10 best colourful trainers that will brighten up your 2024 wardrobe

Nearly 20 years on from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, Uma Thurman’s signature Onitsuka Mexico 66 tiger trainers have made a comeback among the style set, with everyone from Hailey Bieber to Bella Hadid plumping for a pair.

The cult shoes are characterised by a distinctive thin sole, bold yellow finish and contrasting black striped logo (they come in seven other finishes, too). The slimline silhouette has a sporty feel with the tiger logo tabs designed to stick upwards for a statement look.

Though the wafer-thin sole does take some getting used to, the trainers are surprisingly supportive, with impressive grip and were comfortable off the bat, thanks to the soft and smooth cow leather.

Despite the bold finish, these trainers go with more outfits than you might think – whether poking out of wide-leg jeans, styled with a neutral-toned mini dress or worn with an equally colourful maxi dress, the yellow tone complements most hues.

Cheap and cheerful, thanks to their vibrant hue, M&S’s trainers are great for those wanting to dip their toe into the trend without breaking the bank. The trainers are inspired by vintage running shoes and are characterised by a blue base that’s elevated by contrasting blue and white panelling. The white chunky sole provides ample support, while the sole has been designed with extra cushioning in mind.

The antibacterial padding is also a nice touch, as the trainers don’t feel too breathable. While the kicks were light as a feather, thanks to the vegan, faux-leather design, there’s not much give in the material and they rubbed initially. However, it’s worth preserving, as M&S’s creps offer stellar value for money.

Boasting a similarly slimline silhouette to the brand’s cult sambas, Adidas’s gazelles have fast become a street style staple. Finished in an off-red, burnt-orange hue, the statement shoe has a suede-effect leather outer, rubber gum sole and the classic contrasting white Adidas stripes.

The colour is more versatile than you might think – we’ve styled our well-worn pair with everything from striped jeans and white maxi skirts to grey pinstripe trousers.

Though the trainers rubbed a little at first (make sure to go up half a size for a roomier fit), we quickly wore them in. Cushioned, bouncy and breathable, they’re a shoe for year-round wear. Owing to the textured outer, beware of wearing them on a rainy day.

Sports brand Adidas and English designer Wales Bonner have been collaborating for more than three years, with each drop proving more popular than the last (and harder to get your hands on).

Hailing from one of last year’s collections, the SL72s are a reimagining of heritage football boots, influenced by Jamaican sport style. Finished in a rich green hue with contrasting gold stripes and panelling, the streamlined silhouette is detailed by the knit upper and aged leather touches.

Very comfortable on first wear, the slightly elevated sole is super bouncy and supportive, while the leather outer is snug and cushioned around the foot. The styling options are endless, with the colour combination working well with most fabrics and hues. We love the trainers for putting a sporty spin on more formal outfits such as black mini dresses or a blazer and trouser co-ords.

A vibrant take on New Balance’s bestselling 327 style, these coveted trainers boast a sporty silhouette. Inspired by Seventies designs yet still contemporary, these are characterised by a chunky wedge sole, trail-style lug outsole and suede textured outer.

Though the trainers come up slightly small (make sure to go up one size), they were mostly comfortable but have a narrow width – we wouldn’t recommend them for wider feet. Plus, the shoes weren’t as grippy as we would have liked on a wet day.

One of Nike’s most legendary silhouettes, the cortez style debuted in the early Seventies. The original design remains the same, from the distinctive rounded toe and heel overlay with a blue stripe to the signature swoosh. A fresh take on the classic, this interpretation features a vintage-inspired suede outer that’s finished in a striking green.

Contrasting the bright hue, the laces, toe tabs and swoosh are all white. The rubber outsole has great grip and bounce, while the cushioned midsole feels like walking on a cloud. We’d suggest going up half a size for the perfect fit. Giving a dopamine hit to any outfit, we’ll be styling with white poplin skirts as the weather warms up.

Luxury Italian label Tod’s never fails to deliver on quality (at a price, of course), and its 1T trainers are a stellar premium option if you’re willing to splurge.

Crafted from smooth suede with a fabric upper and sleek leather inserts, the contrasting materials work to create a statement textured look. Finished in a tonal red with matching laces, there’s violet panelling down either side for a splash of trending dopamine.

A departure from this season’s more slimline silhouettes, Tod’s trainers boast a dramatically chunky sole with rubber pebble detailing. The cushioned insole ensures a snug and comfortable fit, with the trainers feeling surprisingly lightweight. If you’ve got cash to burn, these well-crafted trainers are hard to fault.

Embodying the “dad” trainer style, Axel Arigato’s marathon trainers are one of the cult brand’s bestsellers for good reason. The sneakers are packed with design details, from the embroidered logo tab and transparent mesh panelling to the vibrant flashes of blue and yellow against the grey and white palette.

What makes these trainers really stand out, however, is the contrasting finishes. On each shoe, one side is grey with blue embroidery and the other is yellow with contrasting orange embroidery and mesh. Though inspired by Nineties running-trainer silhouettes, the chunky sole ensures they feel thoroughly modern. Crafted from a leather and suede blend, the mesh lining helps with breathability while the removable footbeds are comfortable and nicely cushioned.

Puma’s 1980s trainer has made a serious comeback, thanks to Dua Lipa’s recent campaign with the sports brand.

The sporty silhouette is in keeping with the original design, complete with a signature tag at the upper, T-toe construction and the classic gum sole. This modern take features a suede base that comes in a range of vibrant hues, from cobalt bold blue (our favourite) to green, red and yellow.

The football-inspired shoes immediately elevate any outfit, whether styled with jeans, a linen maxi skirt or smart black trousers. Fitting true to size, the trainers are robust and well-crafted. Better yet, they required no wearing-in and our feet felt well supported straightaway during testing.

Combining style and sustainability, Veja’s A-lister-approved range of shoes is crafted from fully vegan or recycled materials to help you tread more lightly on the planet. The brand’s riobranco trainer comes in a vibrant yellow hue or forest green finish for injecting some dopamine into your look.

Made from a blend of recycled polyester, breathable suede and leather, organic cotton and Amazonian rubber, the lightweight kicks feel like clouds on your feet. Thanks to the mesh panelling, they are also breathable and airy, with the chunky sole having just the right amount of bounce and support. They come up slightly small, so we’d suggest sizing up.