Tips: How to style activewear shoes beyond the gym

Activewear shoes, whether sleek running sneakers or rugged hiking footwear, no longer have to be reserved for workouts and outdoor adventures.

With the right styling choices, performance shoes can easily transition into everyday wear, taking you from the office to casual meetups, travel days, and even nights out.

This was the message shared by content creators Sam Potenciano, Matt Santiago, and Alex Javier during Foot Locker Fridays featuring HOKA on September 4, 2026, at Glorietta Mall in Makati City.

The trio, alongside visual artist BITTO, served as speakers at the event, where they shared practical fashion tips on how to incorporate activewear shoes into daily outfits.

Here are some lessons they shared with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

Tip #1: Play with silhouettes

For travel vlogger Sam Potenciano, one of the easiest ways to elevate activewear shoes is by experimenting with proportions and silhouettes.

"My tip for styling a pair of running shows outside of running is play with the balance of proportions and the silhouettes of your outfit. So it's more fun and it's more interesting."

Potenciano pointed to her own outfit during the event as an example. She paired a dark navy blue oversized jacket featuring a high standing collar with a brown square-buckle belt at the waist, completing the look with hiking shoes.

She added: "I'm wearing the Mafate Speed 4. It's a hiking shoe and it's super light which I love, and it can take me from the city to the hiking trail, so it's perfect."

Her look demonstrated how a statement outerwear piece can complement performance footwear, creating an outfit that feels fashion-forward while remaining functional.

Tip #2: Classics never go out of style

For Cornerstone talent Matt Santiago, styling activewear shoes is not complicated at all.

According to him, timeless wardrobe staples are often the best companions for running shoes, especially for those looking to create a polished everyday look.

"For me, styling running shoes, kailangan malinis. So, white t-shirt, black t-shirt or any other neutral tones tapos a nice trousers guys, regular fitting.

"And pull up some running shoes. It's a clean fit."

A simple combination of neutral-colored tops, properly fitted trousers, and clean sneakers can instantly create a smart casual outfit suitable for a variety of occasions, including work and weekend activities.

Tip #3: Always prioritize comfort

Beyond style, Santiago emphasized the importance of comfort when choosing activewear shoes.

Because he frequently travels and spends a lot of time walking, comfort remains his top consideration when shopping for footwear.

Matt advised: "When buying shoes, siyempre, comfort. Because I like to walk, I like to travel. So malaking bagay sa akin yung pag malambot yung sapatos.

"And when it comes to styling...I don't like bulky shoes. I just like more of like in between of bulky and slim."

He also highlighted his footwear choice at the event.

He said, "I'm wearing the Mafate Speed 4. And as you can see, hindi siya ganon ka-bulky, hindi ganon ka-slim. Tama lang."

His advice serves as a reminder that the best shoes are those that not only look good but also support your lifestyle and daily activities.

Tip #4: Balance your colors for visual harmony

Businesswoman Alex Javier believes color coordination plays a role.

For her, understanding which colors work together can create a more balanced and intentional outfit.

She said: "I think like, knowing the right colors that work for you.

"But like in terms of these, the Mafate Speed 2, I think with a chunky silhouette, like a pair of like very feminine top or like a fitted top will go really well and like baggy jeans."

Javier also recommends balancing light and dark shades throughout an outfit, particularly when wearing chunky sneakers.

"So give it like more of like... when it comes to color, it should be opposite. Like, so when your shoe is light, try to get darker pants and then lighter top to balance it."

By pairing lighter shoes with darker bottoms and a lighter top, the overall look feels more cohesive and visually balanced.