UNBOXED: THE BEST PAIRS TO SHOP THIS WEEK
19 August 2026Your weekly roundup of the pairs worth copping this week
Since 2005, we’ve seen the footwear market shift at increasing speed every year. Trends come and go, new brands enter the industry and some even stick around. Over that time, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a good pair of shoes—from loafers to trail runners and everything in between. Unboxed is your weekly shopping appointment, removing the noise and laying out the pairs worth your time right now.
This week, our focus starts to shift onto the months ahead. Believe it or not, at some point this heat will subside and you might have to think about rain again. A new drop from French stalwart Paraboot offers a trendproof year-round selection while an understated pair from ASICS covers your rotation from a comfort angle. adidas takes the last spot with a race-day wonder that looks good enough for daily wear.
Paraboot’s Michael silhouette took off around five years ago and we haven’t looked back since. Of course, it’s worth remembering that this model was the brand’s first ever and has been on shelves since 1945. This furry iteration comes around just in time for autumn & winter every year and it’s hard to beat.
Chalk it down to the JJJJound effect all you want, if you ask us, Asics’ archival runners have been stars since day one. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the Asics GEL-Kayano 14 in this White & Graphite Grey colourway. Clean, understated, and functional, it’s a versatile rotation anchor. That off-white hit to the midsole is a slice of heaven.
The adidas Evo SL has only been around since 2024 but it’s had an outsized impact in that time. Engineered for long runs, it’s insanely comfortable but was adopted by sneaker culture at large thanks to its easy-to-style silhouette. The fact that Aussie powerhouse Song For The Mute chose it for its latest collab is proof that this pair goes way beyond the track.
