The Best Sneaker Collabs Dropping In 2023 (So Far)

Collaborations have always been a firm fixture within the sneaker scene, but over the past couple of years, it’s seemed that just about every other release has become a joint project. For some, that’s an exciting thing. Originally the whole point of collaboration was to help leverage each brand’s existing audience, but as these joint projects have become more and more unattainable (we’re looking at you, Dior and Jordan) some audiences are beginning to feel less enamoured with the process. Couple this with the fact that for every unattainable release, a brand will drop a number of low-effort pairs in an attempt to make up for things, and it's easy to come up with the conclusion that collaborations have lost their charm.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, going into 2023, it’s actually served as motivation for brands to work that little bit harder. This year, expect to see much more effort go into partnerships, whether that’s by working with more community-led brands or organisations, to picking off-the-radar partners, with successful long-standing arrangements and hyped drops thrown in for good measure. This is shaping up to be an exciting year, so take a look at the drops we’re looking forward to most so far…

First up, sneaker legend Tom Sachs is set to continue his NikeCraft programme with another colourway of his General Purpose Shoe. While serious sneakerheads will remember that his Mars Yard model reached grail status, the General Purpose Sneaker originally seemed a little underwhelming. That however turned out to be the whole point of the project. Sachs wanted wearers to look beyond the hype and opt for a shoe that they didn’t have to think about too much, stating that shoes were merely tools to help people get through their day. It was a refreshing take on the culture, even if the colourways did still manage to sell out, so be sure to set your notifications for this next pair as they’ll be dropping soon.

One of the most in-demand collaborators of the moment, Montreal-based design studio JJJJound is set to team up with New Balance once again. This time, the duo has focused their efforts on the 991 - a model that’s been crafted at NB’s iconic Flimby factory. JJJJound and New Balance fans alike will be happy to know that the pair is no departure from what the duo does best, as neutral hues and minimalist branding set the tone.

If there’s one thing that can stand up to Bad Bunny’s Spotify Streaming success, it’s just how good the artist’s adidas collabs are. The Puerto Rican rapper is set to build upon his 3-Stripes offering with his latest sneaker, which this time swaps out the Forum for the Campus. Previous Bad Bunny releases have come dressed in pastel pinks and blues, but this Campus collab kicks things off in a more toned-down make-up, with “Cloud White” hairy suede and leather taking over the shoe’s construction. A special-edition box and branded touches add extra flair, while a layered sole and double tongue call back to the duo’s previous works.

Cult streetwear brand Corteiz caused a stir when it projected its logo onto Nike's London store recently, and this time, it had nothing to do with the duo's past legal battle. Bridges between the brands had been rebuilt, and just a few hours later it was announced that the pair would be linking up on a new collab. Having revealed the chosen silhouette as the Air Max 95, founder Clint419 took to Instagram to share a first look at the model, so stayed tuned for these to drop very soon.

The Tiffany Dunk is arguably one of the most famous sneakers of all time, but its recently been revealed that the luxury jewellery brand and Nike have been cooking up an official collaboration - which instead focuses its efforts on the Air Force 1. Though few images have seen the light of day so far, our first looks at the pair point towards a black nubuck upper with a Tiffany blue Swoosh, as well as silver hardware that dials up the luxe factor. Be sure to set your release reminders nice and early while we wait for more info, as this is likely to be one of the most in-demand releases of 2023.

A Ma Maniére’s run with Jordan Brand tends to head up every sneakerhead’s must-cop list, and now the boutique is bringing its signature touches to the Air Jordan 12. Arriving alongside a black and burgundy version, this pair follows the same theme seen on previous releases, with white and “Burgundy Crush” tones spilling over the premium leather uppers. While the initial pairs received a warm welcome, it’ll be interesting to see how the AJ12 performs, but If anyone can sell us a sneaker, it's AMM.

Travis Scott has cemented his legacy within the footwear scene thanks to his ongoing work with Nike, and fans have been long awaiting the next instalment of the partnership. For this pair, the Houston-born rapper continues to favour the Air Jordan 1 Low silhouette, sticking to his signature Cactus Jack colour palette to craft the perfect neutral offering. Black and white uppers keep things simple while the olive-toned Swoosh and bright red branding hits steal the show, making these a must-have for any sneaker fan.

Off-White’s partnership with Nike has been holding strong since 2017, and even though Virgil Abloh may no longer be with us, there are still plenty of stories left to tell. As his wife Shannon takes the reins, its been revealed that there is still at least a year’s worth of releases left in the works, including the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 “Ghost Grey”, which is rumoured to be a Paris-exclusive. Those wanting to get their hands on a pair will have to book a ticket to the city or alternatively pay a hefty sum on the resale market. Worth it to own a piece of sneaker history though, isn’t it?

Finally, New Balance fan and rapper Action Bronson has been trusted to collab with the Boston-based brand, and early images showed his model of choice to be an early look at the 990v6 silhouette. Known for his love of chunky sneakers, Bronson’s take on the model is expected to come in two colourways: one (very) bright iteration, and a second more subdued version. Now that the v6 is available to buy, look for these to drop over the next couple of months - just hit the button above to be the first to know when.

Which pairs will you be going for? Let us know and be sure to hit the release reminder links for your best chance of copping them on the day. Until then, check out our fave neutral sneakers that are dropping this year!