Why Asics and Salomon sneakers are the hottest shoes in fashion

Sneakers have been in fashion before. Designer sneaker brands like Common Projects and Golden Goose became popular over a decade ago. And it’s been five years since Balenciaga first introduced the clumsy Triple S that motivated just about every other high fashion brand to launch its own signature sneaker. What feels fresh in sneaker spheres these days, however, are understated, seriously functional shoes. They let women “dress casual and intentionally contrast dressy fashion,” said Søren Kolborg Sørensen, stylist and content creation manager for Wood Wood, a Copenhagen-based retailer that sells a slew of clothing options. sneakers with her own clothing line.

The past few years have been an emotional roller coaster and many people have changed their lifestyles and priorities, spending more time with family or in nature. Fashion reflects this. “Sneakers are part of this anti-fashion movement that we’ve been hearing about lately,” Sørensen said. “They signal that there is more to life than fashion.” Comfort, he says, is the dominant trend.

Brittany Bathgate, a fashion influencer in Norwich, England, rarely wore sneakers, as she calls them, until recently. The 31-year-old, who has over 400,000 Instagram followers, even surprised herself when she recently started pairing Asics trainers with her everyday denim and minimalist looks. She appreciates their comfort and that they “expel any frivolous feelings”.

Comfort and fashion are not incompatible. Salomon’s XT-6s are so popular that they consistently sell out and cost double their retail price on resale sites. Balenciaga’s Runner sneaker retails for $1,150 and has been selling well for the brand since its launch four seasons ago. Cindy Nguyen, 24, admits she “definitely leaned into the current trend” when she bought her pristine white Salomon XT-6s. “I got into them for the looks, but I still like them to be functional,” said the Albuquerque, NM psychology major. Ms Nguyen pairs them with fashionable oversized sweatshirts for afternoon strolls with her girlfriend to a local cafe and wouldn’t rule them out for a fancy dinner date.

Kelly Fatouretchi, category director for athletic footwear at Asics, was appreciative when asked about Balenciaga’s beloved Runner shoe. “High-end designers are empowering women to view sneakers as more than just utilitarian,” she said. “We’ve seen a huge shift from women using our sneakers for specific activities to wearing them for everyday life.”

Los Angeles stylist Dianne Garcia Yohannes always keeps a fresh pair of sneakers on hand for her celebrity clients. Her tip for adding sneakers to a trendy everyday look? Start with shoes in “classic [base] colors like white or black, with hints of navy or silver. They’re so neutral they can go with almost anything. For those drawn to brighter athletic shades like greens and reds, just know that “these colors can compete with a look,” she said. Plan your outfit from scratch.

Mrs. Bathgate won’t mind if the trend continues. “After years of breaking stiff leathers or wobbling around in heels,” she said, “it’s a very liberating feeling.”

Sports spice

Three pairs of athletic sneakers resonate with fashion and celebrity ensembles

blue crush

Asics’ Gel-Kayano 14 minimal performance shoes nod to the cult style of the 2008 nylon mesh brand of the same name. Basketball, $140, Asics.com

above the rainbow

With their colorful accents and layered soles, luxury brand Balenciaga’s Runner sneakers are inspired by models from the 1990s and 2000s. $1,150, Balenciaga.com

neutral party

Designed for ultra-distance runs, Salomon’s XT-6 Advanced has become popular among fashionable types, even those who only run from the Uber to the office door. Basketball, $190, solomon.com

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