The Hottest Trainers of 2026: Saucony, ASICS & Nike P-6000
If your feed has been full of thick soles, mesh panels and gorpcore colourways lately, you're not imagining it. 2026's biggest trainer story is the return of the "dad trainer" — bulky, technical-looking runners originally designed for the track in the '90s and 2000s, now reworked as everyday streetwear staples. Fashion press from Grazia to Who What Wear has named the same handful of silhouettes as the ones driving this: ASICS' Gel-1130 and Gel-Kayano 14 (the latter given extra hype by a Thom Browne collaboration), and Nike's P-6000, singled out as the poster child of the whole chunky-trainer movement.
At Forever Sourcing, we've watched this play out in real time. Three lines in particular have become the backbone of what our customers are buying right now: Saucony, ASICS, and Nike P-6000. Here's why each one is worth your attention — and where to go for the full breakdown on each.
Saucony: The Quiet Favourite
Saucony doesn't get the same magazine coverage as ASICS or Nike, but that's part of its appeal — it's the trainer people wear because they actually like it, not because it's everywhere. Our Saucony rail is built entirely around the ProGrid Omni 9, a chunky '90s-inspired runner that comes in more than 30 colourways, from muted greys to bold Deep Navy and Blissful Blue pairs. It sits right at home next to the ASICS and Nike styles below, but at a slightly lower profile — great if you want the retro-runner look without going full dad-shoe.
ASICS: 2026's Fastest-Growing Trainer Brand
ASICS has had arguably the biggest 2026 of any trainer brand, and it's easy to see why once you look at the range. The Gel-1130 offers the cleanest, most versatile take on the chunky-runner shape. The Gel-Kayano 14 brings a more technical, "dad-shoe" silhouette that's been fast-tracked into fashion circles via a Thom Browne collaboration. Add the trail-ready Gel-Venture 6 and the sleeker Gel-NYC, and ASICS covers pretty much every version of the 2026 trainer trend under one roof.
Nike P-6000: The Original Dad Trainer
If one shoe defined the chunky-trainer trend before it had a name, it's the Nike P-6000. Built on a retro running silhouette with an exaggerated sole and mixed suede/mesh upper, it's been repeatedly called out this year as the reference point for the whole dad-trainer look. We stock it in 20+ colourways, from clean Summit White to muted Cargo Khaki and seasonal Winterised builds.
Shop the Collection
Every pair across our Saucony, ASICS and Nike P-6000 ranges is 100% authentic and verified before dispatch, with free UK shipping on orders over £75 and same-day dispatch on in-stock pairs. Browse the full trainers collection, or head straight to ASICS or NIKE.
