Sneaker trends are a hard thing to predict. One week everyone’s drooling over a hot Air Jordan release; the next it’s suddenly barely-there ballet shoes that are making major waves. But seven months into 2025, one thing is clear: it’s been a truly excellent year for kicks, thanks in no small part to a handful of unexpected silhouettes rising to It shoe status. From Frankensteined hybrids to old-school classics made new, these are the biggest sneaker trends of 2025 so far.
Sneaker Loafers
Early last year, when New Balance first unveiled the 1906L sneaker loafer during a Junya Watanabe runway show, it felt more like a viral flash in the pan than the beginning of a lasting trend. And yet, here we are some 18 months later, and the 1906L hasn’t merely proved its staying power, it’s spawned a litany of knockoffs—with brands like Hoka, Puma, Converse, and Nike all getting in on the business-casual action. (So far, Adidas is the only notable holdout—your move, Stripe gang.) What to make of a dress shoe-sneaker hybrid becoming ubiquitous in 2025? Maybe it’s a symptom the return-to-office era; maybe people are simply growing tired of their hard-bottoms and are ready for a comfy kicks comeback. Whatever the reason, just don’t call them “snoafers.”
Soccer Boots
Much like the rise of the sneaker loafer, when the relentless click-clack of #BootsOnlySummer first emerged on TikTok earlier this spring, it was easy to excuse away as a joke. Kids weren’t really going to spend all summer wearing actual soccer cleats on the sidewalk, were they? The answer is…not exactly. To help feed the blokecore-fueled desire for pitch-ready footwear, a legion of lifestyle silhouettes based on iconic football boots—including David Beckham’s Adidas Predators and Ronaldinho’s Nike Total 90s—have emerged. They feel like the natural evolution of the ongoing Samba craze: sporty, low-slung kicks that can take you from brunch at 11 straight to a casual indoor match at 2.
Torpedo Sneakers
Speaking of low-slung kicks: Have you noticed that the vast majority of hot sneakers are sleeker and svelter than ever before? After years of chunky dad shoes and Godzilla-sized Balenciaga runners reigning supreme, ’70s-inspired runners—with slim uppers, minimalist construction, and a pointed toebox—are having a serious moment across the industry. No less of a sneaker legend than Tyler, the Creator is getting in on the action with his archival Converse 1908 Coach Jogger. Wales Bonner’s first original Adidas model, the Karintha Lo, fits the bill too. And big fashion houses like Maison Margiela, Prada, and Dries Van Noten have all hopped on board, helping to make designer sneakers feel more relevant right now than they have in years.
Grandpa Kicks
It was only a matter of time. Now that the shoes your pops used to mow the lawn in are hip enough to be embraced by pro skaters, the next generation of dad sneakers is here—and it’s taking direct inspiration from the last generation of, um, dads. What we’re trying to say is: Your granddad’s orthopedic walking shoes are cooler than ever right now. While Mephisto helped bring the style to the fore, especially through smart collaborations with the likes of 18 East, the trend really took off when New Balance (who else?) introduced its Allerdale model. The British-made shoes, which became an instant sellout hit, were further powered by an incredible colorway cooked up by the tailoring gods at Drake’s. Lace up a pair with your best white tube socks and tweedy sport coat, then sit down for dinner at 5 p.m. sharp.
Ballet Shoes
Move aside, basketball and tennis. Ballet has arrived to steal your lifestyle sneaker thunder. While we wouldn’t recommend pirouetting in any of these shoes, the strappy, low-cut aesthetics of ballet flats have been ported over to the sneaker world—and folks of all genders are very much on board. Adidas signee Bad Bunny sent this trend roaring into overdrive with his signature Ballerina model, but he was far from the first to get in on the fun. The ever-popular Puma Speedcat received the danseuse treatment earlier this year, while brands like Salomon have long taken design cues from ballet flats for sneakers like the RX Marie-Jeanne. If you’ve yet to bite on the Mary Jane trend, this might be the perfect sporty way to ease yourself in.
