The Snobette Sneaker Awards have released their list of the top 10 sneakers for 2025, selecting shoes that resonated beyond simple hype. The selection process began with a short list of pairs viewed as special before panelists helped shape the final ranking and surface styles that may have flown under the radar. The judges, a diverse group of women united by a long-standing relationship with sneaker culture, prioritized impact over trendiness.
Juliana Sagat of Nike’s Special Projects team led the design of the top pick, the Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe in University Red. The panel noted that while the silhouette fits the low-profile trend, it avoids feeling copied and introduces a design with “teeth.” This release signaled a Nike willing to lead culture rather than chase it, a shift that may mark a turning point for the brand. The Moon Shoe earned bonus points for this specific design leadership.
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Vans Old Skool 36 LX in Souvenir Warm Brown secured the second position for a similar reason: it felt like a shift from a familiar shape. The quilted leather and warm brown tone, combined with gold eyelets, drew clear cues from Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld’s 2015 graffiti messenger bags. This warmth moved the brand away from strict minimalism. Greg Betty has shaped other memorable Vans work and has since moved to Nike as Senior Principal of Streetwear Concept Design at Jordan Brand.
The Air Jordan 5 x Awake New York in Arctic Pink landed at No. 3 despite being one of the year’s most divisive releases. Panelist JerLisa argued that it revived the feeling of sneakers, encompassing the “good, the bad and the ugly.” The chaotic launch, fueled by allegations of backdooring and a loud scammer, only sharpened interest. In a year of overly managed drops, this release reminded people that friction is inherent to sneaker culture.
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At No. 4, the Adidas Originals Gazelle x Bad Bunny in Cabo Rojo gained extra weight from panelist Kari Cruz. Developed to mark Bad Bunny’s 30-show residency in Puerto Rico, the colorway pulls from the pink salt flats of Cabo Rojo. Cruz described it as “very Puerto Rico.” The collaboration has helped sustain momentum for Adidas’ low-profile push, proving the power of storytelling when executed with the right partner.
Air Jordan 5 Reimagined in Black Metallic appeared on the lists of Chicago-based Ticara Devone and New York native Key Lee. In cities like Chicago and New York, this pair functions less as a trend piece and more as an intergenerational handoff.
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The Salomon XT-Whisper Void in Artic Silver was selected by Ticara Devone. The shoe feels like Salomon speaking directly to the “cool girls” who have quietly turned the brand into an insider favorite. With major cities showing real momentum, Salomon looks poised to move from city-specific buzz to coast-to-coast relevance, potentially making 2026 a breakout year.
We close the list with the Saucony ProGrid x METAGIRL “Daughter of the Moon,” selected by Smoove. Designed by METAGIRL founder Caterina Mongillo, the shoe is built on the ProGrid Vital, an archived 2007 runner. Smoove noted the attention to detail, from the hand-sculpted shell at the heel to the softness layered throughout the design. “The amount of femininity detail added to the shoe is so soft and pretty,” she said.
