The holiday season is the perfect excuse to upgrade the wardrobe. Whether you are shopping for a sneaker enthusiast, someone who lives in streetwear, a runner who spends every single moment outdoors or secretely for your self, the best gifts require care and need to balance personal style. For this holiday season that means everything from festive Vans classics and Reebok’s statement-making sneakers to technical footwear from HOKA and Merrell 1TRL, alongside adidas Originals’ new take on everyday sportswear.
This selection focuses on five brands bringing different perspectives to the season. Vans embraces the chaos of Christmas through skate culture and playful footwear, Reebok gives familiar silhouettes a fresh finish with animal prints and metallic materials, HOKA caters to every kind of runner, and Merrell 1TRL takes early-2000s design into the modern outdoor-inspired wardrobe. Meanwhile, adidas Originals introduces adiSignature, a new collection developed with Willy Chavarria that gives sweats a more considered shape and feel.
adidas Originals x Willy Chavarria Redefine Everyday Sweats
Not every great gift needs to be a statement making piece. Sometimes, the most useful addition to a wardrobe is a hoodie, a pair of sweatpants or a tracksuit that feels better than the one already in rotation. adidas Originals approaches that idea with adiSignature, its first collection of reimagined sweats, developed with designer Willy Chavarria as creative asvisor.
Launching on 23 October, the collection takes familiar adidas Originals staples and rebuilds them around premium fabrics, updated proportions and recognisable Three Stripes branding. Hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts, track pants and mock-neck quarter-zips form the foundation, while the Firebird and SST tracksuits bring two of the brand’s most recognisable designs into a new range.
The collection places particular emphasis on construction. Heavyweight 420gsm brushed-back fleece gives the sweats a substantial feel, while dropped shoulders, roomier sweatpants, one-piece hood constructions and considered ribbing update the familiar silhouettes. adidas and Chavarria have reworked details all throughout the garments, from waistband heights and zip pulls to the placement of the Three Stripes.
The visual directions draws on bold, 1980s-inspired colour blocking, with Trefoil branding and Three Stripes treatments appearing across the hoodies, full-zips, crewnecks, T-shirts, tanks and sweatpants. Vibrant colours sit alongside monochrome options, giving the collection room for both expressive fits and understated looks. A premium New York-inspired block pack also revisits an archival jogging suit from the 1980s.
Chavarria describes adiSignature as a framework developed with adidas that will evolve over time. That longer-term approach makes the collection relevant as a gift, these are pieces designed to be worn repeatedly and styled with other items in a wardrobe. The accompanying campaign, directed and photographed by Brianna Capozzi with styling by Georgia Pendlebury, follows a diverse cast through candid moments centred on identity, relationships and the joy of colour.
The adiSignature collection launches on 23 October 2026 through adidas’ online store, adidas retail stores and selected retail partners.
Vans Brings Christmas Chaos to the Classics
Vans is approaching Christmas 2026 with the same irreverent attitude that made the brand a fixture across skateboarding, music and streetwear. Under the creative direction of Thom Bettridge, its holiday campaign returns with a fresh take on festive chaos, bringing together a family of creatives through a collage of moments, personalities and episodes.
Returning faces include fashion icon Lisa Love and skateboarding legend Geoff Rowley, alongside rising artists Samara Cyn and Nettspend. The Vans Family also welcomes musician Devon Again, professional skateboarder Junior Gutierrez, professional snowboarder Mia Brookes and chef Laurent Dagenais. Their different backgrounds reflect the broad cultural worlds surrounding Vans, where skateboarding sits alongside music, fashion, snowboarding and food.
The accompanying footwear collection carries that mix of personality and practicality into winter. Weatherised versions of the Half Cab and Sk8-Hi feature added insulation and grippy outsoles designed for wet conditions. Both silhouettes keep their skate-inspired identity while gaining features that make them better suited for the colder seasons.
Elsewhere, Vans brings a festive edge to the Old Skool, Knu Skool, Mule Platform, Old Skool V and Authentic. High-pile fleece, winter plaids and party-ready textures add seasonal character to the collection without abandoning everything Vans stands for.
