I've Tried on Hundreds of Pairs of Trending Trainers This Year—Only These 5 Are Editor-Approved

Welcome to The Great Try-On. With autumn well and truly in the air, we took the opportunity to try on some of the best new-in pieces from your favourite brands, documenting the process along the way. We believe that the best way to shop online is to see an item IRL and read candid reviews, so we hope this leads you to your most successful purchases of the year.

I practically jumped at the opportunity to road-test autumn's trending trainers, i.e. the trainers I love but don't need (or have the wardrobe space for). My go-to shoe for a fair few years, I like to think of myself as somewhat of a trainer aficionado who can keenly spot a trending style on the horizon, which I'd always choose over the equivalent loafers or ballet flats.

Of course, not all trainers are built the same and can claim the coveted title of one of the pairs of the season. From timeless white trainers to buzzy drops like the New Balance X Miu Miu collab, which is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after designer trainer collections to date, there are a few telltale signs which signal when a style is destined to be a sellout. Firstly, they seamlessly slot into a capsule wardrobe, providing outfit versatility and styling ease (essentially, you can wear them again and again and they'll still feel elevated).

Secondly, you'll spot them on those in the know. With so many trending options around, there are actually few which seem to unify fashion people and celebrities alike, so when they do, you know you're on the right track. And lastly, they're genuinely comfortable. In 2025, the best trainers feel like walking on clouds—no breaking-in required.

Having tried on multiple pairs of trainers that are trending for autumn 2025, I've narrowed down the five that made the cut, so if you're in the market, scroll to see the only pairs worth investing in for the season ahead.

The Best Trainers for Autumn 2025, As Tried and Reviewed By an Editor:

1. Dries Van Noten Leather-Trimmed Sneakers

My Review: With a retro '70s mood sweeping the trending trainer scene, slimeline styles featuring skinny soles and rounded toes can feel like a dime a dozen, but Dries Van Noten's Leather-Trimmed Sneakers stand miles above the rest. Quietly drawing Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber as fans, these trainers feature clean lines, a supple suede finish (unless you go for the leather and fabric iteration) and a complementary two-tone colour palette, offering all the ease of a classic trainer with a fresh 2025 twist. I've noticed them taking the place of Adidas Sambas in the outfits of chic Instagram users, so trying them was a must.

Fitting like a glove, their no-fuss design instantly elevates anything they're worn with. Much to my dismay (as I was desperately hoping these wouldn't be as good IRL as they looked online, owing to the more premium price tag), they lived up to their hype. The flat sole offers little cushioning, but that's part of their beauty—they almost mould to your feet. This gives them another draw I constantly look for when on the hunt for trainers: they make your feet look dainty. Now, anyone with large feet will understand this struggle. Most trainers, from chunky to flat-soled pairs, tend to exaggerate my shoe size, but these? They do the opposite; their slimline, sculptural build gives the illusion of petite feet without sacrificing their trending edge.

Whether you go for the classic tan suede colourway to the best-selling Bordeaux leather-and-fabric style—both key autumn 2025 colour trends—you'll have the perfect subtle pop of colour to balance your casual autumn outfits with a laid-back edge, rather than have your trainers make the whole look feel dishevelled and unpolished.

To put them to the test, I tried the suede pair with a fail-safe autumn capsule-wardrobe combination: light denim jeans, a thick, chunky knit and a khaki trench coat, and they looked every bit as polished as I was hoping they would. I styled the Bordeaux variation with the best-selling Dries funnel-neck jacket over the same jeans and knit. With its balloon sleeves, high collar and cotton-wool blend, it's both relaxed and structured, with a great weight that makes it perfect for layering. Chic, wearable and fashion-forward, these are definitely a pair I’d say are worth your time and money.

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2. COS Minimal Leather Trainers

My Review: Now that we’re on the same page that slimline trainers are back, it would be remiss of me not to mention COS's minimal leather trainers. Spotted on influencer Lucy Williams at the brand's spring/summer 2025 show in Athens, there was a distinct buzz in the Who What Wear UK office when these designer-looking trainers hit shelves. Now, I know what you’re thinking: high-street trainers? But hear me out. Known for their high-quality craftspersonship and ahead-of-the-trend designs, COS does trainers better than its competitors, in my humble opinion. Made from a 100% suede shell and soft leather lining, these honestly aren't too dissimilar in style from the aforementioned Dries Van Noten style. Instead of a round toe, though, they have a slightly square shape, along with a thicker, ridged rubber sole and leather-accent trims. To me, they're like a hybrid between the Nike Cortez vintage running design and the motorsport silhouette of the new Adidas Taekwondo, resulting in a minimalistic trainer that's truly wearable.

