Hunter-Inspired Sneakers

New Balance's Plaid Sneakers Were Made Specifically for Adventurous Men

The 'Sporting Gentleman' plaid sneakers from New Balance were made in collaboration with Ball and Buck, a Boston-based menswear store that offers apparel made for hunting.

In order to honor this, the New Balance plaid sneakers feature a green and brown colorway that's reminiscent of that found on camouflage gear, which is accented by a few orange stripes as well. The mostly olive upper of the Sporting Gentleman is complemented with a leather New Balance logo and a white sole that gives it a cleaner look.

In order to make clear the demographic that it looks to sell to, New Balance and Ball and Buck include an editorial that shows a masculine leg sporting the shoes in a rough natural landscape, with specks of dirt spotting the plaid sneakers.

Plaid Sneakers
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry by creating unique and eye-catching sneaker designs.
Collaborative Partnerships
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the retail industry by forming strategic partnerships to create exclusive product lines.
Niche Market Targeting
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in marketing by focusing on specific demographics and catering to their specific needs and interests.

Sectors Adopting This

Fashion
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry by creating unique and eye-catching sneaker designs.
Retail
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the retail industry by forming strategic partnerships to create exclusive product lines.
Marketing
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in marketing by focusing on specific demographics and catering to their specific needs and interests.
SCORE
6.4 out of 10
GENDER
90% Men10% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 95%
Activity 88%
Freshness 8%

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