Although lackluster in most other departments, 2021 was a fantastic year for sneakerheads. We’ve had exciting releases, welcomed lots of artist and athlete collaborations, and seen new trends come into existence.
According to a report by Cowen Equity Research, the sneaker hype isn’t ending anytime soon, as the global sneaker resale market alone reached $6 billion.
Eventually, it’s predicted to surpass $30 billion by 2030. For those who are in the industry as entrepreneurs or shoe lovers, here’s everything you need to know as we move forward in 2022.
Sneaker Styles
Those who were into the whole vintage look in previous years are in luck — most of 2022’s shoe trends are predicted to revolve around the same style.
Vintage styles range from high-top basketball shoes, platform soles, and patent leather. As we described in our guide to ‘Different Types of Sneakers’, basketball sneakers and athletic kicks, in general, tend to always be in demand thanks to their style versatility, functionality, and comfort.
These sneaker trends won’t be going anywhere in the coming year.
Supply Chain Issues
Anyone who’s kept up with the latest sneaker news or experienced this problem themselves will most likely know about the supply chain issues that have plagued collecting in recent years.
Pandemic-related shortages have affected thousands of small businesses around the country and across the globe, especially during the holiday season.
Sneaker giant Nike has even canceled store orders until the summer of ‘22, thanks to ongoing disruptions in the supply chain. As borders reopen and the vaccine rollout continues, the situation may diffuse soon.
News Sources
Thanks to technology, sneaker lovers are more tight-knit than ever despite the distance. Informative and dedicated platforms have helped the community members discover the best news and deals.
The SoleSavy Community even offers membership benefits including sneaker monitors, exclusive discounts, and members-only shopping events.
Moreover, there are forums where you can build connections, consult with others, and really feel like you’re a part of the community. Going online is bound to be the future of sneaker collecting.
Sustainability
Sneaker culture has long been linked to unethical production and reckless consumerism.
Fortunately, the sneaker world has been transitioning into more sustainable practices in recent years.
A piece by Entrepreneur reports that the global ethical fashion market boasts an annual compound growth rate of 9.1% between 2023 and 2025, which is great news for everyone pushing for cleaner fashion.
Moreover, many brands have been developing techniques to recycle and repurpose old materials in order to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize production waste.
Collaborations
Collaborations are here to stay. Big names in the high fashion industry like Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Off-White have made the sports-luxe style more accessible and wearable for many.
Meanwhile, celebrity and artist-designed sneakers like Lil Nas X’s Satan Nikes and Kanye West’s Yeezy line will continue to gain traction in the online sphere even among those who aren’t sneaker fans.
We’re already anticipating upcoming 2022 releases like the renewed partnership between Jeremy Scott and Adidas, Drake x NOCTA Nike, and Teddy Santis x New Balance, to name a few.
These are five things to keep in mind as you go about planning your sneaker must-haves for 2022. What’s on your list so far?
