We know that sneaker culture is booming, especially amongst women. How? You can see it: on the streets of New York, in paparazzi shots of your favorite celebrities, in headlines about a WNBA up-and-comer who just got signed to a massive brand deal.
But not everyone is convinced by vibes alone. So we wanted to know what the numbers show: What is the real-world effect of women participating in sneaker culture—and of sneaker culture and brands investing in women? We asked our friends at StockX to help us dig into the data—and they came back with gold.
Below, we’re thrilled to share the first-ever joint report between StockX and SELF, part of our 2025 Sneaker Awards. This deep dive reveals that female shoppers aren’t just reflecting sneakerhead culture and street style, but actively shaping it based on their buying power and aesthetic tastes. Case in point: You have women to thank for the growth of unisex-forward brands like Salomon and Asics. Another major takeaway? Female athletes are major power players. (But we already knew that.)
See the full report here, and check out more from the 2025 Sneaker Awards here.
Photography by Myles Loftin.
