Play a game the next time you’re out and about this summer—spot the stylish sneakers of the folks around you. There’s a good chance sneakerheads, stylish fellas, and even everyday Joes are embracing the return of the retro sneaker.
Vintage-style trainers, the kind that look like old soccer or training sneakers are just about everywhere these days. That includes the Adidas Samba, arguably the most recognizable of the bunch—if there was a “sneaker of the summer” in the year of our Lord 2025, it’s probably the Samba in its many forms. Perhaps the best example of the style is Maison Margiela’s German Army Trainer, or GAT. Modeled after late 1970s West German Army kicks, its sporty roots and clean lines caught on quickly in the fashion world.
In the high heat of summer, a modern take on a decades-old style pairs perfectly neatly cuffed jeans—and that’s a great thing for your sneaker collection. Start with our favorite vintage-style trainers below.
Photo via Align Shoes
Align Shoes Verano Lace-Up Sneakers
Characterized by a mix of sweeping diagonal and V-shaped lines across the toe and sides, these are a fine alternative to plain white leather or canvas sneakers. The contrasting panels and gum rubber sole stay true to form, and here’s the thing with Align Shoes: They’re outrageously, ridiculously comfortable (it’s a key technology focus for the brand).
Photo via Beckett Simonon
Beckett Simonon Morgen Trainers
Beckett Simonon offers up custom-style trainers and stylish dress shoes at prices well below the market rate—it doesn’t hurt that these faithfully retooled Army Trainers use water-repellent suede and handsome full-grain leather. Having worn these sneakers in years past, the gum rubber outsole also delivers spring in your step and comfort.
Photo via Huckberry
Novesta German Athletic Trainer Sneakers
Novesta dove back into its archives for the starting point in these faithfully recreated German Army Trainers. In this instance, the Slovenian brand retooled the silhouette with the same outsole found on its 1980s-era trail shoes. The results are an expert blend of throwback style with supremely modern comfort.
Photo via Adidas
Adidas Samba OG
Here they are: The one and only Adidas Samba, as heralded on the pitch as they are in NYC’s trendy Dimes Square neighborhood. The style has sporting roots and comes in a wide array of color combinations—turns out, there’s quite a lot you can do with Adidas’ signature three-stripe design.
Photo via SuitSupply
SuitSupply White Sneakers in Italian Calf Leather
Even SuitSupply, purveyors of fine tailoring, is getting in on the retro sneaker trend—in the most elegant way possible. Hits of contrasting grey suede rest atop a crisp white sole in a deviation from the norm as far as vintage-style trainers are concerned. To us, this is one pair of sneakers that are practically begging to be worn to an outdoor cafe, Aperol Spritz in hand.
Photo via Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder Tuscan Leather Trainers
There are many ways to go about refreshing your sneaker rotation with vintage-style trainers, and they needn’t all be modeled after the GAT style. Todd Snyder elevates the classic retro runner in refined Italian leather. These are fresh kicks you could even pull off with a lightweight khaki summer suit.
