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Trainers might just be the hardest-working wardrobe staple around. They carry you through long shifts, school runs, supermarket dashes and spontaneous sunny-day plans – often all in the same week.
When one shoe does it all, though, they wear out quickly. Whether it's time to replace your go-to trainers or you’re looking to add some more adventurous options to your rotation, summer 2026 is a great moment to invest in a new pair. This season's trainer trends strike the balance between being fashionable enough to make a statement and versatile enough to go with anything.
Plus, when you’re a Blue Light Card member, you can save on a huge range of styles with brands like adidas, New Balance and Nike, as well as top trainer retailers like JD Sports – meaning you can shop the season’s trending styles for a little less.
Ready to get inspired by summer 2026 trainer trends? Read on for our roundup.
Pictured: New Balance ABZORB 5030 Grey Days Shoes, New Balance ABZORB 2010 Grey Days Shoes, adidas Adistar Control 5 in Silver Metallic.
If you’re looking to spice up your summer outfits with a bit of ‘wow’ factor, metallic trainers are your answer. Shiny finishes are having a major moment in summer 2026, for good reason. With a flash of silver on your feet, even your simplest go-to looks will look a little more energetic.
Wondering how to style them? Silver is surprisingly versatile and pairs well with lots of different colours. If in doubt, start with your favourite jeans. adidas recommends styling silver-toned trainers with “relaxed tailoring, vintage denim or clean summer layers”, for an effortlessly cool effect.
Pictured: adidas Adistar Control 5, New Balance ABZORB 5030 Grey Days Shoes, Nike P-6000, New Balance ABZORB 2010 Grey Days Shoes, adidas Samba Shoes.
Some of our top metallic picks for the summer are the ultra-modern New Balance ABZORB 5030 Grey Days Shoes, the adidas Adistar Control 5, which have a “sleek, future-facing edge,” and the Nike P-6000s, which layer mesh and metallic overlays for a futuristic look. Shoutout to the adidas Samba shoes in the Silver Metallic colourway for their almost disco-ball-like reflectiveness.
Pictured: adidas Taekwondo Mei (worn by model). Puma Speedcat Ballet Nova, adidas Taekwondo Mei, adidas Samba Jane, Nike Air Rift.
It’s a real trend. It’s a bit mad. But we love it. The ‘sneakerina’ is a ballet-inspired trainer that combines the delicate silhouette of a ballet shoe with the sporty look of a trainer. It was first spotted at fashion week runways and has now made its way into everyday wardrobes as one of the most adventurous trainer trends for 2026.
You can channel the trend in a few different ways: the Puma Speedcat Ballet Nova contrasts balletic baby pink with sporty black details. The adidas Taekwondo Mei comes with laces that tie all the way up your ankles, perfect for pairing with skirts and dresses. And the Nike Air Rift has a split-toe design that’ll definitely get you noticed.
You can also achieve a similar effect to the sneakerina with the adidas Samba Jane – adidas' Samba design morphed into a playful Mary-Jane.
Pictured: New Balance RC56 Shoes, adidas Gazelle, New Balance Gator Run in Apollo Gold with Black, adidas Handball Spezial, Nike Vomero Plus.
If your current trainer rotation is a sea of white and grey (no judgement here), this could be the season you change that. Bold, saturated shades are big for this summer. Rich reds, vibrant turquoise and eye-catching pinks will do the heavy lifting in otherwise simple outfits. Pulling off a vibrant shoe is easy – just keep everything else neutral and let the trainer be the focal point.
The Nike Vomero Plus comes in an eye-catching pink and is also a performance runner that will keep your feet comfy during long days at work. We also love the vibrant turquoise-blue adidas Gazelle. And bonus points for the New Balance RC56 Shoes in the colourway Shadow Red with Silver Metallic – they hit not one but two of summer 2026’s key trends with their silver accents.
Pictured: adidas Handball Spezial, New Balance 574 Shoes in Red Rock with Tangerine Heat.
