Even if 2021 didn't go quite as we would have liked at the end of 2020, we can say: sneaker-wise, 2021 was an absolutely wild year. It would go beyond the scope to name every good release at this point, which is why we don't even want to try, in order to focus completely on the future. Because we are sure: 2022 will be better

The fashion year 2022 is already in full swing, the first Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, Copenhagen and Co have run and it's time to dare a look into the near (sneaker) future. In this blog post, we checking out what the sneaker trends will look like in 2022 and which silhouettes you won't be able to avoid this year.

So much in advance: Retro basketball will also accompany us in 2022, technical outdoor sneakers are on top. For summer, we see slides in particular as the go-to footwear, but also the Air Max 1 will be seen more often again. Overall, the topic of sustainability will become more important; daily drivers from the "late millenial" running era will also be the first choice for everyday wear this year.

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Basically, we think that all sneakers are unisex and every colorway as well as every model can be worn by men and women. That's why we don't want to divide into sneaker trends for men and women in a big way here, but make a list for all genders.

-> Here you can find all women's sneakers in our online store.

The absolute perennial favorites of this post are definitely the Millenial Runners. Already in the last years they were in trend but also in 2022 they are far from disappearing from the scene, even further developed. The typically progressive look of the runners of the early 2000s inspires just as much as the technology worn on the outside: "Show what you got" is the motto. In addition to the already established models such as the ASICS GEL-1130, the New Balance M530 or the adidas Response CL, this year we'll especially enjoy the New Balance 2002R. In 2021, the New Balance *Protection Pack* could secure the title as "best general release", this year you can expect many more variants, we can already reveal that much! The *Higher Learning* Pack is just the beginning!

-> Here you can find all running sneakers in our online store

Also for some time "in the coming" are technical sneakers and roughe outdoor silhouettes. Whether Mountain Fly GTX from Nike ACG, the adidas Terrex Free Hiker or the Reebok Zig Zag: everything made for adventure will also fit your outfit in the urban wilderness this year. In addition to the established brands, it is here especially Asphaltgold newcomers like Hoka One One and Salomon, which provide the right footwear for the outdoor trend. The Salomon XT-6, for example, comes in many new colorways and Hoka delivers comfortable, robust and at the same time everyday outdoor kicks with the Kaha GTX or the Clifton, which often have their origins in trekking or trail running. Definitely thinking outside the box here. By the way, the first hype in 2022 was already there. The Salomon ACS PRO ADVANCED (original release in the early 2000s) was recently brought back in a new colorway and sold out in seconds. Materials, quality and performance just convince!

Speaking of which: Gore-Tex and other waterproof materials should not be missing in this segment, no matter if it's going to the mountains or downtown. Nobody likes wet feet.

-> Here you can find all outdoor sneakers in our online store

The king is dead, long live the king! While it felt a little more quiet around the classic Jordan 1 silhouette in recent months, it quickly found befitting successors. Because retro court is still king and even in 2022 you can not get around the topic of retro basketball. Feature here often the white base, smooth leather, contrasting details in bright colors. Probably the hottest silhouette in 2021 was the Nike Dunk - whether Dunk High or Dunk Low. Here it was rarely possible to get a pair easy in the store, even with us virtually all releases went into the Asphaltgold Raffle App. Without giving too much away we can say: the Dunk will be one of the hottest sneakers again this year and is still in trend, but has got competition from other brands.

With the adidas Forum 84 the Three Stripes have made a big step forward in the field of retro running. The classic, in which even "the G.O.A.T." Michael Jordan already played games in his college days, comes with the characteristic strap over the lacing - meanwhile there are even some models where you can take it off - in many classic 80s colorways with white leather base and mostly monochrome details on the stripes, the heel and the tongue. But collaborations (with Dead Bunny and BSTN, among others) have also meant that the Forum 84 now has a permanent place in the streets. Let's see what's coming in 2022!

