7 Best Breathable Trainers in 2024

Sheena
Sheena on
7 Best Breathable Trainers in 2024
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If you’re looking for a new pair for the summer season, it’s important to have breathable trainers in the closet when the temperature rises. Aside from keeping your toes cool and comfortable, a reliable pair of shoes will protect your feet and ankles from the impact of walking on concrete paths or standing for long hours.

Whether you're attending a formal gathering, or going out with friends on a weekend getaway, there’s a perfect pair of breathable shoes for your feet. Shoe manufacturers like Nike, Adidas, Vans, and PUMA are constantly innovating their designs using various materials to produce more comfortable trainers that suit everyone’s lifestyles.

With tonnes of options out there, getting into your summer sneaker hunt can be time-consuming. We can help you with that. How? We have purchased breathable trainers and personally tested their ventilation (among other properties) while wearing them on our indoor and outdoor trips and by also performing tests in the lab. We appointed the pairs that were really impressive and put them on a list. Here are our top picks in various categories based on hours of meticulous testing of over 700 breathable trainers across different brands.

How we test trainers

Carefully wear testing one shoe at a time, we are sneakerheads who put in the hours of research and performance tests just to review them with the full scoop. We also examine each model to its essential parts inside our independent RunRepeat shoe testing lab. As you can see, we want to be comprehensive in our approach which includes:

  • Buying breathable trainers for testing using our own money. This eliminates any taint of bias in all of our reviews.
  • Thoroughly wear-testing each model, which involves not just a quick on-foot try but engaging in a variety of activities like a short walk to the grocery store, going on a date, or other similar activities. We take every sneaker for days of wear and tear use before giving our assessment on its fit, comfort, durability, etc…
  • Testing the shoes in our lab. Yep, more sets of tests. We do this to provide proof and a deeper explanation behind how a shoe performs or feels on foot. We also chop up the shoes to gather as much information from their parts.

Best premium breathable trainers

What makes it the best?

The 6th version of the 990 series truly impressed us as a sneaker that incorporates cushioning tech from actual running shoes (hello, FuelCell foam). We were also amazed with this historic dad shoe's well-padded interiors, Goldilocks squishiness, and an astounding level of arch support. Proudly made in the USA, it is a pricey kick that, in our opinion, justifies every cent with premium materials and craftsmanship.

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

Best futuristic breathable trainers

What makes it the best?

Through a series of tests, I established that the Air Max 270 is a sleek, sporty, lightweight lifestyle shoe. With a huge 32 mm heel height, it's definitely a head-turner. Ultimately, this is a durable shoe that fits in perfectly with the times and at a fair price.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Instantly comfortable
  • True to size
  • Durable
  • Can be worn without socks
  • Flexible
  • Super breathable
  • Sleek modern looks
  • Crazy number of colorways

Cons

  • Heel height might need adjusting to
  • Not the best for standing all day
Full review of Nike Air Max 270

Best breathable trainers overall

What makes it the best?

Not all heritage runners end up gathering dust inside our shoe closets. At least not retros as stylish, innovative, and ultra-comfy (as verified in our lab!) as the ASICS Gel Lyte III. We had so much fun rocking this summer-ready basketball shoe, and we could even wear it on days when we wanted to shake up our looks. Apart from its signature split tongue, we loved the striking mix of coloured patterns in a luxe finish.

Pros

  • Electrifying ‘90s look
  • Splendidly comfy
  • Easy to slip on and off
  • Generously padded tongue
  • Durable structure
  • Breathable
  • Premium materials
  • Reliable grip

Cons

  • Tight-fitting
  • Narrow platform
Full review of ASICS Gel Lyte III

Best lightweight breathable trainers

New Balance 327
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

Strut the streets in comfort and style with the New Balance 327. Inspired by several running shoes, this model is a standout for us because of its classic yet contemporary vibe. We adore its lasting comfort and superb ventilation, which make the featured kick such a brilliant summer shoe. Its grip is one for the books, too.

Pros

  • Fashionably sporty
  • Well-cushioned
  • Stable and planted platform
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Above average breathability
  • Superb grip
  • Suitable for driving
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Relatively stiff
  • Fits a little tight
  • Not suitable for wide feet
Full review of New Balance 327

Breathable trainers with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?

The Alphaboost V1 gives us a comfy and springy experience that ensures happier miles for light and casual runs. We discovered through our tests that these daily trainers boast a crossover between different technology from Adidas. We found that this provides runners, walkers, fitness enthusiasts, and even casual wearers with what they need to keep their legs and feet fatigue-free. As a bonus, these trendy shoes look really good, too!

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Springy ride
  • Well-cushioned
  • Great for casual runs
  • Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
  • Amazingly stable platform
  • Futuristic look
  • Versatile for many activities

Cons

  • Largely inflexible structure
  • Flimsy heel hold
Full review of Adidas Alphaboost V1

Best breathable retro trainers

PUMA RS-X
91
Great!

What makes it the best?

In the category of breathable sneakers, the PUMA RS-X prevailed as the superior retro model. The ventilation of this sneaker really wowed us as it notably relieved us from sweaty feet even on the hottest days. What’s more, is that it offers affordability without sacrificing its bold and captivating vintage aesthetic.

To fully grasp how inviting the PUMA RS-X’s upper to air, we meticulously inspected it under the illumination of a bright light and our microscope. These two tests unveiled identical results: porous toebox and quarter.

The colorway selection for this retro piece is simply a feast for the eyes. While its classic charm is stunning, it didn’t require a fortune. In fact, the PUMA RS-X is priced at £120, which is 30.2% cheaper compared to its kind. 

We confirmed that its hefty silhouette equates to its weight. Our scale read 16.05 oz (455g), which is 12.3% above the typical sneaker weight. If you wish for something that’s unburdening on your feet, we urge you to explore other breathable alternatives.

Pros

  • Retro charm
  • Numerous vivid colorways
  • Very comfortable step-in feel
  • Plenty of cushioning for all-day wear
  • Breathable, summer-ready upper
  • Very stable platform
  • Highly durable outsole
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Heavier than average
  • Stiff forefoot
Full review of PUMA RS-X

Best budget breathable trainers

New Balance 237
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

The New Balance 237 keeps it simple, but in a million colorways. These old-but-new trainers are here to make the compliments rain every single day, just... don't wear them when it's actually pouring! We loved its '70s running shoe aesthetics in a reinterpreted design, as it makes this pair incredibly versatile. It matched pretty much everything we had in our wardrobe! It's made with durable and authentic materials, which we really appreciated, as the brand made sure this model was still top-quality despite its affordability. Also, it's comfortable for all-day wear, but don't expect a couple of clouds. It has a firm sole and it might run narrow for some. Still, with its old-school colorways and aesthetics, it quickly won our hearts... and our feet, too!

Pros

  • Breathable and ready for the summer
  • Very durable and premium materials
  • Real suede
  • Out-of-box comfortable
  • Incredibly light
  • Retro vibes and effortlessly chic
  • Mix-and-match queens
  • Loads of colorways
  • Compliment magnet
  • Super affordable

Cons

  • Firm sole
  • Narrow fit
  • Materials wrinkle
Full review of New Balance 237
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 catalogues to find the next "it" sneaker. Scrutinising hugely popular and underrated kicks is her favourite pastime.