Thanks to normcore, Y2K runners like the Nike Vomero 5, adidas Response CL and ASICS Gel Kayano have risen in popularity. Read our guide to find the perfect 2000s runners for you. 

Form + function = 2000s runners 

In spite of the label, 2000s runners are more commonly seen on the feet of the streetwear and fashion set than on actual runners today. Since they’re built for comfort, it’s no wonder even non-runners have adopted such footwear for daily wear. Despite their performance-focused designs, 2000s runners such as the Nike Vomero 5 have become more well known for their aesthetic than function. 

Where it comes to runners in 2023, there’s a wide variety out there. Whether your preference is firm cushioning or a lighter shoe, the choices are abundant. A hallmark of running shoes, and probably why they’re a popular choice of footwear, is great support and incredible comfort.

From normcore origins to Y2K in 2023

2000s runners first boomed with the rise of “normcore”, a trend that has a circa 2010 Tumblr provenance. Normcore favors minimalism and subdued color palettes. The aesthetic is a rejection of “out-there” styles and embraces uniformity as the way to go. All thanks to normcore, runner shoe silhouettes, some of which are also identified as “dad shoes”, became trendy. 

But the word on the street is that normcore is not going away. In fact, thanks to 2023 trends like quiet luxury, normcore and its seemingly fuss-free “basic” look has made a comeback, and the 2000s runners/dad-adjacent footwear are perfectly poised for this moment.

Where it comes to 2000s runners, there are a few that are on our radar. The Nike Vomero 5 and the Asics Gel Kayano 14 are some choice selections for retro runners. Not to be outdone, Adidas offers the Response CL – proof that the brand doesn’t only excel in retro football inspired classics.

You can shop these selections below!

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Nike Vomero 5
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In 2011, Nike launched the Zoom Vomero+ 5 as a comfortable runner. Almost a decade later, in 2018, it returned from the archives with a distinct heel block in collaboration with A-COLD-WALL*, drawing mixed reactions. However, fashion-forward fans quickly embraced the avant-garde collaboration upon its debut. That iconic collaboration then turned the Nike Vomero 5 into a must-have Y2K shoes in 2023. 

Nike Zoom Vomero 5: Sizing tips and styling notes

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ASICS Gel Kayano 14
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Initially released in 2008, ASICS decided to discontinue its ASICS Gel Kayano 14 and dropped the subsequent model Gel Kayano 15. However, just as the rise of 2000s sneakers silhouettes started blowing up on the internet, ASICS relaunched the Gel Kayano in 2020, which explains its success.

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ASICS Gel 1130 
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The ASICS Gel 1130 debuted in 2021 in tandem with the rise of normcore style. These shoes draw from ASICS’ iconic Gel-Kayano 14 for inspiration, blending its sleek design with modern upgrades. The Gel-1130 captures both the essence of the original and the nostalgia of dad-core. 

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adidas Response CL
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In 2020, adidas fused prime elements of the popular Response line of the mid-2000s in honor of that era. It draws inspiration from the 2003 Response Cushion upper and integrates mid-to-late 2000s tech like Formotion and Adiprene.