# Refined Fencing Sneakers The New Balance Study Shoes Have Different Designs for Each Foot By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2017-11-22 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-study References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2017/11/20/the-next-step-in-shoe-design/) The conceptual New Balance Study by Austin Jermacans identify the way that footwear can be enhanced for sporting endeavors such as fencing to allow for optimal movement. The shoes have been designed with [specialized aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nothing-cmf) that differ for the lead foot and the drag foot for fencers to keep them as agile as possible when partaking in a round. This acknowledges the inherent difference between the feet and their functionality within the sport to ensure the wearer doesn't feel inhibited by their gear. The New Balance Study shoes are created through the use of [3D printing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobiome) and show strong promise for use in other sports like [golf or bowling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nano-golf-shoes) where the person performs a series of lunges and moves that require different capabilities. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Specialized Athletic Footwear:** Opportunity for creating footwear specifically designed for different sports and activities. - **Customizable 3d-printed Shoes:** Disruptive innovation potential in using 3D printing to create personalized and optimized footwear. - **Sport-specific Footwear Design:** The trend of designing shoes with specialized aesthetics to cater to the unique needs of different sports. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Athletic Footwear:** Potential for companies to develop and market sport-specific footwear optimized for performance. - **3D Printing:** Opportunity for 3D printing companies to offer customizable shoe manufacturing services for sports and other activities. - **Sports Equipment:** Innovation potential in designing specialized gear for different sports, taking into account specific movement requirements. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mind-Activating Performance Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Mind-001-And-002.md) - [Martial Arts Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taekwondo-f50-selene.md) - [High-Performance Football Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-furon-v7-and-tekela-v4.md) - [RFID-Enabled Sport Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banbroken-artdesign-sport-shoes.md) - [Futuristic Running Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1906f.md) - [Loafer-Style Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1906l.md) - [Stealthy Joint Technical Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supercomp-elite-v4.md) - [Sculptural Futuristic Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warped-runner.md) - [Ballet-Inspired Split-Toe Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-rift-black-swan.md)