Our 10 Favourite December Drops Throughout The Years

Not only is it the festive season, but December is well-known throughout the sneaker industry for playing host to some of the most important drops of the year. Whether it’s retro AJ1s or brand-new Yeezys, December has seen it all, and it’s that time of the month where here at The Sole Supplier we dive deep into the archives to showcase the best releases from years gone by. Picking for December was by no means an easy task, but after plenty of deliberation we managed to narrow it down to 10 of the absolute best.

Whether you’re reminiscing about where you were or who you were with when these sneakers were released or learning about them for the very first time, it’s important for sneaker knowledge like this to be open and accessible to all. We hope you enjoy checking out our choices and make sure to keep it locked right here for all the latest sneaker news and updates before anyone else!

The Yeezy 700 V2 is arguably one of the greatest Yeezy silhouettes of all time, so what happens when it’s dressed in an ultra-clean whited-out colourway? It’s an instant sell-out, that’s what happens! The undefined is still the ultimate Yeezy grail for many sneakerheads, and it’s not exactly hard to see why. The clean and aerodynamic lines of the model look better than ever with hits of silver giving off futuristic vibes. Let’s not forget the fact that the midsoles are filled with Boost cushioning, making these some of the most comfortable everyday kicks on the market.

After a quick rewind back to 2016, we’re presented with the KITH x adidas Ultra Boost Mid "Aspen". The hype behind the streamlined running silhouette was at its peak back then, meaning that when Ronnie Fieg’s iconic brand announced a collaborative Ultra Boost, collectors were about to snap it up and love every second. That’s exactly what happened when the multicoloured-knit sneaker eventually launched, despite the fact it was the less popular mid-top cut. Pairs are few and far between now, with the collaboration still fetching impressive prices via the resale market.

December 2018 saw Virgil Abloh and his Off-White brand take on Bruce Kilgore’s iconic Air Force 1 for the second time ever, working on two very different colourways. First up was the striking “Volt” colourway that showcased an all-over neon yellow/green hue, while the contrasting “Black” version instead opted to keep things stealthy and sophisticated. Both pairs are now legendary in their own right, with Abloh’s subtle changes to the cult-classic silhouette sitting perfectly aside the original design language.

A firm favourite here at TSS HQ, the Nike Air Max 95 Neon holds a special place in the hearts of many sneakerheads around the world. Designed by Sergio Lozano back in 1995 and inspired by the human anatomy, the model was initially designed for use on the rugged terrains around the Oregon area (Nike HQ), although it quickly transcended into a lifestyle sneaker and was adopted by the sneaker scene in due course. The most recent retro release occurred back in 2021, providing a new generation of sneakerheads with the chance to get their hands on this classic OG colourway.

Another Ultra Boost from 2016 has made an appearance in this list as we make our way back through the archives, and this time it’s the Ultra Boost 4.0 “Chinese New Year”. Showcasing a similar multi-coloured knit appearance to the KITH collaborative version that appeared earlier on, this sneaker shows a more traditional approach to Ultra Boost design, with the classic cage exoskeleton featuring this time around. The look is completed with a whited-out Boost technology midsole and a Continental rubber outsole.

The tail end of 2017 saw Nike release the highly-anticipated “Country Camo” Air Max 97 pack, which featured official camouflage patterns from countries around the globe. The “Germany” variant was a fan-favourite amongst plenty of sneakerheads, as the khaki-hued pattern was combined with a white midsole unit, allowing for a perfectly contrasted look. Premium features were plentiful here, with the highlight being removable Velcro German flags that could be placed on top of the Nike logo one each tongue. Good luck finding a pair of these in good condition now, as most were snapped up on the launch date!

There aren’t many streetwear brands that are as respected as Hiroshi Fujiwara’s fragment Design label, so when the Japanese entity announced it was collaborating with Jordan Brand on an AJ1 back in 2014, it sent shockwaves throughout the sneaker community. Showcasing a classic Royal Blue colourway with additional hits of white, Fujiwara didn’t have to change much to warrant making this one of the greatest Jordan collaborations of all time. Finished with the brand’s signature lightning bolt logo embossed onto the lateral heel, these are still one of the most in-demand AJ1s ever.

Yet another Off-White collaboration has snuck into this compilation, however this time around the spotlight shines on Virgil Abloh’s first ever foray into the Nike Dunk Low. Released in 2019 just before the Dunk became one of the most popular sneakers on the market once again, Virgil chose three iconic college colourways (Michigan, Pine Green and UNLV red), and kitted them out with zip-ties, signature typeface branding and overlay laces in true Off-White fashion. This collaboration paved the way for the more recent “Dear Summer” Dunk collection, that featured 50 different colourways and released exclusively via EA on the Nike SNKRS app.

The Nike Air Max 90 “Infrared” is one of the most legendary sneakers of all time, period. Does it get much better than the OG colourway of a 90s Air Max design? Well, in 2013 the Swoosh brand attempted to combine modern-day technology with classic design, releasing the Nike Air Max Lunar 90 “Infrared”. The usual Air Max cushioning was accompanied with additional Lunarlon, providing the pinnacle of comfort. Along with a no-sew upper and a compression-moulded collar, this modernised AM90 proved to be popular with sneakerheads when it launched, although we think it’s fair to say that the technology hasn’t proved to be as timeless as the original AM90.

Now December releases don’t get much better than they did back in 2013, when the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Bred” was released in its original form once again. Debuting back in 1985 as Michael Jordan’s first-ever signature sneaker and earning the nickname “Banned” due to how it was never approved for use by the NBA, this sneaker is easily one of the most iconic to ever have been released. The simple yet effective black and red colourway is interrupted only by Nike Swoosh logos on each side and Jordan Brand’s wings logo. They’ve only been retro’d once again since, in 2016, and remain one of the most in-demand sneakers of all time.