Here at Footpatrol, we might love to dig out those timeless retro sneaker styles and explore the core history behind a shoe; but right now, we want to focus on what’s to come, with a glut of exciting silhouettes bursting onto the scene. Through great creative minds, innovative technologies, and state-of-the-art facilities, brands are able to conceptualise, develop and produce truly mind-blowing footwear. So, sit back and relax as we take you through some of our current favourites – there’s lots to learn.
adidas NMD S1
German-born brand adidas Originals knows a thing or two when it comes to innovation. Revolutionising its athletically crafted fits since its inception, the lifestyle label now broadens its portfolio with its latest futuristic offering. With styles like the Rovermule and adiFom representing a new direction for the brand, while the NMD_S1 shows that the label’s classics are evolving.
Well ahead of its time in 2015, the NMD_S1 served a new comfortable meaning to futuristic style, and since then, has never been slept on. All thanks to its rich combination of textile and techy mesh that layered the fit with ventilated comfort. Primeknit material offers a sock-like fit, while EVA cushioned soles prepare you for a cloud-like landing. There’s also plenty of grippiness in the rubber sole underfoot, keeping you agile on your feet all day long.
Shop our adidas futuristic styles here
Nike Air Max Scorpion
Nike is no stranger to innovation; throughout its tenure, it has released some of the most iconic sneakers that you can find. Always one step ahead of its competitors, the Swooshes remain but silhouettes like the ISPA Sense Flyknit and the Air Max Scorpion represent bold new looks for the Beaverton label.
Created in unprecedented times of Covid, the Air Max Scorpion is a relatively new design created by Phil Woodman that serves innovation from its core. Offering a Primeknit set up, Swoosh doused sidewalls and a bungee-style lace system. Credited as the ‘New age of Air’ the fit also introduces radical Air units underfoot, which offers greater movement, stability, and impact absorption to its wearer.
Shop our Nike futuristic styles here
New Balance 9060
The Boston brand with a roster of lifestyle grails, New Balance knows a thing or two about creating globally popular sneakers. As we delve deeper into the decade, we are seeing New Balance replenish its roster with a set of new iterations, one being the 990 lineage that has received an all-new sixth iteration, while a chunky, technical 9060 offers a bit of scope to bulk up your style.
A retro-futuristic masterpiece, the 9060 was designed by Yue Wu in 2019, who had worked on previous models for the brand such as 2002R ‘Refined Pack’. For the 9060, Wu created a silhouette that took mainstay inspiration from the 990s, including its close-knitted mesh and pigskin overlays. TPU accents on the heel added depth to its foreboding construction and ‘N’ labelling remained faithful to the sidewalls. The technical ability of this fit is mostly established in its groundwork, via its SBS and AZORB-induced midsole that offers supreme comfort throughout. Below the rubber treaded sole delivers stability when you need it most.
Shop our New Balance futuristic styles here
On Running Cloudaway
First landing its feet on the Swiss Alps in 2010, On Running is a brand that focuses quite simply on revolutionising running. Whether that’s the utterly unique silhouettes that come with it such as the Cloud Nova and Cloud Ultra, or something a bit more catered to powerful take-offs like the Cloudaway, the brand helps runners find their personal bests and streetwear lovers, a new futuristic style.
Sustainability engineered and offering a true hybrid design to its active lifestyle market, the Cloudaway is one of the brand’s masterpieces that combines seamless technicality, with fashion-forward style. Swiss-engineered mesh is the material of choice for the upper, while a well-cushioned midsole boasts zero gravity foam and CloudTec technology so every step has a softer landing. Branded hits throughout are a nod to On Running’s roots, while a rubber-mantled outsole offers a grippy finish.
Shop our On Running futuristic styles here
Reebok Big Kinetica
English-born brand Reebok was founded in 1958 by brothers Joe and Jeff Foster who envisioned a shoe brand that would operate through a stylistic lens but as equally be practical in the sporting industry. The 1980s and the era of keeping fit in full force saw the brands’ inaugural fit within the aerobic world. But it was the 90s that saw the brand take technological innovation to new heights, introducing the likes of Instapump technology and the running cushion system DMX. Fast-forward to 2023, the brand remains at the forefront of contemporary recreations of its vintage runners, with the LX8500 continuing to deplete your running averages, while the Zig Kinetica Edge II offers more stability for those trails.
Delivering a unique synergy between athleticism and futuristic style, the Zig Kinetica Edge was introduced to the trails in 2010, a relatively newer model from the Reebok lineage that prepares you for those off-terrain adventures. A rough suede base and synthetic lining hosted by a Thinsulate Thermal Management setup supplies insulating qualities to the fit’s entirety. A Floatride Fuel midsole forms the groundwork for supreme cushioning, followed by a gripped Vibram Ecostep outsole, for plenty of durability – on and off the tarmac
Shop our Reebok futuristic styles here
