’90s Sneakers, NBA Releases Drive Fall 2025 Demand

’90s sneaker silhouettes — from slim white normcore trainers and soccer/tennis shoes to ultra‑chunky soles — are staging a comeback for fall/winter 2025 across runways and street style. Retail momentum is being driven by the 2025–26 NBA season tip-off, with Foot Locker spotlighting ten must-buy signature court shoes — including Tyrese Haliburton’s PUMA Hali 1 "Opal" ($130), LaMelo Ball’s PUMA MB.05 and Anthony Edwards’ adidas AE2 — boosting demand for on-court models. Global retail events are also promoting everyday sneaker purchases, notably Amazon’s Great Indian Festival (running through Oct. 20) featuring discounted breathable, cushioned styles. Product innovation continues off the court: Nike’s C1ty Premium upgrades last year’s C1ty with Cordura-reinforced panels, Taslan-style round laces and metal eyelets for improved weather protection, a model that first surfaced in China. Local culture remains influential — Atlanta’s sneaker scene is being celebrated in podcasts and live shows scheduled for Oct. 23 and Oct. 28 and highlights ATL-inspired releases like the “285/High Museum” Air Jordans. Together these trends reflect a mix of nostalgia, performance-driven releases tied to sport, and retail promotions shaping sneaker-buying this season.