Sneaker Hybrids Are Footwear's Biggest Trend, Here Are the Coolest Ones So Far
From New Balance’s snoafers to Salomon’s MM6 Maison Margiela mules.
Sneaker hybrids are all the rage right now, with more crazy and complex combinations of mules, slip-ons and sneakers dominating the footwear landscape than ever before. New Balance‘s 1906 Loafer seemingly re-started the trend earlier this year, closely followed by collaborations from PUMA and Palomo Spain, MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon and Miu Miu‘s recent New Balance 930 mule, not forgetting the history-making collab from Cecilie Bahnsen and ASICS.
Our growing affinity for hybridized silhouettes appears to stem from a wider desire for comfort-based footwear, something that echoes the clothing trends we’re currently into (think jorts, baggy pants and suiting) and helps us to elevate the traditional sneaker into something that’s more versatile for both casual and formal occasions.
Ahead, we revisit some of the coolest sneaker hybrids we’ve seen so far — of course featuring the likes of sneaker staples New Balance, Salomon and PUMA.
New Balance Loafers
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The New Balance 1906L may be the most polarizing silhouette of the year. A perfect combination of the brand’s signature 1906R silhouette and the humble penny loafer, it’s a fusion that sent the internet into a frenzy — just as New Balance had hoped. Teased on the runway through a Junya Watanabe MAN collaboration, the comfort-oriented shoe is the ultimate blend of form and function.
PUMA x PALOMO Spain Loafer
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PUMA and Palomo Spain’s recent collaboration debuted a new collection of apparel and footwear — including their brand-new loafer silhouette. Based on PUMA’s chunky Nitefox sneaker, the hybrid shoe places a loafer-style upper on top of the chunky sole, decorated with leather tassels and an emphasized metal buckle. Arriving in “Frosted Ivory” leather, the silhouette features linear designs and subtle grooves throughout its modular base.
MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-4 Mules
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Jumping on the sneaker hybrid craze, the MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-4 mule reinterprets the protective and functional hiking shoe through the lens of the MM6 design studio. Rendered in two new colorways of black and “Vanilla Ice,” the silhouette features a backless design with toggle detailing and branding across the sides, tongue and toe-cap.
Miu Miu x New Balance 930 Mules
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Miu Miu and New Balance recently teased their own variation of the sneaker mule, landing in the form of the 530 Sneaker Mule, offering an evolution of their recent, “super light,” 530 SL collaboration. The backless new design is making waves across social media, with an official release date still yet to be confirmed.
Sandy Liang x Salomon Speedcross
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Teased on the runway at New York Fashion Week, Sandy Liang and Salomon’s latest collab shows functional silhouettes given a feminine twist, utilizing Liang’s signature characteristics and ribbon detailing. The standout from the collection is undoubtedly the Speedcross 3 Ribbon Sandy Liang, boasting an all-black upper with a lightweight, cushioned sole complete with a pink satin ribbon that wraps around the calf. The collection also features a sneaker-inspired Mary Jane, crafted with nubuck leather and 3D mesh.
Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII
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Cecilie Bahnsen made actual history with her third ASICS collaboration, debuting the first-ever women’s model of the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VIII silhouette. Fusing her feminine vision with the tech-first ethos of ASICS, the result is a new sandal silhouette that merges the best of both worlds. Featuring a sandal-style upper complete with floral-encrusted velcro straps, the hybrid shoe is crafted with an upper base of two-tone mesh and 5D-printed overlays, along with a semi-transparent rubber outsole with customized floral print.
AKIKOAOKI x Three Treasures Demi
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Tokyo-based label AKIKOAOKI is gearing up to launch its patent, sneaker-inspired ballet flat dubbed the Giselle. Crafted from shiny black faux leather, the shoe features a chunky wedge sole made from rubber, paired with a patent upper with buckle and strap detailing. The new drop follows a recent collaboration with Three Treasures, seemingly fusing the sneaker, loafer and mule to create the Demi.
Onitsuka Tiger “Ensemble 59” Ballet Flats
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An oldie but goodie, the Ensemble 59 is an archival Onitsuka Tiger silhouette, inspired by the volleyball shoe originally developed in 1959. According to fashion archivist, Afterglow, the shoe merges the “upper eyelet design from the volleyball shoe” and combines it with the look of a ballet shoe, adding a removal satin ribbon.
