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Sneakers are probably the most versatile shoes you’ll ever own. The footwear matches just about anything from skirts and dresses to jeans, jackets, and coats. They are also season-less, just avoid the puddles, your Adidas Sambas aren’t exactly built like rain boots.
Whether or not you’re really into streetwear and know all the hot new collabs, you can count on the advice of Drew Haines, director of collectibles and sneakers at StockX, and Matthew Gomes, senior director of retail at Stadium Goods, and of course, the Cut Shop’s very own team for their tried-and-true pairs — we spoke to them about a bunch of different categories.
So, You’re Looking for the Best Sneakers?
➼ Our top picks
➼ The best sustainable sneakers
➼ The best classic sneakers
➼ The best trendy sneakers
➼ The best high-performance sneakers
➼ The best fashion sneakers
➼ Our experts
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Our Top Picks
A sporty shoe that the fashion crowd has made its own comes from Asics. This offbeat colorway, courtesy of Kiko Kostadinov Studio, is a cool addition to your wardrobe, and it’s also easier to get your hands on than most fashion collabs. Our senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves, shares she practically lives in hers.
There are a lot of New Balance sneakers out there, and while most of them are pretty great, fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware assures us these are the most comfortable.
Yellow sneakers are hot right now, and it’s probably the best way to brighten up a gloomy day or not-so-fun outfit Onitsuka Tiger’s best-selling Kill Bill colorway is an easy option that will mix and match with anything. Editorial assistant Brooke LaMantia also swears by the metallic-silver pair.
Social editor Sasha Mutchnik has these canvas sneakers on her radar. With a few cool neutral colorways and a little added height, they’re easy to pair with everyday looks.
If you want running shoes that don’t exactly look like running shoes, these favorites of Cut staffers Joanna Nikas and Bianca Nieves are a good option. With a retro silhouette and a number of minimal color options, they are easy to pair with denim or workout gear.
When Rihanna stepped out wearing this sneaker, that pretty much cemented it into Hall of Fame status. After dropping in June, it sold out lightning fast and is available only on resale sites. If you need a few outfit ideas, Cut staffers styled them for you.
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The Best Sustainable Sneakers
Demand for sustainable sneakers first began to build on StockX in 2020, and interest has remained strong since. Haines says that the Nike Dunk Low Next Nature, which is made with 50 percent recycled materials, and the Adidas Samba Vegan White Gum were among the best-selling sustainable sneakers on StockX last year.
French brand Veja has really cornered the sustainable-sneaker market (with a little help from Meghan Markle). This white pair is made from ethically sourced materials like wild Amazonian rubber for the soles and responsibly produced leather for the upper.
This is like the cooler older sister when it comes to Veja sneakers. They are made of lightweight recycled canvas and will look just as good with your fall dresses.
The cotton lining, leather, and rubber outsoles of these colorful dad sneakers are made from recycled materials. They also have a cloud-lift insole for an extra comfy fit. New everyday sneaker, is that you?
If you’d rather not wait for the bright-pink Nicki Minaj editions of the recycled ocean plastic, vegan sneakers, you can shop the brand’s best-selling style in a number of colors. And for every pair sold, the brand donates 10 percent of profits toward protecting and conserving sea life.
Half of the materials in this style are recycled, and the Samba was basically the shoe of the year. According to StockX, searches for the style increased 485 percent year over year.
Ever heard of corn leather? Now you have. Other materials that make up these sneakers include natural rubber, wood chips, and certified organic cotton.
You can’t mention sustainable sneakers without bringing up Cariumas. The vegan insole is made from cork, the canvas is organic cotton, and any plastics used for the laces and labels are actually from recycled water bottles.
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The Best Classic Sneakers
Fact: A pair of Nikes, Chucks, Vans, or New Balances will never go out of style. They’re even cool when they’re all beat up, because that just shows you’ve had them for ages. And the best part about them is that they’ll never break the bank.
You can never go wrong with the New Balance Classics. They are a little bit nerdy, a little bit cool, and super comfortable, of course.
Whether you wear them sparkling clean or tossed around in the dirt, they are an unmatched classic.
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The Best Trendy Sneakers
Whether they’re remixed classics or a completely new style, these are the styles that feel especially of-the-moment.
If you like the shape of the Adidas Samba but don’t want the shoe everybody seems to own, these are a good pair to add to your rotation. The ’80s silhouette has a low sole and the suede shoe is available in bold, bright shades.
Or opt for the Gazelle from Adidas. The suede style has a little more structure and fun color options like pale blues, green, and pink.
This best-selling pair from Nike falls somewhere between gorpcore and dad sneakers that Stadium Goods says shoppers love. With textured mesh and silver details, this cool gray pair will look just as good with denim as it will with sweatpants.
If you’re really into the textured mesh and shiny details but don’t want to bid for your dream pair, we highly recommend the Grid Ride Millenniums from Saucony. You’ll be wearing these under-$100, available-in-five-colorways shoes all through fall and beyond.
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The Best High-Performance Sneakers
The ultrasleek, futuristic-looking sneakers do double duty, combining well-researched performance technology and a street-style aesthetic. They’re breathable, flexible, and just really cool looking, whether or not you’re actually exercising in them.
These high-performance sneakers have quickly become best sellers for comfort and grip. The super-cushioned sole makes them ideal for long runs.
The list wouldn’t be complete without the divisive but overall comfortable and very good athletic shoe. Not only do the cozy sneakers live up to the hype, but it’s also possible to make these Cut Shop–approved shoes look cool. Trust us, we tried it.
Asics’s “GEL” technology gives you protective shock absorption and comfortable cushioning, and these come in a variety of color options.
For the regular runners out there, the Glycerin is a favorite for its stabilizing effects and cloudlike footbed. Your toes are going to fall in love with the slightly wider (read non-suffocating) toe box.
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The Best Fashion Sneakers
Last but not least, here are the sneakers for anyone who wants a little luxury on their feet.
If you want a fancier running option, Loewe’s collab with the beloved brand On should be your first stop. The sneakers feature On’s signature comfort and grip and one of Loewe’s classic silhouettes.
Miu Miu ballet flats this, Miu Miu ballet flats that. How about these Miu Miu red sneakers? They are the pop of color your fall wardrobe needs.
Another style you might have spotted on Rihanna, drawstring sneakers. They’re a bit offbeat but still cool, and think of how warm they’ll be paired with your maxi skirts and oversize pants this winter.
The pricier cousin of the Adidas Gazelle and the Puma Palermos.
Classic Bottegas with laces. You can’t really go wrong here.
A mary jane–sneaker combo done right. and shoppers know that well because stock is limited.
That classic high-top look but with more height — and a zipper at the back for easy on-and-off.
Just like Acne black boots are a must come fall, so are its sneakers.
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Our Experts:
- Drew Haines, director of collectibles and sneakers at StockX
- Matthew Gomes, senior director of retail at Stadium Goods
- Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer at the Cut
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor at the Cut
- Joanna Nikas, deputy style editor at the Cut
- Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant at the Cut
- Asia Milia Ware, fashion and beauty writer at the Cut
- Sasha Mutchnik, senior social editor at NY Mag and the Cut