15 Best Lunar New Year Sneakers of All Time

The Lunar New Year has long been celebrated through sneakers with eye-catching designs that include plenty of fish, red lanterns, and dragons. 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, but we’re winding back the clock by putting together a list of our favourite Lunar New Year sneakers of all time. Every shoe on our list adds vibrant, boundary-pushing colourways that celebrate Chinese culture through bold embellishments and or creative artwork plastered across the shoe. However, for brands like Nike, this is one of the biggest revenue periods in the year. Statistics from Statista reveal that a large percentage of Nike’s 2024 footwear revenue comes from Greater China, with figures amounting to over 5.5 billion U.S. dollars. These sneakers must be heaters, and they’re going all in with these designs.

Best Lunar New Year Sneakers

Highlights from our list include the following options:

• Best Lunar New Year sneakers overall: Nike Air Foamposite One ‘Tianjin’
• For a Jordan: Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Chinese New Year’
• For a Nike: Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07 ‘Year of the Dragon’
• For a New Balance: New Balance 991 Made in England ‘Year Of The Ox’

Now we’ve rounded up our favourites, let’s check out the full list.

1. Nike Air Foamposite One ‘Tianjin’

Nike Foamposite One Tianjin is one of the rarest Lunar New Year releases, but also one of the best. The shoe features a colourful, floral print on the upper, which is inspired by the traditional decorations seen during the Lunar New Year celebrations in the city of Tianjin, China. It also features a metallic gold swoosh and a red and gold embroidered heel. As always, the Foamposite technology provides lightweight and durable comfort for the wearer, not that you’d want to step out in a pair worth this much money. The Foamposite One ‘Tianjin’ is considered a collector’s item, with market prices upwards of $6,500.

Style: 744307-001
Colourway: Black/ Black-Lava Glow-Lakeside
Release date: 02/07/2015
Price range: from AUD$6,500

2. Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Chinese New Year’

Released back in 2021, the Jordan 1 Low OG ‘Chinese New Year’ is one of the freshest Lunar New Year drops out there that you can still get your hands on for a reasonable price today. These are a decadent pair of shoes with a black and red patent leather upper that screams luxury. The gold accents on the tongue and heel add some serious pop and give off that premium vibe. Of course, the OG silhouette of the Jordan 1 Low makes this one of the most wearable (and affordable) sneakers on our list.

Style: DD2233-001
Colourway: Black/ University Red-Metallic Gold-White
Release date: 01/31/2021
Price range: from AUD$450

3. Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07 ‘Year of the Dragon’

Released in 2024 as a China exclusive, the Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07 ‘Year of the Dragon’ is one of the best Lunar New Year sneaker releases because of its intricate, detailed gold silk embroidery and dragon imagery. Now sold out, the shoe sells for a pretty penny on the secondary market these days, driven by its rather steep USD$365 (AUD$560) retail price. Still, the biggest decision you’re going to have to make is whether or not you want to put this work of art on your feet.

Style: HJ4285-777
Colourway: Metallic Gold/Metallic Gold-Lilac
Release date: 02/14/2024
Price range: from AUD$700

4. Jordan 12 Retro ‘Chinese New Year’

The Jordan 1 CNY release from 2019 is perhaps one of the more subtle sneakers on our list, however, it’s a classic in its own right. We reckon the colourway is crisp, with black leather panelling on the upper and a contrasting white midsole and outsole. The CNY detailing on the tongue and insole adds a subtle touch of Chinese culture while metallic gold accents round out the silhouette with intricate details.

Style: CI2977-006
Colourway: Black/ True Red-Sail-Metallic Gold
Release date: 02/05/2019
Price range: from AUD$600

5. Nike Kyrie 4 ‘Chinese New Year’

In 2018, it was the Kyrie 4 that became a canvas to celebrate CNY, using bold, shiny red on the upper alongside intricate embroidery. Florals adorn the side and heel of the shoe using black, red, white and gold to highlight Chinese culture. It’s all topped off by a black embroidered Swoosh on the side which sits perfectly atop the rich red. The Kyrie 4 will go down as one of the best sneakers to wear on the court, so if you’re playing over the Lunar New Year period, this is the best shout.

