Trainer spotting: the best sneakers for snappy dressers

There are so many trainer tribes these days. First of all, the spread of the Samba continues. Those still reeling from Rishi Sunak’s dabble with the Adidas classic can seek their ’70s kicks elsewhere: whether it’s Asics’ sleek green Skyhand or the shiny Jewel from Wales Bonner. These shoes have resisted the chunkification of trainers over the last few years, and suit anyone preferring something thinner, flatter and more elegant. (Grace Wales Bonner has form, of course, thanks to her very popular sideline in limited-edition Sambas.)

Wales Bonner leather Jewel trainers, £550, shop.doverstreetmarket.com

Next, brands like Berluti and Zegna are offering trainers that preserve their house codes – understated, stealth-wealthy and slightly more formal – but also integrate the design of ’90s athletics. They’re a bit less Samba, in other words, and a bit more Nike Air Max. (HTSI fashion editor Benjamin Canares calls them “minimal tech”.) Zegna’s latest iteration of its massively successful Triple Stitch trainer seems to coat what could be a standard running shoe in brown suede. One for those who want to seem a bit more can-do at Davos.

Zegna suede Triple Stitch Monte sneakers, €1,265

Louis Vuitton suede and rubber LV Maxi sneakers, £1,310

Finally, there’s plenty for those who have long loved the running-shoe trend and are, well, running with it. Here, the New Balance dads are positively tripping out. Loewe’s latest collaboration with On, which has been a hit for several years, sees the bouncy Cloudtilt turn a celebratory yellow. Dior gets its kicks from a burgundy, mustard and baby blue finish. As for New Balance itself, its 991 is available in a thoroughly regal blue, probably because it knows it’s still king of the category.