Summer's popular footwear styles: sneakers taking center stage everywhere this season

Summer's popular footwear styles: sneakers taking center stage everywhere this season

2025 is all about embracing the anti-mainstream with sneakers taking center stage. Anti-Samba enthusiasts have turned to fresh silhouettes, unearthing obscure, archival styles, and shunning mainstream choices to make a statement. Here are 10 sneaker trends to look out for this year:

1. Vibrant, Bold Sneakers

Say goodbye to minimalism! Bold, bright colors have taken the sneaker-sphere by storm. Miu Miu's color-blocked Gymnasium sneaker is a prime example, while iconic brands like Adidas and Nike have released flashy, rainbow-hued iterations of classic sneaker shapes. Standout personalities such as Bella and Gigi Hadid have championed this movement.

• Adidas Tokyo sneakers, $127 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Miu Miu Gymnasium sneakers, $1,390 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Nike LD-1000 shoes, $159 (Available at Nike)
• Coolway Nylon sneakers, $155 (Available at Free People)

2. Suede Luxury

With fashion houses revisiting retro designs and sneaker brands constantly raiding the archives, we are experiencing a suede revival. Brands like Proenza Schouler offer track-inspired sneakers in vibrant cobalt, while Puma's Speedcat is a beloved choice amongst sneakerheads like Dua Lipa and Emily Ratajkowski.

• Proenza Schouler sneakers, $910 (Available at Proenza Schouler)
• Dries Van Noten suede sneakers, $475 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Autry suede sneakers, $274 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Puma Speedcat sneakers, $136 (Available at Ssense)

3. Sneakerina Sensation

Sneakerina fever, the unexpected sensation of 2025, has been gaining momentum with no signs of stopping. These hybrid sneakers embody ballet elements, such as delicate laces or satin fabrics (similar to pointe shoes). Harry Styles and Amelia Gray are among early adopters, and with Simone Rocha incorporating new satin low-tops on her Fall/Winter 2025 runway, the trend is here to stay.

• Prada sneakers, $1,291 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Abra ballerina sneakers, $792 (Available at Ssense)
• Miu Miu lace-up sneakers, $1,122 (Available at Cettire)
• Polo Ralph Lauren sneakers, $429 (Available at Farfetch)

4. Sporty Sprinters

Miu Miu and Maison Margiela are leading the charge with sporty, sprinter-inspired sneakers, complete with gum-soled tread, mirroring athletic spikes. Comme des Garçons x Spalwart collaborations and reimagined Bottega Veneta Orbit sneakers further illustrate this evolving direction in throwback sneakers.

• Maison Margiela shell sneakers, $1,227 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Bottega Veneta low top sneakers, $1,310 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Comme Des Garçons suede runner sneakers, $610 (Available at Bergdorf Goodman)
• Hoff bird suede sneakers, $233 (Available at Anthropologie)

5. Collaborative Efforts

The impact of partnerships in the sneaker world continues to influence trends, with collaborations generating coveted styles that sell at inflated prices post-release. Iconic collaborations such as Wales Bonner with Sporty & Rich for Adidas and the MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon mule have been successful, and more brands are hopping on board, promising a busy collaboration season for the remainder of the year.

• Adidas x Wales Bonner Karintha Lo canvas sneakers, $491 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Sporty & Rich x Adidas suede sneakers, $197 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Xt Mule 4, $640 (Available at Revolve)
• Loewe x On Cloudtilt sneakers, $688 (Available at Net-a-Porter)

6. Revisiting the Past

Recent trends indicate a return to yesteryear shoes, with throwback models potentially reclaiming their spotlight. The Nike Shox, originally a 2000s staple, have seen impressive traction, and retro classics such as Air Max 1s and Converse high tops have been making a comeback. Balenciaga's Triple S, although still somewhat modern, have become iconic enough to generate feelings of nostalgia.

• Nike Air Max shoes, $189 (Available at Nike)
• Converse high top sneakers, $129 (Available at Converse)
• Balenciaga sneakers, $1,590 (Available at Balenciaga)
• Nike Shox TL shoes, $259 (Available at Nike)

7. Loaf Up

The loafer-trainer hybrid is gaining traction, as can be seen in New Balance's loafer sneakers and Cecilie Bahnsen's sporty Mary Janes. Simone Rocha's track-soled ballerinas and Salomon's backless mule collaboration with MM6 Maison Margiela showcase the trend's versatility, capitalizing on the customization trend of adorning footwear with personal touches.

