2021 was dominated by collaborations, and it was not exclusive to just footwear. We saw most brands double down on their collaborations (and even triple up in Nike’s case).
It was also a year that non-sneaker footwear really rose to prominence for sneakerheads, although it was brought in by familiar names like Stüssy and their Birkenstock collaboration, Fear of God’s California slip-on, of course, Crocs had a massive year off collaborations as well. Not to mention, Yeezy Slides and Foam Runners are still some of the most sought-after pieces from adidas.
While we saw a glimpse of more technical footwear at the end of 2020, it seems like that it really took its stride last year along with the seemingly endless reverence for GORP. I feel like I saw more Salomon XT-6’s on the timeline last year than any other sneaker model. Although, there’s a case to be made that my algorithm just needs a cleansing.
With 2022 full steam ahead, we tapped in a handful of industry figures to give us their trend predictions for the new year.
Drew Hammell | @drew.hammell
SoleSavy member, writer, and creator of @nikestories
2022 is all about brand diversification for sneakerheads. For those who are solely focused on Dunks, Jordan 1’s and Yeezy’s, it’s time to branch out and explore other footwear brands who have been doing big things. Brands like New Balance, Salomon, and ASICS (just to name a few) have been dropping some really great collabs and general releases the past few years, and sneakerheads are definitely taking notice. It’s not really about how many sneakers you have anymore; it’s about owning pairs you truly love and having a well-rounded collection – not just 15 different pairs of Dunks and 20 pairs of Yeezy’s.
Chris Chase | @Nightwing2303
SoleSavy member and founder of WearTesters
Performance-wise, I feel everyone is being safe. I’d love to see more innovative models like the GT series. While the GT Run wasn’t great, the Cut and Jump are both fantastic models and the Jump really pushes the envelope in the same way Nike’s Alpha Project once did. We’ve been seeing great strides in performance running, but we haven’t had much in basketball. Granted, basketball sales as a category has gone from the top-selling category to the worst-selling category, so I’m sure that has something to do with it. But on the flip side, being stagnant isn’t going to bring customers back.
Jian DeLeon | @jiandeleon
Men’s Fashion and Editorial Director, Nordstrom
My prediction is more of a hope, and it’s that people think outside the shoebox. We’ve started to see how brands like New Balance, Reebok, Asics, and Salomon can create compelling demand for GRs, and I really hope that leads to more people expressing themselves through shoes that speak to their personal style and how they want to put a fit together, rather than owning one particular pair of kicks. It’s still about getting dressed foot-first, but there’s the added layer of “don’t worry if you’re not up on these yet.”
Alex Wong | @steven_lebron
Writer and Author of “Cover Story”
Moving away from paint-by-numbers trends and wearing the same pairs of Nikes and Jordans that are on your timeline. I can’t remember outside of the CDG Foams the last Nike shoe I was excited about. The AJ1 and Dunks have become so diluted. The new releases aren’t hitting and there are so many silhouettes that nobody asked for. I’m most excited about what New Balance, Asics, and even Reebok and adidas have to offer this year. Overall I think we’re moving away from collabs and more towards sneakers becoming an understated part of your wardrobe. If you catch me in Nikes this year it’ll be a pair of Air Max 97 Silver Bullets and not whatever Fragment x Sacai x [insert any other collab-friendly brand] collab comes out in May.
Brenn Lorenzo | @brennzolrenzo
Content Creator
Nel Schneider | @nel.schneider
Content Creator
I think for 2022 we’re going to see a lot more of 90s/2000s vintage and maybe even returns of the classic brands like Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Sean John, FUBU, Rocawear. There’s a lot of nostalgia there and it’s also been long enough to cycled back into fashion. As the current hype-fashion landscape expands, many of us want to return to the place where we first started exploring streetwear – the brands that did it through rap and hip-hop.
Alan Galloway | @oldmanalan
Content Creator and Founder of @seereverseforcare
I think this year we will continue to see peoples focus stay on comfort and daily wearability. New Balance will stay dominant. Salomon will continue to gain popularity as the gorp popularity is growing fast. You’ll also see a wave of heavy stomper/chunky influence thanks to Ye and his current looks. I personally love what he’s doing right now.
