What current trainer trends are worth investing in?

The current trainer trends worth investing in for 2026 are the ones with longevity built into the design: Texture-led luxury: mixed materials and premium finishing that don’t date quickly Technical, edited: engineered detail with restrained branding Refined trail/gorpcore: grip and durability cues in a polished silhouette Sculpted chunky soles: volume handled through proportion and tooling design These are footwear styles that stay relevant because they’re based on construction.

Trainers In Fashion 2026: The New Season Designer Edit

2026’s trainers in fashion are built on detail: footwear trends are being set by trainers that feel meticulously designed, not decorated. The best pairs feel resolved – materials chosen for depth, details placed with purpose, and silhouettes kept tight and intentional.

This guide distils the current trainer trends for this year into five clear categories, with MALLET silhouettes that sit naturally in that world – designer trainers with a streetwear edge, executed with a luxury sensibility. For the full edit, explore our men’s designer trainers and women’s designer trainers.

Which Trainers Are In Fashion for 2026? The Trend Snapshot

The 5 movements defining trainers in fashion this year

In 2026, the trendiest trainers fall into five clear categories - each with its own design codes.

Technical: engineered upper lines, purposeful components, controlled reflectives.
Texture-led: mixed materials, tonal depth, clean panel joins.
Trail-edited (gorpcore): grip and protection cues, streamlined into a city silhouette.
Sculpted chunky: shaped midsoles, balanced proportions, stable heel geometry.
Conversation pairs: unusual construction, sculptural texture, a clear “how it’s made” story.

In fashion men’s trainers vs in fashion women’s trainers

Men: technical indicated by structure and components.
Women: texture indicated by finish and material contrast.

Tech Trainers

Tech trainers are all about utility-led design – they borrow from performance and outdoor footwear, then get edited down into something more polished and city-clean. Think function made visible, not shouted: structure, reinforcement and materials do the talking, branding stays secondary.

What to look for in tech trainers

Purposeful support components: heel clips/counters, midfoot reinforcement, structured overlays placed at stress points
Technical textiles: ripstop, engineered mesh, coated synthetics
Controlled reflectives: small, precise hits used like trim (sharpening the silhouette), not big novelty panels
Engineered sole language: grip cues, shaped tooling, stable heel geometry – designed architecture

The Orb – Men’s

MALLET’s first asymmetric upper design, inspired by distorted reflections in glass and water. Mixed materials, a structured heel treatment and subtle reflective detailing give it a technical edge.

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The Popham Lite Ballistic – Men’s

Built for a more utilitarian take on tech trainers, the Popham Lite Ballistic leans into function-first detailing. The water-repellent ballistic upper keeps it durable for everyday wear, while hiker-inspired hardware (including lock laces) adds that outdoor-meets-street edge.

SHOP THE POPHAM LITE BALLISTIC

Texture-Led Trainers

Texture-led trainers sit at the more refined end of current footwear trends. This is where the “fashion” comes from unique, layered materials and finishing – loud colour or oversized branding takes a backseat. In 2026, the trendiest trainers in this lane are defined by tonal depth and deliberate contrast: matte against gloss, smooth against grain, leather against mesh.

What to look for in texture-led trainers

Material contrast with restraint: two to three textures max (e.g., leather + mesh + a structured overlay)
If there’s contrast, keep it singular: one clear break, not multiple competing colour panels
Edge finishing: crisp panel edges and consistent edges – this is where luxury shows up close
Finish-led detailing: gloss/matte interplay, coated sections, or treated components that create depth without adding extra panels

The Clayton – Men’s & Women’s

Clayton's layered materials and premium overlays create depth through the upper, with clean panel lines that keep the silhouette tight. It’s a streetwear-ready shape, finished with the kind of close-up material contrast that reads designer in any colourway.

> SHOP MEN'S CLAYTON

> SHOP WOMEN'S CLAYTON

The GRFTR Dip – Men’s & Women’s

The GRFTR Dip is our signature texture-led design. The chunky dipped sole creates a distinct contrast line and depth through the midsole, giving a clean trainer a more considered, design-forward edge. It’s a uniquely MALLET detail – subtle at a glance, but obvious up close – and exactly the kind of finish-led cue that defines luxury trainers in 2026.

