# Featherweight Footwear Shoe labels release merchandise with exceptionally lightweight features. By [Jordy E](https://www.trendhunter.com/JordyEleni) | Published Jun 30, 2015 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/featherweight-footwear-shoe-labels-release-merchandise-with-exceptionally-l ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Featherweight Footwear trend? **Featherweight Footwear:** Shoe labels are releasing exceptionally lightweight footwear products that combine the best of athleticism with breathable materials and designs. This aesthetic addresses a desire for easily accessible, on-the-go sporting items that are suited to busy and active Millennials. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Oct 24, 2014 to Apr 13, 2015 - Published: Jun 30, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Featherweight Footwear trend ### Lightweight Athletic Footwear Athletic shoe labels have embraced lightweight materials and designs, addressing on-the-go needs of millennials. ### Breathable Sports Shoes Shoe designers are incorporating spacer mesh to create layers of air between shoe materials for improved air circulation. ### High-Tech Performance Footwear Sports brands continue to leverage advanced materials, cushioning and support technology in high-performance footwear lines. ## What the Featherweight Footwear trend means for industry ### For Athletic Footwear Industry Top athletic shoe brands continue to release new, high-performance, footwear lines every year. ### For Materials Science Industry Materials designers are creating innovative, lightweight, breathable, and durable materials for the footwear industry every year. ### For Professional Sports Industry Professional sports players are collaborating with footwear brands to create specialized shoes that enhance performance and improve outcomes. ## Workshop question How could you further push your products or services to be more functional and adaptable in nature? ## Trend signals for Featherweight Footwear Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 51%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 51% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Featherweight Footwear trend 4 featured examples from Oct 24, 2014 to Apr 13, 2015. - [Cushioned Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-flyknit-lunar-3): The Nike Flyknit Lunar 3 is Extremely Lightweight and Supportive (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for sporting goods manufacturers to develop and market advanced running shoes for athletes of all levels. - [99 Gram Soccer Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adizero-99g): The adizero 99g is the Lightest Soccer Boot Ever Created (Category: Fashion) Implication: Manufacturers can use innovative lightweight materials to disrupt traditional sports equipment manufacturing. - [Lightweight Golf Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-lunar): Rory McIlroy's Input Shaped the Nike Lunar Control 3 (Category: Fashion) Implication: Companies in the sporting goods manufacturing industry can take advantage of the growing demand for ultra-lightweight golf shoes by offering innovative products that prioritize co… - [Breathable Summer Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-breathe-collection): The Nike Breathe Collection Comprises Lightweight, Breathable Shoes (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a new category of athletic footwear specifically tailored for hot weather conditions, emphasizing breathability, lightweight, and heat re… ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)