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Predicting the Sneaker Trends That Will Own 2021

Ian Stonebrook

On a grand scale, 2020 mostly sucked but itâ€s all the way over. While the hangover from political, pandemic, and social strife wonâ€t go away overnight, it will hopefully provide the springboard for change, justice, and jubilation. Heavy lifting aside, what are we looking forward to and expecting from sneakers?

By all estimates, 2021 will be more of the same, and thatâ€s a good thing. The Dunk – a shoe that meant so many different things to so many people or perhaps in some cases meant nothing at all – will move from Quickstrike to general release. Holy grail, hype hoopla or born to be a beater?

Whatever the Dunk means to you in 2021, youâ€ll be able to decide before the bots do.

Even better, Kobes should be made more accessible and basketball courts should open back up so that Mamba Mentality can be put into practice. Collabs will continue to catch fire, the Air Jordan 1 might slow down, but it sure wonâ€t stop, and Nike will undoubtedly due to a cult classic just what it did to the Dunk and Air Max 97 before it. What that shoe is, weâ€d have to steal line sheets to know.

So, rather than solely focus on silos, weâ€re calling out the categories that are worth watching in 2021. From the Dunk spawning to sectors to the next wave of creatives blurring lines, see whatâ€s new and next for the year thatâ€s only just begun.

Vintage Hoops


Frontrunner: Nike Dunk

Easy Entry: adidas Forum

Vault Chase: Nike Terminator

2020 was by all accounts the year of the Dunk. While much of the shoeâ€s traction came from SB nostalgia of the 2000s (heightened by Travis Scott’s IG stunting) the Dunk, at its core, is still an ‘80s basketball shoe and operated as such for much of the year.

Hitting on the heels of the Air Jordan 1 going strong for yet another 365 days, the Dunk leaned all the way into its Be True to Your School heritage and in turn widened the lane for vintage basketball coming into 2021. Yes, the Dunk will be very present in the new year and much easier to get, but donâ€t be surprised if this category heats up other 1980s hardwood heaters like the adidas Forum, Converse Weapon, New Balance 550, or Nike Terminator. Early leaks even have the cult classic Air Jordan 1 KO coming back this spring. Hereâ€s to hoping the Revolution, Delta Force, and Air Force III are up next.

Basically, ‘80s basketball isnâ€t going anywhere. Even better, you donâ€t have to be at the mercy of drop dates. With the menswear mystique of high top hoop shoes and the aged aesthetic becoming DIY by way of brands like Foxtrott Uniform, shoes once adorned with short shorts and high socks will continue to flourish throughout 2021. Because of this, you can either crate dig for OGs or turn new releases into retro replicas.

Streetwear Skate 


Frontrunner: Nike SB Dunk

Easy Entry: Nike SB Blazer

Vault Chase: Nike SB Zoom Tre

Just as the Dunk was born on the basketball court and reincarnated as a skate shoe, skate shoes themselves are taking on a new life thanks to their ties to streetwear culture. As skate cultureâ€s impact on fashion, art, and expression continues to go mass by way of buzz around brands like Supreme or Nike SB, the chase for many skate shoes currently is really all about the early days of collectible culture. 

For many skate shoe fans, theyâ€re chasing the multidisciplinary artists and designers that collaborated on gear rather than the onboard endorsers. For this shopper, Pushead means more than Tony Hawk. A BE@RBRICK Blazer is moving faster than a Tyshawn Jones adidas or pair of Nyjah Nikes even though those are two of the illest to ever do it and in their moment now.

In many ways, Travis Scott reigniting SB Dunks to a generation of collectors who canâ€t actually kickflip is no different than Wale modernizing the Foamposite to wearers who canâ€t finger roll. Skate purists will continue to buy pairs they will actually shred and say “fuck you” to any idea of poserism or conformity. For that, we thank you. At the same time, fashion-focused consumers will continue to chase SB Dunks and begin bigging up the SB Blazer. Wanna stand out early? Go on eBay and get a pair of SB Zoom Tres before Travis starts wearing them.

While Old Skools once owned this casual category, itâ€s only going to get fatter, flatter, funkier, and more art-driven moving forward.