Reebok Adds Animal Prints and Metallics for the Season
For someone who wants a sneaker with a little more personality, Reebok’s selection offers a mix of archive-inspired shapes, animal prints and metallic finishes. Familiar silhouettes provide the foundation, but the materials and colourways make the range feel more expressive than a straightforward retro-sportswear collection.
The Classic AZ Women’s Sneaker in Cheetah brings a patterned finish to a low-profile design, while the Classic AZ in Cow offers a contrasting alternative. Both are good choices for someone who likes animal prints but still wants a familiar sneaker shape that works with denim, relaxed trousers and everyday streetwear. The Freestyle Hi Women’s Sneaker in Cow takes that approach into a higher-cut silhouette, drawing on Reebok’s fitness heritage while giving the shoe a bold visual identity.
For a cleaner option, the Exofit Hi Men’s Sneaker in White keeps things classic. Its simple colourway makes it easy to wear throughout the year, especially for someone whose wardrobe leans towards neutral colours. The Workout Plus Ripple in Midnight Tide provides a darker alternative with a more substantial profile, while the Workout Plus Women’s Sneaker in Silver Metallic introduces a reflective finish for anyone who prefers their footwear to stand out.
The most fashion-led option may be the Ultra Lo Mary Jane, which brings a Mary Jane-inspired shape into Reebok’s sportswear universe. Available in Rose Gold, Black and Silver, the silhouette offers a different take on the low-profile sneaker. Rose Gold adds warmth and a playful finish, Silver gives a different statement, and Black offers the most versatile option for everyday wear.
HOKA Got a Gift for Every Kind of Mover
HOKA’s AW26 gift guide is built around the idea that movement looks different for everyone. From first-time runners and neighbourhood walkers to experienced athletes and ultra-marathoners, the selection covers different routines and environments, making it a practical option for anyone who would rather receive something they can use than another decorative gift.
The Bondi 7 is worth considering for someone who values a cushioned ride for everyday movement. Its substantial profile reflects HOKA’s comfort-focused approach, making it an option for regular walkers and runners alike. The Clifton 11 GORE-TEX brings weather protection into the mix, offering a versatile option for people who continue to run when winter rain arrives.
For someone who prefers a stability-focused running shoe, the Arahi 9 is another option in the seasonal selection. As with any performance footwear, it is worth checking the recipient’s current model and fit before buying, particularly if they have specific preferences around support and comfort.
Trail runners have the Speedgoat 7 GORE-TEX to look forward to. Designed for off-road use, it is the more obvious choice for someone who spends weekends on muddy paths and uneven terrain. The weather-protective Clifton 11 GORE-TEX, meanwhile, suits road runners who want to keep their routine going through wet conditions.
The HOKA AW26 gift selection becomes available from 5 November 2026, in store and online at hoka.com. If you are shopping for a serious runner, check their current footwear and sizing before making a decision. A shoe that suits their routine is far more useful than a surprise model that never makes it into regular use.
Merrell 1TRL Offers Early-2000s Footwear for City and Trail
Merrell 1TRL offers something different for the person whose sneaker rotation already includes the usual retro runners and skate silhouettes. The sub-label takes Merrell’s outdoor heritage and brings it into a more design-focused space, combining functional footwear with shapes that work across urban environments and outdoor settings.
The Relay Web draws on the early-2000s feel of Merrell’s Sprint family, blending track and football influences with contemporary trail sensibilities. Its streamlined silhouette feels more pared back than a traditional hiking shoe, making it an appealing choice for someone who wants practical footwear without an overly technical appearance.
The Beluga colourway uses muted grey tones and layered construction, giving the shoe a restrained look that works with technical trousers, denim, relaxed tailoring and outdoor-inspired layers. The style is also available in Diorite, Black and Burlap/Rattan, offering alternatives for different wardrobes. Its full-grain leather upper, breathable recycled mesh lining, removable EVA foam footbed and rubber outsole provide a functional foundation for everyday use.
The Relay Web is particularly suited to someone who likes the crossover between outdoor equipment and contemporary streetwear. It has enough design detail to stand apart from a conventional everyday sneaker, but its colourways keep it easy to style.
The Holiday Gifting Edition For Sneakerheads
