7 Best Sneakers in 2024

Sheena
Sheena on
7 Best Sneakers in 2024
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Finding the best sneaker that would fit your style and budget can be downright grueling, considering the thousands of choices. But don’t worry. We have tested many sneakers to narrow down your options and we did it both in the lab and outside while rocking them around the city.

Whether you’re looking for an iconic silhouette, a sleek tennis sneaker, or a chunky dad shoe, we’ve got our top picks in different categories to let you choose.

And if you’d like to know how to be smart about mixing comfort and style in your next sneaker, look over our guide.

How we test sneakers

We are always on top of which sneakers are fresh on the market. But 'fresh' isn't a guarantee of greatness. Here at RunRepeat, we like to let you in on what is genuinely exceptional. With that intention, of course, we want to give you our full, honest opinion and verdict. To do that, we spend our own earnings to cop all the sneakers we test. 

Moreover, we try out each of the sneakers while being out and about - on the streets, malls, parks, restaurants, etc. We also go as far as sporting the sneakers with different fits, to give you what's what from function to comfort, and style.

As if those aren't enough, we also put the sneakers through a series of tests inside our lab. We test for durability (Dremel test), waterproof ability, flexibility, and more!

Best sneakers overall

Adidas Ozweego
96
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Sneakers needed to be comfortable to get our attention, and the Adidas Ozweego delivered lots of it. It has plush cushioning and a pretty roomy upper. We even thought that this shoe could comfortably accommodate wide-footers because of how spacious it felt. We couldn’t ask for more because this shoe also delivered so well in the looks department. The best sneaker to date, indeed!

The midsole was a little thicker than average, especially at the forefoot. Our caliper measured it to be 24.7 mm thick at the forefoot when the average was only 20.0 mm. Not only was this part thicker, it was softer as well. Our HA durometer gave it a score of 26.8, making it significantly softer than the 30.9 average. This midsole made us experience what walking on pillows all the time felt like. 

Aside from being soft and comfortable, the shoe also had a lot of space inside out, allowing our feet a lot of breathers. The widest part of the footbed was 105.0 mm (ave 99.1 mm) wide as per our caliper while it opened as much as 79.0 mm (ave 75.2 mm) at the big toe.

All the goodness we’ve discussed thus far would have been for naught if the Adidas Ozweego didn’t look as nice as it did. We loved it so much that we got compliments wherever we went. We loved it even more that this shoe was available in a lot of colorways.

While the materials indeed looked good, they did not really feel the most premium. We could even say that in some areas, especially in spaces where mesh was used, the shoe actually felt cheap.

Pros

  • Unbelievably comfortable
  • Long-lasting outsole
  • Surprisingly lightweight
  • Great for all-day wear
  • Very stable and ideal for wide feet
  • 90's retro vibe with futuristic details
  • Compliment magnet
  • Lots of colorways
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Lack of quality materials
  • Not the most breathable
Full review of Adidas Ozweego

Best classic sneakers

Adidas Samba
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

Dating back to the 1950s, the Adidas Samba boasts unrivaled longevity and legacy, moving from a sporty sneaker to a closet must-have. It’s our best classic sneaker, featuring a minimalist low-cut design. It’s crafted with premium leather and suede upper, ensuring exceptional durability, while its grounded profile and traction enhance our stability.

As we strolled through town sporting the Sambas, we discovered the absence of a midsole giving an almost barefoot feeling. Our caliper reveals a humble 19.3/11.9 mm stack, elevating us only slightly from the ground. It truly embodies minimalism and gives a natural feel together with its light 12.1 oz (342g) weight and loose build. Our bend test confirms it’s 40.9% more flexible than average.

Our lab reveals both the leather and suede in the upper are real, except for the white piece at the top of the collar that got damaged in our test. Putting it against our Dremel revealed its sturdiness, earning an impressive 4/5 for durability.