• New Balance loafer sneakers, $213 (Available at Ssense)
• Puma mesh sneakers, $160 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Salomon leather-trimmed mesh sandals, $211 (Available at Net-a-Porter.)
• Simone Rocha strap sneakers, $1,305 (Available at Nordstrom)

8. Skater Sneakers

Skater shoes are making a resurgence, with Vans Slip-Ons and Old Skools getting the celebrity treatment from Zoë Kravitz and Jennifer Lawrence. Less popular options, such as the Adidas Busenitz and New Balance Numeric Brandon Westgate 508, also merit attention for their off-the-radar cool factor.

• Vans checkerboard sneakers, $80 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Vans sneakers, $81 (Available at Vans)
• Adidas Busenitz Pro shoes, $129 (Available at Adidas)
• New Balance Westgate 508 sneakers, $80 (Available at New Balance)

9. Football Fever

It's fair to expect football-inspired sneakers everywhere as the women's Euros kick off in summer 2025. Archival styles like Reebok XT sneakers or Gola sneakers are ideal for expressing your passion for the sport. Additionally, Britpop-enthusiasts will have the perfect opportunity to rock three-stripe trainers and parkas, just like the era of Oasis.

• Adidas sambas, $141 (Available at FWRD)
• Reebok XT sneakers, $65 (Available at Reebok)
• Reebok shoes, $169 (Available at JD Sports)
• Gola sneakers, $183 (Available at Revolve)

10. Gorpcore Culture

Gorpcore goes beyond being a trend - it's a lifestyle! With brands such as Salomon, Merrell, Hokas, and Asics dominating in both athletics and everyday wear, "the ultimate nondescript running brand" [Emily Minea, director of merchandising at GOAT] Asics shows no signs of slowing down as the preferred choice for enthusiasts like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid. The sell-out status of new drop colorways of the XT-6 solidifies its staying power.

• Loewe x On Cloudventure paneled sneakers, $688 (Available at Net-a-Porter)
• Salomon sneakers, $258 (Available at Ssense)
• Asics Gel-1130 sneakers, $133 (Available at Nordstrom)
• Hoka Athletics sneakers, $193 (Available at Free People)

1. Beyond minimalism, vibrant, bold sneakers are taking over the fashion-and-beauty landscape, with brands like Miu Miu, Adidas, Nike, and Coolway Nylon introducing flashy iterations.
2. As a result of the suede revival in fashion-and-beauty, sneakers adorned in suede materials have gained popularity, with Proenza Schouler, Dries Van Noten, Autry, and Puma offering unique designs.
3. The unexpected sensation of 2025, Sneakerina fever, has taken the home-and-garden of footwear by storm with hybrid sneakers embodying ballet elements, like Prada, Abra, Miu Miu, and Polo Ralph Lauren.
4. Sporty sprinter-inspired sneakers are gaining traction, as evidenced by Miu Miu, Maison Margiela, Comme des Garçons, and Bottega Veneta's unique designs.
5. Collaborative efforts between brands have proved influential in shaping this year's trends, with successful collaborations between Wales Bonner and Sporty & Rich for Adidas, MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon, and more on the horizon.
6. A return to yesteryear shoes is a notable trend, with throwback models like the Nike Shox, Air Max 1s, Converse high tops, and Balenciaga's Triple S making a comeback.
7. Loafer-trainer hybrids are on the rise, with brands like New Balance, Cecilie Bahnsen, Salomon, and Simone Rocha offering unique twists on the classic loafer and sneaker.
8. Skater shoes are back, with Vans Slip-Ons, Old Skools, Adidas Busenitz, and New Balance Numeric Brandon Westgate 508 making statements in popular culture.
9. Football-inspired sneakers are projected to be everywhere during the women's Euros in 2025, with archival styles from Reebok, Gola, and Adidas stirring curiosity among fashion enthusiasts.
10. Gorpcore culture has surpassed mere trend status to become a lifestyle, with brands like Salomon, Merrell, Hokas, and Asics dominating both athletics and everyday wear, appealing to authentic enthusiasts like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid.

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