Speaking of which, say hello to the Glenburn x Argentina x Thrasher.​

A terrace shoe to add to the German sportswear brand's never-ending catalogue of like-minded models. Luckily for us all, this one isn’t combatting Ozempic allegations.​

We’re used to adidas sneakers coming with a barely there sole. It got wind of the flat-soled sneaker and ran with it. Literally. The Glenburn x Argentina x Thrasher is a universally solid sneaker.​

Sporting the most inoffensive colorway, black and white, with little embellishments that make this its own beast, this collaboration feels like a nod to the past.​

Collaborating with a streetwise skater brand like Thrasher is what makes this sneaker cool. The logo addition at the back easily distinguishes this from your standard Handball Spezial. It’s not the first time the pair have come together to create some magic either. Back in 2020, the duo catapulted the Superstar ADV into a superstar.​

This time it’s not alone, joined by Glenburn and Argentina. The saying about “too many cooks” obviously doesn’t apply here.​ The Glenburn x Argentina x Thrasher will be released for $85 on adidas’ website on June 1.

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And more importantly, it's the culmination of a HOKA project a half-decade in the making.

As parent company Deckers notches record revenue thanks in great deal to ongoing HOKA domination, HOKA's lifestyle department is kicking off a five-year plan that doubles down on its casual footwear business, as revealed exclusively to Highsnobiety.

The signs of a HOKA revival were there. This season is HOKA's strongest to date, at least on the lifestyle front: It revived the much-missed Bondi 7, the greatest crossover performance shoe of the modern age, the Mafate Three2, Mafate Speed 2, Tor Summit, and the Ora Primo clog, some of its strongest archival styles. It also debuted fresh silhouettes like the Mach Remastered.

It's a meaty lineup, held together by high-spec high-vis materials and colorways that lean into retro running-shoe pop without feeling dated. It's also sincere. Just a bunch of HOKA classics, no attempt to ape trends. Even the HOKA Mary Jane feels like a HOKA that happens to be of the moment rather than one trying to be of the moment.

It's telling that as footwear trends wax and wane — Ballet flats! Boat shoes! Approach sneakers! — HOKA is sticking to shoes that already worked.

In fact, most of these silhouettes aren't even new. But this is the first time they've been honed into a unified whole. That's what really struck me in the first place: These aren't just great shoes. This is a great cohesive lineup.

I figured that HOKA must have hired a new team to fuel this freshness. A new creative lead, maybe. Turns out, I was kinda right: Chris Hui, HOKA's lifestyle footwear design director, joined the Deckers-owned sportswear label back in 2023, so he's not really new. But the fruit of his team's years-long labor is only just beginning to ripen.

If you thought HOKA shoes were omnipresent before, you haven't seen anything yet.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

In short, what's the goal of HOKA's lifestyle department?

Chris Hui: A pair of shoes that's the go-to dependable daily trainer. A super important part of our lifestyle category is that people are actually out there wearing our shoes. We inject so much of the learning and technical expertise from our performance side into our lifestyle products. Even though it's not screaming at you that these are techy performance shoes, they're built with the same integrity and research.

I feel like that's been HOKA's lifestyle slogan for a long while, but what's new — or, at least, why does it feel new?

Performance has really established the brand and drives the majority of our business, but lifestyle is absolutely viewed as a core part of the future, and a big part of our plans to move forward. The business has really doubled down and invested into [lifestyle]. We brought in people like myself, like my teammates, to really give the curation that you're finally seeing come to market.

Tighter plan, creative direction, new design leadership, sharpening our collaboration partners — it was important that we did it all in a way that was strategic because the opportunity is there. We've been quite selective about how we want to represent ourselves in this market because we have long-term plans. So far the response has been as successful as we've ever planned and it's only the beginning. We're super excited to unveil Fall 2026. We're finishing up '27 and working on '28 — I think it's really gonna surprise a lot of people.

What was the impetus for this shift?