With its roots tracing back to indoor soccer, the gum rubber outsole features two-directional lugs for enhanced traction. From sharp corners to slippery surfaces, we had no instances of losing confidence in our strides.

Unfortunately, the absence of a foam midsole isn’t the best option for long hours on foot. Those who prefer more cushioning should look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Clean and minimalist style
  • Unbelievably affordable
  • Real leather and suede
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Long-lasting construction
  • Lighter than average
  • Highly flexible build
  • Good grip for casual use

Cons

  • Poor breathability
  • Tongue slides to the side
  • Not for all-day wear
Full review of Adidas Samba

Best chunky sneakers

What makes it the best?

The New Balance 9060 surely did not skimp on materials for its cushioning system. It was among the thickest that we ever tried, and it easily made this shoe the best chunky pick among all the sneakers that we tried. We also loved that the midsole was twist resistant even if it was also amazingly soft.

According to readings made by our digital caliper, the cushioning system of the NB 9060 was 37.3 mm thick at the heel and 26.0 mm thick at the forefoot. These numbers made the midsole significantly thicker than average, which only measured 31.3 mm and 20.0 mm, respectively.

In the lab, we manually twisted and bent the New Balance 9060 to test its torsional rigidity. We learned that it was quite resistant. Giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 was truly warranted.

Just because the base was resistant to twisting did not really mean that it felt quite hard underfoot. Quite on the contrary, this shoe delivered among the nicest and softest feels ever. Our HA durometer gave it a rating of 19.4, which was a far cry from the 30.9 average. 

It was just a shame that this shoe was not available in many colorways. It would have been fun to experiment with different looks while wearing different colors of the NB 9060.

Pros

  • Next-level comfort
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Quite heavy-duty
  • Dope aesthetics
  • True to size
  • Looks better in person
  • Premium-grade materials
  • Stable

Cons

  • Limited color options
  • Squeaks
  • A tad warm
Full review of New Balance 9060

Best sneakers for summer

What makes it the best?

Combining classic style with all-day comfort, our tests with the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 felt like a breeze. It’s incredibly lightweight, ultra-breathable, and pleasantly effortless on foot. As seen in the lab, this sneaker won’t allow any kind of overheating even on the warmest days, making it our ultimate summer sneaker.

Eager to put the hype to the test, we strolled around town in the Vomero 5. To our delight, its thin mesh upper offers full-length airflow, ensuring zero sweat and blisters. Our smoke test proves its permeability as it easily escaped, earning a perfect breathability score.

We found the pair immensely versatile as it moves with our strides smoothly. Our bend test reveals it’s as flexible as the average sneaker. What adds to its weightlessness is its airy build. At 11.2 oz (316g), it’s 20.8% lighter than average.

Even with its average stack height, the Vomero 5 feels more cushioned underfoot. We cut the shoe open and discovered two Zoom Air units adding some perceived softness and bounce to the ride. Our durometer also reveals the comfy foam is at 28.0 HA, 9.1% softer than average.

While the seamless airflow is a highlight, the upper's durability is compromised. The toebox scored the lowest 1/5 rating on our Dremel test. Exercise caution when handling this area of the shoe.

Pros

  • Nostalgic 2000s aesthetic
  • Excellent breathability for summer
  • Cushioned like a running shoe
  • Lighter than average
  • Very comfy in-shoe feel
  • Flexible and forgiving on foot
  • Wear-resistant outsole and inner lining
  • Better lockdown with a gusseted tongue

Cons

  • Mesh is easy to tear
  • Not for flat feet/overpronation
  • Pricey
Full review of Nike Zoom Vomero 5

Best leather sneakers

Veja Campo
89
Good!

What makes it the best?

Our wear tests with the Veja Campo boosted our confidence with its crisp and classy look, high-quality and ethically sourced materials, and grounded ride. Our lab proves its durability even with its minimalist build, making the $175 price point worth the investment. For all these and more, Campo is our top leather sneaker.

