2025 was a wild year for footwear. 3D-printed Air Max experiments, tweed golf shoes for The Open, BMX storytelling Jordans, loafers with performance sockliners…and a lot of debate in our group chats about what actually deserves a spot in our rotations.
This list isn’t meant to be the definitive ranking for everyone. It’s a love letter to the 25 pairs we kept coming back to at The Kingsland Shoe Project this year – the ones with real craft, personality, and staying power. The stuff you want to protect, break in slowly, and keep looking fresh for years.
You’ll see everything from dress oxfords and heritage boots to techy runners and collabs that broke the internet. Different vibes, same core standards: materials, build, comfort, story, and that magic “I need these” feeling.
25 Pairs We Loved in 2025
Nike Air Max 95000 “Black Volt”
📸: @ad__sneaks
Nike’s Air Max 95000 is the kind of shoe you show people when they ask, “Okay, what does the future of footwear actually look like?” Built with Nike’s Project Nectar 3D-printing process in partnership with Zellerfeld, it takes the DNA of the Air Max 95 and turns it into a fully printed, sculptural shell. Underfoot, you still get real Nike cushioning – a big visible Max Air unit in the heel plus a smaller unit in the forefoot – so it’s not just a gallery piece, it actually feels soft and bouncy on foot. What we love most is how unapologetically different it is: the exaggerated ribs, the single-piece body, the way the “Black Volt” colorway makes the shape feel like a sci-fi artifact. This is one of those pairs you baby, clean constantly, and definitely keep in shoe trees to preserve that wild silhouette.
Timberland 6-Inch Premium Boot
📸: Timberland’s 6-inch boot is as core as it gets, but the “Woven Black” edition quietly flipped the script in 2025. It keeps the bombproof formula – premium Timberland leather, padded collar, recycled PET laces, anti-fatigue removable footbed, and that heavy rubber lug outsole – but adds a woven leather execution that gives the upper a subtle luxury twist.
On foot, it still wears like the Timbs everyone knows: sturdy, slightly hefty, built to last years of rotation. The woven detail just makes it feel a little more boutique, less work-site.
This is the kind of boot you want to keep boxed and brushed, because when the leather stays crisp and the shape stays sharp, it hits that perfect line between street staple and grown-up boot.
PAYNTR Match Day SC
PAYNTR’s Match Day SC is one of those pairs where you read the spec sheet and think, “Do I really need this much tech?” The microfiber upper is backed by a waterproof, breathable membrane, with an Ariaprene bootie for lockdown and a PMX Nitro+ midsole plus footbed for bounce and underfoot comfort. A CARBITEX GearFlex carbon propulsion plate and 3D-traction TPU outsole help golfers harness ground reaction forces more efficiently, which is why many scored it near the top of 2025 spikeless rankings. For us, it’s the quintessential “quiet killer” golf shoe: zero hype aesthetics, but a massive performance engine that serious players rave about.
Onitsuka Tiger – Tiger Loafer
The Tiger Loafer is what happens when a classic penny loafer gets filtered through Japanese sneaker design. Onitsuka gives it a slightly exaggerated, rounded toe and extra heel padding, so it feels more like a luxe sneaker disguised as a dress shoe. The glossy leather upper and clean black-on-black execution keep it refined, while the proprietary rubber outsole and OrthoLite X-55 sockliner mean you can actually walk all day in these without hating your life. We’re suckers for footwear that looks formal but behaves like a comfort shoe, and this pair is exactly that: ideal for people who want “I care about shoes” energy in the office or at dinner, without going full oxford with a fragile sole.
New Balance U991UT2 Up There Exclusive – Reflective Ghost Runner
📸: @shoezen.one
The U991UT2 is a Made in UK collab that shows what happens when a boutique really understands a silhouette. Up There reworked the 991v2 with technical mesh, smooth full-grain leather, and Helcor leather in a 3D carbon-fiber pattern, then went wild with reflective panels – even on the saddle, which hadn’t been done on the 991v2 before. The mostly black and silver upper is punched up with flashes of the shop’s signature green, while the inverted “Made in England” tongue and “+61” heel badge shout out their Australian roots. It wears like a modern NB: cushioned, stable, and easy to dress up or down. It’s one of those pairs that quietly flexes to people who really know what they’re looking at.
