The 'dad sneaker' is officially having another fashion moment—but this time, the chunky trainers once dismissed as clunky are being given a decidedly high-tech makeover.
Fashion girls are ditching delicate flats and strappy sandals for unapologetically practical footwear from Salomon, ASICS and HOKA, with trail-inspired soles, technical fabrics and oversized cushioning becoming some of the season's most noticeable details. What was once associated with running tracks and hiking trails is now just as likely to be spotted on city streets.
The resurgence is part of a wider appetite for technical sneakers in 2026, with fashion editors highlighting performance-led styles from Salomon, Nike, HOKA, ASICS, New Balance and other outdoor brands. The appeal is simple: these trainers look distinctive, feel comfortable and bring a sporty edge to otherwise polished outfits.
The Dad Sneaker Gets a Fashion Upgrade
The modern dad sneaker is no longer simply a bulky white trainer. It has evolved into something far more technical, with weather-resistant materials, chunky soles, visible cushioning and trail-running details becoming part of the aesthetic.
That is particularly good news for anyone whose feet have suffered through a summer of unsupportive sandals.
Instead of hiding practical features, fashion is now making them the focal point. Waterproof finishes, grippy soles and exaggerated cushioning are no longer signs that a shoe belongs exclusively on a hiking trail. They are precisely what can make a pair look current.
The trend also fits neatly into the continued influence of 'gorpcore' and outdoor dressing, even as the terminology around those movements has faded.
Why Salomon Still Leads the Pack
If one brand has come to define the technical-sneaker crossover, it is Salomon.
The French company has been making outdoor footwear and equipment since 1947, but its XT-6 has become particularly important to its fashion identity. Originally developed for elite trail runners, the shoe has travelled a long way from the mountains and is now as recognisable on city pavements as it is on technical terrain.
The shift towards fashion accelerated in the mid-2010s, when Paris retailer The Broken Arm helped introduce Salomon to a more style-conscious audience. The brand later expanded its Sportstyle offering, turning performance technology into a defining part of its fashion appeal.
Today, the XT-6 remains one of the most recognisable choices for anyone wanting the full technical-sneaker look. This Gore-Tex version costs $200, around £148, at Nordstrom.
ASICS Makes Retro Running Cool Again
ASICS is taking a slightly different route, blending technical credentials with nostalgia.
The Gel-1130 was originally a stability running shoe from 2008 and has since been reworked as a lifestyle trainer. Its late-2000s running aesthetic, breathable mesh, layered construction and GEL cushioning give it precisely the retro-performance appearance that is proving so popular again.
The version featured costs $110, approximately £81, at Anthropologie.
It is a perfect example of why the dad sneaker revival works: the shoe looks deliberately functional, but its retro shape gives it enough personality to become part of a fashion outfit rather than simply a practical choice.
HOKA Proves Chunky Is Cool
Then there is HOKA, the brand that has helped turn seriously chunky cushioning into a fashion statement.
The HOKA Speedgoat 7 featured in the edit costs $165, around £122, while the Mafate Speed 2 costs $170, approximately £126. Their exaggerated soles and trail-running silhouettes make them impossible to mistake for traditional trainers—and that is exactly the point.
Bright colour is another way to make the trend feel less like conventional running gear. The Speedgoat 7's bold red 'bell pepper' colourway, for example, turns a highly practical silhouette into a statement shoe.
Practical Is the New Cool
The biggest reason the trend feels so relevant now is that fashion is no longer asking women to choose between looking good and feeling comfortable.
Nike Shox TL brings a retro early-2000s twist, while Teva's Neogamma LTR offers a lower-profile interpretation of the technical look. The On Cloudrock Low Waterproof takes the practical approach even further, with a pared-back black design and waterproof construction.
New Balance is also part of the conversation with its 204L, a slimmer interpretation of the classic dad sneaker that originally exploded during the normcore era.
Together, the styles reveal just how broad the trend has become. There is no single formula: some are enormous and brightly coloured, others are streamlined and understated. What links them is the unmistakable influence of performance footwear.
The message for autumn is clear. The fashion crowd is not trying to make practical trainers look pretty anymore—the practicality is what makes them cool. The dad sneaker has returned, and this time, the chunky sole, technical details and outdoorsy attitude are not flaws to disguise. They are the entire fashion statement.
