By Nana Wu 
The panel for the 2025 awards consisted of women with long-standing ties to sneaker culture, including designers, journalists, community organizers, and content creators. The group included Kari Cruz, Ticara Devone, Lee Glandorf, Key Lee, JerLisa, and Smoove. Their collective expertise ensured that the list reflected a diverse range of perspectives, moving beyond performative trends to highlight shoes that have shaped the way consumers interact with footwear. By prioritizing shoes designed by or for women, the awards aim to champion visibility in an industry that has historically been male-dominated, though female design was not a strict prerequisite for inclusion.
The State of the Sneaker Industry in 2025
The 2025 sneaker market was characterized by a transition away from the "chunky" silhouettes that dominated the late 2010s toward low-profile, "terrace-style" designs and high-performance running gear. Market data from 2024 and early 2025 indicated a cooling of the secondary resale market for traditional "hype" shoes, leading brands to focus on limited-edition collaborations and technical innovation to maintain consumer interest. The rise of women’s sports, particularly the WNBA, also played a pivotal role in shaping consumer demand, with signature athlete footwear becoming a central pillar of brand strategies.
The Snobette Sneaker Awards reflect these broader industry movements, highlighting how brands like Nike, Adidas, and Vans are navigating a more discerning consumer base. The following ranking details the ten most influential sneakers of the year, providing a timeline of their release and an analysis of their market implications.
1. Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe: University Red
The top spot for 2025 was awarded to the Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe in University Red. Designed by a team led by Juliana Sagat of Nike’s Special Projects team, the Moon Shoe represents a strategic pivot for Nike. Industry analysts have noted that Nike spent much of the early 2020s relying on archival retros, such as the Dunk and the Air Force 1. The Moon Shoe, however, introduced a new silhouette that fits the current low-profile trend without mimicking existing models.
Juliana Sagat’s contribution to this design is particularly notable given her recent transition to Pharrell Williams’ creative studio. The Moon Shoe’s success suggests that Nike is once again willing to take risks on avant-garde silhouettes. The "University Red" colorway acted as a bold statement, bridging the gap between high-fashion aesthetics and athletic heritage.
2. Vans Old Skool 36 LX: Souvenir Warm Brown
Ranked at number two, the Vans Old Skool 36 LX in Souvenir Warm Brown signaled a departure from the brand’s traditional minimalism. Designed by Greg Betty, the shoe utilized quilted leather and gold eyelets, drawing inspiration from Karl Lagerfeld’s 2015 graffiti messenger bags for Chanel. This design choice moved Vans into a more "human" and artisanal space, contrasting with the stark, industrial looks that have saturated the skate shoe market.
Greg Betty, much like Sagat at Nike, has since moved to a high-profile role at Jordan Brand as the Senior Principal of Streetwear Concept Design. The movement of these designers highlights a "brain drain" occurring within established brands as top talent is recruited to lead major creative shifts at competitors.
3. Air Jordan 5 x Awake New York: Arctic Pink
The Air Jordan 5 x Awake NY collaboration earned the third spot despite—or perhaps because of—its controversial release. The "Arctic Pink" launch was marred by allegations of "backdooring" (the practice of selling stock to preferred buyers before a public release) and public disputes involving online scammers. However, the panel noted that this friction served to revive the "feeling of sneakers," reminding the community that passion and controversy have always been part of the culture.
The design itself was praised for its bold color palette and its ability to generate genuine conversation in a year where many releases felt overly managed and predictable. The Awake NY collaboration proved that emotional resonance is often more valuable than a seamless logistics chain.
4. Adidas Originals Gazelle x Bad Bunny: Cabo Rojo
The fourth spot was secured by the Bad Bunny x Adidas Gazelle Indoor "Cabo Rojo." This release was timed to coincide with Bad Bunny’s 30-show residency in Puerto Rico, with the colorway inspired by the pink salt flats of Cabo Rojo. The inclusion of hyper-local storytelling allowed the shoe to resonate deeply with a specific community while maintaining global appeal.
Since partnering with Adidas, Bad Bunny has been instrumental in the brand’s "terrace" push, helping to sustain the momentum of silhouettes like the Gazelle and the Samba. His ability to blend personal narrative with commercial product has made him one of the most successful non-athlete collaborators in the footwear industry.