It reached a breaking point where it was so obvious. The tastemakers and the real "front" of, whether you wanna call it fashion or streetwear, were all adopting our brand organically. Like, we'd go to Fashion Week and a triple-black Bondi 8 was part of the uniform for stylists and designers. Not so much the people who are there to be seen but the people who actually driving the industry.

It was a very clear signal to the brand that there's something here and if we don't make a plan for how we want to show up, we're leaving ourselves at the mercy of wherever the market takes us. That's when a team of industry experts was brought in to build out a new perspective. All of those leads were assembled to build this plan that's just beginning to execute in 2026. It's a five-year plan that's just beginning to hit.

No one does triple black sneakers like HOKA. In fact, all-black HOKAs were probably the first all-black sneakers I really liked, because they emphasized the sneakers' distinct shape.

I love that. We treat triple black colorways with the same amount of attention as what other brands might do with like signature shoes or like OG colorways.

That feels like a good distillation of HOKA's design ethos at large.

We place a ton of importance and belief in the the weight of good design. Every time we're planning a new season, reviewing the designs of a new line, we ask ourselves, "Are these designs taking us somewhere new? Are they distinct and memorable?" Without good product and design, brands wouldn't exist.

The second we become an "everything" brand or a jack of all trades, then we lose what made us so special in the first place. So, we have very specific points in our plan of how we begin to diversify and build those bridges to new spaces and expand the aperture of what HOKA represents as a brand.

I noticed that there's a lot of returning and archival silhouettes, not a lot of "on-trend" styles save for maybe the Mary Jane.

We always wanna break people's expectations. When we do [trends], we want them to be quintessentially HOKA. So when we built the Mary Jane, it was gonna be on a Bondi. It was that juxtaposition of something that's known to be so small and petite on our biggest silhouette — that felt to us as the only solution that we could offer the marketplace.

The way we answer other trends is gonna be the same: It has to be undeniably HOKA or we won't do it. It's too important to us to maintain our credibility and our point of view, especially as we're trying to stay focused.

Well, I have to ask: one of the defining HOKA factors are the thick soles. Will HOKA ever do a flat shoe?

This is what I'll say: HOKA has always wanted to do things that people don't expect. So, I would never say that anything is off the table for us. That's what makes the future so exciting.

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The chromed out NB ABZORB 5030, though? Well, that's a dad shoe straight from the future, and it has the avant-garde excellence to back it up.

Sleek but not slim, the ABZORB 5030 wears a padded chrome upper with paneled debossing throughout, giving the shoe its stainless steel appearance.

Underneath, the durable rubber split outsole incorporates New Balance's SBS Pods, which give the futuristic sneaker some serious grip and shock absorption for all-day comfort. That is to say, the ABZORB 5030 is more than just its (really) good looks.

It also has the technical functions to back it up. A true beauty and brains moment, if you will.

Now, even though it's technically a dad shoe, the ABZORB 5030 is still quite young. First released in the summer of 2025, New Balance's ABZORB 5030 is only a year old. But in that short time frame, the ABZORB 5030 has made quite a name for itself. 

From urbane black colorways to reflective white stunners, the ABZORB 5030 looks best in futuristic yet simple colorways. Even the metallic-esque ABZORB 5030 looks like it's part sneaker, part spacecraft. 

Where other New Balance dad shoes experiment with a variety of colorways, the ABZORB 5030 is at its best when it's doing monochromatic neutrals that look like they just landed on earth.

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​It works particularly well for Vans’ Old Skool 36. Enter the “Paint Splatter” version.​

It looks like it sounds. Paint splatters cover the upper, in an intentionally beautiful way, of course. Other than that “mishap”, the Old Skool charm remains. Literally, this is just an Old Skool that’s been put out to work.​

That’s what’s always stood out about Vans; it’s one of the few brands that has mastered the formula of its sneakers looking better with wear and tear. The skater effect, through and through.​

With fewer releases looking like stereotypical sneakers and more becoming sneaker loafers, sneaker mules or even sneaker mary-janes. It’s nice to see Vans sticking with the classics. Sometimes there’s just very little need to revamp what’s already seen as a fan favorite.​

What were you painting, you ask? Something red and white. That’s what you’ll find splattered across your toes.​

The beauty of already-destroyed sneakers lies in the lack of precaution. Go ahead, paint to your heart’s content.​

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If you’re not already familiar, get to know the Mundial Goal Soccer Shoes.