A bit more surprising might be the success of the New Balance 550: in the 1980s, the US-American brand had appearances in high-class basketball, but disappeared into oblivion in the 90s. Only Teddy Santis (Aimé Leon Dore), while rummaging through the (digital?) archives, couldn't get past the 550 and made sure that the silhouette came back. Sounds good, and it is: meanwhile the 550 is clearly one of THE most sought-after models of New Balance and a serious competitor for the top dogs on the retro basketball market.

It's going to be wild this year and we'll see who takes the coveted pole position. But we're sure that even anno 2022 you can't go past retro basketball sneakers!

-> Here you can find all retro basketball sneakers in our online store

One development that (fortunately) doesn't stop at the sneaker industry and sneaker scene is sustainability. We are all well aware that a large collection of sneakers in the closet is rather the opposite of sustainability, and yet it is the small steps that change the status quo. Sustainable brands like veja are more successful than ever; the French brand, for example, has developed and tested many new (mostly vegan and as Co2-neutral as possible) materials over the past few years. Even performance running shoes are made at market prices and are becoming increasingly popular in and around the sneaker scene. But even the big players in the sneaker market are now thinking more and more sustainably: vegan leather is now common in many adidas shoes, such as the Stan Smith, normality. Herzogenaurach has had a partnership with Parley for the Oceans for years now. Together, plastic waste is recovered from the oceans, recycled and used in the production of sneakers and textiles. Millions of tons of plastic waste have already been fished out of the oceans.

Also Nike has taken its first steps toward sustainability. Next Nature is the name of the series, in which parts of the sole and/or the uppers are made of recycled materials and production residues. The models can usually be recognized by the "colorful" sole.

Even though there's still a long way to go here, this year vegan and sustainable sneakers are continuing to make inroads. The beauty: they are so well made that you can hardly see the differences to the classic models!

-> Here you can find all sustainable sneakers in our online store.

Slides as a sneaker trend? Yes, that's right. The past 24 months have shown how important it is to have relaxed footwear at the start, even at home - after all, we spent a lot of time within our own four walls. That the whole thing is also becoming an outdoor trend should have been obvious. After all, sweatpants are now also 100% accepted in fashion. But slides go far beyond simple flip flops or loafers. The adidas Adilette is now available in dozens of color and material variations that are absolutely suitable for everyday wear; Kanye has followed up with a real hype object with the Yeezy Slide, which are released via Raffles and fetch triple-digit sums in resell. Nike has also followed suit with the Offline and the Offline 2.0, and they're not letting their guard down in the slide game: with interchangeable insoles, they're making sure the Swoosh can be customized for comfort.

We're sure: 2022 will be a year when the sneaker world (and beyond) is constantly talking about slides and - most importantly - wearing them!

-> Here you can find all Slides in our online store

Not made for everyone, but meanwhile very popular again (especially among basketball icons): whether at Forum, Dunk or Jordan 1: the mid and high variants are clearly in trend. But even away from current hype models can be seen in classics like the Air Force 1 a renewed trend towards higher cut variations. Both the Air Force 1 Mid and the Sculpt variant have arrived in stores, bringing classic b-boy vibes to the start! The Air Trainer from Nike should definitely be on your radar as well.

By the way, New Balance also has a high-top version of their 550 with the B650, which should cause quite a stir in 2022!

-> Here you can find all high-top sneakers in our online store

Never really been away and also always somehow "in trend" is the Nike Air Max 1. But this year comes to it: the icon with the visible Air window in the midsole celebrates its 35th birthday. In 1987, the shoe was introduced as an all-round runner and (not only) the crisp colorways immediately ensured recognition on the street and the track. Meanwhile, the "One" is probably one of the most influential sneaker silhouettes that the sneaker world has to offer and is still very popular!

After Nike pushed the Air Max 1 last year especially with the 4 Patta collabo releases and reignited the "fire" around the shoe, the Air Max 1 will play a big role again this spring and summer. And March 26 is Air Max Day for starters!

-> Here you can find all Nike Air Max in our online store