We began the year by previewing 25 sneaker releases to look forward to in 2025. Then, we curated a roundup of 10 models to watch out for from 10 different brands. Now that we’ve made it over halfway through the year, there’s a new query at the top of our minds: which new designs are driving the conversation forward and ultimately defining this year in footwear?
There’s been no shortage of familiarity in footwear this year. From the umpteenth Air Jordan 1 anniversary launch to more adidas Gazelles than you can count. While the availability of these classics is appreciated, it’s the new models that keep things fresh. For our latest snapshot of the sneaker space, we’ve compiled a list of 10 lifestyle sneakers that are making waves and have recently entered the market this year.
New Balance 204L
Joyce Li/Hypebeast/Ronnie Fieg/New Balance
Joyce Li/Hypebeast/Ronnie Fieg/New Balance
Joyce Li/Hypebeast/Ronnie Fieg/New Balance
Sportswear brands have a known strategy of “pre-heating” a model before making it widely available. This process often involves high-profile collaborations and limited drops that generate excitement for a shoe before unleashing a salvo of general releases. At New Balance, the deconstructed “super light” versions of the 530, featuring Miu Miu, have repelled price-conscious consumers for years. The 204L’s however, is exciting for those with a smaller budget, as it boasts a similar slim style (albeit without the luxury stamp of approval and its thousand-dollar price tag). Its low-profile structure is informed by retro runners and its lead “Mushroom” look borrows from Miu Miu’s playbook with a suede upper in light brown. In case that wasn’t enough to entice its audience, the American sportswear brand has already revealed collaborations with Kith, AURALEE, and Basketcase featuring the model before its global debut.
HOKA Speed Loafer
Hoka
Hoka
Hoka
When Junya Watanabe unveiled the New Balance 1906L, the concept of a sneaker loafer was met with polarizing reactions. While we’re exposed to countless flash-in-the-pan trends each month, this one continues to excite (or anger) sneakerheads as more models, such as HOKA’s Speed Loafer, come out. This particular iteration of the trend combines a rugged, oversized Vibram sole with a classic loafer upper. As is the case with many of its contentious contemporaries, obtaining a pair is easier said than done, and its debut all-black look easily fetches several times its retail price on the second-hand market.
Nike Air Max Phenomena
Nike
Nike
Nike
Of course, no trend is safe from the behemoth that is Nike, which has also decided to join the sneaker loafer action. Teaming up with the Serena Williams Design Crew, the Air Max Phenomena was born. Nike built the shoe atop the Air Max Sunder’s tooling and mudguard, pairing it with a pebbled leather, loafer-shaped upper. This casual-leaning option is more sneaker than loafer, however, with a reflective mudguard, minor branding on the strap and heel tab, and a visible Air unit. The shoe debuted this month, and only two colorways have surfaced to date. However, based on the apparent sales success of its lead all-black version, there’s sure to be more on the way.
Pharrell x adidas Jellyfish
Hypetobs/Pusha T
Hypetobs/Pusha T
Hypetobs/Pusha T
Paris Fashion Week never fails to deliver exciting footwear previews alongside its high-octane ready-to-wear spectacles. Take adidas, for instance: the brand capitalized on the moment twice this year, starting with a new design made in collaboration with Pharrell. While the multi-hyphenate’s attention has largely shifted from the Three Stripes to other ventures, notably his role as creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear, the impact of his touch remains as potent as ever. He’s now brought his revered eye for design back to adidas to create the Jellyfish sneaker. This bold design reinterprets the Adistar Cushion, enlarging it with prominent dimensions thanks to the oversized overlays. Rich linework and a premium synthetic composition give the shoe a futuristic finish, all the while connecting to a new branding identity that nods to Pharrell’s home state of Virginia. While an adidas x Louis Vuitton collaboration may never happen, Pharrell closing his runway shows with new colorways of the Jellyfish sneaker might be the next best thing.
