All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you thought 2023 was big for trainers, wait until you hear about the best sneakers of 2024. We're not even halfway through, but it's already been pretty spicy. From collabs that we never thought would actually end up dropping, to colourways that we never thought we'd actually see come back, it's a packed out line-up.
Obviously, this isn't an exhaustive list. But these are, without question, some of the best sneakers of 2024. We're pretty stoked about them. And you should be, too.
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.
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.
Ever since A$AP Rocky was announced as the creative director for Puma's Formula 1 partnership, everyone's had one question in mind: will there be sneakers? And yes, there are: introducing the A$AP Rocky x Puma Inhale OG ‘Summer Melon.’ Giving the 2000s silhouette a refresh, it features the same mesh construction, CMEVA foam midsole, and Formstrip detailing, but it's now been A$AP-ified with a custom footbed and a sweet new shoebox.
Bode x Nike Astro Grabber SP ‘Black’
The Bode x Nike Astro Grabber SP ‘Black’ is probably one of the most unexpected collabs of the year. Presented as part of its Autumn 2024 line-up, it's a re-up of a silhouette first launched in ‘72. And exactly 50 years later, it’s getting its getting a second wind with the queen of Americana craft in Emily Adams Bode Aujla.
If wild sneakers are your thing, the Cactus Plant Flea Market x Nike Air Force 1 ‘Fuchsia’ is your perfect date. Plus, it's so bright you wouldn't be able to ignore it even if you wanted to. The sequel to the first collection from 2019, it's essentially a mad mash-up between the Air Force 1 and the Air More Uptempo.
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 wild, too.
The 991v2 was only announced at the end of last year, but thanks to collabs from the likes of Stone Island and the Daniëlle Cathari x New Balance 991v2 ‘Matcha,’ it's quickly becoming one of the Boston brand's hype-iest models. Inspired by your very pricey Starbucks order, it covers the shoe in a very lovely green suede.
When photos of the Futura Laboratories x Nike SB Dunk Low ‘Bleached Aqua’ first surfaced at the end of last year, sneakerheads felt something shift. Made in collaboration with graffiti artist Futura, there's an all-canvas build, and it's overlaid by custom artwork that was created specifically for this special release. Judging by the fact that previous Futura sneakers currently resale for up to £90k, we can see the same thing happening with this one.
If you've never heard of Hidden.NY before, we have two questions for you. Firstly: where have you been? And secondly: what's wrong with you? Made in partnership with everyone's fave social media moodboard, the Hidden.NY x Asics Gel-NYC ‘White’ might look simple, but it's actually packed full of cool details that nod to the digital realm.
Back in the early 2000s, trainer collabs were extremely rare. So, when the Huf x Nike Air Max 1 ‘Medium Grey’ was revealed, it was a massive deal. A team-up with 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.
This year, New Balance is bringing back the 1000 silhouette in full force. But rather than just re-issuing one of the original white and silver colourways (boooring) from 1998, it's going all-out with the Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 1000 ‘Black Ice.’
Few trainers have influenced British street culture like the Nike Air Max Plus OG ‘Voltage Purple’. When it first hit shelves in 1998, it became the de facto sneaker of the grime scene. And, while a 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, OG colourways such as the Nike Dunk Low ‘Brazil’ still get a lot of love within the community. Originally introduced in '01, this was made exclusively for Japan. While it did get a global release in 2020, if you didn't manage to secure your size, 2024's gonna be your year.
The Salehe Bembury x New Balance 1906R ‘Lava’ is one of the most hyped link-ups between the crown prince of sneakers and everyone's favourite dad shoe. 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.
To many sneaker guys, the Air Max Dn is Nike's greatest innovation since the OG Air Max 1 from way back when. That's a big statement to make, and a big drop like this deserves an even bigger collab in the form of the Supreme x Nike Air Max Dn ‘Black.’ Fitted with an absurdly chunky Dynamic Air midsole, everything is now comfier and bouncier than ever before.
Travis Scott and Nike have been working together for over seven years now, but while the Texas-born rapper's always worked on models that were already around (like the Air Force 1 and the Air Jordan 4), things are about to change. For his first all-original silhouette ever, the Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack ‘Sail’ borrows elements from old school basketball sneakers, skate shoes, and tennis trainers. The result? One of the best sneakers of 2024.
The Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Away’ is a collab like no other. Why? Because it was made in partnership with MJ's son, Marcus, and his Trophy Room store. Featuring a ‘Reverse Black Toe’ colour palette, these Air Jordans are constructed from premium leather, and the lacing system and toebox are both decked out in a red polyester fabric that's inspired by Jordan Sr's Bulls jersey.
