The Best Year of the Dragon Releases of 2024
As the mythical takes centre stage in the Chinese zodiac, brands like , , and more are unleashing a firestorm of creativity in the world of sneakers to commemorate the . With intricate designs, vibrant colours, and symbolic details, these limited-edition kicks pay homage to Chinese culture and offer sneaker enthusiasts a chance to embrace the powerful spirit of the dragon. Below, we round up the best silhouettes available in the market right now. So, lace up and get ready to add some heat to your sneaker rotation.
Saucony Grid Shadow 2
In honour of the Year of the Dragon, have reimagined the Shadow by incorporating a retro-chic aesthetic while still delivering an outstanding performance. The upper is crafted from premium suede and comes with cushioning for extra comfort. Shades of rust and maroon make up this silhouette’s colour scheme.
KangaROOS Made in Germany
Making this their third Chinese New Year-themed silhouette, Made in Germany arrives in a multi-coloured design featuring hues of green, purple, red, pink, black and white. The retro runner sports a mixed upper crafted from suede and smooth satin-like polyester. Hits of gold are found on both the embroidered lateral logo and the woven dragon on the tongue tab.
For its latest iteration, the is covered in green-scaled leather overlays with a white base. Maroon accents are seen on the Swoosh, laces, and tongue tag, while champagne gold dresses the heel tab and logos on the tongue and insole. Rounding off the design are the white midsole and icy translucent outsole.
The arrives in three versions for the Year of the Dragon. The first iteration is dominated by a white leather upper with a scale pattern surrounding the collar for extra texture. Burgundy hues grace a quarter of the outsole and insole, while gold accents can be found on the midfoot’s lining and logo. The second pair arrives in the same white leather base but with reflective silver dragon graphics spread throughout and a deep red adorning the eyestays and midfoot lining. The third variation comes in GS sizing only and features similar characteristics as the first pair, but with shades of white, olive green, dark red and metallic gold.
This classic sports a minimal design with subtle hits of Year of the Dragon-themed elements. The 'Just Do It' tab is made of maroon satin, while the tongue comes with a lantern-inspired graphic. Elsewhere, the Swoosh and heel tab have been given a dragon-scale pattern treatment, which are both placed on top of a lime green backdrop. Red and aqua blue accent the design, and fiery red insoles and orb-shaped dubraes finish off the pair.
The Remastered's colour palette boasts the standard white, grey, red, and green tones of the pack, complemented by distinctive details. The Swoosh stands out with a light-green dragon-scale texture and is completed with Nike branding and Chinese characters. The 'Year of the Dragon' theme is evident on the tongue, particularly with the noteworthy foam construction that adds a chunky yet comfortable aspect to the design. The final festive touch is the 'Just Do It' tag in a Chinese New Year red.
Jordan Stadium 90
The showcases sail suede on the toe and foxing, complemented by a high-quality green scale-patterned leather Swoosh. The shark-tooth pattern on the quarter overlay, inspired by the Jordan 5, is skillfully debossed into the suede, adding a touch of luxury to the shoe's appearance and feel.
The boasts its distinctive perforated mesh upper in a 'Sail' hue paired with a pristine white Zoom Air midsole unit. The 'Year of the Dragon' concept is manifested through 'University Red' accents on the lateral Swoosh and tongue tab, while rose pink adorns the medial Swooshes and top eye stays. The heels feature 'Just Do it' on the left and Chinese characters on the right, adding to the overall celebratory design.
Nike JA 1
The boasts a clean white hue across the mesh upper, overlays and tongue. Adding a pop of colour is the light blue layer on the upper, as well as the midsole, outsole, and tongue tab logo on the left pair. More detailing is enhanced with a luxe gold Swoosh, heel tab, infinity lace dubrae, and floral pattern near the forefoot.
Nike Dunk Low
The women's Nike Dunk Low LX dons a jade-inspired design. The ‘Dusty Cactus’ overlays provide texture with a scale pattern. Elsewhere, the outsole is dressed in a bright blue hue, while the tab branding on the tongue and lateral arrive in dark red. Tying everything together is the cloud-shaped metallic dubrae with a purple-and-blue centre.
Air Jordan 38
The is graced with 'Ceda' and 'Dark Team Red', which can be found on the nubuck panelling and latticed weave upper. ‘Oil Green’ dons the midsole and laces to complement the Lunar New Year theme. Finally, the Jumpman hits on the tongue, insole and heel are covered in a luxurious gold shade.
adidas D.O.N.
The adidas D.O.N. Issue 5 is a golden dream with its embroidered dragons on the lateral. The Three Stripes have incorporated golden pinstripes onto a yin-yang-like black-and-white base. A bright turquoise element has also been added to the heel for contrast.