Publish Time: 2025-11-20 Origin: Site
When Adidas' Samba and Gazelle almost became standard outfits for urban youth, sports brands seemed to be stuck in an innovation bottleneck in the thin soled shoe battlefield. From the current progress, the next opportunity in the market may still revolve around the "thin bottom" basic plate, but this time the brand chooses to try more recognizable style variants on the classic silhouette.
The data from StockX, a US sports shoe trading platform, confirms this direction. Previously, StockX told Footwear News that the sales of sports shoes with "ballerina" or "ball" in their names increased by over 1000% from February to March this year. In March of this year, the search volume for these two words increased by 264% and 442% respectively. Drew Haines, the director of sports shoe products at the platform, said, "We rarely see a specific category achieve such significant growth in such a short period of time.Currently, sports brands are facing a bottleneck in thin - soled shoe innovation, and the next market opportunity may lie in creating style variations around the "thin - sole" concept.
This expectation from consumers is driving brands to delve deeper into classic frameworks. Therefore, this ballet style is not so much a new category as a further extension of the trend of thin soled shoes. Looking back at the development history of sports shoes, when a mainstream shoe type reaches saturation, brands usually continue their vitality through style derivation. Just as thin soled shoes gave rise to variations such as taekwondo shoes and training shoes, the integration of ballet elements is now a continuation of the same logic. Based on mature market awareness, design updates are used to attract consumers' attention.
The roots of this trend can be traced back to earlier fashion explorations. According to Vogue, designer Simone Rocha released her interpretation of ballet sneakers as early as early 2021, and Miu Miu's revival of ballet flats in 2022 further pushed this feminine silhouette into the mainstream. The current actions of sports brands are based on the combination of their own functional genes.
Various brands have shown different approaches in this style experiment. HOKA incorporates the cushioning technology of professional running shoes into the silhouette of Mary Jane, and the $170 Bondi Mary Jane debuted at New York Fashion Week, exploring the premium space of professional sports brands in the fashion industry. Salomon adds ballet straps to its hardcore off-road shoes, and its satin series unexpectedly presents a soft and graceful temperament for outdoor equipment. It is also worth noting that Puma, based on its popular Speedcat retro shoe style, has successfully entered this trend with the Speedcat Ballerina series, which simplifies the upper design by replacing traditional shoelaces with straps. Even UGG, known for its warm footwear, uses wool lining to create autumn and winter Quills, attempting to break through the seasonal limitations of ballet style shoes.
I. Inspired Thin - Soled Shoes: A New Market Trend
(1) Market Data and Consumer Preferences
Data from the US sneaker trading platform StockX shows that sneakers with the words "ballerina" or "ballet" in their names saw a sales increase of over 1000% from February to March, and the search volume for these terms in March increased by 264% and 442% year - on - year respectively. The sales growth of Adidas Samba Jane, the Ballerina shoe model co - branded with Bad Bunny, and Nike Air Rift indicates that consumers are looking for fresh designs based on classic thin - soled shoe silhouettes.
(2) Style Evolution and Brand Strategies
This ballet - inspired trend is an extension of the thin - soled shoe trend, similar to how thin - soled shoes gave rise to variants like taekwondo shoes. Brands are innovating within the classic framework. For example, HOKA integrates cushioning technology into the Mary Jane silhouette, Salomon adds ballet - style straps to its hardcore trail shoes, Puma launches the Speedcat Ballerina series, and UGG creates winter models with wool linings.
(3) Product Development and Challenge Solutions
Products are evolving from aesthetic innovation to practical functionality. For instance, the collaborative model between Nike and KNWLS features structural innovation, and HOKA uses cushioning technology to compensate for the thin sole. Brands are also balancing elegance and functionality. Adidas improves the heel padding and lining, and the co - branded model by Edison Chen uses Velcro straps.
(4) Breaking Gender Boundaries and Supply Chain Adjustments
The ratio of male to female consumers buying Ballerina shoes is nearly 1:1, breaking the gender boundaries in sneakers. The supply chain faces challenges due to special materials and complex processes, prompting some brands to limit production or establish flexible production lines. High - end brands' participation enhances the category's value, and each brand has different strategic focuses while also needing to avoid design homogenization.
II. Recent Sports Brand News
(1) Financial Reports/Capital Markets
1. On Running: In Q3 2025, its revenue reached 7.94 billion Swiss francs, and net profit increased by 290%. All regions and product categories showed growth.
2. YONEX: In the first half of fiscal year 2026, both revenue and net profit increased. The Chinese mainland market performed outstandingly, and the company raised its full - year performance forecast.
3. Canada Goose: In Q2 of fiscal year 2026, it had a net loss of 15.2 million Canadian dollars, but revenue in the Greater China region increased by 11.6% year - on - year.
4. Golden Goose: It may be acquired by Sequoia China at a valuation of over $3 billion, having changed ownership multiple times before.
5. Skims: It completed a $225 million financing round, reaching a valuation of $5 billion. The collaboration with Nike boosted brand upgrading, and it plans to expand physical stores.
(2) Strategies
1. Under Armour and Curry: The Curry brand will operate independently. Under Armour will focus on reviving its core brand after releasing the last signature shoe.
2. PUMA: It partnered with Geek+ to upgrade its smart logistics, integrating online and offline operations.
(3) Channels
1. Sporty&Rich: Its first Chinese store opened in Shanghai. It previously had a pop - up store and a Tmall store, and is represented by Chelsey House.
2. KAILAS FUGA: Its store in Shanghai Xintiandi opened, creating a mountain - themed experience space.
(4) Products/Collaborations
1. Li - Ning: It launched the Super Beng Capsule technology, which will be applied to flagship running shoes.
2. Nike and SKIMS: Their second collaborative series expanded, adding three new product categories.
(5) Endorsements/Sponsorships
1. UGG: Yibo Wang was appointed as the global brand ambassador.
2. Gaofan: Haoyu Chen was appointed as the brand ambassador.
3. Yaya: Sun Yingsha endorsed the down jackets.
(6) Personnel Changes
1. Columbia: It appointed two co - presidents to strengthen global and brand management.
2. Moose Knuckles: It appointed two creative directors to initiate a strategic transformation.