As a style editor, I spend more time than most thinking about shoes. (It’s both a blessing and a curse.) So when new men’s sneaker trends pop up, I get to see them early—and then spend untold hours obsessing over them until I finally buy in. I wouldn’t have it any other way. With a new year unfolding ahead of us—and, therefore, a steady stream of spring sneaker trends hitting our feeds—I figured it’s high time for some group shopping therapy. Below, take a peek into my lineup for 2026, which features buzzy Salomons, popular Pumas, and the big comeback of Vans. Now let’s shop, shall we?
My men’s sneaker-trends wish list
- The Classic Kicks: Vans Authentic Sneakers, $55
- The Slim-Sole Sneakers: Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers, $100
- The Gorpcore Pair: Arc’teryx Vertex Alpine GTX Sneakers, $250
- The Soccer Shoes: Adidas Samba 62 Sneakers,
$100$60 - The Sleek Runners: Asics GT-2160 Sneakers, $130
1. Low-key canvas
Here’s an insider tip: Whenever Jonathan Anderson (formerly of Loewe, now the brand-new creative director of Dior) shows something on the runway, it’s pretty much guaranteed to move the culture. At his first Dior menswear runway this season, he dressed models in shoes that looked almost exactly like Vans Authentic sneakers. (Prada also showed plimsolls at its spring men’s show.) Classic-canvas kicks look great with preppy outfits and baggy jeans, meaning they’ll fit right in with everything you’re already planning to wear this year. Whether you go with Vans or another go-to from P.F. Flyers or Converse, swap leather for canvas to keep your everyday footwear rotation feeling fresh.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
2. Low pros
Have you also noticed that a huge swath of sneakers is looking a little…different these days? Thanks to beloved classic silhouettes from Adidas and Puma alongside new extra-low silhouettes from luxury labels like Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, and Louis Vuitton, nearly every brand now offers pairs with barely-there soles. The result is sleeker and more put-together than your usual pair, almost like a cross between loafers and sneakers. The picks below are perfect for the office and casual pursuits alike, whether you’re wearing tailored trousers or denim shorts. Further elevate the look with colorful crew socks.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
3. Trail-ready kicks
Gorpcore—basically, the hiker-fication of fashion—has defined the entire 2020s so far. But it’s only getting more popular, as outdoorsy brands like Salomon, Arc’teryx, and Keen break further into the mainstream. This year, expect to see more and more technical footwear slipping into regular street style, and don’t be afraid to pair your favorite jeans or carpenter pants with rugged hiking sneakers or colorful, waterproof trail shoes.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
4. Classic black
Sure, there will always be a place in my heart for white sneakers, but I’ve found those pairs migrating to the back of my closet in recent months—and the fashion industry seems to agree with me. I’ve noticed more insiders wearing black pairs instead, and labels like Wales Bonner, Lemaire, and Craig Green showed all-black kicks on their most recent runways. If you’re ready to start breaking up with white, cream, and ivory, you’re in luck: The sneaks below go with pretty much everything.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
5. Y2K runners
As casual sneakers shrink, active sneakers are only getting louder, this time with a heavy dose of Y2K nostalgia. The metallic mesh, loud colorways, and textured soles you wore 20 years ago are now back in the conversation, mirroring the rise of other retro activewear like track pants, quarter-zips, and nylon shells. Each of these cushy picks, therefore, is cool enough to get through a workday and then take you right to the gym—does it get any easier than that?
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
