KickWave’s 5 sneakers for 2024

Brands push certain sneakers every year, fit-pics will give a silhouette new appeal, and seeing a shoe in person for the first time will suddenly make it a must have. But with companies releasing (and re-releasing) so many shoes each year, it can be hard to know which ones will really capture people’s attention. Here’s 5 sneakers that we think are going make a big impact in 2024.

1. Adidas Handball Spezial

The popularity of the Adidas Samba exploded in 2023. With black and white colourways doing especially well, the spiritual successor Nike’s panda dunk seemed to come from an unexpected place. Much like with the panda dunk, people will eventually turn elsewhere. But we think the demand for sleek, low profile Adidas models will continue. Luckily, the Samba acts as a gateway to other excellent Adidas styles. Chief among which is the Handball Spezial. Originally made for German handball courts in the 1970s, before being ingrained in British football culture, this shoe has some serious staying power. The Handball Spezial shares plenty of it’s DNA with the Samba. But with more suede and the same accessible price point, it’s sure to be a hit with a broad audience this year.

2. New Balance 1906r

When the New Balance 1906r re-released in 2022, we were sceptical. Sharing a sole with both the 860v2 and 2002r, we felt the 1906r was too similar the latter and design fatigue would set in with the consumer. That prediction rang true, but not for long. The 1906 started slowly, but its subsequent recovery is testament to the force that New Balance has become. As the New Balance 550 lost its cool edge, the 1906r became the successor to the 2002r that it was always meant to be. A focus on mesh panelling and a minimalist look makes it desirable in today’s sneaker world, and people are realising that, pairing it with everything from casual wear to runway looks. New Balance realises the broad appeal of the 1906 too, giving us both affordable general release options as well as eye catching collaborations. With multiple pairs coming this year in partnership with renaissance man Action Bronson, the 1906r’s stock is only going to rise in 2024.

3. Asics 2160

Speaking of mesh, there's one brand that does mesh runners better than any other brand. Asics. Even in mono-colour styles, the 2160 manages to be visually interesting enough to stand out against other mesh sneakers. This is due to the large Asics logo on the lateral side and swooping line details that cross from the shoe’s upper onto the midsole. However, whilst the shapes on the 2160 may be bold, they still manage to be elegant. A versatile shoe that can be the centre piece of an outfit, or a subtle part of an ensemble, we think we’ll be seeing lots of Asics’ 2160 this year.

4. Saucony Grid Shadow 2

Saucony are one of the most exciting sneaker brands around at the moment and we think they’ll go from strength to strength in 2024. The ProGrid line fits the mesh trend well, but the shoe that’s really turning heads is the Grid Shadow 2. Gorgeous panel placement makes this sneaker look truly unique compared to other brands and unlike many models, it’s at its best when it’s at its most bold and colourful. Of course nothing proves this point better than the vibrant collaboration with rapper Jae Tips, which introduced a wider audience to both sneaker and musician. So the next time you see an eye-popping sneaker, it might just be a Grid Shadow 2.

5. Nike Air Max Plus

Some will argue that Nike is in a slump, and for a brand that’s always been at the forefront of sneaker culture, that may be true. But it must be remembered that this is a slump by Nike’s own, impossibly high standards. Whilst we’re not sure that the Air Max DN or the re-release of the Nike Field General are the answer to Adidas’ Samba, we still expect to see plenty of swooshes this year. The Air Max Plus is our pick for the air max that we’ll see most of this year, due to its already large following and lack of need for high-profile collaborations to do well. The Air Max Plus’ sweeping silhouette makes it appealing to anyone who wants something slightly more subtle (but doesn’t want to give up the signature air max bubble).