Uncategorized
Sneaker Hype 2024: From Peak to Decline?
Jul
The Absence of “Blockbuster Sneaker Moments” in 2024
2024 was devoid of “blockbuster sneaker moments” – shoe launches that shook the industry and created a strong fever for hunting. In previous years, it was easy to identify the “Sneaker of the Year” and the most sought-after shoes. But 2024 is different. Although there were many good shoes launched, such as Adidas AE 1, Nigel Sylvester edition Air Jordan 4, or Asics shoes redesigned by Kith and Marvel, none of them really created a “storm”.
The absence of high-profile collaborations such as Off-White x Nike “The 10”, Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, or Dior x Air Jordan 1 in 2024 has caused the market to decline. These collaborations have always created great appeal, were widely mentioned by the media and consumers, and had very high resale prices on the secondary market. The absence of these “blockbusters” shows a significant change in the sneaker market.
Changing consumer tastes and psychology
There are many factors that have led to the saturation of the sneaker market. The difficult economic situation has also affected consumers’ spending ability. More importantly, limited collaborations with strong “hype” are no longer as attractive as before. Consumers now tend to buy more affordable, affordable shoes such as Asics 1130, Adidas Spezial, or running shoes from New Balance, Hoka, Saucony, Salomon.
This change reflects the psychology of modern consumers. They are no longer too focused on owning rare, high-value shoe models for investment, but rather on convenience and comfort for everyday use. The fact that the resale price of “hype” shoe models in 2024 is only slightly higher than the original price also proves this. StockX, a website specializing in reselling sneakers, used to be a measure of a shoe’s success, but is no longer the deciding criterion.
The “maturity” of sneaker culture
This change is not necessarily negative. It is positive that users actually use the shoes they buy, instead of holding on to wait for the price to increase. However, this also makes the sneaker community feel confused because the “norm” has changed.
Older people may prefer high-end running shoes, while young people line up to buy Travis Scott collaborations. This division shows the diversity and complexity of modern sneaker culture.
However, “Sneaker of the Year” is still a worthy debate. 2024 may not have the “legendary” models like before, but there are still many good and popular shoes. This change does not mean that the golden age of sneakers is over, but simply that sneaker culture is gradually maturing and diversifying.
Questions about the future of “Hype shoes”
The change in sneaker culture raises many questions about the future. Is sneaker hype really “dead”? Or is it just a transition to a new form, oriented towards sustainability and user experience rather than scarcity and speculation? How will brands have to adjust their strategies to adapt to this trend?
Donald Trump’s appearance at SneakerCon in Philadelphia also reflected another interesting aspect. This event shows that sneakers have become a part of popular culture, surpassing the boundaries of fashionistas.
In short, 2024 could mark a major turning point in sneaker culture. The death of sneaker hype in the traditional sense may be true, but that doesn’t mean the end of sneaker culture. On the contrary, it opens a new chapter, one that is more diverse and rich, oriented towards sustainability and user experience. Time will tell what the future holds for sneaker culture, but one thing is for sure, change is already happening.
