The 10 Best Sneakers Of 2025 (So Far)

 
The mid-way point of the year is a good time to look back and review the best sneaker releases to hit the market. And let’s be real: all of us have taken Ls on launch dates, which is why trusted secondary marketplaces like KICKS CREW are important in keeping our rotations fresh, and most importantly, authentic.

 
Originally launching in 2021, KICKS CREW was created to deliver the most-coveted hot-ticket sneakers and gear to a global community. With an emphasis on a seamless digital experience for both buyers and sellers, KICKS CREW has quickly established itself as a strong source to obtain many shoes like the ones featured on this super-exclusive list.

 
With that said, selecting a “best of” in any category is no easy task and even if a shoe seems to check off all the boxes of what may typically define a great sneaker release, it still might not make our cut.

 
Our list Best Sneakers Of 2025 (So Far) follows one piece of hard criteria: It must have officially launched to the wide public before July 1st. Mini-drops at Fashion Week or early pairs at hyper-local activations don’t count. The rest is dependent on design, the back-story, and whether or not it left people wanting more. Of course, our entire list of kicks are available at KICKS CREW if you’re still missing any of these.

 
Without further ado, here’s our 10 Best Sneakers Of 2025 (so far)….

10. VANDYTHEPINK x ASICS GEL-Nimbus 10.1 Among ASICS’ noteworthy collaborations of 2025, their partnership with VANDYTHEPINK stands above all. A brand with roots in South Korea and a home base in the DMV area, VANDYTHEPINK is absolutely tapped in as one of the most coveted creative partners in the game. When they’re not making jaw-dropping capsules with Pokémon, or concocting custom gear for New Jeans, they’re implementing a playful “Banana Split” take on the GEL-Nimbus 10.1. If it needed any more validators, a massive line that wrapped the block for their NYC pop-up seals the deal. Grab both colorways now from KICKS CREW.

9. Air Jordan 1 Hi ’85 “Bred” Acting as the face of Jordan Brand’s UNBANNABLE campaign with the Air Jordan 1 Hi ’85 “Bred”, touted as the most exacting replication of the original. Mega-limited in number and only available at 23 specific locations in North America, this sneaker coerced thousands of Jumpman loyalists to these stores just to enter raffles. Certainly a taste of what it used to be like, which is why the Air Jordan 1 Hi ’85 “Bred” hits the number 9 spot on the list. If you took an L like all of us, get your pair here.

8. Kobe Bryant x Nike Air Force 1 Protro “Frobe” After his retirement from the game, Kobe Bryant’s dedication to excellence pushed Nike into the creation of the Kobe Protro aka the Performance Retro. Those principles eventually led to the creation of the first-ever Air Force 1 Protro. The decades-old model was updated with a ReactX drop-in sole and modified traction for improved wearability off the court, while the reworked classic was introduced through rich storytelling aspects that any Black Mamba fan would enjoy. These have sold out immediately, but KICKS CREW has you covered.

7. New Balance Abzorb 2000 New Balance landed on the perfect intersection of new and nostalgia with several of its fresh models in the 2020s decade. Somehow, they’ve managed to raise the bar again with the Abzorb 2000, an all-new silhouette that easily captures the heart of NB’s comfort-driven running models with cutting edge tech and design. With the heritage-inspired “Still Water” colorway leading the way, the Boston brand may have another modern classic on their hands. If you were unable to secure a pair on launch date, get ‘em here.

6. Nike SB Dunk Low “Rodeo” Nike’s Skateboarding wing continues to set the standard in the art of storytelling through sneakers. The “Rodeo” concept was an homage to the forgotten history of black ranchers and cowboys that revolutionized the competition; motifs of the classic American West aesthetic with a striking Tourmaline green colorway made these one of the must-have sneakers of the year, instantly disappearing from skate shop shelves and SNKRS. If you’re still looking to add these to the rotation, KICKS CREW has pairs ready to be lassoed in.

5. Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Caitlin Clark” Just barely making the cut for the first-half of 2025 is Nike’s first-ever sneaker release for the one and only Caitlin Clark. Inarguably the most needle-moving pro hooper in the US, the star of the Indiana Fever stepped forward in a special edition Nike Kobe 5 Protro colorway that was originally intended to be for her feet only. With a limited launch on SNKRS and at select stores, the Kobe 5 Protro “Caitlin Clark” stands as one of the most sought after pairs in the aftermarket. Lace yours up now on KICKS CREW.

4. Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined” If there was any indication that Jordan culture is still alive and well, look no further than February’s drop of the Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined”. Playing a second fiddle of sorts given the hype and attention surrounding the Air Jordan 1 Hi ’85, this twist on the classic still managed to exceed expectations. If you missed out on any online and in-store drops, now is the time to secure your pair before prices continue to trend upwards.

3. Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star 2.0” With the NBA crowning the All-Star Game MVP trophy after the late Kobe Bryant, the mid-February classic has become one of the key dates in Nike’s year-long calendar of Kobe drops. For the 2025 All-Star Game, the Swoosh stepped it up by modifying the TPU exterior of the Kobe 6 Protro, replacing the iconic snakeskin scales with a star-studded pattern—the first time such an alteration was made on the iconic model. If there’s one pair of Kobes to cop in 2025, these are it.

2. Nike Air Max 95 OG “Neon” The Air Max 95 is no stranger to the game, but with Nike taking the necessary steps to restore the original shape and structure of the model, these were practically a new shoe. Paired with the timeless “Neon” colorway that was born in 1995, this Air Max 95 OG became one of the most important sneakers of the first-half of 2025—and likely the entire year. With limited units in circulation, the Neon 95s are simply a must-have. KICKS CREW has ‘em available now.

1. Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick” Taking the crown of the best sneaker of the first-half of 2025 is Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick”. Thoughtful storytelling, impeccable execution in design, and the BIKE AIR on the heel plate made this AJ4 the unanimous top prize of the first half. With six months left in the year, will another sneaker knock it off the top spot? Pairs are only increasing in value, so better lock yours in now on KICKS CREW before its too late.