Awesome Sneakers

You don’t have to live in a pineapple under the sea to dress your feet like SpongeBob’s. The Stan Smith Freizeit SpongeBob shoe from adidas reimagines the goofy goober’s footwear through the lens of the Three Stripes: the upper is a Stan Smith silhouette, constructed in dressy patent black leather with a debased tongue logo.

Nike SB teamed up with San Diego’s Arts-Rec skateshop for a bold take on the comfy Air Trainer 1. This wild collab combines earthy tones, hairy suede, animal print overlays, and sockliner art inspired by a local zoo. Finished with adjustable toe straps and extra color-matched laces, the sneakers are a nod to San Diego’s creative skate culture. Drops 7.22.25.

Vans OTW teamed up with FDMTL to create two sneakers inspired by patchwork denim. Covered in an engineered blue knit, the Old Skool 36 features a traditional sneaker silhouette, while the Half Cab offers a skateboard-friendly mid-top design. Both feature Ortholite cushioning, classic Vans outsoles, blending heritage, Japanese style, and modern comfort.

Nike slims things down without skimping on bounce with the Dn8 in a vibrant purple. This low-profile sneaker packs eight dual-chambered Air tubes that shift on impact for supreme cushioning. A full-length Dynamic Air system sits right above the outsole for smooth, grounded motion, while breathable mesh keeps things cool. Drops 4.17.2025.

These stylish sneakers from Thursday Boot Co. easily go from casual to dressy. They’re made from full-grain leather with a soft leather lining and shock-absorbing footbeds for comfort. They come in several colors, but our hands-down favorite is this hand-finished toffee-stained leather. Available with a contrasting off-white or tone-on-tone toffee sole.

No self-respecting sneakerhead would dare miss reading A Pocket Guide to Adidas by Josh Sims. His deep dive into one of the world’s most iconic brands follows the company’s extraordinary rise from a small town in Germany to a three-striped symbol of high performance, design, and influence in the global cultural zeitgeist.

Fans of Combat Flip Flops’ Jungle and Desert Fox high tops can now stomp in the stealthy, all-black Shadowban. Tougher than before, its leather toe cap and integrated tongue make it more resilient than earlier models, and the beefed-up the nylon material is extra burly. Its maker is owned and operated by US Veterans.

Vans takes their classic Style 36 skate sneaker and bestows it with all-weather capabilities. The Old Skool 36 GORE-TEX features a water-resistant lining with ballistic nylon and leather overlays. A Sola Foam ADC insole offers a comfy, cushioned walk, and colorful red laces pop against its grey and black textiles. A polished black outsole finishes the look.

Get your wearable art fix with Atoms’ super comfy Model 001 Cascade sneaks collaboration with L.A. artist Aadil Abedi. Atoms’ second Art Gallery release features Abedi’s deconstructed calligraphy in an Arabic script on one side, a “hand printed” design on the other, and his signature woven onto the tongue. The limited edition drops 2.6.2025 and ends 2.20.2025.

With the massive success of Wicked, The Wizard of Oz is as relevant today as ever. Nike hops on the bandwagon to Oz with a pair of vibrant sneakers in a hypnotic hydro-dipped floral print, inspired by the scene in the field of poppies. There’s subtle “No Place Like Home” typography on the back. Drops 12.23.24 at 9 am ET in adult, little kid, and toddler sizes.

Brooklyn footwear designers Atoms outfitted the extra comfy, classic, versatile Model 001 sneaker with hidden tongue loops, stretch laces, odor resistance, and extra heel padding. Easy to wear without breaking in, it comes in essential colors, including our faves: black, black and white, white, bright white (limited edition), and the especially smart clove green.

The only time you can go wrong with Chuck Taylors is when it’s rainy. Not anymore. Converse has released a variant of the timeless sneakers that has a weatherproof Gore-Tex coating on the upper to help keep your feet dry. They also have improved OrthoLite cushioning. Available in dark grey, black, or light brown.

MSCHF is all about making mischief in the world of fashion and art. These Gobstomper sneakers encourage wearers to turn them into their own unique work of wearable art. Out of the box, they’re grey and white with a few little stripes, but take a sanding tool to them, and they reveal fiery splotches of yellow, orange, and red.

Much like Run-D.M.C. and skaters, KoRn proved that you can be both counter-culture youth and dress like you’re already retired. adidas Originals celebrates the 30th anniversary of the nu-metal legends’ debut with a throwback collection filled with red, plaid, and edgy font. Highlights include a sequined tracksuit, Superstar sneakers, and a long-sleeve tee.

We love this earthy colorway of Puma’s Suede Trippy sneakers. Their suede upper combines smooth and fuzzy textures in organic shades of green and brown. They’re built for everyday comfort, and their rubber midsole and outsole provide cushioning and balance. Available in men’s and women’s sizes.

Trends come and go, but if we had to pick one that would stand the test of time in the current craze of sneaker moccasins, Mizuno’s take would be it. The Wave Prophecy Moc takes the company’s bouncy and eye-catching Wave Plate midsole and pairs it with an otherwise normal leather moccasin upper. They’re sold out but you might be able to find a pair on eBay.