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    The Best Retro Sneakers of 2026: Nike, New Balance, Vans and More

    Gear Patrol
    Ethan Brehm
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    Throwback kicks that make you long for yesteryear.

    Collage of close-up views of six different sneakers featuring various brands, colors, and designs on colorful backgrounds.

    Everything old is new again.

    The footwear industry has gone hard into retro sneakers, whether it's reviving archival favorites, unearthing obscure classics or pastiching old-school aesthetics. While the Y2K era certainly gets emphasized in recent years, shoes haven't descriminated at all when it comes to nostalgia, going back the '90s, '80s, '70s and even further at times.

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    This year alone has seen plenty of retro sneakers from the likes of Nike , New Balance , Vans and even some unexpected players. Below we've selected just a few of our favorites.

    Close-up of cream-colored Nike sneaker with white laces and black swoosh logo on a blue gradient background.
    Close-up of cream-colored Nike sneaker with white laces and black swoosh logo on a blue gradient background.

    Nike Moon Shoe

    Pair of black sneakers with white stitching and white soles shown from the back on a blue background.
    Pair of black sneakers with white stitching and white soles shown from the back on a blue background.

    Nike Blazy

    Close-up of a red sneaker with white laces and a white leather stripe on the side against a blue background.
    Close-up of a red sneaker with white laces and a white leather stripe on the side against a blue background.

    Vans Premium Style 152 Shoe

    Pair of blue and white New Balance sneakers with mesh and suede panels and white laces.
    Pair of blue and white New Balance sneakers with mesh and suede panels and white laces.
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    New Balance 880R

    Red and gray Nike ACG sneaker with white laces and a thick white sole against a blue-green gradient background.
    Red and gray Nike ACG sneaker with white laces and a thick white sole against a blue-green gradient background.

    Nike ACG LDV Varsity Red

    Close-up of a black and white sneaker with mesh upper and textured sole.
    Close-up of a black and white sneaker with mesh upper and textured sole.

    Nike Zoom Skylon 11 Revival

    New Balance x Basketcase Gator Run

    Close-up of beige Nike sneaker with orange textured detail and black sole.
    Close-up of beige Nike sneaker with orange textured detail and black sole.
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    Nike Baltoro Chalk & Safety Orange

    Close-up of a navy blue sneaker toe with mesh and suede panels and white laces on a blue surface.
    Close-up of a navy blue sneaker toe with mesh and suede panels and white laces on a blue surface.

    New Balance x Beams 2010

    Close-up of a light gray leather sneaker with cream-colored laces and detailed stitching.
    Close-up of a light gray leather sneaker with cream-colored laces and detailed stitching.

    Nike Daybreak SP (Moon Particle/Black)

    Close-up of beige Merrell hiking shoe with Vibram black sole and orange logo.
    Close-up of beige Merrell hiking shoe with Vibram black sole and orange logo.

    Merrell x Khakis Moab 3 "Old Faithful"

    Close-up of a brown suede sneaker heel with white leather accents and a black textured sole against a red background.
    Close-up of a brown suede sneaker heel with white leather accents and a black textured sole against a red background.
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    Nike Sprint Sister

    Pink and navy blue checkerboard Vans sneaker with white laces and white sole on a yellow background.
    Pink and navy blue checkerboard Vans sneaker with white laces and white sole on a yellow background.

    Vans Authentic Checkerboard Shoe

    Close-up of a white and gray mesh running shoe with blue accents and white laces on a green background.
    Close-up of a white and gray mesh running shoe with blue accents and white laces on a green background.

    Brooks Running Adrenaline GTS 10

    Pair of white and beige New Balance sneakers shown from the back on a blue background.
    Pair of white and beige New Balance sneakers shown from the back on a blue background.

    New Balance Sydney Levrone 9060R

    Silver and black Reebok sneaker with white laces and gum sole on a turquoise background.
    Silver and black Reebok sneaker with white laces and gum sole on a turquoise background.
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    Reebok Sidewinder 96 ID

    Black suede sneaker with white star logo and white laces on an orange background.
    Black suede sneaker with white star logo and white laces on an orange background.

    Converse One Star Aged Suede

    Close-up of a white and beige sneaker with a black sole and a transparent air cushion in the midsole.
    Close-up of a white and beige sneaker with a black sole and a transparent air cushion in the midsole.

    Nike Pegasus Premium x A Ma Maniére

    Close-up of a sneaker showing white leather, brown textured suede with black patterns, black smooth leather, and a red textured sole.
    Close-up of a sneaker showing white leather, brown textured suede with black patterns, black smooth leather, and a red textured sole.

    Nike Air Jordan 3 "World's Best"

    close up of the nike rejuven8 og jelly in muslin and pale ivory
    close up of the nike rejuven8 og jelly in muslin and pale ivory
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    Nike Rejuven8 Run OG Jelly

    Close-up of black Converse All Star sneaker with white laces and blue star logo patch on a blue background.
    Close-up of black Converse All Star sneaker with white laces and blue star logo patch on a blue background.

    Converse Chuck Taylor Throwback

    Close-up of a white mesh sneaker with black, blue, and red leather overlays against a yellow background.
    Close-up of a white mesh sneaker with black, blue, and red leather overlays against a yellow background.

    Under Armour Arc 96

    Close-up of white Nike sneaker with perforated leather, plastic lace holder, and teal speckled midsole detail.
    Close-up of white Nike sneaker with perforated leather, plastic lace holder, and teal speckled midsole detail.

    Nike Air Tech Challenge II 'Photon Dust and Dusty Cactus'

    Green and gray New Balance sneaker with mesh and suede panels on a yellow background.
    Green and gray New Balance sneaker with mesh and suede panels on a yellow background.
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    New Balance 9060 Dark Olivine

    New Balance U9060Sv1

    About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he's not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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