I’m ashamed to say, even as someone who considers themselves a (relatively) practical dresser, I only have a couple of pairs of trainers in my everyday shoe rotation. Until the Adidas X Grace Wales Bonner collab and SL72s dropped, I’d always thought of trainers as solely for the gym, but with new dressier styles and statement-making colourways, I eventually gave in and have (slowly) started to build a collection that I can wear just as regularly as loafers and ballet flats. Given my new found interest, I often find myself looking at the trends that people are sporting beneath their ankles, and one sure fire way to tell if people are into fashion is the trainer brands that they are backing.
While you’ll still find me happily wearing my brown SL72s on a near-daily basis, and most influencers are still coming up with new wears to wear Sambas, I can’t help notice that Adidas’ reign is being challenged by some equally stylish contenders. Whatever you want from your sneakers, be it comfortable all-day wear, versatility, or throw-on-and-go convenience, there are plenty of styles on the market that deserve your attention just as much as the famous three stripes, and I’ve done the research to prove it.
Whether it’s love-worn pairs of Converse, designer collabs from On, or the sporty staple that we’ve been wearing for the last 70 years, I’ve taken note on the trending trainer brands the fashion world has fallen head over heels for in 2025. Some are celebrity favourites, others are street style heroes, but all are the names you can rely on to be in fashion now. So, if you’re looking for a more under-the-radar style that isn’t the same pair of Adidas Stan Smiths, leep scrolling to see and shop 2025’s defining trainer brands.
1. NEW BALANCE
Style Notes: From a sold-out collaboration with Miu Miu to their covetable “dad” kicks, New Balance has been quietly taking over for the last three years. Although their recent luxury links may have kept them at the forefront of our feeds, it was originally the brands retro silhouette and comfy soles that got our attention for just how well they pair with leggings and loungewear for a styled-up, off-duty look.
