# VR Footwear Footwear used to play and track in virtual reality is on the rise. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Mar 16, 2020 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/vr-footwear ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.8/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## 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. ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 22, 2018 to Jan 8, 2020 - Published: Mar 16, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the VR Footwear trend ### 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. ### Specialized Gaming Footwear Footwear designed specifically for gaming offers unique performance benefits, and has potential disruptive innovation opportunities in the athletic footwear industry. ### 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. ## What the VR Footwear trend means for industry ### For 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 for VR Footwear Trend score 3.8 out of 10, from popularity 63%, activity 44%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 63% - Activity: 44% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the VR Footwear trend 6 featured examples from Jun 22, 2018 to Jan 8, 2020. - [Performance Gaming Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/esports-sneaker): K-Swiss Has Created Its First eSports Sneaker (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for sports apparel companies to expand their product offerings by introducing performance gaming footwear. - [Distance-Tracking VR Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cybershoes-gmbh): Cybershoes GmbH is Sharing Its VR Innovation at CES 2020 (Category: Tech) Implication: 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. - [Immersive VR Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cybershoes): The 'Cybershoes' Enhances VR Experiences by Letting Users Walk within Them (Category: Tech) Implication: The 'Cybershoes' could revolutionize the gaming industry by offering a more immersive gameplay experience. - [Foot-Based VR Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brilliant-sole): 'Brilliant Sole' Offers a Hands-Free Way to Move Through Virtual Worlds (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating foot-based VR controllers into gaming and entertainment industries for a more immersive and realistic experience. - [Immersive eSports Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/active-gaming-footwear): Puma's Active Gaming Footwear Helps to Enhance AR & VR Environments (Category: Fashion) Implication: Sports and gaming apparel companies can leverage innovative designs and technologies to create immersive, functional, and flexible apparel for virtual and augmented reality enviro… - [Thermal Gaming Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falcons-comfortable-gaming-socks): The Falcons Comfortable Gaming Socks are Protective, Breathable, and Durable (Category: Tech) Implication: Developing specialized gaming apparel can provide a unique selling point for companies in the ever-growing gaming industry. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)