The biggest sneaker & shoe trends of spring 2026

It is officially time to pack away the heavy winter boots and let your ankles breathe. As the weather warms up, footwear becomes the defining element of our outfits, easily transitioning a simple linen set from a casual day look to a sleek evening ensemble.

But buying brand-new shoes every season is a quick way to drain your budget. The second-hand market is flooded with pristine, gently-worn, and even brand-new-in-box footwear. Here are the biggest sneaker and shoe trends dominating spring and summer 2026, and exactly how to thrift them on Sellpy.

1. The retro runner revival

The obsession with chunky, athletic dad shoes is evolving into something slightly sleeker for 2026. The "retro runner" aesthetic—featuring metallic panels, mesh uppers, and ultra-comfortable soles—is the sneaker of the season.

• Brands to search for: Filter the Sneaker category for ASICS (especially the Gel-Kayano line), vintage Nike runners, and the ever-popular New Balance 1906R or 530s.

2. The ballet flat evolution

The ballet flat made a massive comeback last year, and for spring/summer 2026, it is getting a textured update.

• What to search for: Move away from basic leather and search for mesh ballet flats, woven leather styles, or classic Mary Janes with a delicate strap. Brands like Vagabond, Arket, and Flattered offer incredible, high-quality flats that frequently pop up on Sellpy.

3. The pop-of-color sneaker

While crisp white sneakers will always be a staple, the trendiest feet this summer are stepping out in bold, saturated colors. A bright sneaker acts as the perfect focal point for a minimalist, neutral outfit.

• Brands to search for: The adidas Samba and adidas Gazelle are still reigning supreme. Filter for bold colors like cherry red, butter yellow, or Kelly green to instantly elevate your summer denim.

4. The "ugly-chic" walking sandal

You are going to be walking a lot this summer, which means blisters are your worst enemy. The chunky, ergonomic walking sandal is still the ultimate cool-girl summer staple.

• Brands to search for: Filter the sandals category for Birkenstock (especially the Boston clog for spring and the Arizona for summer), Teva, or chunky leather strap sandals from COS. The best part about buying them second-hand? They are already comfortably broken in!

5. Sleek minimalist loafers

For those days when a sneaker feels too casual but a heel is too much, the soft leather loafer is the perfect middle ground.

• What to search for: Look for soft, unlined suede loafers or classic black penny loafers. Use Sellpy's Material filter to ensure you are getting 100% genuine leather or suede from premium brands like Massimo Dutti, or Filippa K.

Ready to step into the new season? Below, we have linked a selection of our curated Sellpy Edits to help you shop the latest footwear trends:

Are your shoe racks cluttered with sneakers or sandals you’re no longer gravitating towards? Selling your premium footwear with Sellpy is very easy. You order a bag (use code blogbags for 2 free bags) and fill it with items that need a new home. Fill it, close it, ship it, and we do the rest. Order your bags here.