GOAT's Best Selling Sneakers of the Year
A month-by-month recap of 12 styles that ruled 2020.
2020 has been a year like no other, and while there were many lows, there’s no harm in getting a little nostalgic with some footwear highs. During single months that felt like they went on for ages, the silver lining for the sneaker- and style- obsessed was often a new release or the arrival of new kicks at their doorstep. Though in many cases there was no place to go, that didn’t stop YEEZY, Jordan brand and Dior from bringing the heat — and the rest of us basking in it. As we head into the new year, GOAT is taking a month-by-month look at the best sneakers of 2020, available now on its site.
YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Yeshaya Non-Reflective”
Release Date: January 25, 2020
Lowest Price: $176 USD
The YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 “Yeshaya” makes use of a re-engineered Primeknit upper that weaves in light grey fibers to contrast a neutral white base. A post-dyed monofilament side stripe adds a see-through element to the upper, while reflective threads in the rope laces add visibility in low-light conditions. The lightweight build sits atop a semi-translucent midsole housing adidas Boost cushioning.
Travis Scott x Dunk Low Premium QS SB “Cactus Jack”
Release Date: February 29, 2020
Lowest Price: $1,120 USD
Travis Scott teamed up with Nike SB to release his first official skate shoe, the Nike SB Dunk Low “Cactus Jack.” This design follows a similar design aesthetic as seen on the Air Force 1 Low x Travis Scott “Cactus Jack,” featuring an array of materials and prints. This Scott shoe, however, shows off a unique patchwork motif on the upper, with a tan leather base, plaid quarter panels and paisley print overlays, the latter made to tear away to reveal hidden elephant print underneath. The dueling patterns are complemented by rope laces, Cactus Jack tongue tags and mismatched black and pink Swooshes on each shoe. Finishing up the design is a stitching tan midsole paired with a beige rubber outsole.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “UNC”
Release Date: March 7, 2020
Lowest Price: $220 USD
The Air Jordan 3 “UNC” is a Carolina-blue-based colorway of the Jordan 3 design, inspired by the University of North Carolina Tarheels. As an homage to Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the special edition sneaker presents university-themed colors on its dual-textured leather upper and eye-stays, with elephant print panels granting an iconic touch. “Valor Blue” hits both Jumpman logos on the tongue and heel while the visible Air unit in the midsole and grey rubber outsole wrap up the styling.
Air Jordan 6 Retro “Defining Moments”
Release Date: April 11, 2020
Lowest Price: $224 USD
The original “Defining Moments Package” debuted in 2006 as a tribute to Michael Jordan’s pair of three-peat championships in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls. Released in April 2020, the Air Jordan 6 Retro “Defining Moments” 2020 brings back the classed-up colorway last seen in 2006. Like the original ‘91 Tinker Hatfield creation modeled after MJ’s German sportscar, this version embodies speed and class with a spoiler-like heel clip, neoprene sleeve and streamlined nubuck upper. The Air Jordan 6 comes with a gold-accented Jumpman on the tongue and gold trim on the midsole that provides a touch of opulent styling as well. Prominent ankle cushioning, geometric perforated sections and visible Air complete the shoe MJ wore on his way to title #1.
Air Jordan 5 Retro “Fire Red”
Release Date: April 25, 2020
Lowest Price: $200 USD
Scoring a career high in points in these shoes, the Air Jordan 5 Retro “Fire Red” is significant for MJ. Earlier this year, this shoe brought back the OG colorway for the 30th anniversary of the iconic Tinker Hatfield-designed silhouette. Staying true to the original, it featured a white leather upper with a silver reflective tongue and Nike Air branding on the heel. The black midsole, embellished with red shark tooth detailing inspired by a WWII P-51 Mustang fighter plane, is reinforced by an icy translucent outsole.
Dior x Air Jordan 1 High
Release Date: June 25, 2020
Lowest Price: $7,500 USD
Originally revealed at Dior Men’s pre-fall 2020 show in Miami, Jordan Brand connected with Parisian fashion house Dior to create history with the Jordan 1 Retro High “Dior.” Coinciding with the famed silhouette’s 35th anniversary as well as Dior Men’s collection debut in the United States, the highly-limited sneaker channels the timelessness of both the shoe as well as the iconic style of Maison Dior. This is the first time that Jordan has collaborated with a legacy fashion label and therefore the release was limited to only 8,500 pairs, each pair individually numbered. Designer Kim Jones’ take on the iconic sneaker makes use of a white and grey upper constructed from Italian leather with hand-painted edges. Dual branding hits take form as a Dior woven tongue tag, a Nike Swoosh in Dior Oblique jacquard and icy outsoles revealing a Dior and Dior Wings logo on each shoe.
