Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! Over the years, brands from Nike to Reebok have celebrated the holiday season by launching special edition, Christmas-themed kicks. In recent years, the NBA Christmas games have given brands an international stage for players to show off their holiday sneakers. Get into the holiday spirit and join us as we reminisce by counting down the top 15 Christmas sneaker releases of all-time.
PS: Hey brands, I think it's about time we show Hanukkah and Kwanzaa some love!
1. Nike Dunk SB High Concepts "Ugly Christmas Sweater" Grey
Boston-based retailer Concepts linked up with Nike SB to create one of the most iconic Christmas themed sneakers of all time in 2013. Dubbed the "Ugly Christmas Sweater" edition, they came in two colorways, one black and the other grey. Both pairs feature holiday themed graphics throughout the entire upper, giving everyone the perfect footwear to go with their best ugly Christmas outfits they have.
2. Nike Kobe 6 Grinch (2010)
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch! Inspired by the classic Dr. Seuss story, this Nike Kobe 6 is LOUD! It hits on all cylinders from the theme to it also being one of the best basketball sneakers ever made. While some people like to be nice, others want to be naughty and what better way to spread that message than in the Nike Kobe 6 Grinch!?
3. Nike LeBron X Christmas
When it comes to Christmas kicks you can't go wrong with this Nike LeBron 10. It comes in classic X-Mas colors, sporting a red-based upper with green accents. Originally released in 2012, King James rocked them on-court on Christmas Eve leading the Miami Heat to a victory of the Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-97.
4. adidas Forum Low Home Alone
Already an instant classic, the adidas Forum Low Home Alone edition draws inspiration from the same sneaker sported by Kevin McCallister throughout the film. Featuring an off-white upper with unique burn mark detailing, a custom carpet tongue label and extra sets of insoles depicting the robbers Kevin thwarted as he defended the McCallister home really make this pair a unique one.
5. Nike Dunk SB Low Candy Cane
When it comes to Christmas, there are a few notable things that everyone associates with the holiday. From Santa Claus and his reindeer to presents and decorations. But we must not forget about the candy cane. A timeless classic whether you like to eat the peppermint stick or use them for your decor, you can't go wrong with candy canes during the holidays. To celebrate the occasion in 2015, Nike SB dropped a "Candy Cane" Dunk Low, complete with a red and white pinstriped upper.
6. Reebok Shaq Attaq Ghost of Christmas Present
While these days, when people think of Shaq shoes they think Wal-Mart, there was a time in the beginning of his career when he was rocking with Reebok. The Reebok Shaqnosis as well as the original Shaq Attaq are two of the most coveted sneakers in 90s basketball history. During its initial retro run, Reebok Classics dressed up the Shaq Attaq in a "Ghost of Christmas Present" edition. Featuring a dark green upper with lime green and white accents, a red liner and translucent outsole.
7. Nike Dunk SB High Krampus
Do you know the origin story of Saint Nick? How about it arch nemesis, Krampus? For those in the know, Nike SB honored the creature from Central and Eastern European folklore with his own Dunk High in 2012. The sneaker features a black-based upper with leather overlays and faux pony hair underlays. Red accents and custom "Krampus" graphics on the tongue tag and insoles finish off the theme.
8. Li-Ning Way of Wade 2 Christmas
While it may look like it resembles a reptile, this Li-Ning Way of Wade 2 is actually the "Christmas" edition. It features a green-based upper with an all-over graphic, red accents and paint splatter detailing on the midsole. If a green and red sneaker doesn't scream Christmas to you, I don't know what does.
9. adidas T-Mac Millennium 2 Christmas Game
In 2019 adidas celebrated Tracy McGrady's knack for going all-out during Christmas Day games during his NBA career. In honor of those games, the adidas T-Mac Millennium 2 "Christmas Game" edition was created. It comes in classic Orlando Magic colors of black and royal blue with a unique galaxy graphic on the upper, stars on the tongue and the date "12-25" on the front part of the midsole.
10. Sean Cliver x Nike SB Dunk Low "Holiday Special"
Sean Cliver once again brings the holiday spirit to The Swoosh with a "Holiday Special" colorway on the coveted Nike SB Dunk Low. A glittery sole unit mixed with icy blue suede and metallic gold accents (as well as the snowflake perforations on the toebox) truly convey the spirit of Christmas. Tying the whole theme together is the insole which features a graphic of elves playing on a wintery day outdoors and the box that continues this graphic.
11. Nike KD 5 Christmas
The Nike KD 5 Christmas edition was inspired by one of Kevin Durant's childhood memories of receiving a video game system one special Christmas day. The sneaker features a blue theme throughout the entirety of the sneaker, complete with old school video game-like graphics on the upper, paint splatter detailing on the midsole and a translucent outsole.
12. Nike Air Max 90 Candy Cane Christmas 2015
Nike Sportswear kicked it up a notch with their "Candy Cane" edition of the Air Max 90. Released in December 2015 these Air Maxes sport an all-leather upper with 3D printed Swoosh graphics dressed in candy cane pinstripes throughout. A glitter Swoosh on the sides, metallic gold accents and an icy translucent outsole with red and green splatter detailing really showcase the Christmas Spirit.
13. adidas Crazy 8 Nightmare Before Christmas
This is Halloween, this is Halloween...err, Christmas? This adidas Crazy 8 pays homage to the classic Tim Burton flick, The Nightmare Before Christmas. A movie focused on Halloween Town where one character dares to see more and stumbles upon Christmas Town. What ensues is nothing short of "magical." No spoilers here so if you haven't seen the movie, peep it!
14. Nike Kobe 9 Elite Christmas
After riding the low-top wave for a few years, the Nike Kobe 9 Elite brought a high-top silhouette back to the Kobe line. Regarded as one of the best Kobe sneakers of all-time, this specific pair was a part of Nike Basketball's "Christmas" Collection released in 2014. The sneaker features an all-red everything theme finished off by black accents and a unique graphic design on the sole.
15. adidas Forum Low "Grinch"
While other brands have made in-direct nods to the infamous Dr. Seuss Christmas character, adidas in 2022 was able to secure the rights from the famed authors estate to throw the man whos heart grew three sizes onto the adidas Forum Low. Fuzzy suede in shades of green matching the furry character alongside depictions of the Grinch on the tongue and hangtag make this one of the best "Grinch" themed sneakers of all time.
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