Classic adidas colorways, classic adidas aesthetic, but this one’s an ode to all the soccer enthusiasts out there. Especially the goalies.

With a soft split-suede leather upper, the Mundial stands out thanks to its soccer-inspired curves around the toe. From the front, you could easily mistake these for a cleat. From the side, it’s all sneaker, with an elongated gum sole at the rear that’s just the right amount of extra.

And speaking of elongated, that tongue is another nod to soccer, but don’t get it twisted, this has just as much street appeal as it does on the pitch.

If you do intend to partake in a kick-about, you’re more than covered. Thanks to the non-marking outsole, there’s no excuse for slippin’ n’ slidin’ around the place. 

We’re cosplaying as soccer players this summer, haven’t you heard?

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His latest version, “Shy Pink and Tropical Pink”, is the epitome of summer.

The collaboration has notoriously been fun colored. His standouts of course, include a bit of  baby pink and red, or a contrastingly moody brown and pink. Either way, it’s pink and fun. 

The real distinction between a Travis Scott AJ1 and a standard AJ1 is the playfulness, sure. But also that reversed swoosh on the side  is unmistakable. It’s the kind of detail that elevates a sneaker we’ve likely already seen in just about every colorway possible. 

Having Scott’s, or his brand Cactus Jack’s, name on Jordan’s premier sneaker has always been a beacon of exclusivity. Especially back in the day, these babies would sell out at rapid speed and end up resale for quadruple the original price. Whether or not that's still the case is yet to be seen. 

Regardless, you know you’re getting a damn good sneaker. Truly, the AJ1 can do no wrong. This colorway is set to release on Nike's website May 29.

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After making a name for itself with hardwearing trail runners, Merrell is getting in touch with its softer side via a delightfully dainty Mary Jane that marries two opposing concepts: Beefy trail shoes and a delicate, buckled-up school shoe.

Opposites attract, as they say.

Its dual-strapped upper lies atop cream lace detailing, giving the brawny shoe some graceful juxtaposition. Underneath, the SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane reminds us that it's still a trail shoe above all else.

For enhanced shock absorption, the turnt up Mary Jane sports a SpeedARC midsole, which essentially acts as a suspension mechanism, giving the charming shoe some dual-pronged adaptability. 

See, forget getting in the lab, Merrell got in the auto shop for this one. Literally. The SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane's bouncy midsole was actually inspired by automotive suspension. The split midsole mimics the shock absorption mechanism of a car, allowing the shoe to adapt to the foot and the trails simultaneously. If that's not duality, what is?

The art of fusion is a phenomenon taking over large factions of the sneaker world. It's not enough to just be one thing: The hybrid sneaker era demands more. That's why we have stunners like New Balance's cosplaying loafers and aquatic adidas boat shoes. 

The release of Merrell's SpeedARC Mary Jane, available on the Merrell website for $150, proves two things to be true: Singular identities aren't cutting it, and Gorpcore isn't dead.

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The JJJJound x Vans OTW Half Cab, a shoe that swiftly sailed off the shelves this time last year, has quietly reappeared.

The soft suede of Vans’ high-end OTW line still covers the upper, realized in the same two classic colorways as before, black and dusty burgundy, and the shape is still slightly sleeker than your average Half Cab.

JJJJound’s most far-reaching update is removing the padding from the ankle and tongue for the first time in the 35-year-old skate shoe’s history, meaning less protection for skaters but a more streamlined shape. It’s “the perfect shoe for the retired skaters,” according to JJJJound. 

It’s also the perfect example of what makes JJJJound’s sneakers so captivating. 

The 20-year-old moodboard-turned-authority-in-refined-basics drops a slew of new shoes every season, from French gardening clogs to ASICS runners. They’re all as handsome as they are deceivingly simple.