Red Wing Heritage 1961 Logger – Briar/Black (120-Year Capsule)
Red Wing’s 120-year anniversary Logger feels like a love letter to old-school American bootmaking. Based on a 1961 design, it pairs an 8-inch logger upper in Briar oil-tanned leather with a heavy-duty Vibram lug outsole, Goodyear welt, and old-school hardware that looks ripped from vintage Red Wing ads. Eventhough these take a minute to break-in, the leather molds to your foot, the heel feels locked in, and the boot just looks better the more you beat it up. This is a “decades, not seasons” boot – the exact kind of pair that deserves rotation, conditioning, and yes, something inside to keep the shaft and vamp from collapsing between wears.
Vans Premium Old Skool 36 Souvenir - Burgundy
Vans’ Souvenir Old Skool 36 line went full fashion-brain this year, and the Burgundy colorway was the one we couldn’t stop staring at. Inspired by Chanel’s graffiti tweed messenger bag, it uses a distressed, spray-painted upper, brown leather overlays, a multicolor tweed Sidestripe™, and a row of “souvenir” pins that look like they’ve been collected over years of travel. The Burgundy drop took the original Warm Brown concept and darkened the mood – deeper wine reds, more autumn energy, same weirdly perfect mash-up of skate DNA and couture references. On foot, they’re pure Old Skool comfort with that padded collar and waffle sole, but visually they’re a story piece – exactly the sort of shoe you keep boxed, pinned, and in shape.
Converse SHAI 001 - Butter
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s first Converse signature shoe instantly crossed over from performance to fashion piece. Co-created as part of his role as Creative Director of Converse Basketball, the SHAI 001 “Butter” features a puffed, molded upper in a monochrome yellow tone, with a locking zipper shroud over the laces so you can wear it zipped up, half-zipped, or flipped down.Underfoot, there’s forefoot Zoom Air, radial traction, and an over-lasted midsole for sharp cuts and a smooth court feel – not just a tunnel-fit sneaker. Between Shai’s MVP-level season, his GQ cover, and Converse’s own launch content, “Butter” became a 2025 cultural artifact as much as a hoop shoe.
Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Bred
📸: @bay_sneker
Calling the 2025 AJ1 ’85 Bred a “retro” almost undersells it – this colorway is sneaker history. The release brought back the black-and-red icon with true-to-1985 ’85 specs and even more limited numbers, reportedly around 10,000 pairs globally. The leather, shape, and height are all tuned to match the original. It’s not the most cushioned or tech-driven shoe on this list – that’s not the point. It’s about owning a piece of the story that kicked open the door for all modern sneaker culture, and that alone makes it a pair we treat like a museum piece at home.
Dolce & Gabbana Brushed Calfskin Derby
Dolce & Gabbana’s brushed calfskin Derby is the opposite of quiet – it’s pure occasion shoe. A sleek plain-toe silhouette in polished black calfskin sits over a low, slightly chunky sole that gives it a modern Italian edge without tipping into cartoon territory. The brushed leather finish and sharp lines make it ideal for black-tie or fashion-forward tailoring; you’re not buying these to blend in. Despite the dressy look, the rubber outsole and cushioned insole keep them more comfortable than a lot of hard-soled rivals in the same lane. It’s a pair you pull out for big nights and special events – and absolutely one you keep shaped and shined between wears.
Marni x HOKA
The Marni x HOKA collection isn’t subtle, and that’s exactly why we love it. Taking chunky HOKA platforms and cloaking them in Marni’s playful, feathery uppers and bold color combos, these shoes sit somewhere between performance sneaker, art project, and run-way clog. HOKA’s proven cushioning and rocker geometry keep them surprisingly comfortable despite the statement look, while Marni’s textile and faux-fur treatments make them one of the most instantly recognizable collabs of 2025. This is pure “change nothing about who you are” energy: if you’re going to baby a pair, it might as well be one that looks like it walked out of a fashion editorial.
Jordan 1 Low OG Better with Time & Jordan 4 Brick by Brick
📸: @riblets1218
Nigel Sylvester’s “Better with Time” J1s and “Brick by Brick” Jordan 4s might be two different shoes, but they’re part of one narrative about putting in work. The Low OG leans into cracked, aged textures and thoughtful color placement that evoke a pair that’s lived a life, while the 4 channels brick-tone accents and materials that nod to building something block by block. Performance-wise, they keep the familiar Jordan underpinnings, solid cushioning, supportive structure, and that everyday wearability that made these silhouettes icons in the first place. Together, they bring storytelling, heritage, and real on-foot appeal into one of the year’s most cohesive mini-packs.