Lastly, I think you’ll continue to see a lot of mules/slip-ons stay in people’s rotation. From affordable brands like Birkenstock to more high-end labels they’re are plenty of options to choose from. Like I said comfort is always important.
Larry Luk | @larryluk
Creative Director and Artist
In 2022, people are going to start wanting to wear “real clothes” more often as they experience the fatigue of wearing the same house clothes and assorted athleisure staples. Athleisure is here to stay, but if you need that extra confidence boost, it might come in the form of a pair of new pants that fit or a collared shirt.
Nike will continue to have the largest portion of the market share but fans who are keen on their formulaic ways are going to grow tired of the rinse and repeat nature of everything from collabs to GRs. (Nobody asked for the three-way collab, I’m sorry). People will look to fill their sneaker closets with brands and models that aren’t force-fed via SNKRS. I’m looking forward to offerings from New Balance, ASICS, and Saucony. I’m personally piling up on adidas originals’ soccer-inspired silhouettes
Anna Bediones | @atothebed
Director of Strategy, Women’s, SoleSavy
I think this is the year we all collectively break out of the sweats uniform. I still love it (I’m a cozy girl for life) but after two years of being at home, people are itching to start getting real fits off again. We can look forward to bold colors, and probably hard pants.
A brand I personally think is going to sneak up on us is ON Running. I’ve been seeing a lot of people wearing them out and about, which is interesting to me considering that they are on the expensive side of performance footwear, and there is little hype behind it.
Ticara Devone | @ticara.devone
Content Creator
I can see sustainability being more of a topic in sneakers this year and how we can reduce our carbon footprints. I see conversations around renting and trading sneakers becoming more viable and accepted in the space. I also think we will see the emergence of new “streetwear” brands since fashion houses have invaded what we know as streetwear and there’s an opportunity to restore the feeling.
Henry Yeh | @yayhenry
SoleSavy member and Associate Buyer, The Bay
Personally, 2021 was filled with disappointment. Between the dozens of Nike dunks released every few months, the uninspiring Adidas designs, and lazy collaborations, it was hard to get excited about footwear. That being said, glimmers of hope shimmered through in the forms of A Ma Maniere’s Jordan 3, Parra’s take on the Dunk, and the brilliance of New Balance’s resurgence.
As I navigate 2022 with a jaded lens, I’m definitely paying more attention to footwear outside of sneakers and I think others will do the same. Loafers, mules, sandals, and boots have all crept into the brands we all love, making it easier to dive into them. Well, that is, until Teddy Santis ropes me into buying 16 pairs of New Balances this year.
John Gotty | @johngotty
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Still Crew
I expect another big year for New Balance, the running category’s continued growth, as well as the dominance by non-Nike names in 2022.
Dani Barraza | @daniphantommm
COO, Bricks & Wood
I see technical outerwear continuing into 2022. More zippers, more pockets, all the functionality you can get in a garment. As for sneakers, I think it’s going to be a big year for collaborations.
Juan Hernandez | @_juanhern_
Content Marketing Manager, SoleSavy
It appears that the Air Max 1 is receiving special treatment this year, riding a hot end to 2021 and celebrating the model’s 35th anniversary in 2022. A big part of that momentum was the Patta x Nike Air Max 1 pack, and with news of a Concepts x Air Max 1 on the way, a retro of the ‘Crepe’ Air Max 1, along with 5 other colorways, the Air Max 1 is poised to have a massive year. This will introduce the AM1 to a new era of collectors, which is always a win in my book.
Dejan Pralica | @dp16
CEO & Co-Founder, SoleSavy
NFTs will dominate this year but how they will infiltrate into sneakers is still unclear. We’re already seeing NFT-based sneaker brands hit the market such as Flowers for Society and Cult & Rain and we are only a month into 2022. This coincides with my expectations for 2022 to be the year of the creator. NFTs allow independent designers and creatives the opportunity to crowdfund their next idea and we are sure to see some innovative designs that help push an industry focused on retro’s forward.