The Sneakers We're Into Right Now

The year is young and so are the drops. But if the first few months of 2026 are anything to go by, we're in for a good one.

The mood is settled, considered. The retro futuristic details are back in a serious way: big air-filled midsoles, slick silver accents, that chunky-but-clean silhouette energy that feels vaguely Y2K. Collaborations are earning their place too, with brands actually doing the homework before slapping two logos together.

Nike's Astrograbber comes through with thick waxed canvas and oversized waffle lugs that actually grip. The Asics Gel-NYC 2.0 is dark, low-profile, and grippy in all the right ways.

So here are the sneakers we're actually reaching for right now.

Nike Air Force 1 'Unmistakable'

The AF1 is back with a new story. The 'Unmistakable' colourway tells one, built specifically with India's next-gen athletes in mind. Pops of blue, orange, green, and white hit over the classic silhouette without overwhelming it. You still get that Nike Air cushioning, that leather upper that softens beautifully over time, and the clean low-cut collar that's worked since 1982. The Shadow variant goes double on everything—two Swooshes, two eyestays, two mudguards—for when you want the AF1 energy turned all the way up. Either way, it's the most familiar shoe on this list, and that's exactly the point.

Bob Marley x Adidas Handball Spezial

The Bob Marley x Adidas Handball Spezial pulls from Marley's legacy, reggae culture, and adidas' terrace roots all at once. Core black suede upper, leather 3-Stripes, gold foil 'Spezial' branding, translucent gum outsole.

Nike Astrograbber

Plucked straight from the '70s and barely dusted off. The Astrograbber came back into the conversation a few years ago when designer Emily Bode got her hands on it, but this new pack feels like the moment it properly commits to sticking around. The Linen and Sail colorway is exactly as easy and unhurried as it sounds—waxed canvas upper, leather detailing, dramatic waffle outsole.

On CloudFlow 5 AD

The famously hole-y midsole has been refined and smoothed out, the upper gets a sleek tonal 3D print, not just a 10K. It sits on trend without being trendy, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Comet x OddNotEven

Mumbai-based OddNotEven has built a name on edgy silhouettes that blur sportswear and streetwear, and their collab with Comet for Valentine's Day was the right kind. Taking cues from the scribbled hearts on OddNotEven's 'If You Love Me' jersey, the shoe treats love as something raw and unfinished. It's a culture play as much as a product, and it lands.