Best Footwear Trends at Paris Fashion Week SS26

Summary

• Footwear trends spotted during Paris Fashion Week SS26 saw high-end brands like Louis Vuitton introduced plush, understated sneakers like the LV Buttersoft
• Partnerships dominated, with notable releases including Joe Freshgoods x New Balance ABZORB 2000, Doublet x ASICS GEL-Kayano 20, Miu Miu x New Balance
• The season showcased a return to more aggressive, visually impactful designs like the PUMA Mostro and the anticipated Nike Air Max 1000

As the Spring/Summer 2026 collections wrapped up in Paris, the runway and the streets alike served as a powerful showcase for the footwear trends poised to dominate the coming year. This season underscored a fascinating convergence of luxury, performance heritage, and avant-garde design, with collaborations taking center stage and established silhouettes getting radical makeovers.

Leading the charge in refined comfort, Louis Vuitton introduced the LV Buttersoft sneaker as part of Pharrell Williams’ SS26 menswear collection. A pair of Jonathan Anderson’s newly designed footwear for Dior also surfaced on the streets of Paris, signalling a move by the house towards skate-inspired chunky shoes. Collaborations on the other hand, remained a driving force, pushing familiar models into exciting new territories.

A pair of Joe Freshgoods x New Balance ABZORB 2000 in an all-new pink colorway was seen on the streets of Paris next to last year’s Doublet x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20. Miu Miu New Balances were also spotted. This ongoing partnership continued to solidify the unexpected synergy between Miu Miu’s ultra-feminine, subtly rebellious aesthetic and New Balance’s classic athletic shapes. Other bold footwear in clue the Nike Shox and Martine Rose and other classic ASICS models. The PUMA Mostro highlights a resurgence of early 2000s avant-garde athletic footwear while the Nike Air Max 1000 points to Nike’s commitment to excavating its deep Air Max archive, bringing back technically intricate and visually impactful models that offer maximal cushioning and a bold silhouette for a new generation.