The Hypebae Best: The Top Sneakers, Collaborations and Footwear of 2024
From LOEWE x On to Veneda Carter x Timberland, these are the hottest footwear drops of the year.
As the year comes to a close, we’re back with our annual installment of Hypebae Best to unveil our favorite sneakers and footwear of 2024.
To start, we have to give flowers to PUMA‘s Speedcat which was perhaps the biggest success story of the year. Worn by the likes of Emily Ratajkowski and Dua Lipa, the shoe helped searches for “PUMA” increase by 2.4x on our HBX platform. Elsewhere, adidas‘ SL72 silhouette skyrocketed in popularity, with help from emerging designer team-ups and celebrity endorsements. Finally, performance-wear brand On gained traction, in part due to its continued partnership with LOEWE.
Hybrid sneakers also continued their momentum with Salomon and MM6 Maison Margiela’s XT-4 Mule, Sandy Liang and Salomon’s RX MJ Sandy Liang and Supreme and Nike’s “Clogposites.” Cecilie Bahnsen and ASICS debuted the first women’s model of the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII silhouette and ASICS had a notable leap in our HBX brand rankings, moving from our #24 sportswear brand in 2023 to our #2 sportswear brand in 2024.
As for boots, UGG‘s creative partnerships with GALLERY DEPT., Collina Strada and Palace resulted in newfound popularity for the brand. Honorable mentions for boots in 2024 also include Veneda Carter’s collaboration with Timberland and Patou’s take on Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico Rinkan.
Read on to see the best footwear releases this year, as chosen by our editors, and while you’re here check out our favorite fashion moments of 2024.
SNEAKER COLLABORATIONS
LOEWE x ON Cloudtilt
Loewe
Swiss brand On made serious waves this year – from its team up with Zendaya to tapping FKA Twigs as its guest creative partner. LOEWE and On debuted their first collection in 2022 and continued their success with the release of the collaborative Cloudtilt in 2023. This year, the brands released new shades of the Cloudtilt including “Cherry,” “Orange,” and our personal favorite, “Dark Sand.” The shoes showcase On’s innovative “CloudTec Phase” midsole, delivering exceptional comfort through high-rebound foam.
The new Cloudtilt colorways are available on LOEWE’s website and are currently priced at $490 USD.
Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII
Asics
Cecilie Bahnsen and ASICS are no strangers, but this year they made history with the first-ever women’s model of the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII silhouette. This sandal-meets-sneaker merges Bahnsen’s signature feminine touch with ASICS’ future forward designs. The new release incorporates GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII tooling and DIVISION SPACE technology for improved comfort, paired with two floral-adorned velcro straps and a 5D-printed mesh base.
Priced at $240 USD, the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII is available to buy in both colorways on ASICS’s website.
Guizio x PUMA Speedcat
Puma
This year, PUMA went viral faster than a Speedcat. The shoe saw new colorways, a partnership with BLACKPINK member Rosé and, most recently, a collaboration with South Korean brand Juun.J. However, our favorite Speedcat drop has to be PUMA’s collaboration with Guizio. Crafted with smooth leather, the shoe arrived in a classic black-and-white colorway inspired by the black asphalt of an F1 racing track. The sleek silhouette features a contrasting white PUMA Formstrip and a “Guizio” branded tab on the upper.
The collaborative GUIZIO x PUMA Speedcat is available on PUMA’s website from $190 USD.
Reebok x noir kei ninomiya Instapump Fury
Reebok
Available in black, white and “Citron,” Reebok teamed up with Japanese fashion label noir kei ninomiya, led by COMME des GARÇONS designer Kei Ninomiya to reimagine the classic Instapump Fury. Boasting a botanical theme, the collaboration transforms the classic silhouette with a bold floral motif that adds 3D texture to the mesh upper. The Instapump Fury features layered flowers in various finishes—transparent, matte and glossy— and is accented by silver details and dual-brand logos.
The Reebok x noir kei ninomiya Instapump Fury is currently sold out on both brand platforms but can be found on resale sites, priced between $400-$550 USD.
Sporty & Rich x adidas SL72
Adidas
adidas’ SL72 had a big year, seen on the feet of everyone from Alexa Chung to Bella Hadid. So, it’s no wonder that the brand continued it’s it-girl momentum by teaming up with Emily Oberg’s Sporty & Rich. Arriving in a bright blue and yellow colorway, the collaborative SL72 was inspired by Oberg half-Swedish roots. The shoe consists of a mix of nylon, suede and leather and is complete with a white Sporty & Rich logo.
The Sporty & Rich x adidas SL72 is priced at $120 and is available on the brand’s website.
