From the new Sambas to the best shoes for a soggy run – 64 trainers to tick every box

7 hours ago 2

I bet you know very few people who don’t own a single pair of trainers. Even the most cursory glance at people’s feet on the street, in the office or, occasionally, on a red carpet (Spike Lee is never not in his Air Jordans) is proof that they have transcended their original purpose.

But does that mean it’s OK to wear them to work – and if so, which ones? Does wearing black or white ones show your age, as much perhaps as how you wear your socks? What should you actually wear to run in – and, most burning of all, what is the new Adidas Samba in this post-Rishi world (clue: there’s more than one)?

Whether you think everyday trainers are a slippery slope towards casualness, or you’re one of those people who lust after trainers the way that some of us fetishise handbags, let us help you with your next pair.

What are the kids wearing these days?

What trainers are in fashion right now? The discourse around this is endless but, with gen Z adopting a buffet-type approach to fashion, there’s no one shoe dominating. In fact, they differ wildly.

Puma Speedcat, £90 puma.com. Lip balm, £16, uk.glossier.com

For teens, on the chunky side of things, there are Skechers (the Y2K classic that had Britney Spears in the ad campaign) and the Balenciaga Triple S, a shoe given the nod by Vogue for 2025, even though it’s been around since 2017. Also in the mix are “Frankenshoes”, like the Axel Arigato Marathon Ballet with bow detail and New Balance “snoafers” (half sneaker, half loafer).

Anything that looks a bit like a football boot is popular, says stylist Roz Donaghue, such as the Samba Long Tongue that was part of the coveted Wales Bonner x Adidas collab last year. “People are getting the Puma Speedcat (£90), so they don’t have the same as everyone else,” she says. “They’ll wear them with baggy jeans.”

What are the kids wearing these days?

Ugg Lo Lowmel

_{£125 at Ugg}
_{£125 at Size}

Keen Jasper

_{£110 at Keen}
_{From £128.12 at Amazon}

Skechers Slip-ins: D’Lites New Scene

_{£80 at Skechers}
_{From £76.36 at Amazon}

Axel Arigato Women’s Marathon Ballet

_{£240 at Axel Arigato}
_{£240 at Farfetch}

New Balance Men’s 1906L

_{£280 at StockX}

Are Adidas Sambas still cool?

When then prime minister Rishi Sunak was seen in a pair of Sambas last April, gen Z went into national mourning for their favourite footwear. Donaghue still likes them, but points to other Adidas options, such as the SL72, with a bouncier sole, or the slightly rounder Spezials – Harris Dickinson pulls off the Handball Spezial in Babygirl with aplomb.

Keeping the smarter 70s shape – slim, rather than chunky – is key here. “An alternative might be an Onitsuka Tiger trainer. They have the slimness, but they’re a bit cooler.”

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

_{£150 at Onitsuka Tiger}

Adidas SL72 OG

_{£85 at Adidas}
_{From £50 at Size}

Adidas Spezial

_{£90 at Adidas}_{£90 at End}

Nike Internationalist By You

_{£109.99 at Nike}

Gola Classics women’s badminton plimsoll

_{£65 at Gola}
_{From £53.49 at Amazon}

Are there trainers for people who don’t like trainers?

Lots of fashion brands have tried to solve this conundrum. While you can buy trainers that will appeal to those happier in smart shoes – made by everyone from Tom Ford to Marks & Spencer – the best versions are those that feel more like a hybrid than a compromise.

See Clarks’ Tor 80. Rather than lean into smarter footwear, they reference their own classics: the chunky sole resembles the desert boot, making a clever combination rather than a poor imitation. Alternatively, if you simply can’t leave your Stan Smiths behind, the Grenson 1 U is part leather brogue, part trainer lookalike.

Dune London Men’s Trilogy

_{£109 at Dune London}
_{£109 at John Lewis}

Allbirds Wool Runner Go

_{£125 at Allbirds}

Grenson 1 U

_{£225 at Grenson}

Clarks Women’s Tor 80

_{£120 at Clarks}
_{£84 at Coggles}

Arc’teryx Vertex Alpine GTX

_{£220 at Arc’teryx}

What are the best smart-casual trainers for work?

