• Men's Fashion Guides

This Month’s Best New Trainer Releases: Part 2

Puma x KITH / Colette

Ever wanted a pair of trainers so much you were willing to jump on the Eurostar to get hold of them? Ronnie Fieg, the first name on any brand’s collab list, has put his stamp on Puma’s iconic Disc Blaze model. And to make an exclusive shoe even tougher to cop, you’ll need to visit Paris’ Colette, or Kith’s NYC flagship, to purchase. But that blue and grey upper is worth the trip, looking a bit like Fieg dipped the toes in leftover paint from Colette’s storeroom. Although perhaps not, since that’s no way to treat premium pigskin leather. If ombre effects are not your thing, then reach instead for Fieg’s take on the Blaze Of Glory, which augments that all-cerulean, nubuck upper with a logoed forefoot strap. Now, where’s your passport? Available at Colette, priced £120.

Asics Gel Lyte Blush Pack

Considering how blokeish sneakerheads get, it might come as a surprise that pink trainers have blossomed recently. Brands from Nike to Converse have dropped rose-tinted kicks, and now Asics has hopped on board, albeit subtly. The Blush Pack features the GEL-LYTE III and GT-COOL EXPRESS in one of the Asics’ most premium executions to date. Both silhouettes take a less-is-more approach, tinting an off-white upper with a light layer of blush. Toss in premium suede and you’ve got a pair of not-quite-white kicks that offer the easiest step into colour this season. Available at END Clothing, priced £105.

Nike’s latest dip into the archive saw it reissue the Mayfly, a vintage marathon shoe the brand dolled up in new colours and materials, including a woven suede take. Now comes the premium version, in crisp, all-white mesh. That perforated upper keeps things breathable while the Phylon sole unit will mother your soles, whether you’re knocking out 26 miles or just strolling down the shops. The sneakers are finished with leather insert details and subtle white-on-white swoosh branding that will look great teamed with tapered joggers. Jump on the Mayfly now, before they’re everywhere. Available at Nike, priced £85.

New Balance 999

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the New Balance 999. To celebrate, the brand is releasing two premium versions of what has become one of its most underrated shoes. The pack includes two colourways, off-white and gunmetal grey, with perforations on the heel and forefoot which reference the mesh panels that would feature on a traditional 999. But because this is a one-off, you get premium leather with a moulded upper – a contemporary touch that keeps a three-decade-old design facing forwards. Available soon from Sneakerstuff, priced £90.

adidas Originals Rod Laver Super Pack

Getting sick of the Stan Smith yet? Then reach for another tennis ace. The Three Stripes originally honoured Aussie Rod Laver with his own shoe back in 1970, to mark a multi-Grand Slam-winning career. The silhouette’s since had the odd re-run, but for 2016 adidas Originals is getting all, well, original. The Rod Laver Super is almost an exact reproduction of the debut model. The only real difference is a PU outsole, which comes in a checkerboard or woven texture. Produced in the original white and navy colourway, with a Rod Laver debossed logo on the heel tab, the shoe is indistinguishable from its 1970 forefather. On the court, Rod outstrips Stan by 11 Grand Slams to two. It remains to be seen whether he can outsell him on the street. Available at END Clothing, priced £85.

Warren Beckett