Slimline trainers have dominated the spotlight of late; from Adidas Sambas to Puma Speedcats and Dries Van Noten’s ’70s-inspired pairs. But there’s a corner of the sneaker community making a case for chunky trainers, like Nike’s Air Max 97s and Shox, Balenciaga’s divisive Triple S, skater styles from És and Etnies and “Gorpcore” iterations courtesy of Salomon, New Balance, Hoka, Merrell and Asics, all of which adopt heavy, sculptural silhouettes.
Beyond city wear, the latter outdoorsy styles provide an element of practicality, offering support and hardiness that retro shapes can sometimes lack. Gym-ready takes from Nike, meanwhile – like those worn by Princess Diana and Sporty Spice in the ’90s – are best suited for everyday use. As for Balenciaga’s Triple S? They’re bulkier than you may think, so only brave them if you can bear their weight.
Given their slightly overbearing appearance, it can be hard to know how to style chunky trainers – and what to wear them with. Below, Vogue presents 9 ways to incorporate them into your wardrobe and the best styles to invest in now.
The best chunky trainers at a glance:
The festival-ready trainers
The all-black trainers
The “Gorpcore” trainers
The futuristic trainers
The high-tops
The sporty trainers
The metallic trainers
The colourful trainers
The greyscale trainers
