The Dad Shoe Isn't Dead. It Just Evolved
2024-08-05 · 5 min read
Balenciaga Triple S kicked off the chunky sneaker movement in 2017, and every fast-fashion brand scrambled to produce their own version by 2019. The trend peaked, was declared dead by fashion media approximately a hundred times, and yet chunky sneakers still dominate street style in 2025. The shoe did not die. It matured.
The evolution moved from ironic maximalism to functional design. First-wave dad shoes were deliberately ugly, chosen specifically because they were unfashionable. The current generation, led by New Balance 2002R and 1906R, ASICS Gel-Kayano 14, and Salomon XT-6, emphasizes genuine performance technology wrapped in aesthetically considered colorways.
New Balance owns this space now. The 2002R, with its abzorb cushioning and suede-mesh upper, is comfortable enough for all-day wear and comes in colorways that work with both techwear and Americana aesthetics. At $130, it is roughly one-tenth the price of the luxury sneakers that started the trend.
ASICS experienced a complete brand perception shift. A running shoe brand that was invisible in fashion five years ago now has collaborations with Kiko Kostadinov, Cecilie Bahnsen, and Vivienne Westwood. The Gel-Kayano 14 in its silver and white colorway became one of the defining shoes of 2024.
Salomon brought trail running aesthetics to urban environments. The XT-6, originally designed for ultra-marathons, became a fashion staple through the Salomon Advanced line and collaborations with brands like MM6 and Palace. The technical credibility gives it longevity that pure fashion sneakers lack.
The key difference between the dad shoe of 2018 and 2025 is intentionality. People are no longer buying chunky sneakers to be ironic. They are buying them because the technology makes them comfortable. Explore the current ASICS sportstyle range at https://www.asics.com/sportstyle.
The chunky sneaker is now a permanent category in menswear, not a trend. Buy based on comfort, colorway versatility, and brand longevity rather than hype cycles. A New Balance 2002R or ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 in a neutral colorway will serve you for years without ever looking dated.
