# Hunter-Inspired Sneakers New Balance's Plaid Sneakers Were Made Specifically for Adventurous Men By Riley von Niessen | Published 2016-08-22 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plaid-sneakers References: [highsnobiety](http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/08/19/new-balance-585-sporting-gentleman) & [newbalance](http://www.newbalance.ca) The 'Sporting Gentleman' plaid sneakers from [New Balance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/realtree-camo-colorway) were made in collaboration with [Ball and Buck](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ball-watch-roadmaster-perseverer), 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-camo-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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 95% | Activity: 88% | 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 - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Camouflage-Detailed Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/realtree-camo-colorway.md) - [Rugged Brown Trainers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt10o.md) - [Dark Olive Green Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-camo-colorway.md) - [Loafer-Style Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1906l.md) - [Earth-Toned Trail Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xalp-suede-1.md) - [Patterned Textural Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906r-sneaker-6.md) - [Chromatic Suede Hiker Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aim-leon-dore-x-new-balance-rainier-low-pack.md) - [Fusion Sporty Loafer Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ganni-x-new-balance-1906l.md) - [Luxe Leather-Lined Plaid Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terrace-sneaker.md)