The top 10 sneakers of the Christmas season 2024

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Black Friday is less than a week away, which means it’s time to start holiday shopping. When shopping for athletes and sports fans, there’s no better choice than a fresh pair of sneakers. However, the options can be overwhelming. Worse still, sneakerheads are notoriously picky.

Hence Sports Illustrated Kicks On SI will focus on shoes for specific sports in the next few weeks. Consumers can contact us for recommendations on the best performance shoes for basketball, golf and running.

Today we kick off our holiday shopping guide season with a list that narrows down the top ten sneakers (performance and casual) that enjoy universal acclaim among sneakerheads of all ages. Good luck and good luck out there this shopping season.

Why we love it: Zendaya’s celebrity-approved On CloudTilt combines style and performance.
Why you need it: This shoe is lightning fast and light as a feather. The feeling of weightlessness has never looked so good.
How to buy it: The On ClouldTilt is available in multiple colorways for $160 in adult sizes at Foot Locker and on the On website.

Why we love it: The Nike Dunk Low is back and better than ever in multiple OG-inspired colorways.
Why you need it: This old-school basketball shoe has found new life in recent years as the world’s most popular silhouette.
How to buy it: The Nike Dunk Low is available in a variety of styles in family sizes (ranging from $55 to $115) at Nike and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Michael Jordan’s first signature sneaker was perhaps the absolute best. Even better, several iconic colorways are available online.
Why you need it: The Air Jordan 1 Low allows everyone to look and feel like the GOAT.
How to buy it: The Air Jordan 1 Low is available in a variety of styles in family sizes (ranging from $65 to $140) at Nike and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Originally designed as an indoor training shoe, the adidas Gazelle has evolved beyond sports to become a timeless classic in the sneaker community.
Why you need it: These iconic shoes are designed for everyday use and feature a premium soft suede upper and muted colors.
How to buy it: The adidas Gazelle is available at Foot Locker and on the adidas website in a variety of colorways in adult sizes ($120) and kids sizes ($90).

Why we love it: Iconic colorways, first-class materials – the New Balance 990v6 feels like a luxurious vehicle.
Why you need it: New Balance describes the 990v6 as the “gold standard in running comfort.” Not bad for a casual sneaker.
How to buy it: The New Balance 990v6 is available in multiple colorways in adult ($200), big kids ($130), small kids ($110), and toddler ($90) sizes at New Balance and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Party like it’s the Y2K era with these shoes that look like they’re from the past
Why you need it: Inspired by the swaggering, futuristic and visible technical craftsmanship of the Y2K era, these shoes reinterpret familiar 99X elements with an eye-catching twist to elevate your style.
How to buy it: The New Balance 9060 is available in multiple colorways in adult ($150), big kid ($110), small kid ($95), and toddler ($80) sizes at Foot Locker and New Balance.

Why we love it: Anthony Edwards’ debut basketball shoe took the world by storm and will top many sneaker rankings come the end of the year.
Why you need it: The adidas AE 1 Low combines unmatched performance and style for the basketball court.
How to buy it: The adidas AE 1 Low is available in multiple colorways in adult sizes ($120) and large kids sizes ($90) at adidas and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Worn in some of MJ’s best performances, the Air Jordan 3 looks even better off the basketball court.
Why you need it: The Air Jordan 3 doesn’t drop very often. However, some of the most popular colorways are now available online.
How to buy it: The Air Jordan 3 is available in multiple colorways in family sizes (ranging from $75 to $220) at Nike and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Devin Booker’s first signature basketball shoe is one of the rare performance models that looks better off the court than on the hardwood.
Why you need it: The Nike Book 1 combines premium materials with cutting-edge performance technology.
How to buy it: The Nike Book 1 is available in five colorways in adult sizes (between $120 and $140) at Nike and Foot Locker.

Why we love it: Kobe Bryant has made some legendary appearances in his eighth signature sneaker and this model holds a special place in the hearts of basketball players and fans.
Why you need it: The Nike Kobe 8 was one of the few models from Bryant’s legendary sneaker line that didn’t sell out.
How to buy it: The Nike Kobe 8 Protro is available in five colorways in adult ($180), big kids ($120), and small kids ($90) sizes at Nike and Foot Locker.