne?

As spring approaches, there have been several sneaker launches and so much buzz from Fashion Week in the beginning months of the year. Although Fashion Week is inspiring, along with this, the buzz of keeping up with worldly events tends to consume attention naturally. Here are five sneakers that could have fallen through the cracks amidst the action of the year and what they inspire stylistically.  
Brody Junge, of Junge Footwear, uses a sewing machine while working on the upper portion of a sneaker as he prepares for his handmade sneaker collection launch with Bogosplit in Assembly Square in Somerville, while working inside his workshop in Andover, Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Brody Junge, of Junge Footwear, uses a sewing machine while working on the upper portion of a sneaker as he prepares for his handmade sneaker collection launch with Bogosplit in Assembly Square in Somerville, while working inside his workshop in Andover, Thursday, June 29, 2023. | Wicked Local Staff Photo/David Sokol / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nike Women's Air Max Muse Black / Metallic Silver

These shoes were released at the beginning of January, and there wasn’t too much attention paid to them. The chrome silver blending with the black creates an avant-garde feel, but the shoe's shape balances everything out, giving it a versatile feel. The thickness of the material the laces pass through makes them seem snug, adding to the sleekness of the overall shoe.

Styling these shoes is easy because this Air Max colorway is so simple: black and metallic grey. These can be worn easily with jeans, a tank top, and accessories that pull together the silver. Or, if the sporty feel is more your vibe, these shoes would look great with an all-black workout set and a baggy leather jacket or crop puffer. Either way, this is a great statement piece that can be dressed up or down. Who doesn’t love the practicality of a loud colorway that’s still versatile?

Purchase here.

Women's Air Jordan 3: Treat Yourself

There needed to be an all-pink shoe included in the selection because pink shoes can be such a fun contrast for women and men. This Valentine’s launch date Jordan is the perfect pink shoe launch of the year. Air Jordan 3 silhouettes are also very easy to style, and, based on how they can be styled, they look best worn in a casual-chic way. The baby pink hue with white accents keeps the shoe feeling more soft rather than vibrant, which makes it more flexible.

In all honesty, it’s easy to envision this shoe as a statement piece for a super baggy all-white blazer outfit and dainty jewelry. For a more relaxed vibe, this pair can be easily worn with baggy jeans, a tank top, and a jacket. The beauty of sneakers is that with the right outfit, it can be easy to style any shoe in an elevated and fun way. Something about the baby pink color softens out the shape for it to feel more comfortable to wear.

Purchase here.

Sporty & Rich x Adidas Originals

The color and texture of this shoe line feel like a modern-day 80s shoe. The colors available have depth to them, but at the same time, because they have a suede texture, they give the shoe a more old-school feel. The white accents on the laces, the back ankle piece, and the iconic three stripes add dimension and sharpness to the old-school look. The tan color of the sole also adds to the general feel of the shoe and looks good with all the color options.

The outfit that comes to mind with these shoes is light-wash baggy jeans and a tank top. When looking at the Adidas Gazelle for this collaboration, it feels like a pair meant to be worn doing something casual. Alternatively, the image that comes to mind when dressing the shoe up would be to match the outfit color with the shoe and have an accessory like sunglasses add dimension. Overall, this is a timeless launch, and the color options add a playfulness to the line.

Purchase here.

JULIANA SALAZAR x GEL-KAYANO 14

What makes the asics Gel-Kayano 14 feel trendy but "quiet" is that it can feel like a New Balance without the loudness of the logo. This particular shoe emphasizes that essence. The detail of the blue gel at the heel of the shoe is nostalgic for the old-school running shoes from the 90’s and early 2000 era. Tying into that 90’s feeling detail of the show is the off-white color of the shoe as well. It overall has a great structure with a colorway that brings everything together.

Automatically, the image that comes to mind when wearing this shoe is the sporty look. It looks sturdy enough to be worn throughout a workout, but at the same time, it could pull together a cool sweatsuit look as well. This is also the type of shoe that, with time, the natural wear and tear, will add more personality. Making it the designated beat-up shoe that can come in handy if you don’t want to ruin a fresh pair of sneakers. Generally, this is a great basic staple shoe because it’s excellent for those with an active lifestyle.

Purchase here.

Nike Book 1: “Forrest Gump”

This launch of the Nike Book 1 definitely lives up to the "Forrest Gump essence." The colors used makes it look as if it belongs to the sporty 90’s jock. The mid-cut of the shoe and the thickness of the sole make it seem like an old-school shoe. More importantly, the color of the shoes creates a sense of familiarity with the past. The small fringe detail in the section of the laces that are tying together adds a nice dimension, making it feel unique.

Generally speaking, this is an easy pair of shoes to dress up or down since the colors (blue, white, and red), along with the shape, make it feel nostalgic. This can easily be dressed up and down because it can be treated like a staple for a white sneaker. Even if this is dressed with a more sporty look, it would bring a good pop to a matching set. Despite the blue and red colors, it is treated as an all-white shoe when styling works because the colors are all “neutral.”

Purchase here.

Overall, these are some sneaker drops that go hard so far into the year. Considering we are only wrapping up the first portion of the year, it’s exciting to see what upcoming drops will capture consumer attention. Of course, underthelaces will keep you posted on news and updates!