The Hypebae Best: Defining Sneakers and Footwear of 2025
As the calendar turns to 2025, the highly anticipated Hypebae Best returns—an annual, meticulously curated guide to the year’s most exceptional sneakers and footwear. This season, the industry is invigorated by boundary-pushing collaborations, where legendary sportswear brands partner with visionary female creatives. Together, they are crafting design narratives that are both disruptive and destined for cult followings.
Collaborative Innovation: A New Era for Sneaker Culture
2025’s landscape is electrified by daring reinventions and bold partnerships that redefine the meaning of iconic. Collina Strada’s transformative take on the PUMA Mostro has enchanted sneaker aficionados, while KNWLS’ inaugural collaboration with Nike commanded headlines across Milan’s runways. Nostalgia for the early 2000s is palpable, as brands like Saucony and METAGIRL catapult classic silhouettes into the future. Meanwhile, SHUSHU/TONG’s ongoing partnership with ASICS elegantly balances delicate aesthetics with technical innovation.
Redefining the Classics: Standout Collaborations
This year’s sneaker scene is characterized by collaborations that breathe new life into legacy silhouettes. PUMA’s sophomore union with Collina Strada delivers irreverence and vitality to the Mostro, featuring oversized floral tongue flaps and a cacophony of nostalgic prints—a perfect reflection of Collina Strada’s subversive ethos.
KNWLS’ much-anticipated debut with Nike made a resounding statement at Milan Fashion Week. Their Air Max Muse ballet flat—distinguished by its pointed toe and corset-inspired lacing—seamlessly marries athletic dynamism with sophisticated femininity, rendered in vibrant colorways that signal a bold new era.
Saucony’s first-ever collaboration with METAGIRL introduces the ProGrid Paramount reimagined with intricate, hand-sculpted embellishments, pearls, and lace. The “Daughter of the Moon” edition, featuring the Triumph 4 sole and a 3D-printed heel, evokes a futuristic, ethereal Y2K sensibility.
Elsewhere, SHUSHU/TONG and ASICS return with the GEL-KINETIC FLUENT—a harmony of romantic frills and technical prowess, resulting in a silhouette that is at once soft, structured, and undeniably modern.
Artistry Ascendant: Hybrids, Heels, and Sculptural Statements
Designers this season are unafraid to challenge convention, embracing hybrid forms and sculptural heels that command attention. Crocs’ inspired collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier propels the Bae Clog into the realm of couture: think sky-high platforms in soft hues, finished with satin vamps and corset lacing. The result is a marriage of comfort and audacity, executed with unforgettable flair.
Melissa’s partnership with Diesel births the Quantum Sneaker X—a genderless, architectural marvel at the intersection of streetwear and luxury. adidas Originals joins forces with AVAVAV, injecting radical playfulness into sportswear with the Moonrubber Megaride: a voluminous, sculpted sneaker paired with sharply tailored outerwear, making a statement both on and off the runway.
Boots Reimagined: Icons and New Vanguards
Timeless silhouettes are not overlooked amid this creative renaissance. Timberland’s collaboration with TELFAR brings urban chic to the forefront, transforming a classic into a contemporary staple. Dr. Martens lends a bold, subversive twist to Marc Jacobs’ iconic Kiki boot, while emerging London designer Lili Curia signals the rise of a new generation, reimagining boots for those who crave innovation and individuality.
Women at the Forefront: The Creative Vanguard
Threaded through this year’s standout releases is the unmistakable influence of female creatives, who are shaping the future of footwear with vision and authority. Susan Fang’s poetic reinterpretation of the Nike Air Max Muse—delicate blush-pink laces and floral charms set against pristine white and silver—exemplifies this artistry. Salomon continues its commitment to female-led design with Ama’s ethereal XT-Whisper Void, underscoring a pivotal shift toward inclusivity and narrative-driven craftsmanship across the industry.
The Future of Footwear: 2025 and Beyond
With an editorial eye attuned to both heritage and innovation, our team has selected this year’s most memorable releases—footwear destined to set the tone for seasons to come. Discover the silhouettes poised to shape the year ahead and immerse yourself in a curation that stands at the intersection of legacy, groundbreaking design, and the creative vision of a new generation.
