Just like that, January is nearly halfway over. As New Year’s resolutions begin to take hold (or not), brands are starting to ramp up their output once again. This week’s list of notable footwear drops involves many Lunar New Year-themed pairs, with HOKA, Salomon, Nike, adidas, New Balance and ASICS all contributing. Before we walk you through all 10 entries, let’s look back at what news from the sneaker space caught our eye this past week.
Nike Basketball kicked things off with its presentation of the Kobe line’s special Year of the Mamba collection, plus a preview of two additional sneakers from the franchise that are dropping soon as well. Supreme’s SB Dunk Low collaboration was a topic of conversation yet again with its “Black” colorway being previewed. RIOT Skateshop had its SB Dunk Low officially unveiled ahead of its release next week as well. Another Hiroshi Fujiwara-led Nike collaboration popped up, this time a fragment design x Nike Air Force 1 Low and Air Presto hybrid sample. Looking to the Jumpman side of the Swoosh business, we caught an early look at the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3 “Diffused Blue” that is due to drop in March. A first look at the Mother’s Day-themed Air Jordan 4 “Forget Me Not” also hit the net and that’s not all for the AJ4 — a more complete visual breakdown of this year’s “White Cement” re-release was shared.
Elsewhere in the industry, Stadium Goods announced that its New York City storefront is closing as it focuses its business around online sales. Ye re-entered the footwear conversation as his new YZY slippers — the SL-01 — dropped for $20 USD. Another slip-on to catch our eye was the reveal of the Dragon Ball Z x Crocs Classic Clog “Goku.” New Balance’s 1906L adds to the list of laceless models to be discussed as both its new “Rich Oak” and “Black Suede” renditions surfaced. Taqwa Bint Ali’s adidas Adistar Pose collaboration rounded out last week with its shimmering silver finish.
With all of the past week’s key headlines recapped, let’s dive into this week’s list of the ten most exciting sneaker releases, starting with HOKA’s Year of The Snake-inspired “Tech Stealth” pack. After you make your way through all ten, head over to HBX to shop styles that are available to purchase today.
HOKA Restore Chukka & Mafate THREE2 “Tech Stealth”
Release Date: January 15
Release Price: ¥20,350 JPY (approx. $129 USD) to ¥29,700 JPY (approx. $188 USD)
Where to Buy: HOKA
Why You Should Cop: As Lunar New Year celebrations near, brands are continuing to commemorate the event by producing special colorways of silhouettes. For HOKA, its “Tech Stealth” collection sees both the Restore Chukka and Mafate THREE2 sport looks inspired by the Year of the Snake. Each see a cobra-like pattern adorn the upper of an otherwise all-black rendition of the two models. On top of this, the Mafate THREE2 is rounded out by a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
Sandy Liang x Salomon XT-Whisper
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $150 USD
Where to Buy: Sandy Liang
Why You Should Cop: New York-based designer Sandy Liang has been putting out hit after hit with Salomon the past few years. They’re now kicking off 2025 by connecting on the XT-Whisper — a 2000 design that just returned to shelves at the end of last year. Liang offers a distinct pink and silver palette across the sneaker, leveraging its layered build that features a Quicklace lacing system and SensiFit technology for just the right fit. Sandy Liang branding is also visible at the tongue and sockliner.
Nike KD 17 “Easy Money”
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Kevin “Easy Money Sniper” Durant is back with a new “Easy Money” colorway of his signature shoe series. This time around, he’s taken the theme quite literally as the shoe is covered in his own currency that features both his face and jersey number of 35. In case that’s not enough for you, the pair is even louder with its color-shifting arrangement that includes blue, purple, green, pink and yellow mixed together.
CLOT x adidas Superstar “Lunar New Year”
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: JUICE
Why You Should Cop: Since CLOT has made its pivot from its Nike partnership back to adidas last year, the two brands have been working together constantly. Throughout their first year of work, the Superstar was a recurring silhouette that was modified, a trend that is continuing into the new year as the two are back with a Year of the Snake-themed take on the shoe alongside matching apparel as well. Rich textures across the upper are backed by a spiked sole unit as thematic accessories tie the theme together.
Nike Air Force 1 Low “All-Star”
Release Date: January 16
Release Price: $130 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: The Nike Air Force 1 Low has strong ties to hip-hop and the Swoosh is tapping into this with another pair dedicated to the cultural movement. A black suede base is joined by a shimmering chrome-like finish at the Swooshes and heel. However, that’s not all — the shoe’s mudguard features reflective detailing that reveals a tonal graffiti print. From there, a star-shaped dubrae brings the “All-Star” theme together.
JJJJound x New Balance 993 “Mushroom/White”
Release Date: January 16 (JJJJound) and 17 (New Balance)
Release Price: TBC
Where to Buy: JJJJound and New Balance
Why You Should Cop: JJJJound and New Balance have finally teamed up to present their own take on the 993, tapping Teddy Santis’ MADE in USA line. Spotted at the end of 2024 in two colorways, the “Mushroom/White” look kicks things off this week. Its suede and mesh upper combines gray and brown while reflectivity is delivered at the uppermost tongue overlay. JJJJound branding is present at both the heel and sockliner while the pair is bundled up in special co-branded packaging.
Travis Scott x Nike Zoom Field Jaxx “Light Chocolate”
Release Date: January 19
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Travis Scott launched not one, but two of his own shoe designs in 2024 — one with the Swoosh and another with Jordan Brand. His Nike silhouette — the Zoom Field Jaxx — is set to arrive in “Light Chocolate” as the second colorway from the duo. While it lacks Scott’s typical flipped lateral Swoosh, the pair does come equipped with Cactus Jack branding at the tongue and heel while the color scheme leans on the dark brown that he’s become known for.
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20 “Blue Neptune” & “Black/Pure Silver”
Release Date: January 17
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: ASICS
Why You Should Cop: Hot off of a potent resurgence in 2024 — one that involved collaborations with everyone from NIGO at KENZO to Kiko Kostadinov — the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20 is back in two new in-line looks. “Blue Neptune” sees the sneaker begin with a light blue and contrast it with black across its various overlays. White and green also enter the mix at the midsole. As for the “Black/Pure Silver” version of the shoe, it sees a black mesh base accompanied by strong silver detailing at its many overlays as blue and white adorn the midsole.
Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba”
Release Date: January 18
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: Nike China
Why You Should Cop: Nike Basketball kicked off its celebration of the Lunar New Year last week with the release of the “Eggplant”-colored version of the Kobe 5 Protro “Year of the Mamba.” Now, its “University Red” counterpart is ready to drop as an exclusive to China. It also sees a golden snake run across its lateral, combining with the red base for an on-theme color combination.
adidas AE1 Low “Year of the Snake”
Release Date: January 18
Release Price: $110 USD
Where to Buy: adidas
Why You Should Cop: Last but not least, Anthony Edwards and adidas Basketball are participating in the Lunar New Year cheer in 2025 as a “Year of the Snake” version of the adidas AE1 Low has been readied. The sneaker begins with its signature molded upper sporting a vibrant iridescent finish. As for the uppermost layer, it utilizes a snakeskin-esque pattern instead of the plain black that the model typically favors.
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