HEELS AND HYBRIDS
Salomon x MM6 Maison Margiela XT-4 Mule
Salomon and MM6 Maison Margiela added extra fuel to the sneaker hybrid craze with the release of their XT-4 Mule. With colorways ranging from “Vanilla Ice/Black/Almond Milk” to “Black/Black/Black,” the shoes is as functional as it is fashionable. Featuring the signature MM6 numeric logo on the tongue, the XT-4 offers pristine detailing and an aerodynamic shape.
The XT-4 Mules are priced at $410 USD over at MM6 Maison Margiela’s website.
Martine Rose x Clarks Slingback
After her appointment as Clarks’ guest creative director in February of this year, Martine Rose revived the heritage brand’s iconic silhouettes from the Oxford to the Loafer. However, our favorite collaborative shoe from Martine Rose x Clarks arrived in their FW24 collection. The lavender pump is the first slip-on silhouette from the brands. The shoe features a rubber sole, adjustable buckle fastening and is plumped up with a goose down padded upper for added volume.
Priced at $189 USD, you can get the Martine Rose for Clarks Womens Slingback in purple on the brand’s website.
Salomon x Sandy Liang RX MJ Mary Jane
For their sophomore collaboration, Sandy Liang and Salomon unveiled two new styles, the Speedcross 3 Ribbon and the RX MJ Sandy Liang. When speaking on the collection, Liang noted that she aimed to expand on her “design point-of-view in a more distinctive way.” The RX MJ Sandy Liang combines a classic Mary Jane design with elements of the RX MOC 3.0, featuring nubuck leather, 3D open mesh, and a choice of black or “Vanilla Ice” colorways.
The RX MJ Sandy Liang shoe is available on Salomon’s website for $150 USD.
Supreme x Nike “Clogposites”
Following the virality of the 2023 release of the “Clogposites,” Supreme and Nike unveiled three new styles of the sleeky clog for Fall/Winter 2024. Arriving with a molded upper and midsole, our favorite colorway of the clog-sneaker hybrid is the bold green, red and white iteration. Plus, this exclusive drop was complemented with crew socks to match each pair.
The Nike x Supreme “Clogposites” are sold out on the brands’ websites but you can still find them on resale sites starting at $142 USD.
Melissa x Y/Project Court Clog
Melissa and Y/Project’s first three collaborations were so good that they had to come back for more. Teased in Y/Project’s FW24 lookbook, the brands unveiled a new style dubbed the Court Clog. This chunky silhouette arrived in a slew of new colorways while maintaining its distinctive, spiky texture.
The Court Clog is available on Melissa’s website, priced at $349 USD.
BOOTS
GALLERY DEPT. x UGG Stitched Boot
Ugg
UGG worked over time this year releasing countless, cult-loved collaborations ranging from Collina Strada to Palace. However, the brand’s team up with GALLERY DEPT. caught our eye as it offers a fresh yet rugged take on classic silhouettes. Featuring four unique styles, GALLERY DEPT. lent its inventive approach to UGG with a denim boot and a canvas Tasman. Our favorite boot from the collection is the “Stitched” boot, which mirrors a cowboy boot. Made from waterproof leather sourced from regenerative agriculture farms, this collection also plays its part in promoting wildlife diversity and restoring soil.
The GALLERY DEPT. x UGG “Stitched” Boot, available on the brand’s website, retails for $350 USD.
Onitsuka Tiger x Patou Mexico Rinkan
In its debut collaboration with French fashion house Patou, Japanese sneaker brand Onitsuka Tiger delivered a collection perfectly apt for the year of girlhood. Frilly, feminine and all things pink, Onitsuka Tiger reinterpreted its classic style, the Mexico 66 as well as a new Mexico 66 Ballerina. The show stopper from the collection is Patou’s take on the Mexico Rinkan boot. This silhouette boasts playful, pink suede, ribbon-like grosgrain detailing and comes in “Cotton Candy/Bright Rose” and “Putty/Cotton Candy.”
The boot is available on Patou’s website for $370 USD.
Moon Boot Icon Boot
Moon Boot
Moon Boot’s FW24 collection was brought to life on a snowy mountainside in a series dubbed “In The Wild.” The brand’s Icon Boot received a glossy makeover while maintaining its distinctive lacing and memory foam insole. This nylon Icon Boot kept the hyper-feminine era alive, arriving in a bubble gum pink colorway.
The Moon Boot Icon Boot retails for $240 USD and can be found on the brand’s website.
Timberland x Veneda Carter 14-Inch Lace-Up Zip Boot
Timberland
Released in November 2024, the Veneda Carter x Timberland 14 Inch Lace-Up Boot blends the LA-based artist’s celebrated style with Timberland’s bold heritage. Inspired by the zeitgeist and music culture of the ’90s, this blue and metallic shoe features a side zip, sharp stiletto heel and a white lace-up in the front. This boot feels timeliness and futuristic in unison and we can’t wait to see how people style it in the coming year.
Priced at $300 USD, the Veneda Carter x Timberland 14 Inch Lace-Up Boot is available on Timberland website.