> SHOP MEN'S GRFTR DIP

> SHOP WOMEN'S GRFTR DIP

Trail-Inspired Trainers (Gorpcore)

Trail influence is still one of the clearest signals in trainers in fashion for 2026 - but the direction has tightened. Gorpcore details are moving into a more minimal lane through outsole grip, protective shaping and technical textiles, refined for everyday urban style.

What to look for in trail-inspired/gorpcore trainers:

Grip-forward outsole design: a tread pattern with visible purpose
Toe and heel protection cues: reinforced bumpers, structured toe shaping, and a rear profile that looks stable
Rugged materials, refined placement: ripstop/technical textiles used in controlled sections, balanced by smoother panels
Upper-to-sole balance: trail soles should feel engineered into the silhouette

The Odyssey – Men’s

Odyssey sits in the refined gorpcore lane: it takes trail cues and resolves them into a polished streetwear shape. Look at the tooling first – a substantial, grip-forward sole – then the upper: structured, material-rich, and kept clean through the paneling.

SHOP THE ODYSSEY

Sculpted Chunky Trainers

This season’s footwear trends keep the volume, then refine the execution. The chunky sole isn’t a blunt statement in 2026 – it’s sculpted and finished cleanly enough to read luxury rather than bulk.

What to look for in sculpted chunky trainers

Midsole architecture: cut-ins, steps, curvature that create visible shaping
Proportion control: toe height, midfoot width, heel stack should feel balanced as one silhouette
Heel stability cues: a defined rear profile that looks grounded from the back view
Clean transitions: crisp join where sole meets upper; no messy edges or awkward overhang

The Marquess – Men’s

The Marquess delivers chunky appeal through sculpted shape and proportion. The sole unit has real presence underfoot, but the upper stays controlled and streamlined. Clean panel lines and premium material mixes give it that close-up finish, while the overall shape stays easy to style across streetwear and smart-casual fits. A modern chunky trainer built for everyday rotation.

> SHOP THE MARQUESS

The GRFTR Lite – Men’s & Women’s

The GRFTR Lite is the cleaner counterpoint — less about statement volume, more about lift and day-long comfort. Born from our bestselling cupsole design, it's been transformed into a lighter, more comfortable sole unit. Details stay premium and controlled: tonal leather, textured heel tab contrast, and crisp finishing throughout.

> SHOP THE MEN'S GRFTR LITE

> SHOP THE WOMEN'S GRFTR LITE

Conversation Pairs (Innovative Design)

Conversation pairs sit at the “new era” end of designer trainers – the construction is visible in the design, and the texture comes from how the shoe is made, not what’s been added on top. In 2026, that kind of innovative design is one of the clearest ways trainers signal luxury and intent.

What to look for in conversation pairs

Construction-first silhouette: the form should clearly come from the build method
Texture with a reason: sculptural surface/lattice that isn’t decorative – it’s integral to the structure
Seamless design language: fewer traditional joins (stitch lines, overlays, glue breaks); a cleaner, more unified form
Engineered zones: visible shifts in density/structure where the shoe needs support, flexibility, or breathability
Wearability signals: stability through the heel, controlled flex through the forefoot, and a shape that looks built to move

MALLET x Zellerfeld – 3D Printed Shoes

MALLET x Zellerfeld (Nebula) is a conversation pair in the truest sense: a sculptural design inspired by London’s Gherkin, realised through advanced 3D lattice print construction. It’s custom-fitted and printed-to-order via Zellerfeld’s scan-led flow – built with no stitching or glue – one continuous form that delivers the futuristic surface, the support, and the feel in the same construction.

It lands in streetwear because it’s design-led, not logo-led – the silhouette does the talking. In a year where trainers in fashion are being judged on construction and originality, Nebula sits at the front of the conversation: engineered, sculptural, and unapologetically modern.

SHOP MALLET X ZELLERFELD

The Edit: The Trendiest Trainers of 2026 (Men & Women)

Trendiest trainers for men

Orb – asymmetric upper design with mixed materials and subtle reflective detailing; technical, tight, intentional.
Popham Lite Ballistic – utilitarian tech with a water-repellent ballistic upper and hiker-inspired details (lock laces/hardware); built for everyday wear with a functional edge.
Odyssey – refined gorpcore: substantial, grip-forward tooling and a clean, structured upper.
Marquess – sculpted chunky proportions with a confident sole unit and a streamlined upper; modern volume without looking heavy.
GRFTR Lite – the everyday lift: MALLET’s bestselling cupsole, evolved into a lighter, more comfortable sole unit with premium finishing.

