It’s True—Asics GT-2160 Are a Fashion Person’s New Favourites

Every morning I start my day with a journey across the city. Living south of the river, but working north, my commute involves a not-insubstantial walk, as well as a stint on the Northern and Elizabeth lines. As such, by the time I’ve made it into the office, not only have I finished a podcast episode or two, but I’ve laid eyes on the outfits of hundreds of Londoners.

For a while, these commutes were peppered with the familiar flashes of white and black Adidas Sambas that seemed to dominate train carriages no matter which route I took. Recently, however, I’ve noticed a little more variety on my morning journey. Picking up on a few of the shoe trends that are capturing the hearts of Londoners in real time, this season it’s been hard to ignore the growing popularity of Asics GT-2160 trainers.

Suddenly contending with Samba’s success, these trending trainers are set on a thick, rubber sole that ensures a comfortable and durable finish, and makes them perfect for those with a hefty step-count ahead. Complete with a mesh finish and faux-leather detailing, the trainers have a sporty energy that sees them style well with straight-leg jeans, while also pairing well with leggings, shorts and tennis skirts for a sporty silhouette.

While Asics is a legacy trainer brand that has produced trending designs for decades, they seem to be having a particularly big moment right now. A social media favourite, their chunky, Y2K-inspired designs pull at the heartstrings of fashion’s nostalgic dressers. Last year, trainer multi-retailer StockX noted that Asics were the fastest-growing trainer brand across the platform, and having secured buzzy collaborations with big names, including Ceile Bahnsen and Kiko Kostadinov, it’s clear that the trainer brand’s growth won’t be slowing down any time soon.

While slim-sole trainers have dominated shelves for the past few seasons, for their chunky design, that extra bit of height and a bolder, more structured finish, thick-soled trainers will always appeal to me the most.