Nike has released its annual recap of the most popular SNKRS releases in 2025, revealing a clear trend: retro basketball sneakers are dominating the hype.
Topping the list is the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma”, celebrating its 30th anniversary and marking the first time this silhouette leads the SNKRS recap. Jordan Brand contributes six of the top 10 entries, while Nike Basketball adds four, showing the enduring power of classic basketball models.
This year also marked the end of Travis Scott’s streak of dominating the list with his Air Jordan 1 Low OG collaborations. No AJ1 made the top 10 for 2025, highlighting a shift from collaboration-heavy hype to nostalgia-driven releases.
Six of the top 10 sneakers were re-releases, while only two were collaborations—a steep drop compared with past years when collabs made up roughly 77% of top SNKRS entries.
Here are the 10 most popular SNKRS releases of 2025:
- Air Jordan 11 “Gamma” – Celebrating 30 years, this AJ11 reissue topped the list with collectors snapping up the iconic black-and-white colorway.
- Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick” – A limited collaboration turning heads with its deconstructed, street-inspired design.
- Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat” – A sleek, all-black re-release that continues to be a fan favorite.
- Nike Kobe 8 Protro “What The” – A mash-up of the best elements from past Kobe 8 colorways, making it a must-have for basketball sneakerheads.
- Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” – Honoring Michael Jordan’s legendary 1997 NBA Finals performance, this retro remains highly sought after.
- Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic Reimagined” – A modern take on the classic AJ5, blending heritage and contemporary design.
- Nike Air Foamposite One “Galaxy” – The space-themed Foamposite returned, captivating collectors with its futuristic silhouette.
- Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Dodgers” – Paying homage to the LA Dodgers, this colorway combines basketball and baseball culture.
- Nike Kobe 6 Protro “All-Star” – Celebrating Kobe’s All-Star history, another retro hit for 2025.
- Travis Scott x Jordan Jumpman Jack “Bright Cactus” – One of the few collaboration models to make the top 10, adding Scott’s signature style to the mix.
Nike’s recap signals a shift in its hype formula, with nostalgia and classic silhouettes taking center stage, while collaborations are taking a backseat. Models like the Kobe 6 and 8 Protro continue to sell out despite years on the market, showing the staying power of iconic basketball releases.
For sneakerheads, this trend means that 2026 will likely be a retro-heavy year, with fans eagerly watching for Jordan Brand and Nike Basketball reissues, as well as a few high-profile collaborations.
