Chinese New Year is literally just around the corner, and whether or not you celebrate this occasion is completely up to you, but there's no denying the fact that there are some absolutely phenomenal themed sneakers out there. Over the past few decades, the industry been blessed with some of the hottest CNY-inspired kicks ever, and it just so happens that many of these are available to buy right now here at Ox Street! From Air Force 1s to Dunks, there's something for everyone here. So what are you waiting for? Give your daily rotation the prosperous makeover that it deserves right now before it's too late!
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Without a shadow of a doubt, the Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Chinese New Year" from 2021 is one of the best LNY-inspired sneakers of all-time. Taking on Michael Jordan's low-top flagship, it boasts a premium leather construction and is decorated with traditional patterns and motifs throughout. You'll even find a traditional Chinese knot here, and the winged basketball insignia around the heel has been finely embroidered in a lucky gold hue that's sure to turn heads wherever you go. Extremely rare, secure your size right now while you still can.
One of the things that we love the most about CNY are the fireworks and firecrackers that blast off all season long, and to pay homage to this, Nike took the wraps off the Nike Dunk Low "Firecracker." One of the most unique colorways of 2021, it features a mostly blue color combination but it's decorated from heel to toe in little characters having fun, and a bunch of warning signs. While we have to admit that these weren't particularly popular when they were first announced, prices are slowly but surely going up as more sneakerheads begin to fully appreciate them.
Year of the Ox fam, we got you. The New Balance 2002R "Year of the Ox" debuted two years ago when the 2002R was literally just brought back, and while not many people paid attention to them back in the day, you'd be hard pressed to find one in your size nowadays considering how hyped this retro silhouette is. Crafted from black, navy, and olive suede, it's also accented with metallic silver shades throughout for a show-stopping aesthetic. We're not entirely sure how this colorway relates to the second animal in the zodiac, but we're digging them anyway.
If you're looking for a pair of Lunar New Year sneakers that were destined to turn heads, the Nike Air Force 1 Low Premium "Chinese New Year" has your name written all over them. Unveiled at the start of 2022, it's packed with countless cool details throughout. Ornate floral patterning decorates the toebox, while faux snakeskin wraps around the heel. You'll also find buttery black suede on the lacing system and a stitched-on Swoosh that makes the colors pop even more. A particularly rare pair, snap yours up from Ox Street while your size is still available.
In case you didn't already know, the Nike Dunk Low "Year of the Rabbit" is actually inspired by White Rabbit Candy. One of the most delicious sweets that every Asian kid has tasted, if you've never tried them before we can confidently say that you're missing out. The perfect tribute to the Year of the Rabbit, it features a premium leather and suede construction with fluffy fabrics that nod to a bunny's fur. You'll also find special CNY detailing across the tongue and heel, as well as a secret message underneath the shoe that you need to see to believe.
Back in 2019, Pharrell Williams introduced the Solar Hu Glide ST silhouette in style when he took the wraps off the Pharrell x adidas Solar Hu Glide ST "Chinese New Year." Part of a much wider collection, this Ultraboost-inspired silhouette perfectly balances comfort and aesthetics in one festive package. You'll also find "Hu" branding around the collar and toebox, as well as a full length Boost midsole that easily makes these one of the most comfortable kicks on this LNY-themed list. Don't believe us? Then try them for yourself.
Looking for a Chinese New Year sneaker that not everyone will have? Then end your search with the Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Year of the Rabbit." Painted in an earthy brown, beige, and gray color palette, if you didn't know any better you would easily mistaken this pair with Travis Scott's "Reverse Mocha." From the tongue tag to the fluffy laces, there are plenty of details here that pay tribute to the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac. What's more, these are limited to just 5,000 pairs globally, so secure your pair at the Ox Street right now while you still can.
In 2023, New Balance took the 2002R hype to the next level. If you thought the Protection Pack was cool, the American sportswear company somehow made it even cooler by applying a CNY spin with the New Balance 2002R Protection Pack "Lunar New Year." Part of a much wider collection, this is, no doubt, the highlight of the range. Bearing a striking resemblance to the coveted "Rain Cloud," the mesh has been dipped in a slightly rosy pink tint for extra luck points. You'll also find a creamy ABZORB midsole underfoot which gives us nothing but vintage vibes.
The Air Jordan 5 Low "Chinese New Year" is just one of those sneakers that you need to see up close to be able to fully appreciate. While it might look like yet another classic colorway from a distance, upon closer inspection you'll find that the creamy upper actually features a traditional pattern underneath, with more Lunar New Year-inspired motifs throughout. Hands down the most underrated shoe in this list, these will definitely be the topic of every conversation.
Earn your stripes this CNY with the Nike Air Force 1 Low "Year of the Tiger." Walking on the wild side, while this Air Force 1 is world-renowned for its clean suede exterior, it's stuffed with plenty of cool details throughout that are inspired by the big cat. From the stripes Swoosh across the sides to the embroidered character around the heel, this special edition shoe was made for all those Tiger Kings and Queens out there.