AllBirds’ Women’s Wool Mizzle, from £60, AllBirds

While the pandemic accelerated the relaxation of office dress codes, trainers still raise an eyebrow in some workplaces. Veja’s smart (and more environmentally friendly) Volleys have dominated the office-acceptable trainer category for a decade, but other brands do the same job. Converse’s Jack Purcell – minimal and monochrome – are a good, affordable (£65) option. Or tech bro favourite the AllBirds’ Mizzle (from £60): discreet, with a round toe and no logos, they’d almost pass as shoes if not studied too carefully.

Not a fan of the tech bro look? The collab with London brand Shrimps might change your mind. Otherwise, the rules are simple: in a corporate workplace, go for a style that has a matching sole and upper – and no one will realise you’re wearing trainers.

Zara Men’s Basic

_{£29.99 at Zara}

Converse Jack Purcell

_{£65 at Converse}

Veja Volley

_{£120 at Office}
_{£120 at Accent Clothing}

Common Projects Men’s Achilles

_{£340 at Mr Porter}
_{From £235 at Flannels}

Novesta Star Master 42 Mltr/003 Trnsp

_{£38 at End}
_{£59 at Toast}

What are the new Stan Smiths?

The Guardian proclaimed 2015 as “the year Stan Smiths went mass”. A decade on, Stan Smiths are at the back of the shoe cupboard. While it doesn’t quite have the same ubiquity (yet), the Salomon XT-6, a bolshie but oddly elegant shoe, is gaining similar status. “I think Salomons are really cool,” says Donaghue. “They’re slightly chunkier, a bit like a dad trainer but sleeker than something like Asics.” Need more encouragement? Rihanna is a fan.

Camper Women’s Pelotas Soller

_{£110 at Camper}

Onitsuka Tiger Sclaw

_{£165 at Onitsuka Tiger}

Salomon XT-6

_{£165 at End}
_{£165 at Size}

Good News London Slimer

_{£72 at Soletrader}

Vagabond Cody

_{£100 at Vagabond}

What are the best multipurpose sports trainers?

On Running Women’s Cloudpulse, £140, On Running. Ceramic Reusable Bottle, £34.99, uk.frankgreen.com

For a shoe that crosses over from a lunchtime run to the rest of the day, Runner’s World editor-in-chief Andy Dixon recommends the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4. “They’re lightweight, cushioned and responsive,” he says. Newer brands are also worth considering: Hoka’s range and On Running’s Cloudpulse (£140) are comfortable and supportive of the ankle, and On Running’s Cloud X 4 is a modern classic thanks to its bouncy sole.

It’s usually worth trying these on in-store even if you’re not planning on doing anything very active. Sports trainers tend to be more comfy and supportive, which is ideal for a long commute or walk to the bus stop.

Hoka Clifton 9

_{£130 at Hoka}
_{£130 at Office}

New Balance Men FuelCell Rebel v4

_{£140 at New Balance}
_{£139.99 at SportsDirect}

Saucony Triumph 22

_{£170 at Saucony}
_{£169.99 at SportsShoes}

Lululemon Women’s Chargefeel 3 Workout

_{£138 at Lululemon}

Vivobarefoot Men’s Primus Lite IV All Weather

_{£135 at Vivobarefoot}

Do I need white or black trainers?

The answer depends entirely on how you wear them. White trainers tend to be more versatile – they work with dresses in summer and jeans in winter – you just need to keep them clean. If Stan Smiths are a little played out, and they probably are, a white New Balance 480 or 530 (£100) updates the shape this year.

If you’re looking for something more fashionable, black trainers – such as a black Nike Air Force 1 – are what the youth are wearing. Arguably harder to pull off, the key is to avoid contrast, says Donaghue: “Wear them with a wide-legged black trouser or black maxi dress rather than, say, light denim.”

Also in play? Brown, thanks to the popular brown suede Miu Miu x New Balance collaboration launched in 2022.

