Americans love their footwear. In fact, in a previous survey we learned that Americans will spend an average of $14,640 on footwear in a lifetime!
But what types of footwear do Americans love the most? Being the footwear-loving folks we are, we wanted to find out. So we surveyed 1,000 Americans to learn about their footwear preferences—from style to fit, comfort to color.
Here’s what we found.
Each State’s Favorite Footwear Style
Each State’s Favorite Footwear Style
Let’s play a little game. Without looking below, which style would you guess are the most popular shoes in your state? …Hiking boots, running shoes, heels, flip-flops?
A little hint? Overall, America’s #1 popular shoe style is sneakers (36%), followed by running shoes (10%), and slip-ons (8%). This result may come as no surprise, considering we also learned that 76% of Americans value “comfort” above “style.” Sneakers seem to effortlessly combine comfort, athleticism, and versatility to just about any occasion.
While we discovered that 43 out of 50 states love sneakers above all, some states had some unique picks. For instance, Vermont likes minimalist/non-shoes best, West Virginia prefers heels, and North Dakota loves its boots.
Keep reading to find out what is the most popular shoe in each state—and if you guessed correctly above!
Comfort vs. Style
Settling the Debate: Comfort or Style?
So what matters most to Americans when it comes to footwear: comfort or style? A vast majority of 76% of our survey respondents said comfort comes first, and only about 1 in 4 (24%) of Americans say style matters more.
At KURU, we value the foot’s health above all and often a comfortable foot is a healthy one. Let’s hear it for healthy, comfy feet!
Shoe Sizes by State
The Scale of Shoe Sizes: Discovering America’s Footwear Fit
We also wanted to find out just how small or large Americans’ feet typically are. From a size 6 all the way up to a 12.5, you may be surprised to see how much this varies by state!
New Mexico comes out on top with the largest average shoe size (12.5). The states with the smallest sizes are Vermont and Wisconsin at an average of size 6.
The most common size in the US? A size 9, according to our survey.
Top Shoe Colors by State
Shades of Style: America’s Beloved Shoe Colors Revealed
Americans’ top two most popular footwear colors are black (44%) and white (17%). These neutral picks may suggest that these colors can best blend into a variety of outfits.
Some other states added a bit of variety. Mississippi loves brown, Montana likes blue, and North Dakota loves… purple!
Find your state’s pick below.
Shoe Spending by State
Investing in Comfort: Analyzing Americans’ Footwear Spending
So just how much are Americans’ shoes worth? The most common worth of Americans’ shoe collections is between $101–$200.
Utahns were found to have the most expensive shoe collections, with most people in the Beehive State reporting their shoe collections to be worth over $1,000.
On average, Americans each own 4 pairs of shoes. The biggest footwear fans? Maine, Wisconsin, and Arizona each own over 21+ pairs of shoes. We hope they’re supportive!
Online Shopping vs. In-Person
Click or Brick: How Americans Prefer to Shop for Shoes
Where do Americans typically opt to buy their footwear? Our survey found that 40% of Americans typically shop online exclusively, and 60% shop mostly in-store.
Here is a state-by-state breakdown. Do people in your state prefer to shoe shop online or at a classic brick and mortar? Find out below.
Understanding American Footwear Preferences
Understanding American Footwear Preferences
From loving sneakers to favoring comfort, we’ve unpacked quite a bit about Americans’ popular shoe styles and footwear preferences. Since sneakers and comfort tops the list, you can look no further than KURU Footwear.
We build springy cushion, superior arch support, and patented heel-hugging technology into every pair for comfort you have to feel to believe.
Methodology
Methodology
KURU Footwear surveyed 1,000 Americans 16 years and older in late September 2023. We found the mode for each of the results to determine the most common shoe sizes, colors, etc. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4% and a confidence level of 95%.
About Us
At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 31,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoeshelped them with conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.
Please direct all media inquiries topr@kurufootwear.com.
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