It was pretty clear from the moment Nigel Sylvester unveiled his Air Jordan 4 collaboration that he had a major contender for sneaker of the year on his hands. Everyone in the sneaker world kept raving about its premium materials and unique branding elements, not to mention the inspiring story behind the design. Turns out that Nigel Sylvester’s Jordan 4 “Brick by Brick” is, in fact, the top collab for 2025, as hailed by Tracksuit and Bimma Williams as well as Complex.
Is It All About The Looks?
Sylvester chose “Firewood Orange” suede to kit out his AJ 4 collab and topped it off with matching mesh panelling, eyelets and satin inner lining. The most intriguing design element of the shoe comes in on the “Cinnabar” textured leather mudguards that wrap around the front.
Or Is It The Story?
These fabrics and textures play perfectly into the theme of the design. The BMX star and Jordan Brand crafted the collab as a tribute to Sylvester’s hometown of Queens. More specifically, it’s a tribute to the red brick buildings that line the New York City borough and the place where Nigel started his biking career.
Sylvester’s Signature Branding
It’s all topped off with signature details that have been present across Sylvester’s other collaborative efforts with the Jumpman, starting with the miniature Swoosh at the forefoot and ending with the “Bike Air” branding at the heel. Plus, it features custom insoles with his “GO” logo printed on them.
The Publicity And Release of Nigel Sylvester’s Jordan 4 ‘Brick by Brick’
But JB didn’t just rest on its laurels with the release. There was a significant buildup of hype leading up to the drop. First came Sylvester himself riding on a “Brick by Brick” truck to hand out free gear (a stunt that was ultimately shut down by the police). Next was an NYC runway show with sneak peeks of upcoming shoes and gear. Not to forget the unplanned train hijacking that brought extra attention to the collab before its D-day on March 14th. Needless to say, these bad boys flew.
The Top Collab of the Year Award Goes To Nigel Sylvester’s Jordan 4 ‘Brick by Brick’
Ultimately, it’s no surprise that Nigel Sylvester and the Jumpman secured this year’s Sneaker of the Year from several sneaker publications and sites. The duo crafted a full experience for fans that started with creating a beautiful sneaker that also carries an inspiring message and culminated in an unforgettable launch.
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Other Collabs That Were Hailed As Top Releases of 2025
That’s not to say there weren’t plenty of other incredible collabs for 2025. This year was stacked with amazing releases across the board. Adidas had the Adistar Jellyfish with Pharrell, Joe Freshgoods and New Balance honoured their longstanding partnership with a special 992 collaboration, and Jordan Brand had big hits with the “Arctic Pink” Awake NY Jordan 5 and the return of the Undefeated x Jordan 4. Not to forget Nike’s superb run of Air Max 95s, including our personal favourite, the Yu-Gi-Oh! design.
Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Arctic Pink”
What made Awake NY’s collab stand out (other than the bright pink colourway) is the unique A-shaped netting at the side. It also has a callout to NY at the ankle and red contrast stitching that adds to the overall vibe. It isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but it was one of the most creative reimaginings of Michael Jordan’s fifth signature shoe that we’ve seen in a while.
New Balance x Joe Freshgoods 992 “Aged Well”
This year, Joe Freshgoods followed up on the “No Emotions Are Emotions” 992 collab from 2020 with a new “Aged Well” look. The sneaker incorporates pastel and earthy tones that offer a muted or aged interpretation of the first design. It was a great way for the duo to celebrate five years of collaboration and a design that many sneakerheads love.
Pharrell x Adidas Virginia Adistar Jellyfish
Pharrell Williams managed to snatch up Footwear News’ Shoe of the Year award for 2025. The multi-talented artist may have taken cues from the Adistar Cushion 3, but he created something completely different. Think 3D tentacle-like TPU layers, reflective details, and an overall chunky look. Definitely a pair that feels fresh and innovative—but still wearable—in 2025.
Undefeated x Air Jordan 4
No one expected to get another chance at copping the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 when the sneaker first released in 2005. This was the first-ever Jordan collab. It set the tone for things to come, and it’s still a sneakerhead favourite after 20 years.
Yu-Gi-Oh! x Nike Air Muscle 95
The Air Max 95 had a few great collabs for its 30th anniversary. But what felt like the design with the best story (at least for us) was the Yu-Gi-Oh! x Nike Air Muscle 95. It was inspired by a faux Air Max-inspired sneaker Joey Wheeler wore in the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! anime series, and the duo brought the look to life with incredible attention to detail, from the altered tongue logos to the scratch marks on the sole unit. This was a huge win for anime lovers who also fall into the sneakerhead category.
The List Goes On
Everyone will likely have their own idea of which sneaker(s) should be crowned the best sneaker collabs of 2025. Some of the collabs you love may not have even made it onto any of the major lists. It’s just a testament to how the game (read competition) is growing across different brands. It will be interesting to see which footwear companies take the top spots next year.
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