SAY YES TO THESE DOPAMINE-INDUCING TRAINERS

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 5 January 2026

January has a penchant for grey skies and frosty mornings, but alongside keeping up healthy habits, a style update can help you beat the monthly funk. Cue: dopamine dressing – bold styles that make you look good, and in turn, make you feel better. And nothing will boost your mood quite like a fresh pair of trainers. Styles in can’t-miss colourways, with elevated finishes and unexpected accents are ideal for delivering a dose of dopamine – whether they’re runners or everyday low-pros. Look below for our five favourites.

#1: ADIDAS ADIZERO EVO SL ATR

adidas Running Adizero EVO SL ATR in orange and pink

adidas Running Adizero EVO SL ATR trainers - exclusive to ASOS, £140

Waterproof, with the perfect amount of bounce and tonnes of cloud-like cushioning? The Adizero EVO SL consistently tops running trainer lists for a reason. Alongside all their technical credentials, this ASOS-exclusive pair comes in a bold blend of orange, red and magenta – a colourway guaranteed to brighten up your surroundings. Whenever you’re having an off-day, these will motivate you to go that extra mile.

#2: ON CLOUDMONSTER 1

ON Cloudmonster 1 running trainers in white and green, £160

There’s nothing more frustrating than poor lift-offs and runners that feel like they’re slowing you down, not speeding you up. The Cloudmonster 1 is engineered with spring and rebound in mind, thanks to On’s signature Speedboard®, CloudTec® cushioning and Helion™ superfoam technology. But aside from perfecting your pace, these trainers go the distance for your style, too. This white profile has a streak of pastel green and the soles reveal a tangerine surprise – a statement shoe for running a 5K or your weekly errands.

#3: NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM X HIERRO V9

New Balance Fresh foam x hierro v9 trainers in blue

New Balance Fresh foam x hierro v9 trainers in faded teal, £140

If your idea of 'getting out' is spent exploring the great outdoors, the New Balance Fresh Foam x hierro V9s have your name written all over them. While they sport the same propulsion-led design as all the best runners, they feature a Vibram Megagrip outsole for unmatched grip – perfect for treading rocky terrain. And if that wasn’t enough, just look at them – the textured teal finish and neutral sole provides gorpcore panache you won’t find anywhere else.

#4: ADIDAS ORIGINALS SAMBA OG

adidas Originals Samba OG trainers in leopard print with gum sole, £100

Summer’s favourite print has officially transitioned into winter – proof that the longing for better weather never really ends. If you’re too often intimidated by leopard-print shirts, trousers and jackets, these Sambas are a subtler (but no less fierce) way to include it in your ‘fits. Be tactful with your teamings – think dark-wash denim, primary colours and varsity visuals.

#5: NIKE AIR MAX TL 2.5

Pictures: ASOS

Nike Air Max TL 2.5 trainers in gold, £164.99

While party season might be over, metallics haven’t left the style agenda. Instead of silver, warm up your winter wardrobe with help from gold, bronze and champagne tones. These Nikes keep the iconic techiness and casual attitude of the silhouette, but their gilded lacquer makes them feel much more elevated. It doesn’t get more statement than these.