Summer footwear defining the season

After what feels like a long wait, summer is starting to reappear, bringing with it blue skies, warm days and the promise of something good in the air. Whether you’re planning a trip to crystal sea shores, heading out to explore a new metropolis, or staying home, part of the planning is all in the footwear. 

Before we fully dive into the upcoming season, we’ve rounded up some size? essentials to help you navigate the summer feet first.

Sneakerina

Over the past year, the likes of balletcore, Mary Janes and sneakerinas have been bubbling up to a full bloom this summer. The perfect silhouettes to pair with absolutely anything and add a feminine edge to your outfit. We’ve seen brands take low-profile designs and swap out the classic lacing system for elasticated straps and buckle closures, adding new dimensions to classic silhouettes. Expect to see Nike Air Rifts, adidas Tokyo Mary Jane and Salomon RX MARIE-JEANNE everywhere this season. 

Sandals

When you think of summer styling, your mind will likely go straight to sandals. It’s inevitable, but not a bad thing. Sandals are synonymous with summer for a reason, and there’s a sandal for every occasion. The likes of Teva and Crocs offer the bridge between land and sea when you need something water-friendly for those rocky ocean floors, whereas a Birkenstock Boston is the ultimate casual slip-on to pair with shorts on hot, hazy city days. Alternatively, it’s up to Keen’s cord-adorned UNEEK to take you on adventures a little further afield.

Low-profile trainers

A staple in many wardrobes, the low-profile silhouettes that we expect to see all summer long offer something a bit different from their hardwearing, sturdy counterparts that survive autumn rain and wintry frosts. No, summer gives us the space to wear light suede and silky textiles on our feet, and slimline trainers make for the perfect vessel. New Balance’s 204L in ‘Timberwolf’ or ‘Mushroom’ and Nike’s Moon Racer are the perfect pairs for the job.

Breezy mesh

Comfort is key in the heat, and that’s when techy retro runners come into play. The ideal partner for a city break should have tooling that moves with you, just like ASICS’ ex-marathon runner, the GEL-KAYANO 12.1. Plush cushioning minimises fatigue and lets you easily traverse the cobbled backstreets of Europe, while open mesh keeps the heat out by letting your feet breathe. 

Lightweight and functional

Sometimes functionality comes first; summer does usher in festival season after all. You can never go wrong with a Salomon XT-6, its protective upper and grippy sole unit lend themselves perfectly to muddy fields and dusty trail paths. For something a little different, why not look to New Balance’s brand new 1890? Its lightweight and tech-forward build blends mesh with TPU overlays to offer a little more protection in those unexpected summer showers.

For more summer inspiration, head over to size?