Futurist Sportswear  


Frontrunner: Matthew M Williams x Nike Zoom 004

Easy Entry: adidas Yeezy QNTM/BSKTBL

Vault Chase: Nike Air Fear of God 1

In the 1980s, tech-driven sneaker design was so good that consumers had to bend their casual wear just to be on the cutting edge of comfort. Air Jordan 4s and Air Max 1s stuck out in a sea of Suedes when worn with the same blue jeans and jogging pants put on by their peers. Perhaps this way by design, perhaps it was by necessity.

In 2021, the tech-driven hybrids created by Kanye West, Matthew M. Williams, and other futurist designers will make those aforementioned Air Jordans and Air Maxes look old simply because they are. Wearing Alyx runners, Yeezy basketball shoes, or ISPA Road Warriors may seem challenging when considering old rules but will stand out even more when worn with literally anything. Could this new crop of creatives bring death to retro? Probably not, but theyâ€ve all proven the ability to challenge the most popular traditional thinking.

Look for weirder, tech-driven designer sportswear to stand out even more in 2021. While we await Jerry Lorenzoâ€s adidas debut, do like DP and Justin suggested on the podcast and scoop some Fear of God Nikes now as weâ€ll likely never get another chance.

Outlier Brands 


Frontrunner: Li-Ning Titan GTX

Easy Entry: Clearweather Otosan

Vault Chase: A Bathing Ape Roadsta

Few brands had a better 2020 than New Balance. Striking the same cords they always do – comfort, class, and peculiar colorways – the brand brought out fans from both sides of the pond who were sick of taking Ls on SNKRS. 

Though New Balance is tried and true as a company, their slightly left of center popularity will open the floodgates for independent and international brands in 2021. NB hitting hard in 2020 will make fans consider the craftsmanship and curiosity of Li-Ning, Anta, Saucony, and once again ASICS.

Brands like Li-Ning are offering skewed styles of the same runway runner ideology presented by Lanvin and Off-White. Anta is even working with Salehe Bemburry. Clearweather has an absolute banger in the Otosan when done in New Balanceâ€s go-to shades of Grey and OG Bapes are bound to have a resurgence after Pharrellâ€s legendary Drink Champs interview.

Doin’ Things  


Frontrunner: adidas Yeezy Boost 700

Easy Entry: Nike Air Presto

Vault Chase: Nike Air Max 95

At some point in 2021, we hope/expect for life to go back to normal. On some scale, parties, concerts, and cookouts will eventually be back in a big way. Once they are? Well, you wonâ€t want to wear your heat.

After a year of sanitation and loss of sanity, letting loose and living life will hopefully be at an all-time high. Call of Duty and living for the ‘gram will be on the back burner, replaced by hiking mountains or crawling bars. Because of this, beatable shoes with comfortable tech will take the place of DS Jordans and aftermarket earners.

Once the vaccine is distributed and itâ€s safe again in these streets, shoes like the Nike Air Presto, adidas Ultra Boost, Nike Flyknit Racer, and new Nike React favorites will be of great service. For those still looking to stunt, better when beat heat like the Yeezy Boost 700 will hit in highlighter hues and the brave will even look for vault Air Max 95s with the big bubbles. 

Eventually in 2021, investing in the moment will mean much more than investing in the market.

Low Top Jordans


Frontrunner: Air Jordan 1 OG Low

Easy Entry: Air Jordan 5 Low

Vault Chase: Air Jordan 2 Low

Remember when the adidas Stan Smith was the go-to shoe for everyone from Kanye West to ASAP Rocky? Following an incredible Fashion Week rollout – shoutout Bradley Carbone – the simplicity and sophistication of the Stan Smith silo made it a statement piece with painted denim and muted menswear alike.

What if we told you could do that same exact look with Air Jordan 1 OG Lows and itâ€d be even better? While Stan Smiths in inline and Raf variety were selling in droves midway through the last decade, the AJ1 OG Low was getting discounted. Looking back, a lot of missed out. Looking ahead, we should be getting more in 2021.

Itâ€s not just the AJ1 thatâ€s worth looking at in low top form rather than high this year. The Air Jordan 5 Low – first introduced as a womenâ€s exclusive in 2006 – is coming in hot to start 2021 in all shades and sizes. Whether draped with slacks, tongue out with denim, or donned with shorts, all the iconic ingredients of the 5 are present without the molded ankle collar making them harder to get on. 

If you really wanna get classy, go back and score the Air Jordan 2 Low in its OG frame. If you really wanna get wild, cop the Air Jordan 8 Low and turn heads.