10 Chinese New Year Inspired Sneaker Drops

Lunar New Year has become one of the most strategic moments on the global sneaker calendar, and 2026 marked a clear shift in how brands approached it. Rather than leaning on surface level red and gold cues, this year’s releases treated the ‘Year of the Horse’ as a design brief rooted in motion, endurance, and cultural symbolism. The result was a slate of shoes that felt intentional, not ornamental, built to carry narrative as much as product.

From Nike and Jordan Brand expanding their Lunar New Year programs into full performance and lifestyle capsules, to adidas and CLOT continuing their long running cultural dialogue, 2026’s Lunar New Year footwear drops reflected a market that understands the weight of timing, geography, and storytelling. These releases are statements about global relevance, cultural respect, and the growing importance of Asia first releases in shaping sneaker demand worldwide.

1. Vessi Men’s Tidal Lunar New Year 2026

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Vessi brings its performance first Tidal runner into Lunar New Year with a limited men’s colorway celebrating the Year of the Horse in lucky red and gold, complete with mane inspired heel detailing. The waterproof ‘Dyma-tex’ build and high rebound cushioning keep it firmly in the everyday wear lane, not just a one night festive story.

2. Nike Air 1 Low SE ‘Year of the Horse’ 2026

Nike extends its annual Lunar New Year run with the Air Force 1 Low ‘Year of the Horse,’ a white leather SE take that leans on subtle zodiac storytelling rather than loud graphics. Embroidered horse cues and small pops of red do the festive work while keeping the low top firmly in everyday wear territory.

3. Nike Air Session ‘Year of the Horse’ 2026

The Jordan Session comes with a chunkier profile and a more rugged feel than the retro icons around it. Textured overlays and horse inspired detailing push this pair toward fans who want the theme to read clearly at a glance.

4. Nike Air Flight Court ‘Year of the Horse’ 2026

Jordan Brand’s Year of the Horse line extends into lifestyle with the Flight Court, a low profile option built around soft browns, sail suede, and small metallic gold hits. It reads as an everyday pair first, with the zodiac storytelling handled through restrained color blocking and heel/branding details.

5. Air 1 Low OG ‘Chinese New Year’ 2026 In White

Jordan Brand’s Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Greyish and Sail” leans into a clean leather build with a muted grey and sail palette, lifted by small Metallic Gold hits. The classic low top shape stays the same, framed as a pair you can wear year round, not just for one launch moment.

6. AP87 Asian Fit Lucky

The AP87 Asian Fit Lucky channels Chinese New Year through a focused Lucky Red leather upper, using a single bold color to carry the festive story rather than piling on graphics. This CNY take keeps the AP87’s clean, low profile intact while tying into the holiday through palette, not overload.

7. NIKE P-6000 ‘Lunar New Year’ Year of the Horse

This is Nike’s P 6000 SE from the Lunar New Year 2026 collection, part of the lifestyle lineup that drops alongside Dunk and Air Force 1 models in the Year of the Horse capsule.

8. CLOT Superstar Lunar New Year Sneakers In Black

9. Official Converse Store Chuck 70 Lunar New Year High Top

10. Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Lunar New Year

Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Platform Lunar New Year sticks to the usual platform Chuck formula and adds a festive layer on top. You get the same stacked sole and canvas upper, with Lunar New Year colors and graphics carrying the holiday theme rather than any structural changes.