Vans Authentic

_{£60 at Vans}
_{£41.99 at Schuh}

Adidas Handball Spezial

_{£90 at Adidas}
_{£89.99 at Office}

Cos Minimal

_{£95 at Cos}

Nike Air Force 1 ’07

_{£109.99 at Nike}
_{£109.99 at Foot Locker}

Reebok Club C 85

_{£80 at Reebok}
_{£35 at SportsDirect}

Superga 2750 Cotu Classic

_{£39 at Superga}
_{£24.50 at Amazon}

Stradivarius Women’s Casual Retro

_{£29.99 at Stradivarius}

Asics Gel-1130

_{£115 at Asics}
_{£115 at Office}

Autry Women’s Medalist Low

_{£165 at Net-a-Porter}
_{£140 at Farfetch}

New Balance 480

_{£90 at New Balance}
_{£90 at John Lewis}

What are the best running shoes for wet weather?

Dixon says most running shoes should be fine in winter, unless it’s icy, when he recommends a trail shoe. Keeping feet warm and dry can be partly achieved with thicker socks: “just make sure there’s enough space in your running shoes to accommodate them”. He recommends the Soar All Weather Sock due to its “hollow yarn that traps an insulating layer of heat to keep you warm and a water-resistant coating to guard against saturation in the wet”.

If you’re looking for running shoes that will ensure dry feet whatever the weather, a Gore-Tex upper is a good idea, “as it’s waterproof, lightweight and breathable”. Dixon recommends the Brooks Ghost 16 GTX, “which blocks out water without adding bulk”. Again, it’s worth trying them on before you buy.

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Gore-Tex

_{£144.99 at Nike}
_{From £119.99 at SportsDirect}

La Sportiva Bushido III Woman GTX

_{£160 at La Sportiva}

Adidas Terrex Soulstride Rain.Rdy Trail Running

_{£90 at Adidas}
_{From £81 at Amazon}

Brooks Men Running Ghost 16 GTX

_{£150 at Brooks}
_{£134.95 at Runners Need}

Hoka Men’s Speedgoat 6 Gore-Tex

_{£160 at Hoka}
_{£120 at Nevisport}

Is there a trainer that is comfy without looking gross?

Asics will win many comfort competitions and they fit into the dad trainer aesthetic, which is still acceptable in fashion circles. So much so that fashionable resale site StockX reports the popularity of Asics grew 350% in 2024 – Asics Gel-Kayano in silver is probably the one to go for.

A braver option? The ultra-cushioned (if odd-looking) Nike Shox, which have been given a glow-up thanks to a recent collaboration with designer Martine Rose.

Fila Women’s Disruptor II

_{£85 at Fila}

Asics Gel-Kayano 14

_{£155 at Asics}
_{£155 at Offspring}

Ecco Men’s Biom 2.2 M

_{£140 at Ecco}

Nike Shox TL

_{£154.99 at Nike}
_{£155 at JD Sports}

On Cloudtilt

_{£150 at On}
_{£150 at Office}

Where are we with (trainer) socks?

Among other things millennials were mocked for by younger generations in 2024 was wearing trainer socks. Pulled-up ankle socks (which sit somewhere on the calf but always above the ankle) are the only acceptable ones with trainers, ideally with some kind of detail at the top because it adds a little to the outfit.

This could be a logo – see Kendall Jenner-approved Adanolas – or socks from The Frankie Shop or, even better, Uniqlo, which has black socks with a white or grey stripe around the top. Tennis socks are also worth a look – they sit mid-calf, the perfect length for short shorts come summer.

Alo half crew throwback

_{£34 at Alo Yoga}

Korean ribbed, €14, The Frankie Shop Ankle socks

Frankie in Korean ribbed

_{€14 at The Frankie Shop}

Lululemon mint socks, £10, LULULEMON.CO.UK

Lululemon Mint Breeze daily essential crew

_{£10 at Lululemon}

Adanola Cream

_{£8.99 at Adanola}

Sums All Seasons

_{£19 at Sums}

How to clean your trainers

Any self-respecting sneakerhead has a can of Crep Protect spray in their shoe rack – it protects against liquid and stains. Maintain your trainers by cleaning them every two weeks, using a bristled brush, a mild solution of washing-up liquid and water, and a microfibre cloth to blot the uppers.

Of course, sometimes there is more of a mess. “If I’ve run through mud, I wipe it from the midsole with a piece of kitchen roll, wipe down the upper with a damp cloth or sponge, then put them outside to air and dry,” says Dixon. “If it’s raining outside I’ll put them near a radiator. And every few weeks I’ll give them a spray of shoe deodorant to stop them honking.”