From tiger prints to snake patterns, animal print on sneakers is making a full comeback in 2025. Whether you're looking for a sneaker with a subtle detail or prefer to go all-in with a pair covered head-to-toe in animal print, the coming year will bring plenty of wild releases to match your style.
But why are animal prints so popular in 2025?
Animal Print Sneakers
Animal print on sneakers is nothing new. Over the years, various brands have dipped their classic silhouettes in prints reminiscent of the jungle. In 2006, Nike released the ‘Animal’ pack, which combined multiple animal prints on a single sneaker.
In 2017, the Air Max 1 'Elephant' was released in collaboration with atmos, a sneaker that became a true classic among sneaker enthusiasts.
In 2021, my personal favorite when it comes to animal print sneakers dropped: the Skepta x Nike Air Max Tailwind 5. This pair is inspired by the butterfly and translates that concept in the best possible way.
Among all the standout releases, several silhouettes featured leopard details or snakeskin, but truly groundbreaking designs were rare. That was until Wales Bonner introduced the adidas Samba Pony 'Leopard' in 2023, a sneaker with a hairy and colorful upper that won over many fans.
The Wales Bonner x adidas collaboration went through the roof. In no time, the pair sold out and was reselling for high prices on resale platforms. A possible firestarter for the success of animal prints in 2025.
'Leopard or nothing'
Sneaker lovers who missed out back then were able to enjoy a variant this past spring that strongly resembles the Wales Bonner collab, the adidas Samba WMNS in the 'Leopard Print' colorway. A release that was (almost) just as popular as its predecessor.
The sneaker features a hairy upper with a leopard print that stretches across the entire silhouette. Orange details on the heel and laces give the Samba a fresh twist. The brown gum sole, characteristic of the Samba silhouette, completes the pair.
adidas recently released two other sneakers featuring a 'Leopard' colorway. The adidas SL72 adopts the same color scheme as the upcoming release mentioned above and is currently available at selected marketplaces. Additionally, the adidas Samba 'Black Leopard' and the 00s WMNS 'Leopard' have also hit the shelves.
Upcoming releases
In recent months, several other releases have dropped that also feature an animal print. In April, we saw the Nike Air Max 90 'Leopard' appear, which, you guessed it, was given a leopard print.
Snake print is also making its return, appearing on silhouettes such as the Air Max 90, Air Max 1, and Country Japan. The most recent wild releases showcase cow prints. Adidas in particular has embraced the trend, releasing the Samba 'Cow Print' and Taekwondo Mei WMNS 'Cow Print'.
But PUMA also joined in, recently unveiling the PUMA Speedcat WMNS 'Cow Print', and Jordan combined two trends at once with the Air Jordan Mule WMNS 'Cow Print'.
Check the Sneakerjagers release calendar for upcoming releases (with or without animal prints) and never miss a drop.