5. Air Jordan 5 Reimagined: Black Metallic
The Air Jordan 5 Reimagined in "Black Metallic" took the fifth spot, representing the enduring power of heritage. Unlike other picks on the list, this shoe was not about breaking new ground but about "intergenerational handoffs." In major urban hubs like Chicago and New York, the Black Metallic Jordan 5 is viewed as a cultural staple that is passed down through families.
The 2025 version stayed true to the 1990 original, featuring black nubuck, reflective silver tongues, and the iconic Nike Air branding on the heel. The success of this release demonstrates that while consumers crave innovation, there remains a massive market for authenticity and continuity.
6. Adidas Taekwondo Mei: Black/White
Adidas secured the sixth spot with the Taekwondo Mei, a lace-up design that blends martial arts functionality with a ballet-inspired aesthetic. This shoe reflects the "balletcore" trend that gained traction in 2024, showing that Adidas is capable of looking beyond its classic sports archives to address modern fashion movements. The Taekwondo Mei’s success is attributed to its ability to balance femininity with a sporty edge, appealing to a consumer base that prioritizes versatility in their wardrobe.
7. Brooks Hyperion Max x PYNRS
The inclusion of the Brooks Hyperion Max x PYNRS at number seven marks the first time a dedicated performance running shoe has appeared on the Snobette list. This selection reflects the massive growth of the performance running category in 2025. PYNRS, a Black-owned, Boston-based streetwear brand, collaborated with Brooks to highlight the local run crews that have redefined modern running culture.
The partnership provided Brooks—a brand traditionally dominant in the specialty run market—with a bridge into the lifestyle and streetwear space. This collaboration is emblematic of a larger trend where performance brands are seeking cultural relevance through community-led partnerships.
8. Nike A’One: Pink Aura (A’ja Wilson Signature)
The eighth spot went to the Nike A’One in "Pink Aura," the long-awaited signature shoe for WNBA star A’ja Wilson. This release is historically significant as it marks the first signature shoe for a Black WNBA player since 2011. The design includes personal touches, such as pearl finishes inspired by Wilson’s grandmother and a motivational quote stamped onto the shoe.
The A’One arrived during a period of unprecedented growth for the WNBA, with viewership and attendance reaching record highs in 2024. The shoe’s quick adoption by NBA players further underscored its cross-gender appeal and the rising influence of female athletes in the global footwear market.
9. Salomon XT-Whisper Void: Arctic Silver
Salomon’s XT-Whisper Void in "Arctic Silver" took the ninth spot, highlighting the brand’s transition from a niche outdoor label to an urban fashion staple. While Salomon has been popular in fashion-forward cities like Paris and New York for several years, the XT-Whisper Void represents a move toward broader, coast-to-coast relevance. The "Arctic Silver" colorway aligns with the "tech-wear" aesthetic that remains popular among younger demographics who value both durability and style.
10. Saucony ProGrid x METAGIRL: Daughter of the Moon
The list concludes with the Saucony ProGrid x METAGIRL "Daughter of the Moon." Designed by Caterina Mongillo, the shoe is based on an archived 2007 runner, the ProGrid Paramount. The design was praised for its meticulous attention to detail, including a 3D-printed hand-sculpted shell at the heel. This collaboration highlights Saucony’s successful strategy of mining its archives for technical silhouettes that can be reimagined through a feminine, artistic lens.
Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The Snobette Sneaker Awards for 2025 reveal several key takeaways for the footwear industry. First, the movement of high-level designers between major brands (Nike to Pharrell, Vans to Jordan) suggests a period of intense creative competition. Second, the success of performance-based collaborations, such as Brooks and PYNRS, indicates that the boundaries between "lifestyle" and "athletic" footwear are continuing to blur.
Furthermore, the prominence of women-led designs and signature athlete shoes, such as the Nike A’One, reflects a permanent shift in market demographics. Brands that fail to provide authentic storytelling and inclusive design are likely to lose ground to those that prioritize community and cultural resonance. As the industry moves into 2026, these ten sneakers serve as a blueprint for how brands can successfully navigate a complex and rapidly evolving global market.
