For years, I was all about style before comfort. Fast-forward to a gnarly Achilles injury, and in more recent years, I’ve been learning to lean into comfort. As a casual-shoe lover, I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of sneakers that is not only sartorially pleasing but also comfortable while ideally providing ample arch support. While the comfortable-shoe choices aren’t always the pinnacle of stylish, I was determined to dig through the internet to find a foot-friendly solution to a very important question.
To my surprise, I uncovered a range of comfortable sneaker options for every kind of fashion person. From ultra-trendy styles that are reminiscent of fun, high-fashion moments to comfy picks from everyday brands you’re probably familiar with, I’ve handpicked good-looking kicks suitable for a variety of tastes. They’re backed by our editors and customer reviews. Ahead, click through to discover your next, go-to comfortable sneaker style.
The sneakers still on everyone’s mind? Adidas Sambas. The soccer shoe hit viral status last year and has shown no sight of slowing down. A black or white pair is a classic choice, but fashion folk have been all over more statement-like ones like the metallic or bright red versions. Not to mention its level of comfort, which can be seen by the 3.5k Nordstrom reviews of the sneaker and almost 5-star rating. Reviewers love the versatility of the shoes and also recommend buying half a size up since they run a bit narrow.
Loewe makes some of the best statement shoes (their rose and nail polish heels won’t leave my brain) but their sneakers make for a great investment. Inspired by 1970s track shoes, they offer a retro flair while still featuring minimalist details like the cursive logo and slim silhouette.
New Balance has a large variety of sneakers and collabs, but the classic 574 style is a top pick. After wearing them to walk 10k+ steps in NYC, I can confirm their immense comfortability. Customer reviews can also back me up—one reviewer compared it to “walking on clouds.”
Nike put a pause on its Cortez style momentarily, but now that it’s back, you should get on board. With its ’70s silhouette and newer released versions in trending colorways, it’ll offer a nostalgic touch to your current outfits without compromising on comfort. Because of the round-toe, reviewers do recommend going up half a size.
I still remember the time when you couldn’t find an in-stock pair of New Balance 550s even if you tried. They may not be the “it-sneaker” of the moment, but their style power sees no decline in Who What Wear’s book. You can keep things simple or play with the red, green, and blue sneakers that are available in all sizes.
I still remember buying my first pair of Reebok Club C sneakers when I was an intern at Who What Wear, and they feel just as cool as they did a few years ago. They go with any outfit and have that vintage look that everyone wants in their sneakers currently.
