Footwear that stole the spotlight in 2025

Plenty of shoes and boots have broken our necks this year. Here are Man About Town’s top picks.

Whether you’re fully embracing the post-sneaker world conversation or unable to let go of your trusty, comfy trainers, one thing we can all agree on is that 2025 has been filled with some truly memorable releases. 

From a Vans comeback fueled in collaboration with Valentino to internet-breaking loafers from The Row, Man About Town has compiled an extensive list of the biggest moments footwear moments this year. So make sure you pay close attention, there might be something in here to spend your Christmas cash on. 

Valentino Garavani x Vans Authentic Checkerboard

In case you missed the memo this year, Vans are back. And this comeback was rightfully commemorated with a Valentino Garavani collaboration on the iconic Authentic model, riffing on the cult-favourite checkerboard colourway with a pink remix and the Italian house’s logo intertwined.

Camper Pelotas High

The football footwear frenzy has continued into 2025 and Camper’s submission into the conversation definitely caught our eye. Maybe not the most direct footy reference but they do still resemble boots from the ‘50s and ‘60s and feature the iconic 87 balls on the outsole. They’re a no-frills, solid shoe that lets everyone know you’re low-key in a fashion insider-y way. 

Village PM 1PM 

A skate shoe at heart but a climbing shoe by nature, the Village PM 1PMs have quickly landed in every fashion-savvy boutique around the world. The sneakers feature a rubberised mudguard that runs through the perimeter of the shoe along with a full-foot lacing system and an asymmetrical configuration. Very high props for a very good shoe.

Diemme Stone Island

A good boot can become a pretty trusty style and comfort crutch during the winter months, especially when they’re a collaboration from Italian footwear specialists Diemme and Stone Island. The Badia boots are a hefty pair of black suede shoes that feature a rubberised mudguard, a grippy Vibram sole and a lamb shearling lining. And, of course, get the badge in. 

Loewe Campo Loafer

Jonathan Anderson may have left Loewe earlier this year but his legacy lives on with the Campo Loafers. The rounded, asymmetrical toe box will make sure you stand out amongst all the Weejuns and Adrian loafers that you’ll see out and about, whilst the collapsible heel will let you shuffle anywhere with ease. 

mfpen Reunion Derby

It seems like every brand has got their own version of a derby, but not many go harder than mfpen’s Reunion Derby. Constructed with a polished cow leather, the dress shoes feature a rounded toe box with tonal stitching running up to the laces for a modern take on an old-school silhouette. Definitely fit for the everyday rotation from the office to the pub.

Gucci Horsebit Loafer by Demna

Demna’s Gucci has been gathering rave reviews with each lookbook and the footwear is no exception. Zooming in on the Horsebit Loafers, they’re channelling all the 2000s aesthetics with a low-profile, slipper-like design for your jeans to puddle over, along with buttery soft leather to make the ride all the more comfortable. 

Prada Leather Zipper Boots

These Prada Leather Zipper Boots are the real deal. Sitting somewhere between the Our Legacy Camion and the Frye Campus, these boots are utter perfection with a mid-calf length and a worn-in look and feel that will only get better with age.

MM6 Maison Margiela Biker Boots

Known for the Tabis, a little more searching will uncover some real gems by MM6 Maison Margiela, specifically these Biker Boots. The motor references run thick with this pair, featuring ribbed panels and a flapped shaft as well as a rounded toe and the emblematic white stitching running across the back of the heel.

Kiko Kostadinov Fitz Military Boots

As we march into 2026, your footwear of choice should be something sturdy, hefty and built for anything that comes your way. That’s why these Kiko Kostadinov Fitz boots could be the perfect choice, with a tried and tested Vibram sole and shiny bovine leather offset with a standout embroidered lace guard that really sets it apart from anything out there. 

The Row Eel Loafers

The Row’s Eel loafers have bagged some serious airtime, thanks to their popularity amongst heavily photographed guys like Jacob Elordi and Harry Styles. The rushed almond toe gives them a slipper-like vibe, while supple leather keeps things grown-up and versatile, pairing well with denim as well as a posh pleated trouser. 

Stüssy x Nike Baltoro

The Nike Baltoro enjoyed a short life span, being introduced in 1990 before being discontinued early into the 2000s. It was made as a hybrid sneaker/hiker designed to work in the city and the hills. So who better to revive it than Stüssy. The California streetwear imprint has revived a number of archival Nike grails in its time subtly, revamping sneakers with subtle tweaks and fun colourways. With the Baltoro, we got a chilled-out collar, and paint-splatter sole, while the rest of the silhouette maintained its rugged, streamlined profile.

Nike x Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0

Nike and Tom Sachs’ collaborations are sneakerhead dynamite. The 2012 Mars Yard 1.0 can reach up to £42,000 on the secondary market – the first project between the two brands, which was released at a time when artist collaborations were few and far between. With parallels to the original, besides an added toe cap and carbon plate for comfort, this was the chance many fans of the original have been waiting for. Although, as you can imagine they sold out pretty fast, so your best bet is on the secondary market.

YMC x Grenson Division Oxford

When you’ve got a shoemaker like Grenson, known for crafting high-quality British-made footwear bangers partnering with UK stealth menswear champions YMC, you know you’re in for something sick. The Division Oxford released in the collaboration’s third instalment. And rather than reinventing the wheel, it keeps things quiet and considered, with concealed laces and a dividing stitch down the centre of the toe. Unsurprisingly, they went down a storm, and are now sold out in most sizes.

JJJJound x Salomon XT-6

The Salomon XT-6 has found its fashion footing in recent years, with collaborations with Canadian minimalists JJJJound adding to the menswear hype factor. The latest chapter in the ongoing collaboration saw the arrival of a muted black and retro-feeling “Nautical Blue” colourway. Very cool, very creative director and final boss.

Puma Balenciaga Speedcat

The Puma Speedcat has enjoyed a breakneck ascent to “it” sneaker status, landing right on time to ride the slim sneaker wave. It landed them a spot in Balenciaga’s Autumn/Winter 2025 runway collection under recently departed creative director Demna. These were unstructured and came pre-ripped, in a way that could only be achieved if you were rolling around on dirty sandpaper all day.

Our Legacy Collapsing Consultant shoe

This Our Legacy Derby is seriously zen. It’s stripped back, slimmed down, and slouchy. The best bit? If you’re feeling it, you can just tread the heel down to avoid tying the laces down all together. Who doesn’t want a bit of that?