The bubble-sole shoe from the early aughts is back—and more popular than ever

By Taylore Scarabelli

Everyone is talking about how weird shoes are back. There’s the outrageously long-toed Brigitte pumps, courtesy of Saint Laurent, the clear PVC ankle booties at Loewe, and let’s not forget the absence of arches altogether at Chanel Cruise 2027. Yet there’s another offbeat trend emerging. Let’s call it the “soft sole.” These are controversial yet comforting silhouettes—think hoof-like NikeSkims Rifts, green Phoebe Philo flip-flops, Vibram FiveFingers (toe shoes), and, now, the revival of Miu Miu’s quirky bubble-sole sneakers.

First released in the early 2000s, the Miu Miu rubber-sole shoe marked a shift toward stylish yet utilitarian dressing for women. READ ON