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# Rain-Ready Dad Sneakers
New Balance Has Added GORE-TEX to Its Chunky 2010 Sneaker

By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-15 | Fashion
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rain-ready-dad-sneakers
References: [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/new-balance-2010-gore-tex-sneakers)

![Rain-Ready Dad Sneakers](https://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/643/rain-ready-dad-sneakers.jpeg)

New Balance has refitted its '2010' sneaker with [GORE-TEX](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-lx-old-skool-36-goretex), giving daily wearers a version that handles rain without sacrificing airflow. The update turns the [chunky dad shoe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balances-tech-explosion) into a weather-ready option while keeping the familiar shape that made it an easy casual pick in the first place.

[ABZORB cushioning](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abzorb-2000) remains in the sole, so the shoe still works as an all-day pair rather than a utility-only pickup when the weather turns. A Light Mushroom colorway keeps the technical update understated, and the muted finish helps it stay in a regular weekday rotation.

Available through select retailers, including Footshop at €190, the pair places waterproofing in a lifestyle silhouette rather than a trail shoe. The feature broadens the 2010's role for buyers who want one sneaker for daily wear and wet commutes.

Image Credit: Fravshop

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 8.3/10
- Popularity: 83% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 100%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial
- Top markets: Europe

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Weatherproof Lifestyle Footwear:** Waterproof membranes in casual silhouettes create room for everyday sneakers that bridge commuter practicality with fashion-led design.
- **Technical Dad Sneakers:** Chunky retro footwear gains new relevance when performance materials extend its utility beyond nostalgia and streetwear styling.
- **All-day Utility Sneakers:** Comfort cushioning paired with weather protection signals demand for single-pair solutions suited to workdays, errands, and wet commutes.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Footwear:** Lifestyle sneaker brands can differentiate through discreet performance upgrades that preserve familiar silhouettes while expanding functional use cases.
- **Outdoor Apparel:** Technical fabric suppliers gain access to broader consumer markets as weatherproof materials move from trail products into daily wardrobes.
- **Fashion Retail:** Selective retail launches around hybrid performance sneakers create premium positioning for consumers seeking practical design without overt utility cues.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Trail-Ready Urbanite Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-cloud-6-geo-waterproof.md)
- [Long-Range Waterproof Trail Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arcteryx-norvan-ld-4-gtx.md)
- [Rose-Hued Dad Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1906r-rose-sugar.md)
- [Waterproof Hiking Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/v2-goretex.md)
- [All-Weather Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-weather-lifestyle-sneakers.md)
- [Halloween Patent Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halloween-patent-sneakers.md)
- [Weather-Ready Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goretex-protection-pack.md)
- [Weather-Ready Sneaker Editions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weather-ready-sneaker-editions.md)
- [Dessert-Inspired Dad Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monarch-burgundy-v.md)