Style: 943807-600/943806-600
Colourway: Unversity Red/ Black-Team Red
Release date: 01/18/2018
Price range: from AUD$600

6. Nike Air Max 1 ‘Chinese New Year Longevity’

Born in 2020, the Air Max 1 got a colourful makeover for CNY, one of the most experimental holiday drops yet. The shoe features vibrant, colourful collages that nod to Chinese heritage from florals to dragons with a mudguard embossed with Chinese characters. It’s all topped off by an acid-wash denim toe box.

Style: CU8861-460
Colourway: Blue/ Pink
Release date: 01/18/2020
Price range: from AUD$200

7. Jordan 5 Retro Low ‘Chinese New Year’

The 2016 Jordan 5 drop features a red and black colourway, with metallic gold accents on the branding and midsole. The shoe was a nod to the Chinese heritage and featured unique details such as a 3M reflective tongue and Chinese characters on the heel tab. The classic Jumpman embroidery on the heel ties the shoe back to its Jordan roots.

Style: 840475-060
Colourway: Black/ Bright Crimson-Beta Blue-Black
Release date: 01/23/2016
Price range: from AUD$600

8. Jordan 13 Retro ‘Chinese New Year’

Released back in 2020 this Air Jordan 13 Retro CNY release is still a sought-after one. It also sports a different colourway than a lot of the other releases on this list. It features a Chinese coin-inspired design that trades in pastels from a soft pink finish on the outsole to the green holographic cat eye. The patterning on the white upper is particularly noteworthy elevating a silhouette that’s already eye-catching.

Style: CW4409-100
Colourway: Pale Ivory/ BLack-Digital Pink-Club Gold
Release date: 01/23/2020
Price range: from AUD$440

9. Nike Air Foamposite One ‘Lunar New Year’

The Nike Air Foamposite was the silhouette for the Lunar New Year back in 2018 featuring a Foam shell covered in fireworks and floral graphics. The metallic, glossy artwork that the shoe steps outside of the typical monochromatic Foamposite model. It’s all pulled together by the impressive icy translucent outsole which aptly compliments the busy upper.

Style: AO7541-006
Colourway: Black/ Habanero Red-Black
Release date: 02/06/2018
Price range: from AUD$500

10. Jordan 1 Low ‘Year Of The Rabbit’

Limited to just 5000 pairs, this year’s Year of the Rabbit drop takes the Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG as its canvas. Using neutral tones and furry, textured layers, it’s clear that the rabbit is the inspiration for this release. Suede and leather dominate the upper while the sock liner is made of terry towelling. The oversized, furry laces are one of the most impressive features of this release.

Style: DV1312-200
Release date: 01/21/2023
Price range: from AUD$700

11. Nike Dunk High ‘Year Of The Pig’

What better way to celebrate the Year of the Pig than by covering a shoe completely in pink? That’s exactly what Nike did with the Dunk High back in 2007 and it proves to be a massive hit. Featuring entirely different shades of pink across its suede upper, there is also an embossed ankle panel sporting a Chinese design with an artwork of a pig. Nabbing a pair of these is a pretty rare achievement these days.

Style: 309235-661
Colourway: Perfect Pink/ Aluminum Pink-Morning
Release date: 03/17/2007
Price range: from AUD$2,500

12. Jordan XX9 ‘Year of the Goat’

The Year of the Goat was celebrated in 2015 with this hypnotic Jordan release. The XX9 uses a full woven upper which is a first for a basketball shoe and uses it to display a graphic that looks like an abstract, painted canvas. The midsole continues the graphic motif of metallic blue which is undercut by a translucent blue on the outsole.

