7 Best Platform Sneakers in 2023

Judith
Judith on
7 Best Platform Sneakers in 2023
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IDEALLY, the best-fitting pair of platform kicks will let you park your wedges and ramp up your look while giving you an added inch or two of height, PLUS the confidence to pull off your style. 

BUT you’d hardly get the right pick of platform sneakers just by judging them based on the images. We’re here to help you get the right choice minus all the headaches. 

No pair of sneakers from our listing here skipped our full-scale wear test. Yes, all 100+ of them!

At the end of the day, we want you to stand (a bit taller) and be prouder that you clinched the best fit, style, and value for a pair of platform sneakers. 

How we test sneakers

  • We purchase all the platform sneakers with our own money. We don't let the brands dictate our views on the shoes.
  • We go through thousands of user reviews and get the meat and substance of each platform shoe. 
  • Each pair gets a Corescore, a number from 0-100, which helps us determine the shoe’s standing among the rest. 
  • Our team of sneaker specialists spends several weeks wearing the sneakers. They scrutinize the shoes based on fit, breathability, flexibility, durability, and most especially, comfort. 
  • Those that ranked highest in our system-generated scoring algorithm and actual test land in this list.

Best platform sneakers overall

What makes it the best?

Tinkering with a timeless classic is not always an easy feat, but the Adidas Nizza Hi XY22 is proof that it can actually be done, and with flying colors at that. This shoe isn't just the Nizza with superficially added elements on it. This is the Nizza actually transformed into something more current but still respectful of its past. Now, isn't this quite a treat?

Pros

  • Excellent quality and craftsmanship
  • An appealing design
  • Easy to pair with outfits
  • High levels of comfort
  • Gives a nice height boost
  • Quite light construction
  • Great ankle support

Cons

  • A bit too much space
  • Only a few colorways
Full review of Adidas Nizza Hi Xy22

Today's best price

Unisex

Best platform sneakers for summer

What makes it the best?

Jazz up your usual getups with this elegantly-looking and fashion-forward sneaker from Cardi B’s collection. With its in-vogue versatile appearance, picking out outfits is a lot easier! Due to Reebok Cardi Coated Club C Double’s noteworthy in-shoe plushness sensation, sneakerheads can endure extended periods of being on their feet. As a bonus, it also blesses short gals with a half-an-inch height boost.

Pros

  • Generously padded
  • Cushy footbed
  • Comfy for long hours
  • Soft interior fabric
  • Height booster
  • Trendy style
  • Easy to wipe off dirt
  • Versatile design

Cons

  • Tight fit
  • Requires breaking in
Full review of Reebok Cardi Coated Club C Double

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
reebok-cardi-coated-club-c-double-bdaa

Out of stock in all 50 shops

Reebok platform sneakers  

Best platform sneakers with leather upper

What makes it the best?

Sk8-Hi Stacked is yet another sneaker in the Sk8-Hi series of Vans. This padded high-top offers the comfort and style of a skate shoe while being on a versatile platform. The shoe highlights its exaggerated features, including the spiky outsoles, with the signature Sidestripe. It can be paired with virtually anything and can be used as an everyday shoe. It comes in many variations, including the sought-after Sailor Moon collab.

Pros

  • Extremely comfortable
  • Heavy-duty
  • Has great support
  • Even better-looking in person
  • Many designs and colorways
  • Compliment magnet
  • Looks stylish dressed up or down
  • Can be worn every day

Cons

  • Satin frays easily
  • Weight can be an issue
Full review of Vans Sk8-Hi Stacked

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Black (VN0A4BTW5ZN1)
White (VN0A4BTWL5R1)
Black (VN0A4BTWVLV)

Best platform low top sneakers

UGG CA805
93
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Admired by many for its classy look as well as the soothing feeling that it gives to people with plantar fasciitis and arthritis, the UGG CA805 is the epitome of comfort and style. The modern minimalist and sporty look blend well with the owners' daily grind.

Pros

  • Superb comfort
  • Helped many with foot pain
  • Minimalist and cozy style
  • Not pricey
  • Soft cushioning
  • Higher soles for extra height
  • Durable
  • Very lightweight

Cons

  • Slippery when wet
  • The zipper tends to unzip at times
  • Squeaks on wet surfaces
  • Subpar arch support
Full review of UGG CA805

Today's best price

Men
Women

Best platform breathable sneakers

What makes it the best?

The Converse Run Star Hike comes with a chunky platform that many true-blue Cons fans adore. Yes, reviewers can't seem to get enough of its elevating design. An eye-catching twist on a classic sneaker, this budget-friendly high-top shoe from Converse delivers a futuristic vibe in a modern style without sacrificing its remarkable comfort.

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Uniquely-modified Chucks
  • Comfy
  • Elevated
  • Lightweight
  • Pairs well with any attire
  • Supportive

Cons

  • Gets dirty easily
  • Its laces are too long
  • Lacks traction
Full review of Converse Run Star Hike

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Blue/Vintage White/Black (171894C)
Black (166800C)
Pink (172362C)
GREY (405933K)
White (102697M)
White (170777C)
Himalayan Salt / White / Black (171668C)
White (171575C)
Citron zest/black/white (172361C)

Best value

What makes it the best?

With a silhouette that's been relevant for decades, the Old Skool Platform is yet another exciting piece from Vans. Indeed, this sneaker improves upon the things that made its predecessor remarkable. That said, arguably the real charmer concerning this shoe is its protective sole, which screams "thicker is bolder." This welcome change enhances not only the sneaker's style but also its level of comfort and durability.

Pros

  • Protective underfoot
  • True to size
  • Tougher than most Chuck Taylors
  • Sufficient arch support
  • Stout yet light
  • Bold looks
  • Dirt concealer

Cons

  • Blister-causing break-in period
  • Could be softer underfoot
Full review of Vans Old Skool Platform

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (VN0A3B3UBKA1)
Black (VA3B3UY28)
White (VN0A3B3UW00)
(Twill) Pastel Block/True White (VN0A5KX99MK)
Purple (VN0A3B3U5U7)
Multi (VN0A3B3UTRC)
Yellow (VN0A3B3U21X1)

Comparison of the 7 best platform sneakers

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

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Author
Judith
Judith

If Sneakerology exists, Judith’s close to earning her Ph.D. She owns not stacks of kicks, but hundreds of published sneaker content online, headlining grails, greats, GRs from over 30 global brands. She’s a natural creative wordsmith, a hype monster at times, who writes and edits lifestyle articles professionally for over two decades now. If you're lost in a sea of popular or undervalued sneaks fishing for that best catch, she’ll gladly help out between sips of coffee or lemony mojito.