Is it just me, or does a new shoe trend—be it the It boots, sandals, or loafers—find its way onto my Instagram feed on a near 24/7 basis? It’s true. More than ever before, footwear designers are churning out viral creations, each one better than the next. Sneakers, however, move at a different pace. Often, when a sneaker style hits the sartorial mainstream, that’s where it stays for a handful of seasons to come. For proof, see New Balance’s constantly sold-out 550s (they’re even harder to find if they’re from the brand’s famed collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore) and Nike’s celeb-favorite Dunk Lows.
Finally, though, it appears that the sneaker world is getting some fresh meat. While we’ll still be seeing plenty of the aforementioned styles this year, according to a sneaker expert from the luxury sneaker retailer GOAT, they’ll have some tough competition in 2022. From retro silhouettes by Adidas and New Balance to the latest Yeezys, GOAT Merchandiser Annie Burton gave Who What Wear the inside scoop on all the must-have sneaker trends of the year, ahead. And before you ask, no, they’re not all sold out yet—but they will be if you don’t act fast.
