Forget the turf — studs are stomping onto city streets.
In the latest bizarre-but-make-it-fashion trend, guys are ditching sneakers in favor of full-blown soccer cleats to grab coffee, hit Trader Joe’s or strut through SoHo like it’s a Champions League tunnel.
Dubbed #BootsOnlySummer, the viral movement sees TikTokkers proudly clicking and clacking through sidewalks and supermarkets like they’re late for practice, originally reported by GQ.
In one recent TikTok video by @unknowncr7ttv, four men showed off their Adidas cleats with the caption: “#bootsonlysummer Landed in the U.S.”
On May 5, @danlawann_ followed suit, striking a pose in cleats on the concrete with the hashtag #bootsonlysummer plastered on screen.
This new trend might look good — but in the long run, men’s feet won’t feel good.
In a recent statement, football boot manufacturer UnoZero warned that the trend is a total foul.
“The studs on the bottom of your boots provide traction on grass or turf, not on asphalt, concrete or other hard surfaces,” the brand warned.
“When you take them [the cleats] out of their element, you risk damaging the studs, which affects their performance and longevity […] Damaged studs not only reduce grip, but they can also make your boots uncomfortable, potentially causing blisters or poor fit.”
Translation: fashion risks blisters and busted boots.
Still, the vibe seems too strong to bench.
The look, which some are calling “blokecore gone rogue,” pairs cleats with cargo pants, cutoff shorts or even skirts.
While walking in them feels like hoofing it in horseshoes, the streetwear crowd is unfazed by a little discomfort for the sake of the aesthetic.
And brands are catching on. Martine Rose’s collab with Nike reimagined the Shox MR4 into a football boot/heel hybrid — which the U.S. women’s national soccer team rocked ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, as reported by The Standard, sleeker football-inspired kicks like the Adidas Speedcats or Taekwondo trainers offer a less stabby alternative.
But for purists, only the real thing will do — even if that means tearing through your cleats on the bodega floor.
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