New Balance ABZORB 2000
Soaressssssssssssssss
Soaressssssssssssssss
Soaressssssssssssssss
When thinking of New Balance’s lifestyle footwear, the first things that come to mind are old-school runners with a mixed material upper. Whether it be the classic 990v4 or 1999’s sleek 1000 sneaker, the American sportswear brand has established itself as a go-to for these types of looks. However, the brand has now taken a new direction with the introduction of the ABZORB 2000. The shoe features a contemporary look, with wavy overlays on the streamlined upper that showcase a midfoot “N” logo on the lateral side only. What sets the shoe apart most is its sole unit, which leverages a five-pod ABZORB cushioning system. This eye-catching component replaces the brand’s old-school aesthetics with a modern style more commonly found among its contemporaries.
PUMA Speedcat Ballet
Puma
Puma
Puma
Bulky footwear may have led the charge for a few years, but slim sneakers are making a comeback. Acknowledging this, PUMA has backed several slender silhouettes this year, including a reinterpretation of the Speedcat racing shoe, the Speedcat Ballet. The Speedcat made a comeback last year and is now daintier than ever before. Its graceful shape maintains the lateral Formstrip while gently applying an elastic band system to the forefoot as well. With a co-sign from Dua Lipa and an accessible $80 USD price point, it’s no wonder that this flat has captured the attention of the masses.
ASICS GEL-QUANTUM 360 I AMP
Jjjjound/Asics
Jjjjound/Asics
Jjjjound/Asics
ASICS can thank Kiko Kostadinov for paving the way for the brand’s reinstated relevance. However, the Bulgarian designer is not the only partner who has contributed to the footwear brand’s meteoric rise. The tastemakers at JJJJound have long created colorway recipes that boost sales, with not only their collaborations flying off the shelves but also galvanizing derivative looks. Recognizing this success, ASICS opted to give the Montréal-based label the first opportunity to showcase its newest model, the GEL-QUANTUM 360 I AMP. Designed in celebration of the GEL-QUANTUM franchise’s 10th anniversary, which introduced 360 degrees of GEL technology in the midsole, the minimalist sneaker aligns perfectly with the soft-spoken brand. While the sneaker remains readily available, even in its collaborative white colorway, it’s playing a significant role in shifting the brand away from its tried-and-true looks into a new chapter.
New Balance 1890
Lee Stuart
Lee Stuart
Lee Stuart
New Balance stirred the pot with the 1906L last year, and it has made it clear that it isn’t afraid to step outside the box even further. During Paris Fashion Week last month, the label teased another hybrid sneaker: the New Balance 1890. In terms of design, the silhouette boasts a familiar black ABZORB-based sole unit and a butter yellow upper donning a Clarks Wallabee-esque shape. Not only is this wild pairing a head-turner, but its snakeskin-inspired overlays also bring added contrast. While this is the model we know the least about on the list, it’s only a matter of time until it claims center stage.
Nike Shox Z
Nike
Nike
Nike
Nike is determined to make the Shox franchise a staple this season. We’ve seen countless iterations of the Shox TL, Shox Ride 2, and Shox R4 hit the market in 2025, but the brand has yet to excite a true resurgence. Perhaps, the newest model to make our list could be the final ingredient required. The Nike Shox Z is a silhouette that builds atop decades of history with a contemporary twist. Its sleek structure is inspired by kitten heels, offering a slight lift to the heel thanks to its small Shox unit. Meanwhile, a sculpted upper gives it a luxe touch without overstating its presence. Its lead black and red colorway is a fitting successor to Martine Rose’s beloved Shox MR4 that first disrupted the scene in 2022. It’s far too early to call the shoe a success, but it’s sure to be a model to watch as the year progresses.
adidas Megaride AG
Arab Lincoln/Maxime Frogé/Adidas
Arab Lincoln/Maxime Frogé/Adidas
Arab Lincoln/Maxime Frogé/Adidas
Hybrid sneakers and slim silhouettes are surging in popularity, yet adidas is proving that bulky sneakers still have life left in them. The adidas Megaride AG is another chunky model poised to carve out its niche in the sneaker market this year. Building on the resurgence of the Megaride franchise, the design features the signature tunnels of the midsole, which combine to form a large cushioning structure. A mesh upper hosts intricate linework that keeps the sneaker fluid in motion despite its commanding stature. The Three Stripes ensured the shoe ended up on everyone’s radar during Paris Fashion Week last month, offering one of its hottest partners, Willy Chavarria, the opportunity to emphasize the sneaker’s boldness by drenching it in vibrant colorways of blue and pink.