Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
VR
Footwear
Footwear used to play and track in virtual reality is on the rise.
3.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the VR Footwear trend?
VR Footwear: Virtual reality gaming controls are no longer specific to headgear or hand controllers—they’re now also being offered in footwear form in order to enhance the gaming experience. These items offer increased control or functions like distance-tracking in VR games.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the VR Footwear trend
Consumers who take part in the world of esports, and virtual gaming as a whole, are often looking for the most realistic experiences possible. Innovations in these industries allow for increasingly realistic imagery on-screen, but mobility still tends to be limited in the virtual reality and online gaming industries. Thus, brands and products that offer all-encompassing immersive interactions in this space are at an advantage.
Trend themes
Themes within the VR Footwear trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Foot-Based VR Controls
The ability to control virtual reality environments with your feet offers a more immersive experience and disrupts the gaming industry strongly.
02
Specialized Gaming Footwear
Footwear designed specifically for gaming offers unique performance benefits, and has potential disruptive innovation opportunities in the athletic footwear industry.
03
Distance Tracking VR Footwear
VR footwear that allows users to track their physical activity and distance traveled offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the fitness and health industries.
Industry implications
What the VR Footwear trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Gaming
Innovations in specialized gaming footwear and foot-based VR controls offer new opportunities in the gaming industry.
For
Athletic Footwear
Specialized gaming footwear has potential to disrupt and innovate the athletic footwear industry as well.
For
Fitness & Health
Distance tracking VR footwear offers disruptive innovation in the fitness and health space.
Workshop question
How could your brand prioritize immersive experiences for its customers?
Trend signals
Trend signals for VR Footwear
Trend score 3.8 out of 10, from popularity 63%, activity 44%, freshness 9%.
Popularity63%
Activity44%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the VR Footwear trend
6 featured examples from Jun 22, 2018 to Jan 8, 2020CategoryFashion
Performance Gaming Footwear
K-Swiss Has Created Its First eSports Sneaker
Opportunity for sports apparel companies to expand their product offerings by introducing performance gaming footwear.
CategoryTech
Distance-Tracking VR Footwear
Cybershoes GmbH is Sharing Its VR Innovation at CES 2020
The addition of physical activity level tracking could motivate gamers to incorporate VR experiences into their exercise routines and increase immersion in their favorite games.
CategoryTech
Immersive VR Footwear
The 'Cybershoes' Enhances VR Experiences by Letting Users Walk within Them
The 'Cybershoes' could revolutionize the gaming industry by offering a more immersive gameplay experience.
CategoryTech
Foot-Based VR Controllers
'Brilliant Sole' Offers a Hands-Free Way to Move Through Virtual Worlds
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating foot-based VR controllers into gaming and entertainment industries for a more immersive and realistic experience.
CategoryFashion
Immersive eSports Footwear
Puma's Active Gaming Footwear Helps to Enhance AR & VR Environments
Sports and gaming apparel companies can leverage innovative designs and technologies to create immersive, functional, and flexible apparel for virtual and augmented reality enviro…
CategoryTech
Thermal Gaming Socks
The Falcons Comfortable Gaming Socks are Protective, Breathable, and Durable
Developing specialized gaming apparel can provide a unique selling point for companies in the ever-growing gaming industry.
