# Preppy Shoe Collaborations This J.Crew New Balance Trail Buster Comes in Perfect Fall Colors By Charlotte Joyce Kidd | Published 2015-08-20 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-trail-buster References: [caplex](http://ca.complex.com/sneakers/2015/08/j-crew-new-balance-trail-buster) & [jcrew](https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/JCrewingoodcompany/NewBalance/PRDOVR~E0746/E0746.jsp?color_name=foliage&srcCode=AFFI00001&siteId=je6NUbpObpQ-X7xe3g/35mtlZIeLiaL2tg) The New Balance Trail Buster is getting a preppy makeover by clothing brand J.Crew. The shoe's name suggests that it's meant to be worn outdoors -- its design is purposely sturdy and protective enough that it could, in fact, be worn hiking. This clean-cut remake of the classic shoe is best paired with khakis and a blazer on a weekend social excursion. J.Crew came up with two new color schemes for the New Balance Trail Buster including a vibrant 'Grey Indigo Fire' version and the more subdued 'Foliage' style. Sneaker collaborations are more popular than ever. While celebrity remakes often steal the spotlight, these J.Crew-New Balance Trail Busters prove that a classic collaboration is a great way for a clothing brand to ensure its customers have the perfect pair of sneakers to wear with their new fall outfit. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% 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 - **Sneaker Collaborations:** Opportunity for brands to collaborate with sneaker companies to create unique and fashionable footwear options. - **Preppy Fashion:** Growing trend of incorporating preppy styles into fashion, including shoes with clean-cut designs and classic color schemes. - **Outdoor-inspired Footwear:** Rise in popularity of shoes designed to be durable and protective for outdoor activities, creating opportunities for stylish collaborations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can collaborate with sneaker companies to tap into the growing trend of preppy fashion and create unique footwear options. - **Sporting Goods:** Sporting goods companies can develop outdoor-inspired footwear collaborations to cater to the demand for stylish and functional shoes. - **Retail:** Retailers can leverage the popularity of sneaker collaborations to attract customers and offer a wider range of fashionable footwear options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collaborative Neutral Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-993.md) - [Dynamic Vibrant Sneaker Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prosperity-be-the-prize.md) - [Collaborative 90s-Era Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-x-mita-sneakers-mt580.md) - [Collaborative Mixed-Material Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joe-freshgoods-11.md) - [Colorful Collaborative Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt580.md) - [Mushroom-Inspired Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/993-sneaker-model.md) - [Collaborative Trail Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jjjjound-salomon-xt6.md) - [Collaborative Technical Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906-shoe.md) - [Earth-Toned Trail Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/district-vision-x-new-balance-trail-running-shoe.md)