# Killer Croc Kicks The Y-3 Sala Sneakers Bring a Predatory Edge to Footwear By Matt Ho | Published 2011-09-16 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/y-3-sala References: [hypebeast](http://hypebeast.com/2011/09/y-3-sala-croc/) & [ssense](http://www.ssense.com/men/product/y_3/sala_sneakers/40217) [Yohji Yamamoto](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yohji-yamamoto-2) and [Adidas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-samba-2) are two powerhouses that never seem to fail at anything, and it proves with their latest pair of footwear dubbed the Y-3 Sala. The latest footwear to come from the designer and the sporting brand is the Y-3 Sala, which is probably as suave as it gets when it comes to making Adidas sneakers look formal. The upper features a scaled leather pattern, giving it a crocodile-like theme that makes it look dangerously stylish. The low-tops feature a very subtle, but noticeable three stripes that is seen on every Adidas shoe. Additional details include a raised heel collar, silver tone logo at the heel and tongue, as well as a contrasting white from the logo and the midsole area. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Scaled Leather Footwear:** The use of scaled leather material in high-end footwear is a disruptive innovation opportunity for luxury fashion brands and designers. - **Subtle Branding in Footwear:** The trend towards subtle branding in footwear is creating opportunities for brands to appeal to consumers who value sophistication and understated elegance. - **Hybrid Formal-casual Footwear:** The rise of formal-casual footwear hybrids is a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands to create versatile products that can transition from office to leisure. ### Who This Affects Most - **Luxury Fashion:** Luxury fashion brands could incorporate scaled leather into their footwear to create high-end products that appeal to upscale consumers. - **Sports Apparel:** Sports apparel companies could explore the trend towards subtle branding in footwear to appeal to consumers who value comfort, performance, and understated style. - **Office Footwear:** The trend towards hybrid formal-casual footwear creates opportunities for brands to develop products that match the changing dress codes and values of modern office environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Croc Leather Sneaker-Loafers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-croc.md) - [Animal Print-Inspired Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-samba-2.md) - [Chunky Collaborative Fashionable Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-and-y3.md) - [Scale Texture Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/year-of-the-snake.md) - [Dynamic Pointed Luxe Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reptile-sneaker-1.md) - [Dramatically Shaped Luxe Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reptile-sneaker.md) - [Dynamic Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clot-superstar.md) - [Loafer-Sneaker Hybrid Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-croc.md) - [Stylish Snakeskin Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/python-sambas.md)