It's hard to pinpoint exactly who started the dad shoe trend. Of course, Steve Jobs was famous for wearing New Balance 992, but his preference was hardly a fashion statement at the time. Other reasons for the resurgence include 90s nostalgia that's seen the return of bike shorts, scrunchies, and oversized tees. The normcore and athleisurewear trends have also contributed to the rise in the popularity of these shoes. Big brands like Nike, Adidas, and Balengiaca met increased interest with an increase in the production of chunky sneakers, thereby fueling even more demand.