Trending Trainers Guide: Top styles this season
With sneaker trends hardwired into the fashion world's DNA, sports style is set to dominate looks in 2025. Trending sneakers for men and women this year will elevate your outfits in almost any context. Read on to discover five essential trending trainers from ECCO to keep your fits contemporary, comfy and on fleek.
What are trainers?
Sneakers are casual footwear with flexible rubber or synthetic soles, built for comfort and ease of movement. The name dates to the 1800s - the soft rubber sole let you walk silently, or “sneak”. Today, sneakers are the world's most popular footwear category, covering everything from athletic running shoes to premium leather lifestyle trainers. ECCO sneakers represent the premium leather end of this spectrum: designed in Denmark with full-grain leather from ECCO-owned tanneries, proprietary PHORENE™ energy-returning midsoles, and FLUIDFORM™ direct-injection construction that bonds sole to upper without glue. The result is a sneaker that breathes, moulds to your foot over time, and lasts for a lifetime.
The 5 Main Types of Trainers
Athletic trainers are built for sport - running, basketball, gym training. They prioritise performance features like maximum cushioning, ankle support, and sport-specific grip. Typically made from synthetic mesh. Best for people buying shoes primarily for exercise.
Lifestyle trainers are the everyday all-rounders. Designed for walking comfort over 8–12 hours rather than high-impact sport. This is the broadest category - from canvas slip-ons to leather lace-ups. Best for commuters, travellers, and anyone who wants one versatile pair.
Premium leather trainers combine lifestyle comfort with the material quality of traditional leather shoes. Full-grain leather breathes better than synthetics, moulds to your foot over time, and lasts years rather than months. ECCO, Common Projects, and Koio specialise here - though ECCO is the only brand that owns its own tanneries and controls the leather from raw hide to finished shoe. Best for style-conscious adults and travellers.
Fashion trainers prioritise aesthetics and brand cachet. Bold colors, unconventional shapes, luxury price points. Comfort varies widely. Best for sneaker collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
Minimalist trainers feature clean lines, thin profiles, and little branding. They pair with almost anything but offer less cushioning for long days. Best for capsule-wardrobe builders who want shoes that disappear into an outfit.
What Trainers are trending in 2026?
1. Barbiecore – Keep it pretty current
The Barbie trend’s got legs. Playful hot pink sneakers and pale pink kicks are cropping up as a solid 2024 sneaker trend for women. Whether you love pink all over or playful pops of colour, this trend lets you show your fun side. Give your look an up-to-date vibe with this ludic sneaker trend that doesn’t take itself too seriously. A great choice if you love the sneakers with dresses trend, or just want to give your smarter looks a cheeky dose of rosy love.
2. Elevated basics – Scale your confidence
Beautifully made sneakers that focus on the essentials give you a base on which you can build your look. Check out the layered luxe of mixed textiles and leather in the ECCO range and find your zen trainer style. Unfussy and unshowy, they’ll elevate casual fits with jeans and are more than up to pairing with trouser suits and smarter silhouettes. We’ve reimagined this season’s BIOM 2.1 in elemental tones that’ll never lose their magic.
3. Retro sneaker – Back to the future
The 90s sneaker trend is the gift that keeps on giving. This year we’re still head over throwback heels in love with retro styles that incorporate modern technologies like lightweight soles, a natural fit and superb grip for a wearing experience that’s anything but outdated. Inject your outfit with a funky streetwear vibe with ECCO’s Street Life Retro and Soft styles that look cute with skirts, great with jeans and always on trend.