Again, I tried true to size and was pleasantly surprised. They felt snug with thick socks but not too tight (and remember, leather trainers naturally soften and give). Each colourway is contemporary without being overtly trendy or trying too hard. The pony-hair pair in particular looks so luxe IRL, and is an easy way to dip into one of autumn's biggest shoe trends. However, the suede style left me slightly disappointed. A pair taken from the shop floor, I couldn't help but notice the discolouration in the black suede. Likely a result of repeated try-ons, there were paler spots where the shoes had seemingly rubbed against each other or another item of clothing, causing the dye to fade somewhat. This is the beauty of try-ons, though; I can truly test out an item for you before you buy, and had I purchased sight unseen, I wouldn't have been best pleased about this.

To give the trainers a proper road-test, I styled them with some of COS's key pieces for autumn: the Sculpted Merino Wool Jacket and the gloriously soft Brushed Cashmere Cardigan, both of which surpassed my expectations. The jacket is lightweight and fluid, a perfect transitional piece crafted from 100% wool, whilst the cardigan, which I've tried on before, was every bit as soft as I remembered. All in all, these trainers are perfect for those looking for a pared-back, easy-to-style shoe with a high-end feel that won't break the bank.

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3. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

My Review: When I saw our senior shopping editor, Marina Avraam, rocking a pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 trainers a few weeks ago, I was reminded just how great they are. Thin-soled and available in bright colours, the Mexico 66 features crossover stripes with an aesthetic reminiscent of Adidas Samba and Gazelle, just not as mainstream. Finding fans from fashion people to supermodels (Bella Hadid, here's looking at you), the popular neon yellow colourway was originally worn by Uma Thurman with her iconic yellow-and-black two-piece from Kill Bill Volume 1, which was released in 2003.

Since then, these trainers have filtered into mainstream, in an ever-expanding array of colourways that now includes a particularly bold silver style. This everywhere-but-somehow-also-under-the-radar trainer is constantly being worn by the coolest of fashion people, but I had yet to try it myself, so this was the perfect opportunity to put it to the test. I took my normal size in both pairs I tried (yellow and silver), and was genuinely surprised when they were a good fit. The silhouette looks deceptively narrow, so I tried them with my thickest socks, yet they were comfortable through and through.

Made from 100% cow leather, they’re smooth to the touch and glide onto the feet with ease. There's a definite throw-on-and-go energy to them, and each colour variant brings something a little different. Whether you're looking for a bold, contrasting shade or subtle minimalism, you’ll find a pair to match your vibe. Personally, for their wearability, wide range of colourways and cool-girl edge, I think these are some of the trendiest trainers to own, which is exactly why they made my list.

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4. Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers

My Review: Now, I need to preface this by saying that I am not a fan of the Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers, and thus won't be subscribing to the "sneakerina" trend. From Iris Law to Dua Lipa, fashion's It girls have been gravitating towards this ballet flat-trainer hybrid for a romantically cool edge for some time now. With a low-profile design complete with several straps that bind the shoe to the foot, these ballet trainers offer all the comfort of a trainer (thanks to the rubber sole) whilst retaining a delicate aesthetic only ballet flats can achieve.

Because of my initial scepticism, I put these trainers to the test—hard. And as I sit here typing this, I have to eat my words. Surprisingly, they delivered, and my mind might be changed. The rubber sole makes them super-comfortable, especially if you’re someone who racks up 10,000 steps a day like me. The straps hold your feet in place, and the cut is just high enough that there's no toe cleavage on show (which is my preference). I stayed true to size, and the fit was spot on.

Adding a playful finish to the everyday blue jeans I was wearing when I tried them on, they added an IYKYK feel to my casual 'fit. Upon leaving the store, I suddenly found myself surrounded by a multitude of fashion people who had added delicate ballet satins and a plethora of charms to make them more individual. All in all, I have to admit that these trainers have all the makings of a trending style worth investing in if you're after something different, especially for those on-the-go looks that trainers do best.

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5. Salomon XT 6 GTX

My Review: It's not just retro flat soles making a strong comeback in the trainers sphere; chunky white sneakers are still very cool. But having moved on from the era of maximalist Balenciaga "dad" trainers, the coolest fashion people are now gravitating towards the Salomon XT 6 GTX. Depending on your taste, you might be thinking, "Surely not?", but thanks in part to Rihanna's co-sign, these ultra-functional trainers have gained serious traction—pun intended.

I've spotted these sneakers everywhere, from workout classes to being styled with jeans, and our very own Who What Wear UK social media editor, Megan Storey, wears them religiously, so naturally, I needed to see what the hype was about. Passing the thick-sock test with flying colours, Salomon has expertly laced performance-level functionality into a trainer that feels like walking on clouds. The mesh construction, cushioned heel and grippy soles make them ultra-supportive and surprisingly lightweight, whilst the adjustable ePE membrane closure allows you to adjust the fit with ease for ultimate comfort.

Created with practicality in mind, the XT 6 GTX's unexpected cool edge makes them hands-down the most functional pair on this list. Whether you’re commuting, walking long distances, exercising or dancing the night away, you can literally take your Salomon XT 6 GTX trainers here, there and everywhere.

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Why Trust Us:

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and everything we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.