But the performance fabrics didn’t end at our ankles. AW19 brought with it an influx of Gore-Tex sneakers, some of which were shockingly wearable. Waterproof versions of classic styles like the Adidas Stan Smith, the Superstar and the Nike Air Force One all flew off shelves, solving that age-old sneakerhead winter dilemma of what to rock when the weather turns sour.

Expect to see more of the same of this practical sneaker trend as we settle into the new year.

Simple, Yet Timeless

Minimalist trainers are without a doubt the only sneaker trend that’ll never go out of style. While the chunky silhouettes and eye grabbing colors are unquestionably in at the moment, there’s still nothing quite as sharp as a man with a simple pair of crisp kicks.

That said, minimalist trainers are anything but simple, especially in today’s sneaker climate. On offer you’ll find the highest quality Italian leather, hand stitched details, an array of easy-to-match hues and timeless designs to dress up or down (cue: East London brand Uniform Standard). Each season without fail, independent brands and massive powerhouses alike churn out their own take on this timeless sneaker trend, so only expect more of this in the coming months (and years).

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Textured Trainers

We’re always banging on about the merits of adding some texture to your wardrobe, but why stop at your feet? Textured trainers are already making inroads into mainstream menswear, but in 2021 they’re on track to really blow up.

From cord plimsolls to hairy suede runners, tactile fabrics are taking over the sneaker world and we’re all for it. It’s tricky to pinpoint when this all started but if we had to put money on it we’d say it began around the launch of the corduroy Sean Wotherspoon Air Max 1/97 in 2018. Ever since then, texture and trainers have been having a steamy love affair that has resulted in some of the most beautiful little sneaker babies we’ve ever laid eyes on.