Neon entered sneaker design through performance. It first appeared on tracks and courts to increase visibility, isolate motion, and define shape under stadium lighting. The colors signaled function – engineered to guide the eye during movement. From there, they moved off the track and onto the street, without losing their edge. In 2025, neon sneakers are embraced for their boldness and individuality, offering a vibrant energy that resonates with contemporary fashion trends.
Nike Air Max 95 ‘Neon’ 2025
The Nike Air Max 95 Neon returns in April 2025, marking 30 years since Sergio Lozano introduced one of Nike’s most original running designs. Built from anatomical references, the shoe’s upper layers were modeled after muscle fibers, its eyelets drawn from the structure of the rib cage, and the sole shaped to echo the human spine.
The 2025 edition features a gradient grey mesh upper, layered suede panels, and Volt accents that bring precision to the original color blocking. Visible Air units are placed in both the heel and forefoot, and reflective 3M remains on the tongue and heel tabs. The T-toe panel has been reshaped, and horizontal stitching returns to define each transition.
The shoe comes packaged in a black-and-grey flip-top box with anatomical pink arch inserts, replicating the original release. Every element lands with intent – from the layered build to the Volt accents – preserving what made the design radical in 1995 and relevant now.
New Balance 1906R ‘Neon Green’ ASOS Exclusive
New Balance’s 1906R gets an exclusive release through ASOS in a full Neon Green execution that spans upper, overlays, laces, lining, and outsole. It’s a colorway that strips back branding and detailing in favor of saturation, offering a tone-heavy visual identity without unnecessary contrast.
The 1906R itself is rooted in archival structure but outfitted for current utility. The shoe features open mesh underlays with synthetic leather reinforcements, ACTEVA LITE cushioning in the midsole, ABZORB SBS heel pods, and a Stability Web shank for torsional support. The N-ergy outsole adds grip and rebound, making the shoe feel current despite its early-2000s DNA.
This ASOS-exclusive pair puts neon green forward without interruption and lets the technical elements hold their ground. Released as a unisex style, it aligns well with both streetwear styling and performance-lite rotation.
Nike Kobe 6 ‘Grinch’
First released on December 25, 2010, the Nike Kobe 6 ‘Grinch’ remains one of the most distinctive colorways in basketball footwear. Designed by Eric Avar, the shoe featured a scaly, textured upper in Green Apple – a reference to the green mamba snake, tying directly to Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” persona. Red accents on the Swoosh, laces, and tongue logo completed the look, giving it a deliberately jarring palette that led to its unofficial nickname.
Bryant wore the pair during a Christmas Day matchup against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. The model featured a polyurethane snake-skin upper with injected padding for a molded fit, along with Flywire cables for lockdown and a low-cut silhouette that emphasized speed and movement. A Phylon midsole paired with Zoom Air delivered responsive cushioning tuned for aggressive footwork and fast directional changes.
The 2020 Protro version retained the signature scale-like build while updating the tooling with improved Zoom Air units and a sleeker, more sculpted fit. It preserved the aggressive stance of the original but shifted the cushioning for better responsiveness and court feel – making it a true performance reissue rather than a 1:1 retro. The sneaker remains one of the most visually recognizable Neon Nikes, still commanding strong resale demand and consistently ranking among the top Christmas Day sneakers ever released.
ASICS GEL-1130 ‘Neon Pink’
ASICS included the GEL-1130 in its recent Neon Pack, and the ‘Neon Pink’ edition delivers one of the boldest executions. Originally introduced as a stability running shoe in 2008, the GEL-1130 balances heritage structure with accessible styling. The pink mesh upper is overlaid with synthetic metallic silver and defined by black tiger stripe branding, creating a high-saturation contrast.
Underfoot, the GEL-1130 includes a TRUSSTIC support system for arch stability and a white EVA midsole embedded with a visible GEL unit in the heel. The split rubber outsole provides reliable grip, and the padded collar and tongue give it a comfortable fit straight out of the box.
The Gel 1130 Neon Pink fits the growing interest in techwear-adjacent retro runners, made punchy through exaggerated color blocking. It works in both athletic and streetwear contexts, standing as a true cross-category neon option.
Nike Book 1 ‘Neon’
Devin Booker debuted the Book 1 ‘Neon’ on Christmas Day 2023, wearing a colorway that draws a direct visual link to the original Air Max 95 ‘Neon’. The reference is clear from the first glance: a grey gradient upper, black detailing, and sharp Volt accents that run across the tongue tab, Swooshes, and heel spoiler.
The upper features a quilted textile base layered with nubuck overlays, echoing the tiered paneling of the AM95 while shifting into a basketball context. Black wraps the mudguard and midsole, grounding the contrast, while a semi-translucent neon outsole adds weight to the reference without flattening it into imitation.
Cushlon 2.0 foam supports the midsole, paired with a top-loaded Zoom Air unit in the heel – built for impact absorption and response. The design emphasizes lateral containment, heel stability, and a lower-to-the-ground ride, shaped around Booker’s stop-and-start movement style. The Nike Book 1 Neon reads like a conversation between two eras – pulling archival detail into a first-generation signature shoe that’s tuned entirely for now.
From the anatomical innovation of the Air Max 95 to the high-performance aggression of the Kobe 6, from ASICS’ function-first approach to New Balance’s vibrant ASOS exclusive, this lineup proves neon still commands attention – across eras, categories, and collections.
Oh my days! Love the new neon colorways this year! ASICS GEL ALL THE WAY!