Trend Reports

Color, material, silhouette, and seasonal trend analysis powered by real retail data and decades of footwear expertise.

Western-inspired comfort footwear flat-lay featuring sandals, sneakers, and denim jacket on desert sandstone

consumer • March 24, 2026

When Comfort Brands Go Western

The Dr. Scholl's × Wrangler capsule reveals how legacy comfort brands are borrowing fashion codes to compete with DTC upstarts.

5 SKUs Capsule collection size

By Footwear Intel Research • 6 min read

consumer Mar 23, 2026 · 6 min read

NB 993 'Passion Fruit' Resale Demand Soars 48%

New Balance's 'Passion Fruit' 993 ignites demand for heritage silhouettes. See why this SS26 MADE in USA drop commanded a 48% resale premium.

+48% Resale Premium

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Mar 19, 2026 · 2 min read

The Footwear Industry's Blind Spot: Why Plus-Size Shoes Are a Billion-Dollar Opportunity

Footwear brands are missing the plus-size opportunity. It's not about wide widths—it's about style, co-creation, and a community ignored for decades.

500K+ engaged followers Influencer reach per creator

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Mar 15, 2026 · 5 min read

Birkenstock x Danielle Frankel: Bridal Clogs Arrive

Birkenstock and Danielle Frankel team up for bridal clogs, blending comfort with luxury. Pearl-adorned sandals and hand-painted clogs redefine wedding fashion.

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Mar 11, 2026 · 7 min read

Chanel Croc Footwear: Unprecedented Demand

Chanel's Spring 2026 croc-embossed footwear by Matthieu Blazy is generating unprecedented demand, unseen in eight years.

8 years Highest Demand in

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Mar 8, 2026 · 3 min read

Down Under's Thong Revolution: What Australia's $50 Flip Flops Can Teach the US Market

A physiotherapist's garage project became Australia's hottest footwear brand. Here's why arch support thongs are dominating—and heading stateside.

3,000+ retail locations for Archies

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Mar 6, 2026 · 4 min read

The Alo Runner: Style Wins, Performance Loses

When athleisure brands cross into footwear, consumers buy the lifestyle—not the tech. What this means for traditional running brands.

4.9 stars despite poor running performance

By Footwear Intel Research

Jordan.ShoeDog examining the Alo Runner on his workbench

consumer Mar 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Alo Runner Under the Knife: A Third-Generation Shoemaker's Honest Verdict

A shoemaker with 3 generations of footwear expertise examines Alo Yoga's $185 running shoe—and finds style over substance.

By Footwear Intel Research

TikTok poll showing 60% of users voting 'Ew, no' on snoafers

consumer Mar 4, 2026 · 2 min read

The Snoafer Postmortem: Why the Sneaker-Loafer Hybrid Flopped

The industry was convinced snoafers would be the next big thing. Consumers weren't. Here's why.

By Footwear Intel Research

A costumed bellhop hands out promotional materials at the Adidas Superstar hotel-themed pop-up in Harajuku, Tokyo

consumer Mar 1, 2026 · 4 min read

Adidas Turns a Harajuku Storefront Into a Surreal Hotel — And It Signals a Bigger Shift in Sneaker Launches

The Superstar's 55th anniversary pop-up reveals how brands are moving from drop culture to experiential theater.

By Footwear Intel Research

Sherlina Nym's iconic sneaker collection wall featuring hundreds of pairs organized by color

consumer Mar 1, 2026 · 5 min read

What 9 Footwear Influencers Are Signaling About 2026 Trends

We analyzed a network of sneaker, fashion, and trend forecasting creators. The consensus is clear: footwear is bifurcating.

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Feb 24, 2026 · 4 min read

Will Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66 Still Be Trending in 2026? The Data Says Yes

A viral TikTok calls it the 'best sneaker to eye in 2026.' With 50% sales growth and Gen Z obsession, here's our verdict.

+50% Onitsuka Tiger net sales growth (H1 2025)

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Feb 20, 2026 · 6 min read

Margiela's Replica vs. the Competition: Why Quiet Luxury Is Killing the Logo Sneaker

Golden Goose delayed its IPO. Common Projects is discounting. But Margiela's Replica keeps selling. Here's why.

$530–$675 Margiela Replica price range

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Feb 18, 2026 · 3 min read

The Ballet Sneaker: Why Sleek Is Replacing Chunky in 2026

Nicole Kidman and Bella Hadid are leading the charge away from chunky sneakers toward elegant ballet-inspired kicks.

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Feb 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Ballet Flats Without the Markup: Skip the $1K Luxury Pairs

The balletcore trend shows no signs of slowing, but that doesn't mean you need to pay Miu Miu prices. Here's where smart shoppers are finding the look for less.

$98 vs $950 Everlane vs Miu Miu price gap

By Footwear Intel Research

material Feb 16, 2026 · 5 min read

The $305 Question: Is Nike's Alphafly 3 Proof They Can Still Innovate?

Nike's stock lost $184B as critics called them innovation-dead. But the Alphafly 3 tells a different story. Does the swoosh still have it?

-$184B Nike market cap loss since 2021 peak

By Footwear Intel Research

consumer Feb 16, 2026 · 6 min read

A Podiatrist's Viral Shoe Rankings for Plantar Fasciitis—And Why They Matter

With 15 million views, one podiatrist's shoe ratings are shaping purchase decisions. We analyze his rankings against market trends.

1 in 10 Adults affected by plantar fasciitis

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Feb 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Skip the Gucci: A Shoemaker's Guide to the Ruched Loafer Trend

Why industry insiders say Saint Laurent and ALOHAS deliver better value than $1,000 Italian heritage loafers.

$225 vs $1,000 ALOHAS vs Gucci price gap

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Feb 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Western Boots Done Right: The Subtle Cowboy Rules Fall 2026

The western boot trend has evolved beyond Nashville costume territory. Here's what separates investment-worthy styles from festival season mistakes.

$1,350–$1,680 Investment tier western boots (Khaite)

By Footwear Intel Research

silhouette Feb 16, 2026 · 4 min read

The Oxford Resurgence in Corporate America

Men's dress shoes are experiencing double-digit growth as return-to-office mandates reset workplace footwear standards and brown leather outpaces sneakers.

Double-digit unit growth Men's dress shoe sales since 2019

By Footwear Intel Research