The Best of Nike 2025
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Matt Tompkins |If 2024 was a year of transition, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of monuments. We’re seeing the return of "Galaxy" hysteria, the continuation of the Kobe legacy, and collaborations that feel like instant classics before they even hit the pavement.
Here are 5 Nike releases from 2025 that define the current era of sneaker culture. From Tom Sachs' latest utilitarian experiment to Lil Yachty’s patent leather takeover, here are some of our favorites from the Swoosh for the year.
Nike Mars Yard 3.0 "Tom Sachs - Space Camp"
The saga continues. After years of prototypes and wear-testing, the Mars Yard 3.0 has officially landed. Tom Sachs returns to his "Space Camp" roots with a silhouette that refines the deconstructed, utilitarian aesthetic of its predecessors. This 3.0 iteration features a reinforced black rubber toe bumper for heavy-duty wear, a distinct "Sport Red" pull tab that anchors the design, and updated breathable mesh paneling. It is a masterclass in "boring" design done brilliantly—a sneaker meant to be worn into the ground, yet destined to sit in trophy cases.
Nike Foamposite One "Galaxy 2025"
In 2012, the original "Galaxy" Foamposite changed sneaker culture forever, causing campouts that made national news. For 2025, the legend returns in nearly identical form. The "Galaxy 2025" brings back the deep, swirling supernova print across the Posite shell, set against black nubuck eyestays. But the true nostalgia hit comes from the glow-in-the-dark outsole and the signature "Remove Before Flight" hangtag.
Nike Air Force 1 "Concrete Boys - Lucky Green"
Lil Yachty’s impact on fashion has been undeniable, and his "Concrete Boys" imprint finally gets its first major global swing with the Air Force 1 Low. This pair is loud, unapologetic, and incredibly clean. The upper is draped in a high-gloss "Lucky Green" patent leather that demands attention, accented by a "University Gold" liner and "Mystic Red" outsole. Special details include the Concrete Boys logo embroidered on the lateral heel and "It’s Us" branding on the tongue. It’s a playful, premium take on the uptown classic that fits perfectly with Yachty’s eclectic style.
The connection between Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles is infinite, and the Kobe 6 Protro "Dodgers" pays homage to the city's boys in blue. Originally seen as a Player Exclusive (PE), this public release features the iconic snake-scale upper in a rich "Game Royal" blue, offset by a crisp white Swoosh and University Red numbers on the heel. It embodies the spirit of LA champions. Performance-wise, it retains the Zoom Turbo setup that makes the Kobe 6 arguably the best hoop shoe ever made, but aesthetically, it’s a love letter to LA sports culture. A World Series trophy and a Kobe 6… Dodgers fans really had it all in 2025.
Nike Air Max 95 "Levi's - Obsidian"
When two American icons collide, the result is usually timeless. The Nike Air Max 95 "Levi's" reimagines the Sergio Lozano-designed runner through the lens of premium denim. The gradient waves of the upper are constructed from varying washes of Obsidian denim and canvas, mimicking the texture of a well-worn pair of 501s. The standout detail is the red Levi's tab subtly stitched onto the upper, providing a pop of contrast against the indigo tones. Completed with a dark midsole and Gym Red air units, this is a sophisticated, lifestyle-ready take on the 95.
What was your favorite Nike release from 2025?