It’s clear that sports-inspired sneakers are taking over the trend cycle.
The craze arguably began with the rise of “dad trainers” from 2020 to 2021, a time when the pandemic prompted people to adopt more active lifestyles. This momentum showed no signs of slowing down; instead, it surged in the years that followed, as participation in sports still remained on an upward trajectory.
Run clubs spurred interest in performance footwear, with On sneakers receiving rave reviews. Tennis fans championed the “tenniscore” aesthetic, while golf’s resurgence introduced “golfcore” to the style lexicon. Even hiking, once a niche pastime, propelled Salomon sneakers into a mainstream streetwear staple.
By the end of 2024, this sporty influence continued to dominate the market, with recent sneaker releases proving just that. Adidas’ taekwondo-inspired, lace-free shoes quickly found their way onto the feet of style stars, and Nike’s reissue of its bowling-inspired Cortez sneakers has sparked a renewed sense of nostalgia in fashion.
If anything, one thing has been made clear: sports-inspired designs continue to dominate the lifestyle sneaker market. Among the athletic trends shaping current sneaker collections, football has inspired the latest must-have style: tongue-out sneakers.
What are "tongue-out" sneakers?
The tongue, a part of the shoe typically found beneath the laces, is now purposefully exaggerated and exposed as a shoe’s distinctive feature—hence the term “tongue out.” This design takes inspiration from classic football boots, where the extended tongue allows athletes to securely cushion their laces. Unlike those found in football boots, however, those found in lifestyle sneakers only serve mere decorative purposes, a statement accent to an otherwise minimalist silhouette.
The Best “Tongue-Out” Sneakers to Shop in 2025
Adidas x Wales Bonner
Arguably, 2023 was the year of the Adidas Samba. Hot off its wildly popular success, British designer Grace Wales Bonner collaborated with the German sportswear brand to give the classic shoe a fresh new look. Enter the now-coveted Adidas x Wales Bonner trainers, released during the Autumn/Winter season that same year. Outfitted with a protruding leather tongue, the sneaker collab is available in four colorways: black, fox brown, cream white, and leopard-print pony hair.
Wales Bonner Samba Pony Leo Low Trainers, A$330 (approximately P11,948), ADIDAS X WALES BONNER, adidas.com
Nike Killshot 2 Premium
Nike's Killshot series has been a staple in men's shows for quite some time. Sleek and more understated compared to its famed Air Force 1's, this silhouette has been favored by those in the know. In 2024, the American sportswear company gave the casual shoe a more athletic look, hence the birth of the KillShot 2 Premium sneakers. Featuring an exaggerated tongue detail, the shoe is crafted from supple leather and designed with a thick gum sole for added height.
Nike Killshot 2 Premium - Black, $105 (approximately P6138), NIKE, nike.com
Nike x PEACEMINUSONE G-Dragon Kwondo 1
In 2022, Nike collaborated with K-pop rapper G-Dragon for a limited edition pair of sneakers, which quickly flew off the shelves upon its release. Called the Kwondo 1, the design takes cues from the classic golf shoe, treading the balance between a formal and casual everyday pair. Its fully leather upper rests atop a sturdy platform sole, accented with a detachable, exterior tongue detail.
G-Dragon Kwondo 1 - Black and White, P10,295, NIKE X PEACEMINUSONE, nike.com
Alohas Tb.490 Club
Alohas delivers minimalist perfection with the Tb.490 Club. Free of flashy logos, this silhouette focuses on clean lines and versatile tones, making it the perfect finishing touch to any off-duty 'fit.
Tb.490 Club Onix Cream Leather Sneakers, €187 (approximately P11,263), ALOHAS, alohas.com
Adidas Samba LT Shoes
Adidas just updated its widely popular OG Sambas with this pair. The distinguishing detail? An exposed leather tongue, with an embossed logo.
Samba LT Shoes - Core Black / Cloud White / Gold Metallic, P7300, ADIDAS, adidas.com
Fenty x Puma Avanti
Puma’s Avanti football sneaker gets a futuristic refresh, thanks to Rihanna’s collaboration with the brand. Wrapped in metallic gray chrome, this design features a subtle tongue detail printed with Fenty and Puma logos.
AVANTI C Unisex Sneakers, P10,300, FENTY X PUMA, ph.puma.com
Louis Vuitton Footprint Soccer Sneaker
Tongue-out sneakers have made their way to the high street. For its Spring/Summer 2025 lineup, Louis Vuitton–together with Pharrell Williams–debuted its take on the football-meets-lifestyle shoe. Called the LV Footprint Soccer Sneaker, the French maison reimagines classic football cleats with elevated details, including the LV monogram embossed on its tongue, sides, and sole. Available in black, white, red, cobalt blue, and navy green, it’s a sophisticated take on a sporty staple.
LV Footprint Soccer Sneaker in Blue, S$ 1690 (approximately P74,651), LOUIS VUITTON, ap.louisvuitton.com
Celebrities Sporting "Tongue-Out" Sneakers
Rihanna wears the Fenty x Puma collab
Sandara Park wears the Nike x PEACMINUSONE Kwondo 1 shoes in white
Angelique Manto sports the Adidas x Wales Bonner low-cut trainers
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