5 Trainer Trends Defining Spring/Summer 2026
Image by: Octer
Trainers are getting interesting again. From retro runners to Air Jordans and sneaker mules, these are the styles every guy will want this season.
After a long winter of boots, heavy soles and the occasional questionable dad sneaker, there’s a particular moment every spring when your feet start getting ideas again.
You notice it first on the street. Someone in pristine Sambas outside a coffee shop. A guy in relaxed tailoring and vintage runners hopping off the Tube. Trainers suddenly feel lighter, slimmer, a little more considered. It’s the unofficial start of spring dressing: the day your footwear gets interesting again.
For Spring/Summer 2026, the biggest trainer trends are moving away from maximalist hype shoes and towards something cleaner and more nostalgic. Across runways, street style and the brands people are actually buying, the mood is heritage sportswear with a modern twist.
Here are the five trainer styles setting the pace this season.
End Clothing
Adidas Men's Jabbar Hi Sneaker Blue
£32.00
After years of oversized silhouettes, trainers are slimming down again. Retro runners inspired by the lightweight athletics shoes of the 70s and 80s are everywhere, pairing perfectly with the relaxed tailoring and wider trousers currently dominating menswear.
They’re streamlined, easy to wear and quietly stylish - exactly what modern trainers are aiming for.
StockX
Bad Bunny x Adidas Ballerina 'Bold Gold'
£281.00
One of the more unexpected trainer shifts of the moment is the rise of ballet-inspired sneakers. Low-profile, flexible and incredibly minimal, these styles blur the line between trainer and ballet flat.
It’s a silhouette that’s already been bubbling up across fashion runways and street style, worn with everything from loose tailoring to relaxed denim. On foot they feel lighter than most trainers, which fits neatly with the wider move toward slimmer footwear this season.
Footasylum
Jordan Air Jordan 6 'Infrared Salesman' Retro Trainer - Black - Size 10
£190.00
While many trainers are becoming sleeker, Air Jordans remain the cultural heavyweight of the sneaker world. Jordan silhouettes continue to anchor modern streetwear, balancing basketball heritage with fashion credibility.
What’s changed recently is how they’re styled. Instead of full streetwear looks, Jordans are increasingly paired with relaxed tailoring, vintage denim and simple basics - making them feel less like hype sneakers and more like everyday staples.
Rackhams
New Balance 2002R Mule Protection Pack Grey - 8
£105.00
They’ve been popping up across both runway collections and everyday street style, particularly in warmer months when full trainers start to feel heavy. Think of them as the laid-back cousin of the classic sneaker - ideal for summer dressing when you still want the sporty look without committing to laces.
Size?
Salomon XT-6, Brown
£165.00
Performance running shoes have quietly become fashion staples. Brands like Salomon, ASICS and Hoka have turned trail runners and marathon trainers into everyday footwear thanks to their comfort and futuristic design.
The trick to wearing them well is contrast. Pair them with understated clothing - relaxed trousers, simple jackets, clean basics - and let the trainers bring the energy.