The Best Sneakers for Lunar New Year in Australia

So, you need new sneakers for Lunar New Year but you don’t know where to start. Don’t panic – we got you. For the uninitiated or those just looking for an excuse to add to the rotation, Lunar New Year tradition suggests you should wear red – it’s associated with good luck and good fortune.

The other tradition calls for new drip from head to toe – it symbolizes a fresh beginning for the new year, and if you don’t want a fresh beginning after what we’ve all lived through recently…sheesh. Power to ya.

For the rest of us, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite on-theme sneakers for the Lunar New Year period – from triple red madness to red pops, there’s something for everyone.

We’re also about to get into Year of the Tiger, opening up a potentially fun twist for your holiday sneakers – if you’re prepared to step away from tradition.

Nike Air Force 1 Low Triple Red

Let’s start with a triple red version of the classic Air Force 1. You know what we love about Air Force 1’s? Everything. That’s right – from the moment you first lace ‘em up and crease that toe box, you’re on point if you’re rocking a pair of Air Force 1’s. 

AF1’s are ubiquitous – one of the most well known and well loved sneakers on the planet, whether you’re a sneakerhead or not. While the triple whites are undeniable, the red joints can be styled up or down just as easily – especially when we’re talking Lunar New Year celebrations.

adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR Vermillion

You know what they say – drip or drown, and they don’t come much splashier than Yeezy Foam Rnnr’s in the Vermillion colourway. You want sneakers for Lunar New Year that make a statement? Here they are, dipped in red and ready for any situation. That’s right, the Yeezy Foam Rnnr is so outrageous that you can wear it anywhere – people who don’t know will swear it’s a futuristic slip-on designed for fashion shows, while your sneakerhead mates will wish they had what it takes to rock these.  

Plus, the Vermillion joints are a bit more affordable than the last pair of red sneakers Ye put his name on. But if you do want to guarantee you’ve got the most hyped sneakers in any room you enter, catch the Red October’s here.

Jordan 1 Low OG Chinese New Year

As far as Chinese New Year sneaker releases of the last couple of years, these are a standout. Released in limited quantities (believed to be just 8,500 pairs) in early 2021, they celebrate the Year of the Ox. With a black and red canvas upper, these also sport decorative Ox illustrations all over, and a gold Wings logo on the heel. 

To really set it off, Jordan Brand added a decorative red tassel which completes the luxurious feel of these. 

It’s no longer the Year of the Ox, but does it matter? These bang, and they’re likely a lot more on point for Lunar New Year than whatever your cousin David is wearing to lunch.

Nike Air Max 1 Atmos Animal 3.0 Tiger

Year of the Tiger is upon us, and what better way to show your connection than with one of the best Air Max 1’s in recent history, 2019’s Atmos Animal 3.0 Tiger.

Released as part of the Animal Pack 3.0, the Tiger’s feature a horsehair upper with all over tiger stripes and contrasting blue swooshes. If you’re not familiar, the Animal Pack 3.0 is a follow up to the 1.0 and 2.0, which dropped in 2006 and 2018 respectively. So not only are you copping a great pair, you’re copping a significant release in Air Max history. 

Is there any red on these sneakers? No. Will they strictly fit with your family’s idea for Lunar New Year? Probably not. Are they worthy of being in your rotation? Absolutely. 

Jordan 1 Retro High OG Patent Bred

To echo the words of King Push, “How could I not? How could I not?” He might not have been talking about copping J’s, but we sure are – these Jordan 1 Patent Bred’s simply have to be on this list, and any other list you’re making of sneakers to rock right now. 

Jordan Brand took the iconic Jordan 1 in one of most significant colour ways of all time and covered it in shiny patent goodness, resulting in a certified must-cop. If you slept on release date, now’s your chance to make amends and debut these for Lunar New Year. Think about it – you’re hitting the ‘red’ brief, the ‘new’ brief, and the patent finish elevates these to a higher place fit for any occasion.

Go get ‘em.

Jordan 6 Retro Low GC Chinese New Year (2022)

Every year we’re blessed with Lunar New Year releases from the big brands and this right here might be one of the most anticipated we’ve seen in a while. 

The Jordan 6 Retro Low GC Chinese New Year (2022) is fire, and wearable whether you’re showing out for Lunar New Year or just trying to get a nice fit off. It features a Spruce Aqua/Metallic Gold colourway with a clean, less-is-more application of colour. 

The devil is in the details however – a closer look reveals a cracked eggshell finish on the toe box, while the interior lining has a marbled finish. We don’t see enough Jordan 6 Low’s, although that looks set to change in 2022. These go hard – cop ‘em for the end of summer and keep them in rotation until the weather turns. 

Jordan 5 Retro Raging Bull Red (2021)

The Air Jordan 5 Raging Bulls is a suede lover’s dream, bringing back the same look and feel from the 2009 version. The upper is composed entirely out of red suede, celebrating MJ’s tenure with the Chicago Bulls and giving you an almost-overdose of luxury vibes.

From there, a red and black embroidered “23” appears on the lateral side of each shoe’s heel, highlighting Jordan’s quintessential jersey number. In usual Jordan 5 fashion, the upper part of the tongue is made of reflective materials with a contrasting black Jumpman logo.