December’s best sneaker drops: Your guide to must-have releases

Our monthly series looks at the top releases from the best brands in athletic footwear. Whether you’re an avid sneakerhead or just looking for the perfect pair to complement your style, navigating the vast world of sneakers can be overwhelming. From understanding where to buy to decoding the latest trends, consider this your road map to finding the perfect pair.

For many people, December represents the end of the year and a time to slow down and relax. It’s the complete opposite for the sneaker world. With Christmas just days away, brands want to ensure their best offerings make every shoe enthusiast’s wish list. To that end, Nike delivers its annual Jordan 11 Retro and returns to the vault for a few classics, and New Balance and Saucony offer choice selections.

Nike repeats Penny

2024 could be considered the year of the Foamposite. After seeing a new release dedicated to the Washington-Maryland-Virginia area with the “DMV” and revisiting a bona fide classic, Nike blesses us with another fan favorite this holiday season. Originally debuting in 2010, the Nike Air Foamposite One “Copper Metallic’s” colorway, with the copper color pairing perfectly with the shoe’s shell upper to create an almost fluid effect, immediately turned heads. The 2024 version stays faithful to the original, including former NBA player Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway’s classic “1 Cent” logo.

Release date: Dec. 4

Retail: $230

An ode to Kobe Bryant’s sneaker free agency

The 2002-03 NBA season marked a unique chapter in Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s footwear journey. After buying out his Adidas deal, Bryant became a sneaker free agent, wearing exclusive player-edition kicks from brands vying for his endorsement. Among the highlights was a mid-top Air Force 1, now reimagined as a low-top. This version retains the maize swoosh and sole while honoring Bryant’s legacy with special touches: the Sheath logo on the heel, Bryant’s No. 8 on one shoe, the Sheath logo on the other, and his signature on the tongue beneath the Nike Air Force 1 tag.

Release date: Dec. 6

Retail: $130

Jae Tips and Saucony step into the Matrix

Designer Jae Tips and Saucony continue shaking up the sneaker world, proving that unique collaborations don’t just come from the traditional giants. Their latest project revives the Saucony Matrix, returning for the first time since 2000. One standout colorway combines maroon wool and brown nubuck on the upper with a lavender midsole and green outsole. While it might evoke “ugly Christmas sweater” vibes on paper, Jae Tips masterfully blends these elements into a striking and creative design.

Release date: Dec. 6

Retail: $170

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox enters the spotlight with his first signature shoe under Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s Curry Brand. The “Happy Fox Day” colorway of the Curry Fox 1 comes in blue from heel to toe with an orange midfoot strap that curves into the shape of a foxtail to play on both Fox’s last name and his nickname Swipa, which was taken from Dora The Explorer animated series. Across the midfoot strap, a gold floral pattern gives the shoe an added touch of luxury and breaks up its monochromatic nature.

Release date: Dec. 6

Retail: $120

Eastside Golf partners with Nike

Frequent Jordan Brand collaborator Eastside Golf returns with its first collaboration with Nike. Taking on the classic Air Max 1, Eastside Golf dresses the shoe in white with hints of metallic gold on the upper eyelets and gold rivets that serve as the anchor for one of the six interchangeable swooshes the shoe comes with. Each swoosh represents something different from Morehouse College, from self-reflection to the dimples in a golf ball. Eastside Golf’s logo takes the place of Nike branding across the tongue. Unlike most golf shoes, this model forgoes the traditional spikes, making it perfect for playing a quick nine or shopping for a set of clubs.

Release date: Dec. 6

Retail: $180

Graffiti artist Stash, Nike create rerun of Air Max 95

In 2006, graffiti artist Stash created a unique experience with the Air Max 95 by using shades of blues and grays to create a gradient effect that could resemble one of his murals. Fast-forward to this year, and the Nike Air Max 95 x Stash returns with the same shades of blue but with an updated take on things using different materials to help tell the story. Genuine and synthetic leathers are joined by other materials that help winterize the shoe, giving it a rugged feel and representing the multiple mediums graffiti artists work with.

Release date: Friday

Retail: $200

‘Nick’s Gift’ wins Best Friend of the Year prize

The “Nick’s Gift” colorway of the Adidas AE1 pays tribute to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards’ day one homie, Nick Maddox, who’s been featured in the sneaker’s marketing campaign. Adidas and Edwards incorporated Maddox’s favorite color, a chilly shade of blue, on his favorite shoe. It’s safe to say it would be difficult to outdo Edwards’ gesture to his buddy, but it’s the thought that counts.

Release date: Saturday

Retail: $110

Everyone’s favorite holiday sneaker release is back

If we can count on one shoe to release from the Jumpman, it will be the Jordan 11 in late December. This year, we see the highly anticipated return of the “Columbia” colorway, renamed “Legend Blue” for 2024. Originally released for the 1996 All-Star game, this Jordan 11 sports an all-white upper with the familiar patent leather mudguard and black sockliner. The Jumpman logo and sole are dressed in the renamed blue shade, which isn’t a drastic change but just enough for collectors who want every variation of the famed silhouette.

Release date: Saturday

Retail: $230

New Balance’s Teddy Santis delivers one more hit

New Balance creative director Teddy Santis continues to elevate the brand’s 990 series with standout takes. The “Moonrock Driftwood” NB 997 showcases a premium mix of materials, including mesh, nubuck, pigskin suede, and hairy suede on the tongue, ankle collar, and vamp. Cream and brown tones contrast atop a grey and white sole, creating a sneaker that’s equal parts art and craftsmanship.

Release date: Dec. 19

Retail: $190

Devin Booker has a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’

The result of a collaboration between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Nike, the Nike Book 1 is set to release with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, paying homage to film director Tim Burton’s 1993 film. This gothic stop-motion classic inspires a new iteration of the shoe, arriving in white as a follow-up to its earlier black colorway. Neither version will settle the long debate on whether Burton’s work is a Christmas or Halloween movie, but that’s beside the point.

Release date: Dec. 19

Retail: $140

The Grinch who stole rec league MVP

Every so often, a shoe reaches a certain level that it not only becomes a must-have shoe but crosses over into other mediums. The Kobe 6 “Grinch” is one of those shoes. In the past, NFL football players have worn customized cleats made to resemble Bryant’s signature basketball sneakers. Finally, Nike has decided to release an official cleat version. Everything from the original version is carried over to Nike’s Vapor Edge SE cleat. Much like the Jordan 3 “Black Cement” cleat turned heads in July, these will do the same.

Release date: Dec. 24

Retail: $230