The Best Sneakers of 2024 (So Far)
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By Stadium Goods |The Best Sneakers of 2024 (So Far)
We review the best releases from the first half of the year. Are they in your collection yet?
Matt DeSciora
Sneaker culture is moving at warp speed. New trends come as quickly as they go and new releases are announced on a daily basis. Luckily for you—or lucky for us, some would argue—it’s our job to stay current on the happenings in the culture, which includes clocking every new trend and every new release from Nike, New Balance, more.
If you’ve missed a drop or two through the first six months of the year, this list of our picks for the Best Sneakers of 2024 (So Far) should give you some insight into what’s buzzing in the culture right now. More than that, it’ll be interesting to see which sneakers from this collection ultimately end up on our roundup of the best sneakers of 2024 come later this year in December.
In no particular order, these are our picks for the Best Sneakers of 2024 (So Far).
Bode x Nike Astro Grabber “Natural”
Release date: April 18, 2024
The retro sneaker trend is on fire and brands are fueling the movement with long-forgotten styles from yesteryear. Of the many old school models that have been reintroduced this year, the style generated the most buzz is the Bode x Nike Astro Grabber.
Debuted in the 1970s, the Astro Grabber is an old school performance baseball, softball, and football training shoe that’s spent the last few decades in the vault. Following its reintroduction, it was pretty obvious that Bode and Nike struck gold: the Astro Grabber has the makings of a perfect retro sneaker in 2024. It’s low-slung, comfortable, durable, and easy to wear with everything.
Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack “Sail”
Release date: April 30, 2024
Following collaborations on iconic sneakers like the Nike Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1 featuring backwards Swooshes, smiley faces, and other unique details, Travis Scott finally debuted his first-ever signature shoe, the Jordan Jumpman Jack “Sail” in April. Inspired by the Nike Air Tech Challenge II and the Nike Air Yeezy 2, and adorned with his signature reverse Swoosh and earth tone color palette, the Jumpman Jack is both familiar and innovative—a winning formula for Scott and Nike/Jordan.
Wales Bonner x adidas Samba “Studded Pack - Cream”
Release date: February 9, 2024
After taking sneaker culture by storm in 2023, the adidas Samba is having a victory lap in 2024. GR (general release) colorways are still fueling the Samba’s hype, but so too are collaborations like Wales Bonner’s “Studded Pack.”
Featuring studs in the form of Three Stripes branding on the sides and a folded-over tongue that nods to the Samba’s original indoor soccer shoe roots, the Wales Bonner x adidas Samba “Studded Pack” is just different enough to separate itself from the other popular Sambas, but not too wild to be unwearable.
Futura Laboratories x Nike SB Dunk Low “Bleached Aqua”
Release date: May 18, 2024
It’s not 2002, 2006, or 2020. But the Nike SB Dunk is still thriving.
Sure, the retro skate shoe’s hype has simmered down since the early days of the pandemic, but the SB Dunk still commands respect from collectors and collaborators alike, which is why renowned street artist and sneaker veteran Futura cooked up the SB Dunk Low “Bleached Aqua” via his Futura Laboratories label in May. The “Bleached Aqua” is clearly one of the most colorful sneakers of 2024 thus far, as its eye-catching, multicolor canvas overlays stand out in stark contrast to its white canvas base layer.
In an era when earth tone sneakers still dominate timelines and city streets, a shoe with colorful details like the SB Dunk Low “Bleached Aqua” is appreciably welcome in the culture.
Air Jordan 4 “Bred Reimagined”
Release date: February 17, 2024
What’s old always seems to be what’s new in sneakers thanks to Jordan Brand’s “Reimagined” series. Inspired by the original styling of classic Air Jordans, the “Reimagined” line also introduces new materials in an effort to tell a new story. In the case of the Air Jordan 4 “Bred Reimagined,” leather replaces the model’s original nubuck design as part of a celebration of the Jordan 4’s 35th anniversary.
The rest of the Jordan 4 “Bred Reimagined” is very similar to the original Jordan 4 “Bred” from 1989, as the colorway mimics the look of that shoe with accurately shaped panels and true-to-original colors and branding. And that’s a good thing. A shoe as timeless as the Jordan 4 “Bred” doesn’t need many updates to be fresh and relevant. Just a simple leather makeover does the trick.
Action Bronson x New Balance 1906R “Rosewater”
Release date: May 31, 2024
Already on the fast track to becoming one of New Balance’s top sneakers, the 1906R has reached new heights of popularity with Action Bronson’s “Rosewater” colorway. The style is one of three designed by the hip-hop artist and is said to be inspired by the colors found on women’s running shoes in the 1990s. The “Rosewater’s” limited nature is definitely creating hype for the shoe, but let’s face it: anything Action Bronson touches turns to gold these days.