The shoe’s clean look makes it easy to style across outfits and occasions. Beyond looks, our lab proves the leather upper’s genuineness and durability. Upon exposing various parts to our butane torch, nothing melted away as a synthetic material would. When tested against our Dremel, it resisted impressively and ended up with a perfect toebox durability score, ensuring its long lifespan.

Walking with the Campo gives a surefooted and ground-connected feel, care of the 22.3/10.6 mm stack we measured—the forefoot being one of the lowest we’ve seen in the lab. Further boosting its stable ride is the firm carrier midsole which our durometer showed is 60.0 HA, a mind-blowing 109.8% firmer than average! However, this is balanced by a plush 11.5 mm insole that serves as the primary cushioning. For reference, that's 6.1 mm thicker than average.

However, those on a budget should explore alternatives as leather sneakers in our lab only average $110, making the Campo 59.1% more expensive.

Pros

  • Premium leather and craftsmanship
  • Sustainable materials and manufacturing
  • Clean and minimal aesthetics
  • Light for a leather sneaker
  • Low to the ground and stable
  • Excellent durability
  • Comfortably flexible

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Long tongue chafes the skin
  • Not for narrow feet
Full review of Veja Campo

Best retro sneakers

ASICS Gel 1130
92
Great!

What makes it the best?

The look of the ASICS Gel 1130 had not been tampered with in its current version, so one could feel all the nostalgia just by looking at this shoe. It is for this reason that we hail this ASICS sneaker as the best retro release to date. Its plush cushioning and pretty stable platform just made loving it a lot easier. 

From the bulky look down to the many overlays that made this shoe look caged, all the defining characteristics of the OG were retained in this shoe. We loved its scene-stealing prowess, especially when we strutted the streets. 

The softness of its midsole was really noteworthy. Our HA durometer gave it a rating of only 19.0 when the average could go as high as 30.9. That's a 39% difference in softness! We loved that this ASICS Gel 1130 made it experience what it was like to walk on clouds.

Even if the midsole was soft, we never felt wobbly because this shoe had a pretty wide platform that erased any possibility of slipping. It was 111.8 mm wide at the forefoot and 90.1 mm wide at the heel. The respective averages were only 108.9 mm and 83.4 mm.

The breathability of the upper was a bit disappointing, though. It only got a dismal 2 out of 5 in our breathability assessments.

Pros

  • Top-notch materials
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Comfortable for all-day wear
  • Supportive foothold
  • Stable platform
  • Grippy, running-inspired outsole
  • Feels lightweight with a padded interior
  • Roomy at the big toe
  • Wide-feet friendly
  • Real suede and leather
  • Cool 90s dad shoes retro vibe

Cons

  • The leather version lacks breathability
  • Quite stiff
Full review of ASICS Gel 1130

Best premium sneakers

New Balance 990 v6
86
Decent!

What makes it the best?

In our trials, the New Balance 990 v6 left us hard-pressed to find any faults. It's nearly flawless, boasting exceptional cushioning, strong arch support, and durable materials. Even under rigorous lab testing, no major flaws were found, solidifying its position as the ultimate premium sneaker.

990 v6 has a smooth and bouncy ride, encouraging us to clock in more miles. Our dissected shoe reveals it’s home to the FuelCell cushioning, often found in elite running shoes. Its tall stack ultimately absorbs shock, while the plush 28.3 HA foam launches our toe-offs effortlessly. Surprisingly, it never dragged us down, maintaining a mere 12.9 oz (366g) weight.

We found this to be one of the most supportive casual sneakers, with a ride similar to dedicated stability shoes. It has a stiff ENCAP rim wrapping our heel firmly for added support. 990 v6 also adds some width to its midsole to stabilize off-balance landings. Plus, any foot type can find a suitable pair as 990 v6 is available in 6 different widths.

Our torch test proves the suede layers’ genuineness, while our smoke test reveals a well-deserved perfect breathability score. The mesh panels made sure our feet stayed fresh even in the heat. 

