Sep 183 min read

Sneaker Trends of 2016

Sneakers, once just known as "sports shoes," have evolved into a massive style staple. Gone are the days when you could only pair them with athletic gear. Today, sneakers are sleek, versatile, and have earned their place in almost any outfit - even with a full suit!

So, what made sneaker trends in 2016 so special?

Woven Material

2016 was all about woven leather and other synthetic materials. Iconic brands like Converse led the charge with their Mono Weave collection, transforming classics like the Chuck Taylor 70 and Deck Star 67 slip-ons with woven suede.

Converse Mono Wave

Meanwhile, Nike made waves by releasing nine colorways of their Mayfly Woven suede shoes, and the Nike Free Inneva added another sleek woven option for sneaker lovers.

Nike Mayfly Woven

Nike Free Inneva

Old-School Skater Style

Skater style has always been a go-to inspiration for sneaker culture. Timeless designs like the Vans Old Skool and Converse Jack Purcell kept skater shoes at the forefront of fashion, continuing their legacy with low-top options.

Vans Old Skool.

Even newer brands like Greats - a fresh American sneaker company - tapped into this old-school aesthetic, showcasing the enduring appeal of skate culture.

Converse Jack Purcell

High-End Sneakers

Luxury fashion brands dove headfirst into the sneaker market in 2016. Designers like Rick Owens and Raf Simons cashed in on their collabs with adidas, while labels like Lanvin (France), Koio (Italy), and John Lobb (UK) joined the sneaker game with high-end offerings.

John Lobb Levah

Koio Collective

John Lobb’s minimalist Levah sneakers, crafted from soft suede and calf leather, embodied the fusion of luxury and simplicity that dominated the high-fashion sneaker trend. Lanvin and Koio Collective also leaned into this trend with luxurious materials and clean, simple designs.

Lanvin's sneaker design.

Mid-Range Sneakers

adidas Tubular

COS, a minimalist fashion brand.

Mango Man

While luxury sneakers may hurt your wallet, mid-range options like the adidas Tubular and offerings from COS, Zara, Mango Man, and Topman provided affordable alternatives without sacrificing style. The adidas Tubular was even rumored to be the prototype for the Yeezy Boost—proof that mid-range sneakers were keeping up with high-fashion trends.

Neutral Colors

Neutral tones like stone gray and beige ruled 2016, replacing the all-white craze of 2015 and the triple-black trend of 2014. Neutral sneakers, like the Puma Blaze Ignite, were a hit because they effortlessly paired with almost any outfit.

Puma Blaze Ignite

Common Projects' Spring-Summer 2016 collection.

For those looking to stay on trend, brands like Common Projects, Tod’s, and Hender Scheme led the way with their neutral-toned collections. Classics like the gray suede adidas Stan Smith and Nike Archive 83.M also became must-haves.

Big Name Collaborations

Collaborations between brands were a huge deal in 2016. These partnerships generated buzz and excitement among sneakerheads. Some standout collabs included the Diadora x Packer Shoes x Raekwon N9000, the Premier x New Balance 998 PRMR, and A Kind of Guise x adidas Consortium. Each of these releases was a perfect blend of style, hype, and exclusivity.

DIADORA X PACKER SHOES X RAEKWON N9000

PREMIER X NEW BALANCE 998 PRMR

A KIND OF GUISE X ADIDAS CONSORTIUM

Sneakers boots

NIKE AIR MAX 90 SNEAKERBOOT

adidas Yeezy Boost 750

Sneaker boots - also called high-top sneakers - blended ruggedness with athletic appeal and a touch of luxury. Nike Air Max 90 Sneakerboot was a standout, while adidas crushed it with their Yeezy Boost 750 and Tubular Boot releases.

The Return of Legends

"Never rest on your laurels" may be true, but legendary designs never really go out of style. Classics like the adidas Stan Smith, Reebok Club C 85, New Balance 900, and Nike Cortez all made a strong comeback in 2016, proving that timeless silhouettes still have a place in modern fashion.