Counting Down the Most Anticipated Shoes of Winter 2015

It's a new year, and that means it's time for some fresh kicks.

Coming off a great 2014, all of the major hitters in the industry have lined up some serious releases for this calendar year. As always, we'll be your loyal guide, serving up release dates, product information and more.

Winter is always a big deal for sneakerheads. It's a time when the industry titans are releasing new stuff to start the year off with a bang.

That trend continues this winter. From Jordan Brand to Nike and Adidas, consumers' wallets are going to be left in shambles by the time spring comes along.

Let's start the slideshow and count down the most anticipated winter releases of 2015 together.

Air Jordan 1 'BHM'

Image via Nike

The Air Jordan 1 silhouette has been done in so many different colorways and styles that these days it's hard to keep track.

But one concept you can't miss out on this winter is the Air Jordan 1 "Black History Month" edition. Set to release on Jan. 17, per Nike.com, the "BHM" version of the Jordan 1's should be an instant success—and hard to come by.

You have to appreciate the design and construction of the shoe. The noir color scheme and etched pattern give it a feel most Jordan 1's don't have.

These are the type of kicks that can be worn casually or rocked on the court. Plus, the jet-black colorway makes it a perfect winter shoe.

If you're a collector of Jordans or are simply in the market for a classic, the Air Jordan 1 "BHM" edition is a must.

Under Armour 'Curry One'

Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images

Recently, it's been all about young players getting their own signature shoe. Back in the fall of 2014, Kyrie Irving got the ball rolling when he and Nike put forth his debut sneaker, the Kyrie 1.

This year, that trend continues with two players: Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors pioneer Stephen Curry.

We'll get to Lillard's kicks later on, but for now it's time to focus on Under Armour's "Curry One."

If you recall, the powerhouse guard left Nike in 2013 to join the Under Armour family. Signing Curry was a major haul for the company considering they really had no skin in the game prior to that.

Sure, the company had deals with Brandon Jennings, Kemba Walker and DeAndre Jordan. However, none of those players have the same pull and marketing clout as Curry.

It took Under Armour some time, but we finally have the "Curry One." The initial colorways are set to be released on Feb. 13 and 28, per Slam Magazine.

The focus of this shoe is more than just aesthetics. Performance will be the key to its success. Even with Curry's stardom, it's hard to imagine this shoe selling out. Under Armour as a brand is still a long way behind the likes of Adidas and Nike.

That's why it's critical that the "Curry One" is a basketball player's dream on the court. Because strictly by looking at the product, the "Curry One" will be a tough shoe to pull off casually.

Kyrie 1 'BHM'

Image via Nike

Continuing along with the Black History Month theme, Kyrie Irving's Kyrie 1 shoes will be getting the special treatment as well.

To date, we've seen the "Dream" and "Deceptive Red" colorways in stores. This "BHM" edition might actually be the nicest pair released thus far.

The gray mesh upper fused behind the black underlay works beautifully. Combine that with the multicolored sole and the speckled heel accent and what you have is something remarkable.

As a silhouette, the Kyrie 1 is extremely comfortable. Off the court and on it, the shoes flow perfectly.

Some people may not be sold on these kicks, and that's a shame. They are one of the top new releases of the last five years. The "BHM" edition is another hit for the young Cleveland Cavaliers point guard.

These kicks should be in stores Jan. 19, according to Austin B. of SneakerWatch.com.

Adidas Superstar Series

Image via Adidas

A true classic never goes out of style. That's why the Adidas Superstar series is sure to be a home run for the brand.

The shell-toe, three-stripe look behind the Superstar is synonymous with pop culture. From Run-D.M.C to Pharrell Williams, this look has paved the way for one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.

The design is by far the defining staple of Adidas.

With multiple colorways readily available for purchase, the Adidas Superstar is bound to make waves once again.

Air Jordan 7 'French Blue'

Put your bank accounts on watch; 2015 is the 30th anniversary of Jordan Brand. In other words, there are going to be a ton of crazy releases this year that are sure to drain the greenbacks from your savings.

The Air Jordan 7 "French Blue" is one of those releases—they are the shoes furthest to the left in the picture above.

Part of the "Remastered" series, the "French Blue" will come equipped with gorgeous, high-quality leather and a robust, stitched colorway. If these shoes are anything like the Air Jordan 4 "Columbia" version, fans won't be disappointed. 

