The 2026 Year of the Horse Sneakers to Know, Ranked

The 2026 Year of the Horse gave Nike and Jordan Brand a second pass at a zodiac sign they last marked in 2014, and this time the collection leans on texture: pony hair, embroidery, saddle-brown leather. Our number one pick is the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse', style code IM0594-600, released on 31 January 2026.

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse' heads our list and sits in the Nike Kobe range live now at PUSHAS, where every pair is authenticated by hand. Five more pairs from the Year of the Horse run follow, all in adult sizes.

The 2026 Year of the Horse collection

The Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle, so the 2026 pairs arrive exactly one cycle after the 2014 Year of the Horse releases. The 2014 pairs were bright, as the returning Kobe 8 shows. Most of the 2026 collection is quieter: the horse shows up mainly as a material, through pony hair on Swooshes, heels and full uppers.

Jordan Brand added a Western thread to its side of the collection, with saddle-style brown leather and frayed labels next to the Lunar New Year florals and metallic gold.

For last year's zodiac pair, see our breakdown of the Air Jordan 1 Low OG Year of the Snake.

How we ranked them

These are our editorial picks, judged on design, materials, the story behind each pair and how easily it wears day to day. Pairs that carry the zodiac through material and craft ranked above those that simply wear the name.

1. Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse'

The Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse' is a faithful return of the 2014 original, a pair Nike made for the last Year of the Horse. The colourway is Light Crimson, Bright Citron and Vivid Blue on a patterned mesh upper with gold branding, and a zodiac mark sits on the inner tongue.

It released on 31 January 2026 in Protro form, which keeps the 2014 look on modern performance tooling. It leads our list because it is the one pair here that directly links the two horse years: the same shoe, twelve years apart. Our ranking of the best Kobe Protros covers the rest of the line.

2. Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Chinese New Year'

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Chinese New Year', style code IQ1108-011, released on 17 February 2026. It has a sail and Football Grey canvas upper, faux pony hair on the Swooshes, floral embroidery across the toe box, a Wings logo on the heel and a brown outsole.

The tongue tag is rolled into a scroll, a hidden detail in place of a loud graphic. It is one of the more understated pairs here and easy to wear day to day.

3. Nike Kobe 8 EXT Protro 'Year of the Horse'

The Kobe 8 EXT Protro 'Year of the Horse', style code IO8152-001, arrived in spring 2026. The EXT treatment moves the Kobe 8 towards lifestyle wear, and here that means a jet-black pony hair upper finished with metallic gold accents.

Next to the bright Protro at number one, it is the dark, textured option: a more formal take on the same silhouette.

4. Air Jordan 1 Low Method of Make V3 'Year of the Horse' Women's

The Air Jordan 1 Low Method of Make V3 'Year of the Horse', style code IQ1106-220, carries the Western side of the collection. Saddle-brown Light Chocolate leather is cut with brogue-style detailing around the toe, mudguard and heel, revealing white faux pony hair underneath.

Ornate Swooshes, red accents and a frayed Jordan tag finish the look. It is a women's release.

5. Nike Shox Z 'Year of the Horse' Women's

The Nike Shox Z 'Year of the Horse' is a women's release and the one pair on this list from outside the Kobe and Air Jordan 1 families. It is the pick for anyone who wants the horse year on something other than a court shoe.

6. Air Jordan 1 Low SE 'Year of the Horse'

The Air Jordan 1 Low SE 'Year of the Horse' carries the collection's theme on the most familiar shape in the Jordan catalogue. It is the everyday option: the Air Jordan 1 Low proportions you already know, with the Lunar New Year story in the details rather than across the whole shoe.

For more on the silhouette, see our best Air Jordan 1 Low OG colourways.

How it fits

Each model on this list fits differently, so check the guide for the one you are after. For the two Kobe 8 pairs, use our Nike Kobe size guide; for the three Air Jordan 1 Lows, use the Air Jordan 1 size guide. Women's releases are listed in women's sizing.

Which pair is built for you

Shoe	Built for	Wear it with
Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse'	Wearing the original 2014 horse pair, twelve years on	Black cargos and a plain white tee
Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Chinese New Year'	Quiet detail and easy everyday wear	Straight-leg denim and a cream knit
Nike Kobe 8 EXT Protro 'Year of the Horse'	A dark, textured Kobe with gold accents	Black tailored trousers and a black overshirt
Air Jordan 1 Low Method of Make V3 'Year of the Horse' Women's	Western leather and brogue detailing	Raw denim and a suede or leather jacket
Nike Shox Z 'Year of the Horse' Women's	A low, modern shape outside the basketball world	Wide-leg trousers and a cropped jacket
Air Jordan 1 Low SE 'Year of the Horse'	The zodiac year on a familiar Jordan shape	Relaxed denim shorts or chinos and a hoodie

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 9 October 2026. Every item below is live now at PUSHAS.

• Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse': in stock
• Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Chinese New Year': in stock
• Nike Kobe 8 EXT Protro 'Year of the Horse': in stock
• Air Jordan 1 Low Method of Make V3 'Year of the Horse' Women's: in stock
• Nike Shox Z 'Year of the Horse' Women's: in stock
• Air Jordan 1 Low SE 'Year of the Horse': in stock

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

Pairing the sneakers with apparel from the same zodiac year? See our guide to the BAPE Year of the Horse tees.

FAQ

What are the best Year of the Horse sneakers of 2026?

Our number one pick is the Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse', style code IM0594-600, released on 31 January 2026. The Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Chinese New Year' is second and the Kobe 8 EXT Protro 'Year of the Horse' is third.

What is the Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Chinese New Year' 2026?

It is the Air Jordan 1 Low OG for the Year of the Horse, style code IQ1108-011, released on 17 February 2026. It has a sail canvas upper with Football Grey speckling, faux pony hair Swooshes, floral embroidery across the toe box and a scroll built into the tongue.

When did the Kobe 8 Year of the Horse release?

The Nike Kobe 8 Protro 'Year of the Horse' released on 31 January 2026. It brings back a colourway that first appeared in 2014, the previous Year of the Horse, now in Protro form.

What is the difference between the Kobe 8 Protro and Kobe 8 EXT Protro Year of the Horse?

The Kobe 8 Protro recreates the 2014 Light Crimson, Bright Citron and Vivid Blue colourway on a patterned mesh upper. The Kobe 8 EXT Protro, style code IO8152-001, swaps that for a jet-black pony hair upper with metallic gold accents.

Are the Year of the Horse sneakers in stock?

Yes. Every pair on this list is live now at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand.