We were recently lucky enough to fly out to Paris Fashion Week – but don’t worry, we haven’t let the fame change us. We spent far more time shivering outside bistros than prancing on catwalks, and the only actual runway we encountered was the one at Manchester Airport.
When we weren’t sipping pints of blanche beer, we were drinking burnt espresso – and when we weren’t doing that, we were invariably looking at some of the finest gear set to release throughout 2026. Coats, jackets, knits, and of course, shoes.
Take it from us – it’s shaping up to be a very good year for footwear. As a little sneak peek of what’s coming, here are six of our favourite upcoming releases we spotted on our trip.
And finally… don’t be a grass. We’re not even sure you lot are supposed to be seeing this.
Paris was awash with collaborative New Balances, but KHAKIS’ take on the 2010 stood head and shoulders above the lot. Nostalgic hits of navy and red, softened with sandy hues, result in a colourway that’s highly wearable and tasteful – more proof that KHAKIS are masters of understated elegance.
The Merrell SpeedARC is one of the maddest silhouettes in the brand’s roster, but Snow Peak have effortlessly refined it through a beautiful greyscale colourway. Minimal branding present, for maximum if you know, you know steeze.
Technically, these aren’t a new release – but the speed at which the Jasper Nylon Waterproof sells out every time makes it feel that way. This upcoming olive colourway, offset by a white grid stop pattern, looks phenomenal. Best of luck to anyone trying to grab a pair when they go live.
Just look at how beautiful these are – the only issue is we don’t know exactly what they are? Or when they’re releasing? They look to be a low-cut spin on Danner’s iconic Mountain Light, and among all the low hikers we saw in Paris, these were an obvious standout.
About a week before heading to Paris, we received an invitation to visit Samsara’s showroom – and we’re very glad we did. The Spanish brand has been quietly carving out a reputation for producing some of the most beautiful, sustainable outdoor footwear around. This prototype features a waterproof zip overlay, which the founder assured us would be perfectly suited to Manchester’s climate.
Yes, it’s blatant favouritism including two upcoming KHAKIS collaborations – and no, we don’t care. This version of Merrell’s Moab 3 is simply too good to ignore. A desert-inspired colourway done with subtle navy hits throughout, and a beautifully textured toe guard. Almost certainly the best Moab we’ll see in 2026.