Style: 727134-407
Colourway: Blue Force/ White-Black-Light Blue Lacquer
Release date: 02/18/2015
Price range: from AUD$600

13. Nike Kobe 8 EXT ‘Year of the Snake’

You can’t celebrate the Year of the Snake without using snakeskin and that’s exactly what the Kobe 8 EXT does. It’s a luxurious-looking shoe, using a metallic black snakeskin pattern on the upper, overlayed with a textured black Swoosh. You’ll also find Kobe’s logo on the heel in rough suede.

Style: 582554-001
Colourway: Black/ Black-Metallic Silver
Release date: 03/09/2013
Price range: from AUD$900

14. Nike Zoom KD 4 ‘Year of The Dragon’

Kevin Durant’s fourth signature basketball shoe was the basis of the ‘Year of the Dragon’ release. Moving away from something typically fiery, it’s an icy blue shoe with pops of orange and patterning on the lace strap, tongue and sock liner. A dragon also weaves through the KD logo on the heel of the shoe making sure you know exactly what animal was dominating the year.

Style: 473679-300
Colourway: Green Abyss/ Dark Mango-Current Blue
Release date: 02/03/2012
Price range: from AUD$600

15. New Balance 991 Made in England ‘Chinese New Year – Year Of The Ox’

Unlike Nike, New Balance keeps it pretty classic when celebrating CNY. The 991 celebrated the Year of the Ox by nodding to the animal through colour rather than patterns or graphics. The suede and mesh upper is a collision of tones of brown from the dark toe box to the light mesh underlays. There is no physical mention of the Ox on the shoe but those who know, know.

Style: M991YOX
Colourway: Black/ Coffee-Brown
Price range: from AUD$200

Alternatives to These Lunar New Year Sneakers

• Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Year Of The Dragon’ (from AUD$600): Nike celebrated the Year of the Rabbit in 2012 with a sleek black-and-white colourway that featured subtle patterning. The black upper and white sole is complimented by textured, shiny black Swoosh and near-disguised Chinese illustrations on the panelling. A touch of colour is delivered through the bright graphic on the tongue tag.
• Air Jordan 7 Retro ‘Year Of The Rabbit’ (from AUD$700): The 2011 Year of the Rabbit release saw the Jordan 7 Retro take on a silver, gold, red and white theme. The colours nod to China’s national colours while the gold laces and embroidery nod to the country’s penchant for gold. True red accents on the cushioned midsole and throat make the otherwise understated shoe pop.
• Jordan Spizike ‘Year of the Dragon’ (from AUD$450): Jordan Spizike pays tribute to Spike Lee’s 1980s Air Jordan commercials by taking different elements from legacy Jordan silhouettes. In 2012, it became a vessel for CNY celebrations, blending University Blue and Italy Blue across the shoe with pops of Vivid Orange. It barely makes mention of the Dragon but its presence is felt through the translucent orange sole and the lave-like, embellished patterning.
• Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Year of the Dog’ 2005 (from AUD$3,000): Back in 2005, Nike celebrated the Year of the Dog with a vibrant release. Using the AF1 as its silhouette, it pairs oranges, reds and blues with bold patterning on the underlays and panels. It also features the furry panel that the 2018 release sported, only adding to the coordinated chaos that this delivers. It’s an exciting release that still fetches impressive resale prices all these years later.
• Nike Air Force 1 Low ‘Year of the Dog’ 2018 (from AUD$3,000): In 2018, Nike reimagined the Nike Air Force 1 for the Year of the Dog bringing texture and patterns to a silhouette that’s often classic and simple. There are two key features here – the sketch-like patterned underlays and the furry panel mimicking the animal it’s celebrating. It’s all delivered through a white motif, interrupted only briefly for some black pattern work. These shoes fetch one of the largest resale prices of any of the shoes on the list.

Why You Should Trust Our List

When it comes to choosing the Lunar New Year sneakers, expertise is key. Man of Many has remained an active member of the sneaker sub-culture since we were founded in 2012, and today we remain focused on all the latest sneaker news, reviews, and more as we continue providing the best sneaker information in Men’s Lifestyle. In the case of Lunar New Year sneakers, it’s all about rarity, price point, and influence.