# Specified Sneaker Hyper-niche shoe options appeal to consumers with performance-based needs. By [Joey Haar](https://www.trendhunter.com/joeyisa), Research Writer | Published Nov 23, 2017 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/specified-sneaker ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.6/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Specified Sneaker trend? **Specified Sneaker:** Shoes have long been custom-designed to suit the rigors of highly popular sports, but as the sneaker market continues to crowd, brands are mining increasingly niche activities and interests that have not previously been served by incumbents. In light of markets in which it's nearly impossible for upstarts to succeed as generalists, products that recognize and play to consumers' hyper-specific particularities can grab attention more strongly than those that appeal to more general, wide-spanning interests. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 5, 2017 to Feb 2, 2018 - Published: Nov 23, 2017 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Specified Sneaker trend ### Hyper-Niche Sneaker Market As the sneaker market continues to crowd, brands are mining increasingly niche activities and interests that have not previously been served by incumbents to grab attention more strongly than those that appeal to more general, wide-spanning interests. ### Efficiency-Improving Shoes Design features that have the potential to drastically improve race times are becoming more popular as consumers look for increased performance in their athletic gear. ### Personalized Footwear Design Designs that differ for the lead foot and the drag foot for fencers, as well as wearable sock shoes, indicate a growing trend toward hyper-personalized footwear design. ## What the Specified Sneaker trend means for industry ### For Athletic Footwear The athletic footwear industry can look to the hyper-niche market and efficiency-improving trends to create innovative, high-performance shoes. ### For 3D Printing The use of 3D printing in shoe design, as seen in the New Balance Study shoes and JS Shoes, presents opportunities for innovation and waste reduction in footwear manufacturing. ### For Space Travel The Floatride SB-01s designed by Reebok for astronauts aboard the Boeing Starliner demonstrate the potential for stylish and comfortable space travel clothing and footwear. ## Workshop question Identify a hyper-niche interest that appeals to a portion of your consumer base. How could you incorporate that into your brand's offering? ## Trend signals for Specified Sneaker Trend score 6.6 out of 10, from popularity 94%, activity 96%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 94% - Activity: 96% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Specified Sneaker trend 8 featured examples from Jan 5, 2017 to Feb 2, 2018. - [High-Performance Sock Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barefoot-training): The 'KINIS' Barefoot Training Shoe Socks are Ergonomically Designed (Category: Fashion) Implication: The athletic footwear industry should consider incorporating barefoot training and removable foam insoles into their designs. - [Stylish Space Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floatride-sb01): The Floatride SB-01s Were Developed by Reebok for Boeing Starliner Astronauts (Category: Fashion) Implication: The development of stylish and lightweight space boots presents new opportunities for aerospace companies to enhance comfort and style for astronauts. - [Urban Commuter-Focused Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porsche-design-sport-sneakers): These Porsche Design Sport Sneakers Have a Sleek Streamlined Look (Category: Fashion) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Merge fashion with performance by creating sneakers that cater to both style-conscious individuals and active city-dwellers. - [Refined Fencing Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-study): The New Balance Study Shoes Have Different Designs for Each Foot (Category: Fashion) Implication: Potential for companies to develop and market sport-specific footwear optimized for performance. - [Colorful 3D-Knitted Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-knitted-shoes): The New Pair of JS Shoes Feature a Clear Sole and Colorful Pattern (Category: Fashion) Implication: The fashion industry can leverage the trend of 3D-knitted footwear to create innovative, sustainable and customizable shoe designs. - [Updated Trail Running Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trail-running-sneakers): The adidas 'Marathon Tr' is Highly Durable and Chic (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for brands to develop new and improved products that cater to a growing market of active consumers. - [Aerodynamic Marathon Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zoom-vaporfly-elite): Nike's Zoom Vaporfly Elite is Touted as Its "Fastest Shoe Ever" (Category: Fashion) Implication: This industry can leverage advances in materials science and data analytics to design and produce increasingly advanced and effective athletic footwear. - [Efficiency-Improving Marathon Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-vaporfly-4): The Nike Vaporfly 4% Runners Improve Marathon Race Times (Category: Fashion) Implication: Athletic shoe manufacturers can leverage new technologies to develop efficient and marketable running shoes. ## 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)