Off-White™ x Wmns Air Jordan 4 SP “Sail”
Release Date: July 25, 2020
Lowest Price: $900 USD
Jordan Brand and Virgil Abloh teamed up once again to release the third silhouette in their collaborative history with the women’s Jordan 4 Retro Off-White™ “Sail.” Following the debut of the sneaker during Off-White™‘s Fall/Winter 2020 runway presentation and in his MCA exhibit, Virgil Abloh finally delivered what was one of the most highly-anticipated releases of 2020. Unlike the label’s Air Jordan 5 from this year, the Air Jordan 4 hews true to the original timeless silhouette — offered in women’s sizes — free from cut-outs and inside-out detailing. Instead, the shoe boasts tonal nubuck uppers, complete with matching plastic cages and panels. “SHOELACES” text graces the, well, shoelaces and Off-White™’s familiar Helvetica branding appears on the medial side of the upper, capped off with Off-White™’s zip-tie and a square Jordan Brand tag.
Union LA x Air Jordan 4 “Guava Ice”
Release Date: August 29, 2020
Lowest Price: $803 USD
The sequel to the creative partners’ Air Jordan 1 collaboration from 2018, the Union LA x Air Jordan 4 Retro “Guava Ice” delivers a vibrant take on the classic silhouette. The upper combines soft pink suede with breathable mesh on the collar and toe box. Semi-translucent TPU wings provide structural support, taking cues from an original Tinker Hatfield sketch. Additional branding hits include a yellow Union tab on the lateral quarter panel, Nike Air on the back heel and a woven Air Jordan tag atop the folded-over tongue.
Air Jordan 1 Retro High “Tokyo Bio Hack”
Release Date: September 4, 2020
Lowest Price: $250 USD
Inspired by Japan’s capital city, the Air Jordan 1 Retro High “Tokyo Bio Hack” features color blocking that recalls Undefeated’s Nike Dunk High NL collaboration from 2005. The leather and suede upper brings together an eclectic mix of colors, including rustic earth tones, eye-catching vibrant hues and a lone pop of metallic silver on the signature Swoosh. A painted midsole combines with a stitched Nike tag atop the exposed foam tongue for a unique DIY aesthetic.
Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Dark Mocha”
Release Date: October 31, 2020
Lowest Price: $300 USD
The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Dark Mocha” features a distinctive palette that calls to mind Travis Scott’s highly coveted Air Jordan 1 collaboration from 2019. The upper features an off-white leather base with contrasting black leather overlays on the eyestay and toe. Brown nubuck is utilized on the heel overlay and collar flap, accented with a classic Wings logo on the lateral side. A leather tag with Nike Air branding adorns the nylon tongue.
Air Jordan 4 Retro OG “Fire Red”
Release Date: November 28, 2020
Lowest Price: $245 USD
Since its February 1989 debut, the Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red” has re-released in 2006 and 2012, but its 2020 retro is the most true-to-original yet. Featuring some key detailing including Nike Air hits, bigger than life tongue tags and a whole lotta red shade, it’s a thoughtful and fan fulfilling moment that will delight die-hard Jordan purists and new Jumpman ‘heads alike. The build is recreated faithfully, highlighted by a white leather upper with Fire Red detailing on the molded eyelets and outsole. The shoe rounds out with a visible Air sole unit, tongue patch with a Jumpman logo and Flight script graphic.
Air Jordan 11 Retro “Jubilee / 25th Anniversary”
Release Date: December 12, 2020
Lowest Price: $260 USD
The Air Jordan 11 “Jubilee” honors the 25-year anniversary of Michael Jordan’s eleventh signature shoe by bringing to life an original design concept sketched by Tinker Hatfield in the ‘90s. The “Jubilee” borrows from the “Concord” and “Space Jam” colorways in that it features a predominately black and white appearance. The word “Jordan” is spelled out in Metallic Silver text along the side of the eyelets in reference to the original sketch of the shoe by Hatfield. A silver Jumpman emblem appears in the same premium finish on the collar, supported by a translucent rubber outsole. Finally, the black patent leather above the white midsole is a call back to the styling of the “Concord,” “Space Jam,” and “Bred.”
