Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global sneaker market was valued at $79 billion in 2020
The global sneaker market is expected to reach $120 billion by 2026
Nike holds approximately 27% of the global athletic footwear market
Adidas accounts for around 17% of the global athletic footwear market
The U.S. sneaker resale market was valued at $2 billion in 2019
By 2025, the sneaker resale market is projected to reach $6 billion
Nike reported $46.7 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2022
StockX valued the sneaker resale market at $10 billion globally in 2021
62% of sneaker enthusiasts purchase sneakers for everyday wear
43% of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. consider sneakers a key part of their identity
Sales of athletic footwear in the U.S. reached $23.3 billion in 2022
Men's sneakers made up 59% of the U.S. athletic footwear market in 2021
Women's sneakers comprised 38% of the U.S. athletic footwear market in 2021
Brand Market Share
- Nike holds approximately 27% of the global athletic footwear market
- Adidas accounts for around 17% of the global athletic footwear market
- Converse generated $2.3 billion in revenue in 2022
- Nike holds 67% of the U.S. footwear market
- Yeezy sneakers generated $1.7 billion for Adidas in 2021
- Footwear is the largest category in StockX’s marketplace at 75% share
- Sneaker revenue accounts for 65% of Nike’s total revenue
Interpretation
In the global sneaker race, Nike isn’t just setting the pace—it’s lapping the competition, with Adidas chasing closely behind, Converse riding the legacy lane, and platforms like StockX turning kicks into kingmakers of commerce.
Consumer Behavior & Engagement
- 62% of sneaker enthusiasts purchase sneakers for everyday wear
- 43% of Gen Z consumers in the U.S. consider sneakers a key part of their identity
- Nike spent over $3.1 billion on marketing in 2022
- Goat has over 40 million users worldwide
- The average sneakerhead owns 12 pairs of sneakers
- 80% of sneaker resale shoppers are male
- Over 60% of resale sneaker buyers are ages 16–25
- Sneaker unboxings account for more than 30% of sneaker content on YouTube
- TikTok sneaker content under #sneakers has over 5 billion views
- 92% of StockX customers purchase sneakers for both wearing and collecting
- Sneaker purchases via mobile devices accounted for 65% of online sales in 2022
- Kering sold Puma in 2018, shifting focus away from sneakers
- 31% of millennials think sneakers make a fashion statement
- Sneaker conventions like Sneaker Con draw over 40,000 attendees per event
- 70% of teenagers in the U.S. own at least one pair of branded sneakers
- 37% of consumers buy sneakers online versus in-store
- Around 12 million people are considered sneakerheads globally
- 90% of Yeezy sales occurred online before production halted
- Nike's direct-to-consumer channel made up 42% of its total sales in 2022
- 25% of U.S. consumers follow sneaker drops/releases closely
- More than 40% of Gen Z consumers discover sneakers through social media
- 58% of sneaker resale buyers consider sneakers an investment
- Limited-edition sneakers create 2–3x demand vs. standard releases
- 66% of sneaker enthusiasts have waited in line overnight for a release
- 79% of sneaker consumers report using Instagram to discover new styles
- 25% of sneaker consumers have spent more than $500 in a single transaction
- Collaboration models increased sneaker sales by 20% on average
- 30% of sneaker restocks sell out in under five minutes
- 54% of buyers in the resale sneaker market are repeat customers
- 85% of Nike’s manufacturing is based in Asia
- Nearly 20% of sneakers purchased in 2022 were collaborations
- 51% of U.S. adults own more than 5 pairs of sneakers
- Only 10% of sneaker releases are considered hype drops, yet they generate 35% of interest
- Nike's SNKRS app had over 1 million active daily users in 2022
Interpretation
In a world where 12 million global sneakerheads treat limited-edition kicks like stock options, Nike spends billions marketing a lifestyle, Gen Z ties their identity to soles, and hype drops spark overnight lines and five-minute sellouts, it’s clear: sneakers are no longer just shoes—they’re culture, currency, and a competitive sport.
Market Size & Growth
- The global sneaker market was valued at $79 billion in 2020
- The global sneaker market is expected to reach $120 billion by 2026
- The U.S. sneaker resale market was valued at $2 billion in 2019
- By 2025, the sneaker resale market is projected to reach $6 billion
- Nike reported $46.7 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2022
- Sales of athletic footwear in the U.S. reached $23.3 billion in 2022
- Men's sneakers made up 59% of the U.S. athletic footwear market in 2021
- Women's sneakers comprised 38% of the U.S. athletic footwear market in 2021
- Jordan Brand generated $5.1 billion in revenue in fiscal 2022
- New Balance reported a 21% year-over-year growth in 2022 revenue
- Puma reported $8.4 billion in sales globally in 2022
- North America accounts for nearly 30% of the global sneaker market
- Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the sneaker market with a 7.5% CAGR
- China overtook the U.S. as Nike's largest market in 2021
- E-commerce makes up 30% of all sneaker sales globally
- Foot Locker operates over 3,000 stores worldwide
- Vans generated more than $4 billion in sales in 2022
- Hoka was the fastest-growing sneaker brand in 2021, up 58%
- Globally, one in five shoes sold is a sneaker
- The sneaker NFT market reached $40 million valuation in 2021
- DTC sneaker sales grew 15% year over year in 2021
Interpretation
Once a humble footnote in fashion, sneakers have sprinted into a $120 billion global juggernaut where hype fuels billion-dollar resales, tech meets tread in digital NFTs, and brands from Nike to Hoka race through a marketplace where nearly every fifth shoe sold wants to be a statement—if not a stock.
Pricing & Value
- The average price of a pair of Nike sneakers is $90
- Adidas's average footwear price is $72
- Resale sneakers can appreciate up to 500% above retail
- The most expensive sneaker sold at auction fetched $1.8 million
- On average, consumers spend $110 per pair on resale marketplaces
- Sneaker prices increased by 4.7% in 2022 due to supply chain issues
- The average StockX sneaker resale price is $173
Interpretation
In a world where a $90 Nike can morph into a $1.8 million collector’s grail, sneakers have sprinted far beyond fashion into the realm of volatile investments—fueled by hype, scarcity, and a supply chain that’s increasing prices faster than your dad’s eyebrows at checkout.
Resale Market & Trends
- StockX valued the sneaker resale market at $10 billion globally in 2021
- Reebok was sold by Adidas to Authentic Brands for $2.5 billion
- Gen Z accounts for 60% of sneaker resale market growth
- 94% of sneaker resale purchases on StockX are authenticated before shipping
- North America leads global resale traffic with 45% share
- Resale platforms like GOAT and StockX saw 70% YoY user growth in 2021
- 78% of resale sneakers are sold within 30 days of purchase
Interpretation
Once the turf of collectors and sneakerheads, the $10 billion resale market now sprinted by Gen Z and authenticated by platforms like StockX and GOAT, has turned sneakers from streetwear into serious stock tickers—with North America setting the pace and brands like Reebok changing hands like hot kicks.
