Sole focus

If ever there were a global moment for the trainer, the summer of 2020 is it. As young and old hit pavements and roads while traffic eases and cities become giant exercise grounds, many of us have learned to live, work and play in the comfort of sneakers. Even during lockdown, we wanted to look good on our once-a-day excursions, so sartorial concern helped define our running- shoe selection. Sporty brands with good design in mind felt this too: the athleisure market remained robust while much of the fashion industry felt the pinch of the pandemic.

We predict that the trainer will remain a key wardrobe staple in the months and years ahead. With office dress codes more relaxed, our yearning for the outdoors more pronounced and sports and fashion brands stepping up, the trainer is entering boom time. Here are our picks.