If you thought 2023 was big for trainers, wait until you check out some of the best sneakers of 2024. We know that the year has literally only just begun, but from what we've seen so far, we can already tell that the next 12 months are going to be juicy. From collabs that we never thought would actually release, to colourways that we never thought would actually come back, if you're into good, good shoes, then this year is the one.
Obviously, this isn't an exhaustive list (I mean, come on), but these are without question some of the best sneakers of 2024. We're pretty stoked about them, and you should be too, so let's talk about it.
Last summer, Teddy Santis took the wraps off of the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 ‘White.’ And now, after months and months (and even more months) of waiting, the hotly-anticipated collab is finally ready to drop. Revealed as part of a three-shoe collection, this creamy version is definitely the most understated and low-key of the trio. But it's the cleanest, the most versatile, and – most importantly – it embodies everything that ALD does right.
If you (like pretty much every single one of us) didn't manage to secure the Air Jordan 1 High 85 ‘Metallic Burgundy’ back in the day, then you're in luck. After almost four decades on ice, the legendary trainer is finally making a comeback in its original colour, shape, and form. World-renowned for being one of the first colourways to hit Michael Jordan's signature shoe, it boasts a premium leather construction and it's accented with fiery metallic red tones throughout. So spicy.
Every Chinese New Year, the industry's heaviest hitters launch sneaker collections that are inspired by that particular year's zodiac sign. And for 2024, Nike and Jordan Brand have unleashed the Air Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Year of the Dragon.’ Covered from heel to toe in green scales (because dragons), it's contrasted by fiery red tones as a symbol of luck, and metallic gold ones to represent prosperity. Rumour has it that only 5,000 were made, so you might as well just accept the L now.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: the Air Jordan 4 ‘Bred Reimagined’ is, without question, one of the best sneakers of 2024. The latest shoe to drop as part of the insanely-hyped ‘Reimagined’ line (which also included the ‘Lost & Found,’ btw), this takes the original Air Jordan 4 ‘Bred’ from 1989 and switches out the suede for tumbled leather instead. The change itself is very, very subtle, but that's not going to stop it from selling out in minutes – if not seconds.
Atmos and Asics go way, way back. Over the past two decades or so, the duo have worked on countless collections together, including sneakers, plenty of apparel, and lots and lots of accessories. To kick off the new year, the Hommyo Hidefumi-helmed label has taken the wraps off of the Atmos x Asics Gel-Kayano 14 ‘Tokyo Nightlife.’ A love letter to the Japanese capital's clubbing scene, it's dark, it's moody, and it's actually kinda sexy.
At the end of 2023, Clot's Edison Chen announced that, after 18 years, it was ending its relationship with Nike. The break-up was a tough one, but the Hong Kong-based streetwear label bounced back with the Clot x Adidas Superstar ‘Cloud White.’ Giving the classic silhouette a brogue-ish makeover, it's decorated with very fancy perforations across the sidewalls and even comes with its own loafer-like tassel. That ultra-toothy sole is hella wild, too.
Back in the early 2000s, trainer collabs were extremely rare. Unlike these days when a new one gets announced every single week, that just didn't happen much then. So, when the Huf x Nike Air Max 1 ‘Medium Grey’ was revealed, it was a pretty massive deal. Made in partnership with legendary skater Keith Hufnagel, these are coming back just in time to celebrate its 20th bday. One of the best sneakers of 2004 is about to become one of the best sneakers of 2024.
JJJJound has come a long, long way since its Tumblr moodboard days. Now, it's one of the biggest and most influential names in streetwear, dropping trainers such as the JJJJound x Adidas Samba ‘Off-White.’ Marking the Justin Saunders company's first collab with Adidas, its take on the '40s classic keeps it clean with creamy leather and light grey suede. All of this then sits on top of a gum rubber sole, just like the original Sambas of yore.
In case you didn't realise already, this year's going to be huge for restocks. And if you needed even more proof, check out the Nike ACG Air Exploraid ‘Ash Green.’ First released all the way back in 1999 (when many sneakerheads weren't even born yet), this trail shoe launched as part of the ‘All Conditions Gear’ series. And, with gorpcore being as hype-y as it is, the American sportswear company has dived head-first into its archives just to bring it back.
The Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Linen’ probably needs a bit of context. In the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Nike was trying its best to get into the Japanese market. To entice potential new customers, it introduced the Concept Japan line (or CO.JP, for short) which was full of colourways that were made exclusively for the country. This was one of those colourways, and after over two decades of waiting, it's finally getting a global drop. Patience is a virtue and all that.
If you ask absolutely anyone which trainer has had the most impact on British culture, chances are the Nike Air Max Plus OG ‘Voltage Purple’ will get a special shoutout. When it first hit shelves in 1998, it immediately became the official uniform of the grime scene. Anyone who was anyone had a pair, and while a helluva lot has changed since the days of pirate radio, the preferred sneaker hasn't. These will forever be fire.
While it's true that hype surrounding the Dunk isn't what it was even, like, two years ago, OG colourways such as the Nike Dunk Low ‘Brazil’ still get a lot of love within the community. Originally introduced in 2001, like the ‘Linen,’ this was first made exclusively for Japan. However, unlike the ‘Linen,’ this one actually released globally in 2020. If you still manage to secure your size, 2024's gonna be your year. We can feel it.
While the Nike SB Dunk Low ‘City of Love’ looks very simple and very clean, there's some good lore behind it. Crafted from panels and panels of suede, it's painted mostly in white and grey tones. This has been specifically done so that the red stitching on the midsole pops even harder. It's also a nod to the traditional Chinese story of the red thread of fate, which says that those who are destined to fall in love are connected to each other by an invisible cord. So cute.
You just can't talk about the best trainers of 2024 without mentioning the Salehe Bembury x New Balance 1906R ‘Lava.’ Over the past couple of years, the New York City-based designer has done some big, big things with the Boston sportswear company. And, of all the projects that the duo have worked on together, this is one of the best. Releasing as part of a two-shoe collection, it's inspired by fire and volcanoes and all things hot and spicy.
Back in 2006, Nike tapped graffiti artist Josh Franklin (aka Stash) for the Stash x Nike Air Max 95 ‘Black.’ Originally revealed as part of the ‘Artist Series,’ the AM95 featured a black and blue colour combo, and was covered in suede throughout. It also rested on top of a paint-splattered midsole and sold out in mere minutes. If you didn't manage to grab a pair back then, it's making a very unexpected comeback after 18 whole years. I guess miracles do happen after all.
