Cult-searching is an activity launched world wide in 1999 by Future Concept Lab in order to highlight the difference between coolhunting and cultsearching as ethno-anthropological research techniques which aims and results are focused on different aspects of reality.

The cult searchers distinguish themselves from the cool-hunters for their ongoing research experience on the territory, which permits them not only to observe the trend phenomena, but also to contextualise and interpret them.

A complete description of the characteristics of this activity, and of its differences compared with cool-hunting, is found in the final chapter of the FCL book Real Fashion Trends, Scheiwiller, 2008

The results of cult searching emerge particularly well in the three concepts (the Snap Shoe, the Bio Shoe, the Active Shoe) described in the FCL Book Real Footwear Trends.