Back to School 2026: the best trainers for the new term

The short version

Five brands and eighteen models, from timeless classics to silhouettes turning up on every playground
The Air Force 1 remains the safest choice for a full school day
ASICS is the most comfortable option for long journeys, New Balance the most hard-wearing
Suede models need a protector spray or a second pair once autumn sets in
Scottish schools went back in August, so this is squarely a second-pair moment there

When to buy

A note before the picks, because it changes what you should be looking for.

In England and Wales most schools return in the first week of September, so the timing here is straightforward. In Scotland term began back in August, which means the first few weeks are already behind you and you now know exactly which pair is holding up and which one is not.

Either way, the useful question is rarely which trainer looks best on day one. It is which one still looks acceptable in November.

Most of the links in this article lead to our partner shops. Buying through them earns cashback on the order value.

Nike Air Force 1, the undisputed classic

Some trainers come and go. Then there is the Air Force 1. For over four decades the model has worked with any outfit, taken more punishment than most alternatives, and cleaned up with nothing more than a damp cloth. For everyday school wear it remains the safest choice there is.

Nike Air Force 1 Low All Black

Nike Air Force 1 Low Bouclé QS Desert Moss

Nike Air Force 1 Low

A practical note on the all-black version. It hides scuffs far better than the white colourway, which matters more than it sounds on a shoe that spends its life in corridors and on sports fields. The white pair looks sharper for the first month and worse for the eleven that follow.

Nike Air Max 95, comfort with a statement

The Air Max 95 divides opinion like few other trainers, and that is exactly what makes it interesting. Anyone who would rather not wear the same shoe as half their year group will find a silhouette with character here. It also brings the visible Air unit, which is still doing noticeable work after hours on your feet.

Nike Air Max 95 "Lawson"

Nike Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble "Slate"

Nike Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble "Jewel Swoosh"

The two Big Bubble pairs are worth understanding before you choose. They use the larger, rounder Air unit of the original 1995 build rather than the flatter modern one, which changes both the profile of the shoe and how it feels underfoot.

Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 4, the icons

There is not much to argue about with these two. The Air Jordan 1 and the Air Jordan 4 are among the most worn trainers ever made and have functioned independently of any trend for decades.

One practical point: the Jordan 1 in its High version gives more support around the ankle, while the Low is considerably easier to live with day to day. With a full timetable and a heavy bag, that is not a minor detail.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG "Love The Game"

Air Jordan 1 Low OG "Laser"

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG WMNS "Pro Green"

Air Jordan 4 Retro "Comic"

Air Jordan 4 Retro "Iced Carmine"

Air Jordan 4 Retro "Hemp & Light Orewood Brown"

Worth knowing about the "Love The Game": the same shoe under the same style code appears in parts of the sneaker press as the "Love Letter". It is the pair referencing Michael Jordan's 2003 farewell letter and the words that closed it.

ASICS, when comfort comes first

ASICS has spent the last few years making the jump from pure running shoe to a fixed part of sneaker culture, and for school wear that is good news. The cushioning comes from actual running development rather than from a lifestyle brief, which is what you feel by the sixth hour on your feet.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 "Graphite Grey"

ASICS SportStyle Gel-NYC "Ivory Forest"

ASICS Gel-NYC 2.0 "Smoke Grey"

Two things separate these. The Gel-Kayano 14 is the technical option, built on a genuine running platform and the more supportive of the two families. The Gel-NYC leans further towards everyday wear, and the 2.0 is the updated build rather than a new colourway of the original.

New Balance, the underrated choice

New Balance pairs everyday usability with a look that does not immediately read as trend-chasing. Where ASICS wins on cushioning, New Balance wins on build: heavier constructions, more structure through the midfoot and materials that hold their shape rather than softening after a term.

New Balance U990GR4 Made in USA

New Balance 1906

New Balance 204L

The 990 sits at the top of the range and is built accordingly, with a heavier construction and a noticeably more supportive midsole. If the daily commute is measured in miles rather than minutes, it is the one to look at first.

adidas, the widest choice at source

For adidas the official brand site is the place to start, because that is where the range of colours and sizes is broadest.

Four models are in particularly high demand at the moment:

adidas Forum Low, the basketball classic from the eighties
adidas Samba, one of the most worn trainers of the past several seasons
adidas Handball Spezial, the flatter alternative with a suede upper
adidas Campus 00s, a distinctive sole and easy to combine

What to look for when buying

Fit before looks. A shoe worn eight hours a day has to fit first and impress second. New Balance tends to run slightly narrow, while the Air Force 1 is cut more generously.

Plan for the weather. Suede models like the Handball Spezial look excellent but react badly to wet ground. For a British autumn, a protector spray or a second leather pair is not optional.

One pair is rarely enough. Wearing the same shoe every day shortens its life considerably. Two pairs in rotation last longer together than one does alone, because the material gets a chance to dry out between wears.

Take the cashback. Most of the shops linked here are partner shops, so buying through these links earns cashback on the order value. The click has to be the last one before the shop, and the cashback clears once the returns window closes.

Compare before you commit. On identical style codes, prices between shops can differ noticeably. Checking two or three is almost always worth the few minutes.

FAQ

Which model is the safest choice?

The Air Force 1. It works with anything, takes a beating and cleans up easily.

Which brand suits a long journey to school?

ASICS for cushioning, since the platforms come from actual running development. New Balance if durability matters more, and the 990 in particular.

High or Low on the Air Jordan 1?

The High supports the ankle more, the Low is easier to get on and off and more comfortable across a full day.

What is the difference with the Big Bubble Air Max 95?

It uses the larger, rounder Air unit from the original 1995 build rather than the flatter modern version.

When do schools go back in the UK?

Most schools in England and Wales return in the first week of September. Scottish schools went back in August.

Is there cashback on these models?

Yes. Most of the links in this article lead to partner shops, and buying through them earns cashback on the order value.

In short

If you want a safe choice, take the Air Force 1, and take it in black. If the journey to school is long, ASICS is the more sensible call, and New Balance if the pair needs to survive rough treatment. And if you would rather not wear what everyone else is wearing, the Air Max 95 is where to look.

Whichever you choose, buy two pairs rather than one if the budget allows. Rotating them costs more upfront and less across the year.

Back to School 2026: the best trainers for the new term