Air Jordans have always been a beautiful shoe to rock in the casual world. You can toss a pair on with just about anything and it works. But for those willing to spend the $190—that will be the price tag, per Patrick Johnson of SneakerNews.com—this new material should make the shoes extremely durable on the court.

Scuffing a pair of kicks that run close to $200 isn't for everyone. We get that. But if you're brave enough to test them out, you won't be disappointed.

Overall, the Air Jordan 7 "French Blue" is going to be a hyped release—and for good reason.

Adidas D Lillard 1

Sam Forencich/Getty Images

Jumping from Stephen Curry's debut shoe to Damian Lillard's is necessary. Both guys are two of the top guards in the NBA.

Noticing that Lillard has a habit of pulverizing opponents and hitting big shots, Adidas offered up a signature shoe to the 24-year-old hoop slasher.

The D Lillard 1 is the result of that offering.

Based on the look of the shoe, it's a major step in the right direction for the brand. The D Lillard 1's initial colorway is all about the Portland Trail Blazers. The black, red and white fusion is complemented by a speckled midsole and dual-color bottom.

Bleacher Report's Jake Silver dropped a nice piece about the shoe's release, where you can find a technology chart showcasing all of the innovations the D Lillard 1 has to offer.

As Silver attested to, this shoe will drop in a variety of colorways. The Blazers-like edition drops Feb. 6, per Lillard's Twitter account.

Air Jordan 4 'Oreo'

First we had all of the hype surrounding the Air Jordan 4 "Columbia." Soon the Air Jordan 4 "Oreo" will take over that role and become one of the most hyped releases of the year.

Right now it's scheduled to reach stores in February, per John Q. Marcelo of Complex.com.

Another member of the "Remastered" collection, the "Oreo" version is a great colorway that won't fade or break down over the years.

There's always been a concern about white shoes and how they can get scuffed and faded. Unlike those, these kicks have a black base that's complemented by gray. There is a flash of white around the back of the midsole area, but it's not nearly enough to warrant any issues.

What makes the Jordan "Oreo" 4 such a great shoe is, of course, the tumbled leather. Like the "Columbia" edition—which also features the tumbled material—the quality is top-notch.

Jordan Brand supporters should pledge their support to the "Oreo" 4. It's one of the nicest looking kicks set to drop in 2015.

Nike Zoom Cage 2

Image via Nike

The Nike Zoom Cage 2 is one shoe on this list that's already in the market.

What's striking about the Zoom Cage 2 is that it's a forward-thinking tennis shoe. It was constructed with impressive traction and support while still being lightweight.

Anyone who plays tennis will tell you that having a lightweight shoe is vital. Flying around the court in a heavy pair of kicks is not good for business.

Like any performance shoe, the Zoom Cage 2 is going to get beat up. Thankfully, the designers at Nike created a shoe that will last for what feels like forever.

Good value and a sleek product. It doesn't get much better than that.

Nike LeBron 12 '23 Chromosomes'

Image via Nike

With the help of LeBron James, Nike has created some of the best basketball shoes in the industry. The LeBron 12s continue that tradition of excellence.

There's been a prolific amount of colorways released already, but the LeBron 12 "23 Chromosomes" stand out the most as far as 2015 goes.

Set to drop Jan. 17, per Patrick Johnson of SneakerNews.com, the "23 Chromosomes" may be a difficult cop for fans because of its appeal. 

The DNA-inspired colorway is used as the backdrop of this glorious performance shoe and shockingly, it works. To be fair, the "23 Chromosomes" are not for the faint of heart. The ultraviolet pattern suspended over the black base is pretty aggressive. Still, the kicks can definitely be worn casually.

All in, the "23 Chromosomes" are another great cut of the LeBron 12s. Basketball purists and fans of King James will love this look.

Nike Metcon 1

Image via Nike

The Nike Metcon 1 is a cross-training shoe built to withstand the rigors of everyday life.

Looks-wise, it's sort of like a hybrid running shoe with a basketball influence. The multicolored platform is what makes the shoe stand out. Speaking in terms of performance shoes, anything with a volt neon color is money.

Nike has always done a great job when it comes to putting traction on these types of shoes. The Metcon 1's traction system is no different.

The grooves on the sole are perfect to suit all of your needs. 

There are plenty of performance shoes out there, but the Nike Metcon 1 could be the most sought after this winter. Advanced technology and design make it a must-have for any sneakerhead.

This black, gray and volt colorway has been given a release date of Jan. 31, per Gregory Williams of NiceKicks.com.