The Best Nike Releases of 2026 So Far, Ranked

The best Nike releases of 2026 so far fall into two groups: a new, neuroscience-led line called Nike Mind, and a run of Kobe Bryant Protros tied to moments from his career. These are our picks, ranked on design, materials, story and how they wear, and the Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson' takes the top spot.

Our number one, the Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson' (2026), is live now alongside every other pick in the Nike range at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand before it ships.

Nike's 2026 so far

The headline was Nike Mind. It is the first product from Nike's Mind Science Department, and it starts from the idea that what the foot feels shapes how the brain focuses. Each shoe carries 22 independent foam nodes that move underfoot like small pistons, stimulating the foot in a way Nike says activates sensory areas of the brain. Nike built it as two shoes: the Mind 001, an easy-on mule, and the Mind 002, a laced sneaker with a more anchored fit.

The other thread was Kobe. Nike Basketball's Protro programme, which keeps the original look of a Kobe model while updating it for today's game, delivered anniversary pairs, a tribute to his high school and quieter colourways for players.

How we ranked them

These are editorial picks, not a sales chart. We looked at four things: how strong and original the design is, the materials and detailing, the story behind the pair, and how easily it slots into a real rotation. Every shoe here released in 2026.

1. Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson'

The Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson' (style code HQ4308-001) released on 5 February 2026, and it is the pair that best shows what Nike Mind is about. A perforated black shell forms the upper, and Hyper Crimson shows through the perforations from the layer beneath. Chrome picks out a mini Swoosh and a heel badge stamped MIND.

On the sole, the Hyper Crimson nodes sit in a grid and compress and rebound with every step, in contrast to the black upper.

2. Nike Kobe 1 Protro '81 Pt Game'

On 22 January 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, wearing his first Nike signature shoe in this colourway. Exactly 20 years later, on 22 January 2026, the Nike Kobe 1 Protro '81 Pt Game' (IM0542-100) returned in White/Black-Court Purple, the third time the colourway has launched.

A white upper carries purple on the collar and midsole, with yellow on the tongue branding, in Lakers colours.

3. Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome'

The Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome' (HQ4307-001) released alongside the Mind 002 on 5 February 2026. It is the mule half of Nike Mind: a smooth, molded black upper with subtle perforations and a chrome Swoosh, set on a Hyper Crimson podded sole with the same 22 nodes.

The slip-on shape makes it the relaxed way into the line. Our Nike Mind 001 Slide colourways ranked covers the rest of the range.

4. Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Lower Merion Aces Away'

Before the NBA, Kobe played at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. The Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Lower Merion Aces Away' (IM0557-001) takes its Metallic Silver/Team Red-White colourway from the Lower Merion Aces uniforms, and it revives an original Kobe 5 edition from 2010.

Metallic silver covers most of the upper, with team red on the Swooshes and details, and an ace emblem on the heel. It released on 23 March 2026.

5. Nike Air Max 95 SB 'Cacao Wow'

Nike SB's take on the Air Max 95 reworks the runner for skating, and the Nike Air Max 95 SB 'Cacao Wow' (HF7545-002) arrived in January 2026 with a colourway of Black, Cacao Wow, Anthracite, Light Graphite, Light Charcoal and Pearl Grey.

Suede side panels run through a grey gradient, the layered look the Air Max 95 is known for, with cacao brown accents. It is the most muted, easy-to-wear pair on this list.

6. Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Pegasus Pack Phantom'

The Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Pegasus Pack Phantom' (IQ1119-011) is part of Nike's 2026 Pegasus Pack, which draws on the mythology of Pegasus, the winged horse. The upper is soft ivory Phantom leather, with stitched cloud-like linework at the heel, a white Swoosh and a small red mini Swoosh.

Smaller details include a winged-horse lace dubrae and a tongue patch in sky tones.

7. Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro 'Light Silver Steam'

The Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro 'Light Silver Steam' (IH1401-003) released on 13 April 2026. A Light Silver engineered mesh upper meets soft sage green 'Steam' accents on the heel, the lining and the Flywire cables, all over a white outsole.

It is the most understated Kobe on this list, suited to players who want neutral tones on court.

How it fits

Fit varies across a mule, a skate shoe and basketball Protros. Check your size in the complete Nike size guide, and for the Kobe pairs, the complete Nike Kobe size guide.

Which pair is built for you

Shoe	Built for	Wear it with
Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson'	Early adopters of new Nike tech	Black technical trousers and a shell jacket
Nike Kobe 1 Protro '81 Pt Game'	Kobe fans and basketball history	Relaxed denim and a purple or gold knit
Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome'	Pre- and post-training downtime	Fleece shorts or track pants and socks
Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Lower Merion Aces Away'	Players who want a story on court	Grey sweats and a red or maroon tee
Nike Air Max 95 SB 'Cacao Wow'	Skaters and Air Max 95 fans	Brown cords or baggy work pants
Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Pegasus Pack Phantom'	Everyday rotation with detail	Cream chinos and a light knit
Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro 'Light Silver Steam'	Hoopers who prefer neutral tones	Sage or grey shorts and a white tee

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 29 September 2026. Every item below is live now at PUSHAS.

• Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson': in stock
• Nike Kobe 1 Protro '81 Pt Game': in stock
• Nike Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome': in stock
• Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Lower Merion Aces Away': in stock
• Nike Air Max 95 SB 'Cacao Wow': in stock
• Nike Air Force 1 Low 'Pegasus Pack Phantom': in stock
• Nike Kobe 9 EM Low Protro 'Light Silver Steam': in stock

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price.

Want more from this year's Kobe run? Read our best Nike Kobe Protros of 2026, ranked.

FAQ

What are the best Nike shoes of 2026?

Our picks, in order, are the Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson', the Kobe 1 Protro '81 Pt Game', the Mind 001 Slide 'Black Chrome', the Kobe 5 Protro 'Lower Merion Aces Away', the Nike SB Air Max 95 'Cacao Wow', the Air Force 1 Low 'Pegasus Pack Phantom' and the Kobe 9 EM Low Protro 'Light Silver Steam'.

What is the Nike Mind 002?

The Nike Mind 002 is the laced sneaker in Nike Mind, the first footwear from Nike's Mind Science Department. Each shoe has 22 independent foam nodes underfoot, designed to heighten sensory awareness and help the wearer feel calm and focused.

When did the Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson' release?

The Nike Mind 002 'Black Hyper Crimson', style code HQ4308-001, released on 5 February 2026, the same day as the Mind 001 'Black'.

What is the difference between the Nike Mind 001 and Mind 002?

Both use 22 independent foam nodes underfoot. The Mind 001 is a slip-on mule built for easy on and off, while the Mind 002 is a laced sneaker with a more anchored fit.