7 Best Retro Sneakers, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Yes, every sneakerhead has to have a pair of old-school, retro sneakers. Good thing, we have loads of them.
Choose from stylish Adidas kicks oozing with a vintage vibe to timeless Nike sneaks that have been around since the bygone days. We also made it a point to include the most good-looking high-tops and the most budget-friendly of them all.
If that's not enough, you might want to check out our top picks, which also feature the best retro kicks overall. These shoes have been thoroughly reviewed and assessed. So, when we say one shoe is excellent, you can take our word for it.
How we test sneakers
How we pick the best retro sneakers
Retro sneakers may have been around for ages. However, some are no longer as high-quality as they were back in the days, while others somehow aged like fine wine. Enter: RunRepeat.
Your team of shoe-doting geeks, RunRepeat, is here to tell you which among the hundreds of retro kicks are value for money. We do this by doing the following:
- Gather all the user reviews we can find on the web to get the public's say about the shoe
- Buy the shoes and test them out ourselves. NOTE: We make sure to BUY the shoes to avoid biased reviews.
- Weigh, measure, and even dissect the shoes to get into their nitty-gritty details.
Best retro sneakers overall
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 9% in sneakers
- Top 8% in Nike sneakers
- Top 16% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Durable leather construction
- Retro styling
- Surprisingly breathable
- Could make a winter sneaker
Cons
- Limited colorways
- Not very flexible
- Has hotspots where the shoe rubs on the toe
Verdict
Best Nike retro sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 16% most popular sneakers
Pros
- True to size
- Very comfy
- Nice fit
- Breathable
- Nice design
Cons
- Heavy
- Tight collar
Verdict
Best Adidas retro sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 25% in sneakers
- Top 29% in leather sneakers
- Top 3% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Incredibly durable
- Fits true to size
- Grippy as anything
- Technical shoe for responsive skating
- Surprisingly weatherproof
- Classic silhouette
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Takes a long time to break it
- Narrow in the toe box
- The big tongue isn't for everyone
- Not very breathable
Verdict
Best PUMA retro sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 2% in sneakers
- Top 1% in PUMA sneakers
Pros
- Eye-catching
- Stylish
- Better actual look
- Highly recommended
- Long-lasting comfort
- Premium quality of materials
- Budget-friendly
- Affordable
Cons
- Weird insole cushioning
- ‘Winter’ on its name is not suitable for the winter
Verdict
Best retro high top sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 1% in sneakers
- Top 3% in Vans sneakers
- Top 28% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Lightweight
- Well-cushioned
- Perfect and stylish look
- Excellent arch support
- Great ankle support
- Durable
- Solid construction
- Waterproof
- Great for skating, long walking and diving
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Incredibly harsh stitching
Verdict
Best value retro sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 17% in sneakers
- Top 19% in leather sneakers
- Top 11% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Super durable skate shoe
- Extra comfortable inner sole
- Flexible
- Relatively breathable
- Many colorways to choose from
- Still the same Vans we love
- Easy to clean
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Can be hard to put on
- Parts of it still susceptible to stains
Verdict
Most popular retro sneakers
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all sneakers.
- Top 2% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Perfect for sporty outfits
- Insanely comfortable
- Cheaper than many Air Max
- Colors IRL are even better than the ones on the screen
- Wide choice of colorways
Cons
- Stiff
- There's very little airflow
- Poor durability