Trendiest trainers for women

Clayton – texture-led construction with material depth and clean joins; streetwear footwear with a designer finish.
GRFTR Dip – MALLET’s signature finish-led detail: a chunky dipped sole creating contrast and depth through the midsole.
GRFTR Lite – a cleaner, lighter sole with disciplined detailing; built for day-long wear.

One “conversation” pair worth knowing

MALLET x Zellerfeld (Nebula) – custom-fitted, printed-to-order, one continuous 3D lattice form with no stitching or glue.

FAQs: Which Trainers are in Fashion?

In 2026, the designer trainers in fashion are defined by construction and finish: technical silhouettes with engineered detail, texture-led pairs built from mixed materials, refined trail/gorpcore shapes, and sculpted chunky soles with clean proportions. MALLET’s clearest references are Orb for technical line-work, GRFTR Dip for finish-led texture, Odyssey for refined gorpcore, and Marquess or GRFTR lite for sculpted sole geometry.

The most in fashion men’s trainers for 2026 sit in three lanes: technical low-tops (structure, components, engineered tooling), refined gorpcore (substantial, grip-led soles with a clean upper), and sculpted chunky (volume with designed geometry). In MALLET’s range, that maps cleanly to Orb/Popham Ballistic for technical, Odyssey for gorpcore, and Marquess (plus GRFTR Lite for everyday lift) for sculpted sole options.

For women in 2026, the most in fashion trainers lean texture-first and finish-led: mixed materials, tonal depth, and clean joins that read luxury up close. Sculpted chunky soles remain strong when the upper stays disciplined. In MALLET’s edit, Clayton leads the texture lane, GRFTR Dip is the signature finish-led option, and the GRFTR Lite covers refined chunky and everyday lift.

Gorpcore footwear takes cues from outdoor and trail products – grip-focused soles, protective shaping, rugged materials – then brings it into everyday streetwear. The 2026 version is cleaner: trail influence, refined silhouette. Trainers that fit the trend this year look engineered underfoot and structured through the upper, without going “full hiking”. The Odyssey is MALLET’s signature gorpcore-inspired silhouette.

Yes – chunky trainers are still in fashion for women in 2026, but the direction is sculpted and controlled, not oversized for the sake of it. Look for midsole architecture (cut-ins/steps/curves), stable heel geometry, and a cleaner upper so the proportions stay designer. MALLET’s GRFTR Lite is the flagship silhouette for this style.

Yes – technical trainers are still in fashion in 2026, and they’re sharper than they were a few years ago. The category is defined by purposeful components, engineered upper lines, structured heel detail, and tooling that looks designed, with branding kept secondary. If the details don’t improve structure, stability, or durability, it’s styling – good technical trainers look technical because the build earns it.

The current trainer trends worth investing in for 2026 are the ones with longevity built into the design:

Texture-led luxury: mixed materials and premium finishing that don’t date quickly
Technical, edited: engineered detail with restrained branding
Refined trail/gorpcore: grip and durability cues in a polished silhouette
Sculpted chunky soles: volume handled through proportion and tooling design

These are footwear styles that stay relevant because they’re based on construction.

The 2026 trend isn’t one silhouette – it’s a shift in what looks “current”. Trainers are being judged like product design: tooling first (midsole geometry and stability), materials second (depth and contrast), then component logic (what each detail is doing). That’s why the year’s key directions cluster around technical builds, texture-led finishes, refined trail styles, and construction-led innovations.

Final Thoughts: The Trainers in Fashion for 2026

2026 has narrowed the field. The trainers that feel current aren’t defined by colour drops or loud branding — they’re defined by design decisions you can see: engineered tooling, disciplined uppers, and materials chosen for depth.

From tech silhouettes and texture-led finishes to refined trail styles and sculpted chunky soles, the through-line is the same: streetwear, tightened – luxury, made practical.

If you’re updating your rotation for the year, start with the category that matches how you wear trainers day to day, then choose the pair that looks resolved up close. Explore the full edit of men’s designer trainers and women’s designer trainers to find the silhouettes featured in this guide.