Pantheon Geometric Oxford – Hector Maden
📸: www.hectormadenshoes.com
The Pantheon Geometric Oxford is a dress shoe for people who look at museum architecture for fun. Hector Maden leans into sculpted midsole geometry and faceted sidewalls while still keeping a sleek lace-up upper in smooth leather, making the shoe feel like a modernist take on a classic oxford. It’s highly comfortable for a “statement” formal shoe and the way the sole visually frames the upper, giving a bit of sneaker-adjacent attitude without losing that dressy silhouette. Is it traditional? Not really. But it’s one of the most visually interesting dress-leaning shoes we saw all year.
UNDEFEATED x Air Jordan 4 Retro
UNDEFEATED’s 2025 AJ4 Retro is pure myth energy: ultra-limited, and draped in a deep, militaristic green with bold accent hits that echo their legendary 2005 AJ4. This time around, the storytelling leans into two decades of UNDEFEATED x Jordan history and their place in LA sneaker culture, with a build and materials that feel more boutique than GR. They shaped a ton of 2025 sneaker conversation, which is exactly why they sit on our favorites list.
Air Jordan 40 Chicago
📸: @pr_sneaks23
The AJ40 “Chicago” is a big swing: an anniversary shoe that pulls from the AJ1’s classic Chicago palette but drops it onto a thoroughly modern performance chassis. The Sail/Varsity Red/White/Black colorway nods to 1985, while the ZoomX-based cushioning system and plate setup scream 2025 super-shoe tech. It’s also the first AJ40 to feature a Nike Swoosh, which is wild given how carefully Jordan Brand usually separates those identities. On foot, it feels like a future-leaning performance sneaker dressed in throwback clothes – exactly the kind of form-meets-function crossover we obsess over.
Aimé Leon Dore Suede - Derby Hiker
ALD’s Derby Hiker might be the cleanest mash-up of dress shoe and hiker we saw all year. New for FW25, it comes in multiple suede and leather colorways, all handmade in Italy with premium calfskin/suede uppers and a lugged Vibram sole. The rust orange suede with bright rope laces skews outdoorsy and playful, while the all-black leather option leans into “quiet luxury with teeth.” Either way, the silhouette feels like a derby that decided it also wants to climb mountains. It’s a perfect example of 2025’s obsession with hybrid footwear: one pair that can sit under wide wool trousers, Japanese denim, or a technical shell and still make sense.
adidas Adizero Adios EVO SL
The Adios EVO SL is the rare shoe that’s both a “daily trainer” and secretly a race-day weapon. Built with a Lightstrike Pro midsole, a small shank for propulsion, and a stripped-down upper, it hits a crazy low weight while still offering plenty of cushioning for everyday miles. The midsole getting softer over time and the outsole wears well, which is not always true for ultra-light shoes. It’s not the loudest model on social, but if your idea of joy is stacking miles in something light, fast, and forgiving, this one absolutely belongs in a 2025 favorites conversation.
On Cloudboom Strike LS
On’s Innovative and future-forward Cloudboom Strike LS looks like someone froze motion mid-stride. It uses a wildly sculpted rocker geometry, central “CloudTec” voids, and a carbon-infused plate to create a rolling, propulsive ride aimed squarely at fast training and racing. The LS version pairs that chassis with a more lifestyle-leaning upper, still light and breathable, but styled so you don’t look like you’re in a bib number when you’re grabbing coffee after your run. Runners who like On’s firmer yet efficient feel will appreciate how connected this shoe feels to the ground while still giving a serious forward snap.
Sun Day Red Pioneer Magnolia Off-White/Brick
📸: @sundayred
Sun Day Red’s Pioneer Magnolia takes Tiger Woods’ new footwear brand and leans straight into golf heritage. Built on the performance Pioneer chassis, this model adds a full-grain waterproof leather wingtip upper with brogue details, a double-stitched storm welt, and a rich Off-White/Brick colorway that looks as good with slacks as it does with more technical fits. Under the hood, you get a proprietary EVA midsole with a 6mm drop, a high-density TPU outsole with nine removable soft spikes, and two removable PU footbeds (massage and smooth) for dialed-in comfort. It’s “Tiger-approved performance with luxury style,” which is exactly how it feels: a tour-ready shoe that could pass as a dressy derby in the clubhouse.