990 v6 feels stiffer than other sneakers, and our bend test confirms it’s 18.1% less flexible than average. Those who prefer a more natural feel should explore alternatives.

Pros

  • Unexpectedly lighter than average
  • Real suede and quality materials
  • Extra thick cushioning for all-day wear
  • Comfortable and springy FuelCell foam
  • Mind-blowing arch support and stability
  • Exceptionally hard-wearing outsole
  • Fantastic breathability
  • Well-padded all around
  • Six(!) widths available

Cons

  • Very delicate toebox mesh
  • A bit stiff
Full review of New Balance 990 v6

Choose sneakers based on your style

Unless you have wads of cash to splurge on a new set of wardrobe, then buying a shoe style that matches your current collection of clothes is more practical. 

Whatever your reasons are for getting a new pair of sneakers, remember to be confident with who you are and what you like. The best sneakers for you would basically reflect YOU and your style. 

Low-top, mid-top, or high-top?

When it comes to sneaker styles, there is a chock-full of options available. But before you go through each one, you’ll have to pick between these three basic styles or cuts.

Rating based on top.png

Sneaker trends and styles come and go but there are a couple that has lasted through the ages. One sneaker model can also radiate a variety of styles. Here are the most common and popular styles you’ll find in the market.

most popular sneaker styles 2 copy.png

Get a sneaker for your lifestyle

It’s always a great idea (especially for people on the go) to get an all-rounder kick - a shoe that can be worn from work to play. The good thing is that sneakers have an athletic DNA.

Many of the most in-demand men’s or women’s sneakers took roots from athletic shoes. So, whatever activity you’re into, there’s a sporty sneaker that’s capable of meeting at least the minimum requirements of the task.

Sneaker types with athletic origins 2 copy.png

See our selection of skate shoes and running-, and basketball-inspired kicks.

Materials matter

Are you looking for a shoe that’s breathable, plush, or durable? Consider the materials that make up the model and you’ll find what you’re searching for.

 

Common Materials Used

Key Benefits

Could-be-betters

Upper

Leather (Full-grain, Suede, Nubuck)

+ Durable

+ Stable and supportive

+ Comfortable overtime (a customized fit is achieved as it molds to the shape of the foot)

+ Abrasion-resistant

+ Easier to clean

- Longer break-in time

- Heavier on the feet

- Less breathable

Textile (Knit, Canvas, Mesh)

+ Breathable

+ Lightweight

+ Cheaper

+ Feels soft on the get-go

- Less durable

- Limited support and stability

- Tends to absorb water

Midsole

EVA

+ Provides mild impact absorption

+ Flexible

+ Lightweight

- Less supportive

- Compresses over time

PU

+ Hardwearing

+ Supportive

- Longer break-in period

- Heavier

The best sneakers are always comfy

Try to forget about sneaker hypes. Popularity does not equate to comfort. And, when it comes to the best sneakers - comfort trumps everything. If it’s not comfortable, you could end up becoming a fashion victim with a pricey sneaker accumulating dust in the shoe rack.

It’s no secret that you need to find a shoe that fits right to achieve comfort. Just follow these 6 simple steps and you’re good to go.

Mind your budget 

True, budget isn’t a problem for the filthy rich. If you can, buy designer sneakers without second-guessing, then go ahead. But, for average Joes and Janes, a shoe’s price tag is at the heart of their sneaker-buying decision.

Thankfully, there are reputable brands that sell sneakers for cheap. This includes Vans, Keds, and Converse. Even globally known brands like Adidas provide affordable options. Adidas’ NEO collection is a lineup worth checking out for their cheap yet quality kicks.

Author
Sheena
Sheena
Sheena is a wordsmith turned sneaker addict. Her sneaker fixation intensified as her passion for writing grew. A hands-on mom of two sweet yet spunky kids (plus three dogs and two cats), she finds solitude in leafing through shoe catalogs to find the next "it" sneaker. Scrutinizing hugely popular and underrated kicks is her favorite pastime.