If you'd rather fly a little more under the radar, you can still tap into this summer's trends through texture. Soft suede is having a moment. Whether it covers the whole upper or just selected panels, you won't have to look far to find it this season – it’s popping everywhere, on both new and classic trainer designs.
Pictured: New Balance 204L Shoes in Sea Salt with Linen, New Balance 204L Shoes in Brown, adidas Originals Munchen Leather, New Balance Gator Run Shoes in Timberwolf, adidas Handball Spezial.
The adidas Handball Spezial or New Balance 204L Shoes come in brown suedes that pair well with trending colours for the summer, like powder blue and butter yellow. Double up on trends with the New Balance 574 Shoes in the Tangerine heat colourway to bring some brightness to your footwear, or go for a subtler suede touch with the adidas Originals Munchen Leather.
Pictured: New Balance RC56 Shoes in White with Blue Bird, adidas Originals Japan, adidas Superstar, adidas Handball Spezial, Jordan Air 11 Retro Low.
After a few years of chunky soles and maximalist shapes taking centre stage, slimline designs are making a very welcome comeback. Streamlined silhouettes with a retro feel are versatile and low-profile, so you can pair them with just about anything.
The adidas Originals Japan is a great place to start: it has a clean, minimal finish that lets the silhouette do the talking. If you're after a more retro option, the Jordan Air 11 Retro Low brings a low-cut design with a back-to-the-future feel. New Balance also delivers here with the RC56 in White with Blue Bird, which has a small pop of colour to complement its compact profile.
This season’s trending trainers range from the out-there to the easy-going. Regardless of which ones you choose, a few outfit combinations will be clear winners this summer.
New Balance says that while their trending trainers for summer 2026 are easy to wear with almost anything, “this season, they pair especially well with oversized silhouettes, relaxed denim and athleisure-inspired looks.”
Sorted the shoes, but stuck on the rest of the look? Read our guide to summer 2026 fashion trends, where we’ve rounded up the latest styles, plus practical tips for putting together chic outfits for your days off.
Otherwise, here’s some inspiration for how to style your new trainers:
The simple summer outfit formula that's stood the test of time. You can’t go far wrong with retro trainers and jean cut-offs.
Especially great with metallics or bright colours, an eye-catching trainer peeking out from under a wide-leg trouser is a quiet way to show off loud shoes.
Sports-inspired shoes call for sports-inspired outfits. Style from the feet up by pairing your trainers with athleisure co-ords in the same colours for chic monochromatic looks.
Ballet trainers and suede styles will be your best bet for bare-leg days in skirts and dresses – streamlined shapes to complement more feminine outfit choices.
Trainers are the wardrobe hero everyone needs – but they can be pricey, especially when you wear them all the time and they need replacing often.
You're in luck, though. As a Blue Light Card member, you get access to exclusive discounts that help you save on your trainer purchases. You can get money off your purchases at JD Sports, New Balance, adidas, Nike and more to help you pick up this season’s styles for less.
Keen to save even more on your trainers? Our top tip is to opt for colourways from last season – they’re often more discounted than new shades. Transitional periods between seasons are also a great time to pick up trainers, as prices may shift in your favour just before new collections drop.
The key trends for summer 2026 are metallic silver, ballet-inspired ‘sneakerinas’, vivid colours, suede textures and retro silhouettes.
Chunky trainers aren't gone, but the mood for summer 2026 is noticeably slimmer. Retro slimline silhouettes and low-profile shapes are growing in popularity this season – think clean lines and streamlined designs rather than maximum bulk.
White, cream and black are some of the most versatile trainer colours. If you want one pair of shoes to throw on with anything this summer, a clean white retro trainer or a soft suede neutral is your safest bet.
Blue Light Card members can access exclusive discounts at JD Sports, adidas, New Balance and many more.
Explore Blue Light Card’s fashion discounts for more great value offers on clothing and footwear.