Nike Kobe 6 Protro - Sail / All-Star 2.0
The Kobe 6 Protro was already mythic, but the 2025 “Sail” / “All-Star 2.0” colorway made noise by changing the upper in a big way. Nike swapped the usual mamba scales for a starry TPU texture that gradually morphs back into the classic snake pattern from lateral to medial side, all sitting on a clean Sail base with black Swoosh and tongue logo.
You still get Protro performance – low-to-the-ground Zoom-based cushioning and a grippy outsole – but this pair feels more like a celebration of Kobe’s legacy and All-Star history than just another retro. For us, it’s the rare combo of performance heat and thoughtful storytelling that made this one of the year’s must-protect hoop shoes.
FootJoy Premiere Series Packard LX - Harris Tweed
FootJoy’s Harris Tweed Packard LX feels like someone grafted a Savile Row jacket onto a modern golf shoe. It combines full-grain leather with authentic, hand-woven Harris Tweed cloth, governed by the Harris Tweed Act and woven in the Outer Hebrides, which gives it real heritage credibility instead of just a “tweed print.” Underfoot, the Packard rides on FootJoy’s VersaTrax+ outsole, giving tour-level traction, and the Premiere platform is still one of the most-played shoes on pro tours in 2025. Designed as part of FootJoy’s Legend Series for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, it’s a shoe that literally connects you to links golf tradition while still being fully waterproof, stable, and walk-able for 18–36 holes.
Pharrell x adidas Adistar Jellyfish
Pharrell’s Adistar Jellyfish takes an under-the-radar performance silhouette and dials up the storytelling. The upper uses a translucent, marine-inspired treatment with jellyfish-like gradients and graphics, paired with a cushioned, Adistar-style midsole built for long miles. It’s not a pure hype shoe nor a pure performance shoe; instead, it sits in that sweet spot where design nerds appreciate the narrative, and runners can still log everyday miles.
For us, it represents Pharrell’s continued push to make performance footwear more emotionally expressive – something we’re always here for.
Regal Shoe & Co Tyrolean GORE-TEX Black
Regal Shoe & Co’s Tyrolean GORE-TEX feels like a mountain shoe that snuck into a tailoring wardrobe. Built in Japan on the brand’s signature last, it pairs soft Sanyo kip leather with a hidden GORE-TEX membrane, Vibram Newflex outsole, and an OrthoLite layer between insole and midsole for cushioning. The Tyrolean design reads like a smart casual derby from the top but behaves like a lightweight hiker underneath – waterproof, grippy, and built to handle ugly weather. If your life goes from city sidewalks to wet cobblestones to weekend trails, this is a “one pair, many lives” shoe that still feels special enough to care for long-term.
K-Swiss Marina RMX – Rakeem Miles “Get Me Out The Woods” (Snow White / Smoke Green / Mountain View)
📸: @loveskicks
The Marina RMX “Get Me Out The Woods” might quietly be one of the most meaningful collabs of 2025. Built on K-Swiss’s chunky 90s-inspired Marina sole, this second “Get Me Out The Woods” drop layers suede, mesh, and corduroy in a Snow White / Smoke Green / Mountain View palette that reads like forest light breaking through trees. Removable velcro patches stamped with affirmations like “Run Towards Greatness” and “Stay Positive” turn the upper into a literal mental-health moodboard, while an “Action Figure Miles” character on the heel and in the packaging lets you physically move him along the velcro trail to “get out of the woods.” Underfoot, the robust midsole and grippy rubber outsole give you real cushioning and stability, so it’s not just a concept shoe - it’s a wearable, all-day lifestyle sneaker. We love it because it’s more than a cool colorway: it’s Rakeem’s personal story of foster care, creativity, and growth stitched directly into a shoe, and that level of honesty plus design detail is exactly what we want to protect and keep in rotation.
Allen Edmonds Morrison Reserve Wholecut Oxford – Chili Leather
The Morrison Reserve Wholecut is Allen Edmonds flexing: a dress shoe cut from a single piece of leather, with hidden seams and a sleek, elongated last. The Chili leather color is hand-finished to show depth and variation, giving it that subtle patina out of the box that only gets better over time. AE positions the Reserve line as its more elevated, bench-crafted offering, with recraftable construction and upgraded linings and insoles for all-day wear. We like it because it doesn’t scream; it just quietly looks expensive, fits well, and ages in a way that rewards good shoe care and regular use of trees.
What a great year for shoes - see you in 2026!
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