The Classic Dad Sneaker All the Cool Girls Will Be Wearing in 2026 (Trust Me)
It’s already Hailey and Kendall approved
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Dutch/PrimePix/SPOT/Backgrid/Asics
A Saturday morning in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood is like New York Fashion Week for athleisure. Gaggles of on-the-pulse wellness girls could be found power-walking from their hot Pilates studios, Barry’s Bootcamp classes and fancy gyms to the closest brunch spot for a cortado and avocado toast. It’s a great place to get your sweat in, but it’s an even better place to check out the latest workoutwear trends. Given that we’re still in the midst of winter, though, most outfits are fully covered up by Canada Goose jackets and Aritzia Super Puffs—but the sneakers? The sneakers never lie, Chico.
While Adidas, On and Hoka have certainly hit their stride, I’ve been seeing one classic dad brand pick up the pace lately: none other than Asics, in all its chunky, retro glory.
Asics have long been beloved by runners and fitness enthusiasts for their sturdy support and practical performance. PureWow Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay even wore them for her very first marathon. But they’ve been steadily making their way to the top of the fashion shoe pile for their sporty aesthetic and frequent collaborations with “IYKYK” designers, which have added street cred to their ‘90s dad style.
Kendall Jenner (Dutch/Backgrid)
The It-Girl likes of Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber are frequently photographed in their Asics kicks, and, earlier in January, Kendall Jenner hit the gym in her Asics GT-2160s, going so far as to give them a prime spot on her Instagram feed. Even the Cool Mom watcher herself, Cassidy Crockett (aka @coolmonologue) declared Asics the sleeper hit of 2026.
Asics’ sleeker, lower-profile sister brand Onitsuka Tiger had a big moment last summer. Those signature stripes aren’t going anywhere, but I predict we’ll be seeing them more and more on their clunkier, mesh-uppered iterations—not just with leggings (and Gen Z-approved high socks), but also styled with straight-leg jeans and dresses come spring. Turns out dad was decades ahead of the curve.
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Shop Cool Girl-Approved Asics Sneakers
Although they’re a revival of the brand’s running shoe series of the 2010s, Jenner’s go-to style feels futuristic in a very Y2K way thanks to its shiny metallic accents and thick midsole.
Bieber, meanwhile, wears this model on repeat. In addition to the structured shape and silver details, the Gel-Kayano stands out for its mixed-material sole and GEL technology cushioning, which is designed to provide excellent shock absorption.
Wanna add a bit of color to your look? I’m loving the combination of earthy sage green with these sneaks’ exaggerated mesh overlay and sporty segmented sole.
Shades of brown are set to stay as trendy as ever in 2026, and these GEL-cushioned trainers feature the perfect touch of it in its signature stripes and contrast midsoles.
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