Cool Sneaker Trends For 2023

Chunky performance shoes are now firmly part of casual wear. So expect to see more Hoka One One, Asics, On, and Salomon shoes on feet in 2023 in and out of the gym. 

"What's interesting is the brands are very performance focused. They're not very focused on looking cool," said Heather Newberger, fashion stylist, author, and television commentator. "But they are becoming cool now because of this idea of, like, oh, right, you do have to walk everywhere."

Some specific silhouettes expected to be popular with consumers in the new year include the Hoka Clifton and the Asics Gel-Kayano, stylists said. Another good example of this trend is the  Salomon XT-6.

"The Salomon XT-6 is a big shoe for 2023 for the simple fact that you get a nice, comfortable shoe that appeals to lots of different consumers, " Bryce Moore, a sneaker and fashion Youtuber, said. The Salomon's XT-6 comes in a wide range of colors across general releases and collaborations. 

New Balance, yes, the brand synonymous with "dad shoes," is very much in right now. 

New Balance has been emerging in the sneaker community since 2019, according to Moore. Collaborations with designers such as JJJJound and Joe Freshgoods have elevated the popularity of silhouettes like the 990 V3 and 993. 

Moore predicts the chunky New Balance 1096R can be the next big sneaker for the brand.

The 1096R is similar to the 2002R that grew in popularity among sneakerheads after the 2021 release of "Protection Pack" a line of sneakers with suede overlayed on mesh that was designed to look worn.

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