Back when “What are those?” ruled the meme economy, millennials were shelling out half a lakh for Travis Scott Jordan 1s. Flexing was loud, logos were currency, and every drop felt like a social event. But now, Gen Z has entered the chat, and they’re wearing beat-up Sambas like they’re family heirlooms.  

The hypebeast is dead. Long live the thriftbeast. Scarcity is out. Repeatability is in. Gen Z isn’t queuing for Yeezys, they’re buying beaters, thrifting the forgotten, unboxing on Instagram, and calling it a day. So, what’s really changed? 

Clean, But Not Boring 

In frame: ARKS White Leather Mid Top Sneaker

Let’s start with the obvious: Gen Z has a type. They love a clean, flat silhouette — but not the snooze-fest kind. Think Adidas Sambas, Onitsuka Tigers, Puma Speedcats. Low to the ground, high on taste. It’s minimalism with personality — a whisper of cool, not a scream for likes.  

“Gen Z leans toward clean, minimalist staples that slot right into their daily wardrobes,” says Abhinav Verma, co-founder of ARKS, the label backed by Ranbir Kapoor. “They want style and comfort, not either-or.” 

They’re not just anti-hype — they’re post-hype. Where millennials flexed via resale tags, Gen Z flexes via wearability. Sambas with cargos on Monday, with pleated trousers on Friday, with a silk sarong on Saturday night. The goal? Fit in just enough to stand out. 

The Flex, Rewritten 

Abhishek Gandhi - Co-Founder of AYC

Gen Z hasn’t stopped flexing. They’re just doing it differently. The five-figure Travis Scott resale tag has been replaced by DIY lace charms, limited collabs, or turning a budget dupe into a style statement. It’s less about price and more about personal spin. 

“The new consumer isn’t obsessed with logos,” says Abhishek Gandhi, co-founder of All You Can, a culture and fashion festival based in India. “They want something that feels like them, even if it’s beat up and scuffed.” 

In frame: Adidas Sambas

That’s why Sambas are back — now paired with lace socks, cargos, maybe even a sarong. Crocs, Hokas, Merrells and Skechers have suddenly become cooler than a sneaker wall at Supreme. They’re comfortable, unusual, and speak volumes. 

Gen Z doesn’t chase the drop. They remix it. One day it’s Jordan 4s. The next it’s some forgotten Puma they found in a bin and made work. 

“The flex isn’t the shoe itself. It’s the vibe, the community, the sense of being seen,” Gandhi explains. “The sneaker is just part of a bigger picture. The story only hits if it’s relatable. The real flex is feeling like you belong.” 

Price-Conscious, Style-Obsessed 

Sangeet Paryani, co-founder of Superkicks

Let’s be clear, Gen Z isn’t dropping rent money on resale. They’re price-conscious, but not aesthetic-agnostic. They’ll thrift, wait for a sale, or stalk the perfect dupe for months. But when they fall for a silhouette, they’re all in. 

“They want quality and versatility,” says Sangeet Paryani, co-founder of Superkicks. “They’ll chase hype, but only if it makes sense.” “They’re more curated than any generation before,” Paryani adds. “They care about longevity and whether a shoe can go across outfits. They’ll repeat the same pair every day if it hits. They also want materials to be ethical or at least not obviously evil.”  

And sometimes, just looking expensive is enough. These kids can wear Zara and Margiela in the same fit and make it look like a stylist’s vision board. 

The One-Size-Fits-None Generation 

In frame: Converse Chuck 70 Sketch

There is no such thing as a Gen Z sneaker code. One kid’s in Sambas. The next in Crocs covered in Jibbitz. The third in leather Mary Janes and lace socks. Footwear has gone from an identity marker to a chaotic moodboard. 

Take Jahanavi Vaswani, 20, who states, “I love trending silhouettes even if they aren’t comfortable. I’ll paint them, stitch on charms, or get my mom to help add designs. In all honesty, I do prioritise labels, I want to cop what’s trending even if it costs me my comfort. Like in recent times, the ballerina style is super in and I didn’t walk but ran to the nearest Onitsuka outlet!” 

Junaid Shaikh, 22, keeps it practical. “If I can’t style it five ways, I don’t buy it. I wear Sambas, thrifted Reeboks, leather slides, even Kolhapuris. Whatever works.” 

In frame: Crocs Classic Men's Clogs

Meanwhile, Annie Hazarika, 23, a travel content creator on Instagram, couldn’t care less about brands. “I’m usually barefoot,” she laughs. “But I notice good footwear. I love my Converse and these ridiculous chunky Crocs.”  

Sneakers, boots, clogs, platforms, sandals, thrifted dad shoes — it’s all footwear now. Gen Z isn’t in one lane. They’re on every side street at once. As Gandhi puts it, “They’re expressive without being loud. They want comfort but not predictability. They chase originality even if it comes from someone else’s hand-me-downs.” 

In frame: Irasoles Men Kolhapuri Chappal

“They care about identity, but it has to move fast, feel current, and be visual. Legacy doesn’t matter as much as the vibe. They want to know who’s wearing it, where they saw it, and what it says about their taste. That’s why homegrown fashion is finally getting love, not because it’s Indian, but because it feels like them.”  

Western brands still dominate, but Indian ones are finally catching up. Labels like Gully Labs, Comet, ARKS, Thaely and more aren’t trying to copy global trends. They’re building their own lane. It’s not about patriotism. It’s about being original, relevant, and real. 

Function With a Point of View 

In frame: Puma Palermo

Comfort doesn’t mean giving up style. Gen Z will rock Hokas or Rick Owens boots, but even their most ergonomic picks have a vibe. That’s why Crocs, Suicoke, UGG Tasman slippers, and Balenciaga’s clown shoes have cult status now. They’re ugly. They’re iconic. They make a point. 

Sneakers are getting weirder, too. “Low-profile kicks like Puma Palermo, terrace-style shoes like Sambas, and retro runners from Asics and New Balance are everywhere,” says Paryani. “People want comfort but with credibility.” 

In frame: Nike Jordan 1 Retro High '85 OG Bred (2025)

Hype has taken a hit. India’s oversaturated sneaker scene has left buyers numb. What stands out now? Real stories and real scenes. Community over clout. Culture over commerce. The ones who get it aren’t selling drops. They’re building movements. 

“Millennials built the playbook,” says Gandhi. “Gen Z is flipping through it, picking what works, and tossing the rest. They’re not loyal to brands. They’re loyal to moods. And finally, in India, we’re seeing Gen Z lead the charge on how fashion is worn, shared, and reshaped.” 

In frame: Adidas Ballerina Bad Bunny Bold Gold

So what does that mean for the future of footwear? Simple. You can’t box Gen Z in. They’re not a trend. They’re the remix. They’ll thrift their kicks, bedazzle their Crocs, and treat Sambas like heirlooms. 

Ask them, “What are those?” and they’ll say, “Whatever makes you look twice.”