Its Crocs Clogs are just the right shade of milky white, its normal Superstars are actually made in Germany of supple leather with a brown leather lining that ever-so-slightly pokes out, and its rare flashes of color are distinctly considered.

JJJJound’s minimal shoes are just like its clothes, in that they’re all defined by small perfect details that add up to an excellent final product, which inevitably sells out.

The Vans Half Cab is different, though. Not because it isn’t excellent, but because its re-release has been so quiet, with not even an Instagram post to announce its release, that it’s not sold out on Vans’ website. Yet.

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Miu Miu’s annual Upcycled capsule has become synonymous with trash (or tat, as the British say) turned into treasure by sourcing, restoring, and remixing vintage clothes from around the world for each unique collection. This year’s iteration sees Miuccia and the team start with fashion’s simplest pairing — the white cotton shirt and khaki canvas chinos — and turn out a wardrobe built from old clothes that’s entirely new and unmistakable Miu Miu, and all available online.

Raw hems? Check. Floral embroidery? Check. Ribbons, bows, and patch pockets? Check, check, and check! Coming in a utilitarian palette of black, white, and beige, this year’s Upycled collection sees trousers transform into skirts and jackets, shirts become dresses and apron tops, and pockets and seams get slashed, and backpacks in reconstructed khaki are paired with Plume sneakers in the same material, adorned this year with customizable laces and charms. 

As is fitting for a fashion brand synonymous with hot it-girls (and hotter sales numbers), this year’s Upycled collection is modeled by hot it-girl Suki Waterhouse, bringing the actress and singer into a rarefied circle of Miu Miu Upcycled talent that includes K-Pop singer Wonyoung of IVE and Catherine Martin, the Academy Award-winning costume designer behind Moulin Rouge.

The mad scientist element that defines Miu Miu has been taking a page of out the Missy Elliott playbook since 2020, consistently putting its thing down, flipping it and reversing it: the 2024 collection transformed discarded denim into bra-tops, bags, and patchwork trucker jackets, while earlier iterations remixed everything from leather jackets to Levi’s, all in service of bringing “new life to clothing owned, worn and loved in the past,” according to Miu Miu itself.

In an industry literally built on literal heaps of newly produced clothing, initiatives like Miu Miu Upcycled — and the Re-Nylon line of its sister brand, Prada — prove that everything old can be made new again with a bit of creativity (and, in this instance, teams of expertly trained tailors).

Devotees to Miuccia’s have plenty to dig through, but better act fast: each piece is entirely unique, extremely limited, and available now.

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It was easily the craziest jacket in 424 history — nobody has ever thought to print a legendary football kit onto leather before — or, well, at least since its viral David Beckham jacket from the year previous. And now, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Andrade’s got more top-top-tier football leathers up his sleeve. His leather sleeve, that is.

Highsnobiety got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the custom jackets Andrade made for Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger in partnership with Under Armour, the latest in Andrade's left-field football excursions.

Real Madrid center-half Rüdiger pulled up to Germany’s World Cup training camp wheeling a RIMOWA suitcase covered in 424 x Under Armour stickers. He was dressed in the two brand’s upcoming track pants, where an Under Armour logo is split between the two legs, and a co-branded T-shirt where the tiniest of raw-edged sleeves makes way for a long-sleeve waffle base-layer. 

The pièces de résistance were hiding in his bag: Two bespoke leather jackets, one with the German national colors printed on the sleeves and another with the badge of a fictional 424 x Under Armour football team on the chest. Rüdiger's teammate Malick Thaw also received a custom jacket, although his was painted white revealing bits of black leather peaking out from beneath. 

For now, 424's Under Armour football leathers are exclusive to footballers, but that won’t always be the case.

424 is returning to Paris next month for Fashion Week, where it’ll provide a better look at what it’s got cooking with Under Armour. Then, next year, the collaboration officially hits stores. 

That's a lot of waiting, but at least the promise of football-themed leather jackets is becoming a reality. Some of us have been waiting for this since that custom Beckham jacket from 2024.

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