Trainers for a teen boy

[User237845]

Could I ask for your help? Wasn't sure whether to post here or in Teens but thought this might have more traffic. My 16 year old is not interested in clothes but I want him to blend in as he has been bullied in the past. He needs trainers just to wear casually. He won't touch white trainers generally or air force 1s in particular. I have bought him some grey adidas gazelles and he likes these. They also fit his narrow feet well. But are they Dad trainers? Is it worse than just getting him completely non-branded ones as it's trying but trying in the wrong direction?! Am aware I am probably over-thinking but am protective of him.

Sorry he was bullied in the past. If he's happy and likes them then just encourage him to be confident. Adidas is cool surely? I wouldn't overthink it where there's no problem

Hmm my 36yr old dp wears gazelle's so I fear you might be right about the 'dad trainers' thing. Don't tell him that though.

My fashion conscious 11yr old ds really likes Nike air Max 90s and 270s.

Thanks Poetry. Yes this is what I'm thinking - he likes them, they're comfortable, they're objectively ok looking. I just don't want people to be unkind/him to be laughed at.

I think you will be helping more by letting him choose his own trainers at age 16. If he chooses non branded ones that's fine. Pushing brands onto him will be sending a negative message.

My 15 yo and all his friends wear black and white Nikes and don't think Adidas is cool at all.

I appreciate this may vary from school/town, but thought I'd add!

Why dsnt he like white or air max?

How about Converse? You could always add an insole if you're concerned about flat feet.
The sixth formers I see during the school run generally wear Converse or Nike AF1's

Around here they all wear black Nike trainers and for some reason Adidas is seen as really not cool

Thanks @Invisimamma. Yes I wondered. He might like the air max 90s. 125 quid though

@xxxsuper I agree with this too. But now I've got the blasted adidas things and he likes them.

Thanks @Perfectlystill - thought this might be the case

Don't know @lovescaca. Doesn't like white. I think the black air force 1s look like primary school shoes but he possibly would like those.

Back to the drawing board I suppose. Think I will just let him choose rather than steering him to fashion. (He currently just wears his actual running shoes everywhere - but they're fairly muddy atm.)

My son who is 16 wears adidas Spezials,Hamburgs,Sambas etc but that's more to do with the music he's into (Stone Roses,Oasis /indie)and also into football fashion ie CP Company,Stone Island,Terraces.
He'd never wear Nikes but some of his mates do,who are into different music than him.So I suppose it's to do with what you're into aswell as what you like.
I've always dreaded him being bullied and it really is shit to say but the right clothes, trainers etc go a long way at that age.

My 16 year old DD thinks they are fine.
17 year old DS fell about laughing.
53 year old DH thinks they look good.

Hope that aids the decision process :)

I've got grey Adidas gazelles. I am a 51 yo woman. They look good.

My younger teens like Nike trainers and air jordans. Also vans.
My eldest couldnt give a shit about trainers but i got him nike air max as hes heavy on his feet and flat footed and i think they are very cushioned and supportive compared to others ive tried

Nike airforce ones or air Jordan's if you want him to look cool!

Thanks, @Firstinlastout. Yep I think being in to music protects you a bit. But yes, I'm torn between helping him blend in and just letting him be tbh.

Ha ha redsky, this is my worry re your DS. Damn it, I always get it wrong!

Yep I like them too, TheOrigRights. I am also a 50 something woman!

@Perfectlystill

My 15 yo and all his friends wear black and white Nikes and don't think Adidas is cool at all.

I appreciate this may vary from school/town, but thought I'd add!

Same! My 11 year old will only wear Nike. Adidas is not cool at all. Do you have a JD Sports near you?

My DS wears Nike Jordan 1 high. They look really nice. Pretty sure he wouldn’t wear adidas.

A lot of them wear black AF1’s as school shoes here. Boys and girls. They look quite comfortable! He probably needs to choose his own trainers though.

My teenage son wears Nike blazers, nike dunks, vans, new balance or converse 70’s . He’s not in to air max at all.

Adidas trainers are not cool at for teens at the moment.

Anything Nike will do

My DS is also very difficult to buy clothes for as doesn't want to follow the trends but he does have black Nike Air Force 1 and another Nike design he flatly refused the lovely Air Jordan 1 I bought him he hates white trainers.

Air max also not cool

Try him with black Nike Air Force 1

My teens say Nike and not ones with very obvious branding

It completely depends where you are judging by this thread! Teens here are wearing Adidas - everything adidas actually, like a walking adidas advert (!) and lots of Nike Air Force ones and air max. And now Reebok classics seem to be creeping back in. We’re in South Norfolk.

Thanks, everyone, for your help. I appreciate it. I won't post any more as don't want to bump and am confused enough have enough ideas but know that I am reading and absorbing your trainer views!