Sneaker fever continues to build momentum for spring 2026, and as we look ahead to the new year, we’re taking a look at the sneaker trends you can look forward to wearing during the next few months. From minimalist-friendly mainstays, like the return of the white plimsoll at Celine, to bold and bright low-runner shapes across the runways of Fendi and Dries Van Noten, now is the time to get acquainted with the freshest options of the upcoming season—whether or not you’re a bonafide sneakerhead.
Of course, there have been a plethora of cult styles throughout 2025, which have been worn by what feels like every celebrity and It girl (perhaps a mix of the frequency illusion, and just shared good taste). In no particular order: the Nike Cortez, Puma Speedcat, and the Adidas Tokyo, which have all been increasingly popular this past year. However, recent developments across the spring/summer 2026 runways and current street style scene show a divide between minimalist styles and maximalist pairs.
Expect to see a storm of white plimsoll lace-ups, direct from the Celine catwalk, anchoring looks this Fashion Month—we already saw the comeback of canvas iterations this fall, worn by Natalie Portman. Retro, brown suede runners continue to be a street-style favourite (they really are the perfect transitional shoe), with the slim runner silhouettes taking the lead. Jennifer Lawrence’s recent fixation with Salomon sneakers in her daily wardrobe, as well as hiker sneaker spin-offs at Off-White and Cecilie Bahnsen, prove Gorpcore will continue to define contemporary footwear trends in 2026, as well.
On the opposite spectrum, high pigment colours in rainbow brights will light up the streets of New York and Milan, courtesy of Fendi and Dries Van Noten. A new category of “fancy sneakers,” coined by Vogue’s Christian Allaire, are sure to find favour amongst the personality dressers with intricate embroideries, tapestry fabrications, and a smattering of sequins—seen on the Valentino runway and among the latest Adidas x Wales Bonner drop favourites.
Ahead, the 10 sneaker trends to note for the start of 2026, plus our favourite pairs to shop.
1 / 10
Slim runners
Casual and cool, the retro silhouettes we’ve been living in over the past few seasons are shifting to even slimmer runner shapes for spring 2026. With a subtle thin sole and lace-up design, we spotted fresh takes at Miu Miu, Fendi, and more—with Dua Lipa an early adopter, recently spotted in her super-rare Nike x Jacquemus Moon Shoe. Find the shape in plenty of neutrals, such as clean black or white, with grounding colours in the mix, such as Puma’s new, colour blocked Speedcat in burgundy, for a modern spin.
2 / 10
Plimsoll revival
Although white sneakers are not necessarily groundbreaking, this season we are delighting in the fact that they’re seeing a new resurgence—specifically in the form of plimsoll silhouettes. Celine’s stark white, leather lace-up felt so fresh, styled on the runway with everything from billowy trouser pants and trench coats, to embroidered mini skirts. Here, you can also go the clean canvas route, with iconic shapes from Keds or Polo Ralph Lauren. They make for the perfect transitional shoe once temperatures start to rise.
3 / 10
The satin sneakerina
No one was prepared for sneakerina fever, the sleeper hit of 2025, and it is very much continuing into 2026. The buzz around these hybrid sneakers, characterised by elements of ballet, such as delicate laces and satin fabrications (similar to a pointe shoe), continues to gain traction. Celebrities have already doubled down on this trend (think Bella Hadid, Harry Styles, and Chloë Sevigny). Given that Prada and Simone Rocha featured new variations of satin low-tops on their spring/summer runways, you can rest assured if you already bought in, the sneakerina is here to stay.
4 / 10
Crayola colours
Step aside, minimalism. For spring 2026, the sneaker-sphere is about to see technicolor. Fendi, Dries Van Noten, and Lacoste all featured low-runner sneaker shapes in an assortment of primary brights, as if they dipped their fingers into a Crayola crayon box. Rainbow-coded iterations of classic sneaker shapes from the likes of Nike and Adidas also continue to roll out (which we expect more of, in the upcoming spring drops), making the idea of injecting something bold into your usual mix a seamless move. Whether worn with neutrals as a bright pop, or adding even more texture to a maximalist ’fit, these are worth buying now.
5 / 10
Gorphardcore
Gorpcore is no longer a trend—it’s a lifestyle. Enthusiasts who never venture further than a 5-mile radius on their daily walk still pine after performance trainers like Salomon’s XT-6 every time a new colour hits the market. A go-to for busy mom Jennifer Lawrence on off-duty days, runway trends solidify another uptick in hiking-inspired sneaker silhouettes, with Gorpcore sightings at Off-White and Cecilie Bahnsen for spring/summer 2026, confirming the trend will not be going anywhere, anytime soon.
6 / 10
Fancy sneakers
Fatigued by the clean girl uniforms? Let spring’s array of fancy sneakers be the antidote to bland dressing. Characterised by intricate detailing—such as floral embroideries and tapestry fabrications, like those at Louis Vuitton and Dries Van Noten, plus sequins, a standout on the Valentino runway and the new Adidas x Wales Bonner drop—sneakers packed with personality are fashion’s latest obsession.
7 / 10
Hybrid silhouettes
Just as the sneakerina styles quietly took off during the year’s start, we are clocking the early rise of hybrid sneakers for 2026. At Calvin Klein Collection, loafer-inspired footwear with a chunky sneaker sole truly stole the show, reframing the idea of le chic sportif. At Loewe, newly appointed creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez featured their own take on a hybrid shape, with off-center laces and a rubber cap-toe, while Bottega Veneta’s futuristic shoes felt entirely forward-thinking, with an athletic-inspired look and gummy sole to match.
8 / 10
Sumptuous brown suede
As fashion brands and sneaker houses plumb the depths of their archives, retro-inspired shapes meet their maker in all things suede. No colour has been more desired than brown, from designer takes at Bottega Veneta and Prada to Emily Ratajkowski’s favourite Puma Speedcats, which continue to be contemporary favourites on the street. Keeping things muted with this rich, ’70s-inspired colour palette that feels perfectly on point as we head into the new year.
9 / 10
Skater shapes
Skater shoes hold steady in 2026. Vans Slip-Ons and Old Skools have had plenty of traction thanks to celeb endorsements from Zoë Kravitz, Harry Styles, and Jennifer Lawrence, who routinely sport theirs in their ever-cool, off-duty wardrobes; the Vans x Valentino collaboration prove they’re more relevant than ever (and finally available for purchase). You can always go for other true skate styles, like the Busenitz from Adidas, which run a little more under the radar—or scour eBay for a thrashed Etnies pair.
10 / 10
Boxing high-tops
This micro trend moved to the major leagues in fall 2025, and seems to be sticking around for 2026. Although high-tops with a boxing-inspired look feel a little more niche, after seeing them debut at Michael Rider’s first Celine show earlier in 2025, we were completely sold on the idea. For spring/summer 2026, they made another cameo on the brand’s catwalk, elegantly tucked into slim pants. Between these and Chloé’s ‘80s-inspired pairs, these high-tops offer wearability with Parisian flair.
This story was originally published on Vogue.com.
