As someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of sneaker culture for over a decade now, I have witnessed some truly groundbreaking collaborations and designs. However, none have piqued my interest quite like the latest wave of sneakers-turned-slip-ons.
During summer’s scorching heat, slip-on shoes become a practical answer for your warm-weather footwear requirements. Designers have seized this opportunity and not only introduced new designs with simple slip-on features, but also revamped classic styles to achieve the same result. Mules and clogs remain popular choices, but here are some trendy sneaker versions that have been transformed into slip-ons.
Nike Clogposite (2003)
During the early 2000s, Nike introduced one of many daring silhouettes with the Clogposite. This shoe was a redesigned version of the Air Flightposite from 1999, featuring a sturdier outer shell. However, when it first came out, the Clogposite didn’t generate much interest. But now, it’s set for a major revival in 2023. Several new color schemes are planned, and an upcoming collaboration with Supreme is eagerly awaited as a significant autumn drop.
Y-3 Qasa Sandal (2016)
Yohji Yamamoto and adidas’ Y-3 brand have introduced many distinctive shoe designs through their collaboration, but none have garnered as much interest as the Qasa series. Originally presented as a high-top model, the Qasa later appeared in various forms, from a tall boot to a sleek low-top. In 2016, they released the Qasa Sandal, which was designed specifically for summer use by eliminating the upper’s base and lacing system, leaving only its distinctive straps across the foot.
Nike Air Force 1 Lover XX (2018)
I started off 2018 with an exciting discovery: Nike collaborated with 14 of their female designers to create “The 1 Reimagined” collection. This collection featured fresh takes on iconic shoes like the Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1. Among these innovative designs was a new version of the Air Force 1, named the Air Force 1 Lover XX. Instead of the usual laces, it had a slip-on design with a perforated toe box. Its unique identity came from the platform sole unit beneath, which set it apart from the traditional Air Force 1 design.
Martine Rose x Nike Shox MR4 (2022)
Martine Rose’s rapid ascent to fame can be attributed in part to her successful collaborations with Nike. Through these partnerships, she has captured public attention with her unconventional design sensibilities. When Nike asked Rose to update their iconic Shox R4 sneaker, which debuted the Shox technology in 2000, she transformed it into a chic mule and gave it a modern square toe and snug fit. The updated shoe harmonized perfectly with the tailored pieces Rose created for Nike’s women’s football collection. The fashion industry has embraced this collaboration, with notable figures like Kendrick Lamar sporting the shoes at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards. In the past three years, six colorways of their collaborative designs have been released.
New Balance 610S (2023)
At New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio, they are behind many trendy designs for the brand. When they chose to update the 610 model, which came back in 2022 for its ten-year anniversary, they simplified it by removing some overlays, such as the midfoot “N” logos, and made it a slip-on style. Apart from the two pairs created at the studio, New Balance collaborated with COMME des GARÇONS and Aminé to add their unique twists to the sneaker, resulting in an assorted collection of colorways that have been launched so far.
Oakley Factory Team Chop Saw Mule (2023)
In 2022, Brain Dead collaborated with Oakley to introduce a contemporary collection of products under their rebranded Oakley Factory Team label. Their initial joint design was named Chop Saw. Shortly after, they transformed this model into a mule version. With a streamlined structure and elimination of laces, the sandal-style shoe debuted in the summer of 2023. Later, Junya Watanabe MAN picked up on this trend for their Spring/Summer 2024 line, creating an all-black adaptation of the Chop Saw design.
Salehe Bembury x Crocs Pollex Slides (2023)
I was thrilled when Salehe Bembury’s collaboration with Crocs in 2021 took off. But little did I know that his role with the brand would grow even bigger by 2023, as he became the head of a new division called Crocs Pollex. As part of his expanded responsibilities, Salehe reimagined his popular Pollex Clog design into a Pollex Slide. Although the Pollex Clog is already a slip-on shoe, its innovative transformation into a slide maintains the iconic fingerprint motif on both the midfoot strap and outsole, making it a must-have addition to my collection.
New Balance 1906L (2024)
As a huge fan of fashion trends, I must confess that one design that left the community divided in 2024 was New Balance’s 1906L sneaker loafer. This piece was a reinvention of the 1906 model from 2009. My first encounter with this intriguing footwear came during Junya Watanabe MAN’s presentation at Paris Fashion Week. The sneaker, with its updated loafer-inspired upper, generated quite a stir and had many attributing the design to New Balance’s audacious creativity. However, things took an interesting turn when it was revealed that this wasn’t a limited edition piece but rather an in-line look. This revelation ignited even more heated discussions, with some excitedly anticipating its release while others vehemently dismissed it as a fashion faux pas.
MM6 Masion Margiela x Salomon XT-4 Mules (2024)
As a passionate gamer and follower of the fashion scene, I’ve been impressed by Maison Margiela’s MM6 diffusion line this year. They’ve been quite collaborative, teaming up with Supreme for an extensive collection that caught everyone’s attention. And they didn’t stop there, continuing their close partnership with Salomon.
Miu Miu x New Balance 530 Mules (2025)
I’m thrilled about Miu Miu’s latest creation, where they transformed the 530 sneaker into a stylish slip-on. This wasn’t just any conversion; they cleverly chopped off the heel to make it a mule. While preserving essential features from Prada’s 530SL redesign, this version showcases co-branding on both the tongue and footbed. Additionally, it offers an intriguing two-piece lacing system that blends various colors and textures for an eye-catching look on each shoe.
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2024-07-17 00:26