The Trainer Trends To Look Out For In 2026

The trainer chat has been incessant in recent years. So much so that my colleague Daniel Rodgers posited last November “Sneakers Are Out, Real Shoes Are In,” noting that, due to the ubiquity of It-sneakers, anti-sneakers, Sambas, post Sambas and sneakerinas et al, people have reverted to wearing “real” shoes – think loafers, brogues, boat shoes and the like. This sentiment might be true for those who find themselves experiencing sneaker fatigue, but that’s not to say that trainer trends and key releases don’t still have an impact on what people wear on their feet.

In fact, we’ve seen certain trainers morphing into more traditionally shoe-like silhouettes. Miu Miu’s leather iterations are cosplaying smart work shoes, while Dries Van Noten’s slimline, suede and leather sneakers are comparable to a ballet flats. These are the kinds of trainers that might pose threat to archaic “no trainers” dress codes. “Sneakerinas” are another curveball, given they share many traits of a ballet pump yet, with laces and rubber soles, are still classified as trainers.

While specialist sports brands continue to integrate performance technology into lifestyle silhouettes, many designer brands have made their first forays into the trainer realm in recent years. Take a glance at the “new-in” sections at Net-a-Porter and Mytheresa, for example, and you’ll find a plethora of luxury styles from the likes of Simone Rocha, Chloé, Gucci and Saint Laurent – positioned alongside Hoka, Nike and New Balance – which feature details like satin panelling, flexible soles and delicate laces that don’t typically appear on more sports-focused styles.

The influx of alt trainers reflects a wider market desire for individuality. “If 2026 had an overarching theme, it was discovery. It feels like the buzz around a lot of universally agreed-upon classics has worn off a bit, causing people to look in different directions for sneakers to set themselves apart,” explains Brendan Dunne, senior director of customer community and engagement at StockX. There’s been a gravitation towards lesser-known models, rendered in unique finishes, colourways and even patterns (snake prints are big news at the moment). Looking ahead to next year, Dunne predicts interest will be “less about one must-have trainer and more about individual style.”

But there is still an appetite for techy-looking silhouettes. The Gorpcore movement is still very much alive, invigorated by performance-leaning iterations from Asics, Sorel, Salomon and Saucony – the latter of which witnessed triple-digit growth on StockX. Where fashion trainers deliver aesthetic appeal, these technical brands offer ranges that are grounded in research and testing, and can be worn for both everyday life and more demanding activities, making them generally more substantial in their structure and appearance. (The all-rounder Asics Gel-Kayano, for one, has been a trending style of late.)

Innovation is a driving force of the sneaker market, but nostalgia has a huge part to play in the success of certain brands, too. Archive styles have experienced a second-wind surge in popularity decades after their original release – Vans, for one, have been cosigned by a new generation. “Skate has been one of the biggest stories, with Vans trades on StockX rising 238 per cent in the first half of the year. Its average resale premium also jumped from 12 per cent to 69 per cent above retail, the biggest increase of any trainer brand we track,” Dunne reveals. “The Old Skool is leading the charge, but it’s the pearl-studded, pre-scuffed and deliberately worn-in versions that are turning heads. It's a familiar shoe with a little more personality.”

The trainer landscape is changing – and with this evolution, the goal posts as to what constitutes a “trainer” are constantly moving. But if you’re keen to keep wearing them, rather than putting your beloved kicks on hiatus in favour of brogues, Derbys, boots – or even heels! – then the following trainer trends are smart investments.

Gorpcore is still alive and kicking

Designer brands want in

Cosplaying “real” shoes

The sneakerina hype continues

Skater style