OFFICIAL TREND FORECAST 2026

Flowerboy Trend Forecast 2026

Welcome to yet another rambling, this week is a focus on the running space and will shine light on some ideas and things I think will become “cool” or at least you just might see more of. I love brands and geeking out on product so if you want to be ahead of trend ( or way off ) read along.

Let’s start with the idea that “ running is cheap “ sure it can be, however its also easy to dive into a shoe for every occasion and easily spend more on your running kit then whatever you might wear out for sunday brunch. I feel like this upcoming year will be anti-this. It will be more simple, less cohesive less brand loyalist and more “UNC”.

UNC is a term I thought meant UNCLE ( referring to style ) however my personal urban dictionary Jill told me it’s short for UN - coordinated.  I still like Uncle - and it sort of works in the trend forecast I have brewing in my mind.

Here is a short list of what I think will come back, and into the running sphere next year and I’ll dive in a little deeper as we go. 

SUNNIES-

Currently the space is owned by Oakley Eye Jacket REDUX - 

It’s a modern take on a sunglass that revolutionized how sunglasses were made in the late 90’s. The originals were the first pair of sunglasses designed on CAD and featured an aggressive wrap that looked fast standing still. They became cool through endorsements from Michael Jordan and outlandish athletes like Denis Rodman. The updated version features some grippy nose pads and some more futuristic lines. There are brands like RIDAR from Korea who’s best selling frame is their take on this popular sunglass with a little twist and easier to digest price point. 

Next year we will see sunglasses that might have been previously ICK or reserved for tradies and guys on job sites. Glasses like the Gascan, which was super popular in the early 2000’s. Glasses in the same family were made popular by people like LIL’ John. White sunnies will come back. More squared off frames and brands like Dragon will make a comeback.

TOPS -

Currently its varsity style branded tanks and super technical ( lots of fine holes ) taking over run clubs ( at least the ones that wear shirts ) this is classic running attire that makes sense and has been refined with better shapes , colors and fabrics. Definitely more brand focused with huge lettering and obvious graphics.

While cotton and natural fibres like merino are trickling in now we will see more of this. More pieces that make us look less like a runner and more like a casual calisthenics bum. Think Gold’s Gym cropped and loose fitting tees, vintage merch looking shirts ( like Hooters and random road side Americana cafes ) there will be brands still exploring vintage - ish car club shirts, But the trend will lean more towards odd shapes and worn out graphics that have more to do with wellness as a trend.

Animal prints will also be in season. Leopards run fast so we will see a bit of this on the more technical side of apparel. Alright meow.

BOTTOMS - 

Currently it seems to be trending as black 5” shorts. Kinda boring but functional for many pursuits outside running. Pockets and more function focused shorts to help you carry more with less on your back is on trend for the end of the year and first quarter of next year. Look at the Raide shorts and brands like T8 have the built in belt. WISE and SATISFY both dipped their toes in this and will continue refining into spring. 

The cotton and more couch potato on a sunday vibe will take over in the back half of 2026. Think below the knee, no liner, pockets where all your shit falls out when you sit down. Some smaller graphics to match the trends on the shirts. Maybe even actual cut off jean shorts will make a comeback. It will be a mix of below the knee natural fibre, baggy and curated vintage split shorts from legacy brands like Brooks. For some reason I also see Soccer gear like Umbro becoming a functional and more affordable way to get people running. All soccer players do is run.

SHOES - 

Super stacked max cushion marshmallow mattress’ for our feet took over this year and will continue for the first half of next year. Shoes like ASICS Megablast and NIKE Vomero Premium are the go to’s alongside the run club special ADIDAS EVO SL. All make sense and the marketing is easy as everyone wants to “save their knees”

Barefoot, minimal with more natural toe boxes will rise in 2026. Brands like ALTRA and TOPO have tried but no matter how many tattooed baddies they use in their ad’s they will never have the cool factor.  Our mate Grayson with HART workshop has been working hard on his new line HART WORKSHOP and while not a running specific shoe they could get by on a 5 km and then go on for the rest of day doing whatever you wanna do.

Not sure who’s gonna do it but there will be more focus on natural movement and wellness within the shoe space aswel. I’ve seen a lot of people coming to our run club in Samba’s so I think that soccer trend mentioned above might trickle in with shoes like the Nike TOTAL 90 and maybe even those old suede pumas.

To wrap it up nobody really cares what you wear. You can run in whatever you have, whatever you want for most of the distances we are after. It makes me smile when people rock up with chuck taylors and some random short sleeve button up. Don’t let marketing get in the way of getting out there with your mates and keeping fit.

On the wellness trend ICE baths are out, saunas and hyperbaric chambers are sooooo in. Rock climbing, bouldering in specific will be creeping into your feed simply because its healthy, rewarding and while its accessible and fun by yourself the community aspect is similar to a run club and just offers a more creative way to get a full body workout. Bicycles will also squeak back in. Klunker style shit hawk bikes will be a trend. With an emphasis on single speeds and casual rather than fast. The kits listed above will also find their way on top of bike seats.

That’s it for now. Let me know your thoughts and I’ll check in next year to see if my predictions are on or wayyyyy off. That was fun to write.

Excited to see what you wear to run club.

Let’s have a coffee soon.