Born on the sands of Santa Monica in 1997, the cult footwear brand enters a new era with an AW26 collection that reimagines its Californian heritage for today
Born on the sands of Santa Monica in 1997, Rocket Dog is one of the original footwear names of the nostalgic, 00s era. Nearly three decades later, the cult Californian brand steps into its next chapter with Autumn/Winter 2026, combining the silhouettes that built its following with new trainers and boots designed for today.
For those who grew up with Rocket Dog, the name needs little introduction. Its distinct approach to footwear – casual, individual and never too polished – became synonymous with late ’90s and noughties style, earning a following among some of the era’s defining names, including Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff and Kourtney Kardashian.
But while nostaglic style has returned to fashion’s centre stage, Rocket Dog never really left.
A new generation has begun discovering the brand alongside its original fans. PinkPantheress wore Rocket Dog’s Telsa Charcoal Strap Boots in the music video for “Nice to meet you” featuring Central Cee, while SZA wore the Drea Tall Boots during her headline Glastonbury performance.
This isn’t a comeback. It’s Rocket Dog’s next chapter.
HERITAGE, REIMAGINED
For AW26, Rocket Dog brings together the contrasts that have always defined the brand: nostalgic but current, laid-back but expressive, feminine with an edge.
Under the collection’s “Dynamic Fusion” direction, sport, preppy and feminine influences collide with tactile textures, playful stitching and tougher details including studs, buckles, statement lacing and hardware. The result is an intentionally eclectic collection that feels unmistakably Rocket Dog while reflecting the way women are dressing now.
NEW DOGS, OLD TRICKS
The season introduces new silhouettes alongside the Rocket Dog icons that have helped define the brand for decades.
For boots, heritage styles include the iconic Trumble, a biker silhouette with an unmistakable moto influence, the winter-ready Sugar Daddy as well as the slouchy, western-inspired Sidestep. Buckles, hardware, chunky proportions and tactile finishes give the collection the lived-in attitude synonymous with Rocket Dog, while translating it for AW26.
New styles landing this year include the Ramble Tan Winter Boots, a pull-on platform silhouette made for colder days; the sleek, must-have Stable Fillie Boots; and the chunky Jimmy Ankle Boots, bringing a tougher edge to the collection.
On the trainer side, Destin brings a streamlined, low-profile shape into the mix, tapping into the continued move towards retro-inspired, easy-to-style trainers.
It sits alongside new-season Rebel styles and enduring Rocket Dog favourites including Cheery, Jazzin and Jazzin Plus – silhouettes that embody the brand’s playful approach to colour, print and casual
footwear. Rocket Dog itself continues to describe Jazzin and Cheery among its “iconic” classics.
STYLE THAT DOESN’T SACRIFICE COMFORT
Behind the attitude is something Rocket Dog has prioritised since the beginning: footwear designed to actually be worn.
Selected styles feature the brand’s Plush Foam Comfort Insole, constructed with a soft stretch-jersey topper, 5mm memory foam that moulds to the contours of the foot and 2mm EVA cushioning for added flexibility and shock absorption – combining softness, stability and all-day comfort.
THE ROCKET DOG ERA CONTINUES
Fashion may have rediscovered the late ’90s and early 2000s, but Rocket Dog has the advantage of having actually been there.
AW26 brings that history into the present: heritage styles sit alongside new silhouettes; nostalgia meets a contemporary point of view; and a brand loved by one generation is being embraced by the next.
The Rocket Dog Autumn/Winter 2026 collection is available at Rocket Dog UK.