What shoes does Gen Z wear in 2026? Nike still holds the crown as the most buzzworthy sneaker brand according to StockX's 2026 Current Culture Index, but the footwear scene keeps shifting in unexpected ways. High heels have hit rock bottom among young women who've discovered the joy of flat footwear - uncomfortable shoes are officially dead to this generation.
Gen z fashion and style throws traditional rules out the window. Born between 1997 and 2012, these young people care more about authentic self-expression than following someone else's playbook. They've become the ultimate arbiters of cool in today's fashion landscape. The Adidas Samba sneakers that everyone couldn't stop talking about last year and the British Vogue-endorsed Nike Shox R4 at $200 tell just part of the story. This guide breaks down exactly which shoes Gen Z chooses in 2026 and explains why these picks matter.
The Sneaker That Started It All: Adidas Samba
The Adidas Samba became the footwear phenomenon that owned Gen Z style for nearly two years. This basic indoor football shoe from the late 1940s somehow turned into a cultural icon that went way beyond sports.
Why Sambas dominated 2023 and 2024
Sambas didn't just get popular—they completely exploded. Lyst recorded search spikes of 350% for these sneakers during summer 2023. Google saw similar jumps exceeding 300% in the same timeframe. The demand got so intense that Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden called it the "hottest shoe on the market" in March 2024.
The sneaker's climb started with smart collaborations. Grace Wales Bonner's 2020 partnership with Adidas proved crucial, adding special details that fashion circles loved. Those limited drops sold out immediately and ended up on resale sites with four-figure price tags. Collaborations with Humanrace, Palace, and JJJJound kept the hype rolling.
How Gen Z made them a staple
Gen Z turned the basic Samba into a cultural must-have through social media power. The hashtag #adidassamba hit over 1.7 billion views on TikTok by 2024, adding hundreds of millions more by 2025. That kind of digital buzz transformed a simple trainer into essential gear.
Celebrity backing sealed the deal. Bella Hadid, A$AP Rocky, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber kept getting spotted in Sambas. The shoes worked with everything—streetwear, leather jackets, suede coats. Most importantly, at around £75, Sambas delivered style credibility without breaking the bank—exactly what budget-conscious Gen Z wanted.
Are they still relevant in 2025?
The Samba fever has cooled down naturally by 2025. Sell-out rates dropped from 53% in March 2023 to 36% by 2024. British Vogue's Chioma Nnadi still believes "Sambas are a classic... I don't subscribe to a trend living and dying".
Gen Z shoppers in the UK looking for something fresh have discovered Black Tulip Studio. This UK brand makes design-forward trainers that capture the sleek, versatile look that made Sambas work, but with distinctly British touches. Black Tulip Studio's focus on sustainable materials hits home with environmentally aware Gen Z buyers who want local alternatives to global sneaker brands.
Sambas might not rule every conversation anymore, but they've earned their spot in sneaker history. Other Adidas styles like the Spezial and Campus 00s are picking up steam as 2025 progresses, proving that the low-profile sneaker look Sambas popularized still defines Gen Z fashion preferences.
The 2026 It List: 6 Sneakers Gen Z Is Obsessed With
Gen Z's footwear preferences have moved past the Samba craze. Five distinct sneakers now capture the hearts of style-focused young people who want both good looks and comfort.
Puma Speedcat: Motorsport nostalgia meets streetwear
Born in 1999 as motorsport-inspired footwear, the Puma Speedcat is having its moment again. Lyst's data shows searches for these retro sneakers jumped 523 percent in August 2024. Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, and Rihanna have all been spotted in them, with the red version seeing demand spike 1,588 percent month-over-month. At roughly £79.42, these sleek sneakers bring motorsport heritage without breaking the bank.
Black Tulip Arbi Sneakers
Black Tulip sneakers are winning Gen Z over with their clean, minimalist design and premium feel. They nail the balance between comfort and quiet luxury, making them perfect for everyday outfits and elevated street style. With ethical materials and timeless silhouettes, they fit right into Gen Z’s love for conscious, low-key fashion that still looks effortlessly cool.
Sandy Liang x Salomon: Gorpcore with a romantic twist
Sandy Liang's work with Salomon blends technical outdoor gear with feminine touches perfectly. Their newest drop showcases the XT-Whisper silhouette in signature pink and red shades, complete with a hidden flower detail. The romantic colors paired with Salomon's technical prowess hit the sweet spot for Gen Z who want both performance and style. This partnership shows how outdoor brands can break into fashion with smart collaborations.
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66: Vintage vibes from Japan
The Mexico 66 was built for athletes in the 1968 Summer Olympics and gained fame through Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill" - now Gen Z can't get enough. Japan tourism boomed as the yen hit a 38-year low in 2024, making these sneakers the perfect souvenir. Onitsuka Tiger reported a 50 percent increase in sales for the first half of 2025 versus the previous year. Their thin-soled vintage look offers a fresh alternative to mainstream options.
Adidas Tokyo: Lightweight, sleek, and under $100
The Adidas Tokyo has become Gen Z's go-to Adidas pick in 2025, even beating the former champion Samba. This lightweight design sports a retro gum sole and ultra-thin leather body for under £79.42. Editors are calling it "the next Samba," mixing minimalist design with vintage appeal. The clean proportions look great with tailored trousers and jeans alike.
Nike P-6000: Chunky, metallic, and Y2K-inspired
Those who like a chunkier silhouette are gravitating toward Nike's P-6000, which is gaining steam among Gen Z editors in Copenhagen and New York. This refresh of Nike's early 2000s running shoe comes in metallic colors with that distinctive retro feel. The P-6000 delivers lightweight cushioning through responsive foam midsoles, perfect for all-day wear. StockX's 2025 Current Culture Index confirms Nike remains the most buzzworthy sneaker brand.
