2024’s Most Popular Shoe Styles in the DMV
Americans are a little shoe obsessed. In fact, a 2023 KURU Footwear survey found that Americans will spend a whopping average of $14,640 on footwear in a lifetime.
But which shoe styles do Americans favor most? As foot health lovers, KURU Footwear wanted to find out. And in this day and age, what better way to assess popularity than what we search for online?
Using Google Trends, KURU leveraged data from the past 12 months from Nov. 12, 2023 to Nov. 12, 2024, to discover which style of footwear Americans Google most in each state. Search terms included “cowboy boots,” “boot,” “high-heeled shoe,” “hiking boot,” “slide,” “running shoe,” “slipper,” “flip-flops,” “sandal” and “sneakers.”
The most popular shoe in each state. (Graphic: KURU Footwear)
According to the study, D.C. residents prefer high heels, while Maryland residents searched for slides, Virginia residents sought out running shoes and Delaware residents preferred flip-flops.
Slippers lead in 13 states, making them the most popular style in terms of the number of states — possibly reflecting chilly climates or changing lifestyle patterns such as remote work.
Running shoes come in second — winning in 11 states — suggesting that fitness and active lifestyles are significant factors influencing footwear interest.
Geographical findings
Chilly states: Cold-weather friendly shoe styles — such as boots and slippers — dominated northern and midwestern states with long winters, including Alaska, Vermont, Maine, North Dakota, Michigan, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.
Outdoor adventure states: States with popular natural attractions or outdoor activities (think Colorado, Maine, Utah, Montana, New Hampshire and Washington) show a preference for hiking boots.
States with popular urban cities: Washington, D.C. and Nevada stand out for favoring high heels, which could reflect professional or nightlife-focused shoe preferences in urban areas such as the nation’s capital and Las Vegas.
Warm-weather states: Perhaps unsurprisingly, sandals dominate southern and coastal states, including Arizona, Florida and South Carolina.
Southern states: Reflecting a Dixie culture, cowboy boots fill up the search engines of states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Active states: Running shoes are the most-searched style in more active states, from California and Hawaii to Oregon and Minnesota. Similarly, New York’s sneakers preference reflects an urban lifestyle where comfortable, versatile footwear is essential for on-the-go city life.
Key insights
Judging from the data, it turns out Americans’ choice of footwear styles can say a lot about where they live. In warm, sunny spots, people gravitate toward open, breathable shoes while people in chillier places want to snuggle up with cozy boots and slippers. In cities, Americans usually opt for trendy or practical shoes that work well in an urban environment.
