It’s a busy time for retailers. The fashion show and trade show seasons are in full swing, and store buyers are busy crisscrossing the globe, getting a peek at the collections for fall 2026.
Meanwhile, merchandise for the spring 2026 season is starting to hit the shelves, bring with it fresh opportunities to entice customers.
To uncover the hot items right now and for the coming fall, FN checked in with retail buyers at major footwear chains and independents.
NICHOLE DUCK, senior buyer, women’s active, casual & dress, Rack Room Shoes
What’s selling now: “Our hottest shoe trends right now are driven by New Year’s resolutions, with athletic footwear performing strongly. Adidas and New Balance athletic shoes, along with Brooks running shoes, have started the year off strong. In addition, Birkenstock’s casual clogs continue to perform well. Looking ahead to spring, sandals from brands such as Crocs, Reef, and Birkenstock are projected to be big trends.”
Top-performing brands: “Adidas, Brooks and Birkenstock. They consistently resonate with our customers and deliver strong performance across both athletic and casual categories.”
Waning trends: “We’re starting to see platform sneakers and wedges lose momentum. Customers seem to be shifting away from those styles in favor of more streamlined, comfort-driven styles and silhouettes.”
Hot for fall 2026: “We predict fur, casual clogs, shades of brown and animal prints will remain on-trend. In athletic footwear, Y2K-inspired looks and Mary Jane-style sneakers will emerge as exciting trends. Key brands will include Birkenstock, Timberland, Nike, and Adidas.”
Fall buying strategy: “Our major goals for fall 2026 include buying key items with greater depth, setting boots earlier in stores compared to last year, and continuing the shift toward running shoes within our strong athletic category.”
New Year’s resolutions are inspiring shoppers to invest in new performance footwear for 2026.
Roy Rochlin/New York Road Runners via Getty Images
REGINA POPP, senior director, fashion & trends, Designer Brands (parent of DSW)
What’s selling now: “In the women’s space, there is a more feminine shift happening in sneakers via low-profile and ‘sneakerinas,’ led by Adidas and Puma. At the same time, the iconic Princess Diana look is still relevant, via the chunkier retro Y2K joggers trend, with strength from brands like Nike and New Balance.
Thongs are definitely the ‘it’ item of the season, from flip-flops to heeled thongs. We’re seeing them low, high, on a wedge, with a touch of hardware. As the dial turns and we start to see glimmers of spring, we’re excited for all of the fun, fresh florals. We’re also championing the budding Coastal Vacay theme, complete with gelato pastels, crochet and new wovens, beaded bags and jellies.”
Hot for fall 2026: “We’re excited about the momentum we see building behind boots and booties. The excitement at market was palpable. We’re excited that the customer is loving tall boots, and next season she will need a riding boot and a slouch boot, in addition to the tall dress boots and campus styles she has been loving. It’s refreshing to see booties making a comeback as well. She needs them to pair with her barrel-leg jeans and a cropped furry jacket.
Mules also made a statement, in both dress and casual iterations. Shades of brown will continue to be the headline color story, now stretched across chocolate, chestnut, mahogany for extra dimension and texture, but moody darks including burgundy, navy and deep greens also add richness.
It’s also been a minute since lug styles were big, so it’s exciting to see more emerging, now in both black and brown suede, in both the women’s and men’s market. Same story with loafers, we’re seeing the classic preppy style have a huge resurgence for both men and women.”
This year could bring the return of the lug boot in a bigger way.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
CHARLIE BIDDLE, partner & athletic buyer, Shoe Fly Inc.
What’s selling now: “In performance athletics, max cushioning. In lifestyle athletics, a sleeker design.”
Top-performing brands: Brooks, New Balance, Hoka, On
Hot for fall 2026: “Fall will be a continuation of what’s currently on trend in both styles & brands.”
Fall buying strategy: “Athletics is a big category for us and it’s easy to extend our SKU count too far. In 2026, we’re putting more focus on keeping this in check.”
Lessons learned from the customer this year: “With athletic retail prices recently going up $10, $15, $20, customers are spending more time in the store gathering information and evaluating the shoes while walking around the store or on the treadmill to confirm their purchase.”
DAVID SAJDAK, director, merchandising, Midwest Shoe Merchants (owner of Stan’s Shoes, Goodmiles Running Company and other banners)
What’s selling now: “Athletic footwear continues to dominate as customers prioritize comfort and performance for everyday wear. Across our Midwest Shoe Merchants stores, we’re also seeing a noticeable pickup in light hiking and outdoor-inspired styles, driven by demand for versatility. Looking ahead, we’re predicting a strong sandal season, particularly styles that balance support, walkability, and modern design.”
Top-performing brands: Hoka, Pikolinos, Brooks and New Balance. “These brands consistently resonate with our customers because they deliver on fit, comfort and quality — key factors that drive both trust and repeat purchases.”
Waning trends: “We’re seeing momentum slow around oversized ‘dad sneaker’ silhouettes. While comfort remains essential, trends are clearly shifting toward more refined, streamlined sneaker profiles that feel polished and versatile.”
Hot for fall 2026: “We feel especially confident in Pikolinos’ boot assortment, as our customers continue to respond strongly to the brand’s craftsmanship, comfort and timeless design. We’re also seeing growing interest in lower-profile sneakers as consumers look for alternatives to true athletic footwear. In addition, we’re forecasting a meaningful rise in Mary Jane silhouettes, particularly versions that combine classic styling with modern comfort features.”
Fall buying strategy: “Our buying strategy remains disciplined and intentional. We focus on buying narrower and deeper to ensure we have the right product, in the right quantities, at the right time. The goal is fewer markdowns, stronger inventory turns and assortments that truly serve our customer.”
Lessons learned from the customer this year: “Our customers have increasingly adopted a ‘buy now, wear now’ mindset, reinforcing the importance of timing and relevance in our assortments. Listening closely to our customers has always been core to how we operate.”
Sporty ballerinas have taken the shoe market by storm, and their momentum isn’t slowing down for 2026.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
