Vans is certainly having a moment, as skater trainers are one of the key sneaker trends for 2025. Although some skater silhouettes have a chunky, foamy build that is bold and not for everyone, Vans are aligned with the California Tony Hawk look, but have more mass appeal. “I’ve seen a noticeable uptick in both the slip-ons and Old Skools, worn by the same crowd that were early endorsers of Sambas,” Vogue’s resident trainers expert Alice Cary observed in her guide to the key trends of the year. Emily Ratajkowski has been a long-time fan of Vans slip-ons, and is often seen wearing the checkerboard black and white pumps with cargo pants and a vest top – all that’s missing is a skateboard.
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Other popular slip-on styles for 2025 include Onitsuka Tiger’s lace-less twist on the classic Mexico 66s, available in several different colourways, with the cream and black being a summer classic. Another trainer that sneakerheads are backing in 2025 is Adidas’s Taekwondos, which have an easy slip-on design without laces. They were first created as a martial arts performance shoe, but like many of Adidas’s trending archive styles, have now found a loyal following outside of the sport. Earlier this year, StockX revealed a 5,650 per cent increase in year-on-year trades of the Taekwondo, dubbing them in “pole position to become the It-shoe of 2025”, according to a brand spokesperson.
For minimalists who want a shoe without a sporting history, The Row created a white canvas slip-on that is the definition of an uncomplicated trainer. Yes, it looks like something your dental hygienist might wear, but you only need to look at the brand’s rubber flip-flops to see how The Row is able to elevate our everyday staples. See below for our edit of the best slip-on trainers for this summer and beyond.