The Rise of UK-Based Black Tulip Studio
Global giants aren't the only ones catching Gen Z's eye in 2026. Black Tulip Studio has carved out real territory in the British footwear scene, bringing something genuinely local to a market worth USD 3.2 billion.
Why Gen Z in the UK is turning to Black Tulip Studio
British Gen Z shoppers keep gravitating toward Black Tulip's distinct look, especially signature touches like the Corylus twist detail. These consumers already pay 10-15% more for sustainably made clothes, which puts Black Tulip right in their sweet spot. Their minimal trainers hit that perfect balance between athletic function and sharp design, exactly what younger buyers want when they need shoes that do everything.
Design-forward trainers with a sustainable edge
Black Tulip built their reputation on serious sustainability commitments. Memory foam footbeds and collar padding keep feet happy, but environmental responsibility drives every decision. Each pair uses ethically-sourced LWG certified leathers, staying true to slow fashion principles. This approach resonates with the 73% of 15-20 year-olds who'll pay extra for sustainable products.
How they compare to global sneaker brands
Mass-market shoes can't match what Black Tulip offers. Skilled UK artisans handcraft every pair, giving customers a genuinely local option instead of another global brand. The designs keep clean lines that look equally good with tailored trousers or weekend denim. Black Tulip's Cassava Classic Tennis Trainers earned recognition as "the perfect everyday shoe", handling daily commutes and casual walks without losing their visual appeal.
What Makes a Sneaker Gen Z-Approved?
Choosing sneakers for Gen Z goes way deeper than hopping on trends—these shoppers have specific standards that shoes must meet. What shoes Gen Z wears comes down to four key qualities they refuse to compromise on.
Comfort beats everything else
Comfort sits at the top of Gen Z's priority list every single time. Nearly 2 in 3 students put comfort and fit first when buying new sneakers. This explains why Hoka and New Balance have built serious awareness among 18-34 year-olds worldwide. Gen Z thinks "sacrificing comfort for style now seems somewhat silly", which shows up in customer reviews that constantly praise all-day wearability.
Shoes that work morning to night
Gen Z wants sneakers that move between different parts of their lives without missing a beat. They pick designs that look right with work trousers and weekend jeans alike. Black Tulip Studio nails this flexibility with their UK-made trainers that deliver "the perfect everyday shoe" for both commutes and hanging out with friends.
Social proof from people they trust
Digital validation shapes Gen Z buying decisions in ways older generations never experienced. They trust peer reviews and micro-influencer recommendations over traditional ads. TikTok drives much of this influence, with Gen Z spending more time on social platforms than anyone else, especially ones built around visual content.
Designs that work for everyone
Gen Z gravitates toward sneakers that don't force gender choices. 41% of Gen Z identifying as gender neutral and 56% knowing someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns creates real demand for inclusive designs. Smart brands now organize shoes by style instead of gender, creating options that work for everyone without outdated masculine or feminine rules.
Conclusion
Gen Z has completely flipped the script on footwear, putting comfort and self-expression first. The Adidas Samba kicked off the low-profile sneaker craze, but 2025 shows how much the scene has expanded. Now you've got everything from Puma Speedcats channeling motorsport vibes to gender-neutral designs that actually matter to this generation that won't settle for less.
Black Tulip Studio hits different for UK-based Gen Z shoppers who want their money to match their values. These handcrafted trainers nail the sweet spot between looking good and doing good, which speaks to younger buyers. The Corylus twist detail gives them that unique edge while keeping the versatility Gen Z needs for switching between day and night looks.
Black Tulip Studio really shines with their no-compromise approach to sustainability. Memory foam footbeds and ethically-sourced LWG certified leathers prove you don't have to pick between comfort, style, and conscience. These have become the go-to everyday shoes for young UK consumers who want their footwear to say something about who they are.
Getting Gen Z's footwear choices means seeing the bigger picture - this shift toward comfort-first, versatile, and inclusive designs isn't going anywhere. TikTok still drives what people buy, and gender-neutral options have moved from nice-to-have to must-have. Whether you're drawn to the retro appeal of Speedcats, the technical coolness of Salomon collabs, or the sustainable craftsmanship of Black Tulip Studio, 2025's footwear scene has room for every type of Gen Z style expression.
FAQs
Q1. What are the top sneaker choices for Gen Z in 2025?
Gen Z's top sneaker choices in 2025 include the Puma Speedcat, Sandy Liang x Salomon collaboration, Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66, Adidas Tokyo, and Nike P-6000. These sneakers offer a mix of retro appeal, technical features, and stylish designs that resonate with Gen Z's preferences.
Q2. How important is comfort in Gen Z's shoe selection?
Comfort is paramount for Gen Z when choosing shoes. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z prioritize comfort and fit when buying new sneakers, preferring all-day wearability over sacrificing comfort for style.
Q3. Are sustainable and locally-produced shoes gaining popularity among Gen Z?
Yes, sustainable and locally-produced shoes are increasingly popular among Gen Z. Brands like UK-based Black Tulip Studio, which offers handcrafted trainers using ethically-sourced materials, are gaining traction with Gen Z consumers who are willing to pay more for sustainably produced fashion.
Q4. How does social media influence Gen Z's shoe preferences?
Social media, particularly TikTok, plays a crucial role in shaping Gen Z's shoe preferences. They rely heavily on peer reviews and micro-influencer endorsements, with platforms emphasizing visual content having a significant impact on their purchasing decisions.
Q5. What role does gender-neutrality play in Gen Z's shoe choices?
Gender-neutrality is increasingly important in Gen Z's shoe choices. With a significant portion of Gen Z identifying as gender-neutral, there's a growing demand for inclusive sneaker designs that cater to all without rigid masculine or feminine boundaries.
