7 Best Knit Sneakers, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
Get that soft, stretchy, and adaptive fit with any of these best knit sneakers. These are the perfect kicks for your upcoming adventures during the warmer months. From giant brands like Nike and Adidas to Balenciaga and Keds, just to name a few, there are tons of really great designs in this category that are worth your investment.
Sneakers made of knit fabric material provide wearers with that sock-like feel and remarkable breathability. While knit-made shoes are generally designed for summer days, there are sneakers in this catalog that come with the GORE-TEX technology, which makes them perfect for colder days as well.
With over 150 pairs in the selection, picking the perfect shoe can feel daunting. No worries. Our team of sneakerheads provides you this primer on the best-rated (and not so highly-rated ones) 100+ knit sneakers. Enjoy browsing our top picks below.
Table of contents How we test sneakersBest overallBest NikeBest AdidasBest retroBest PUMABest valueMost popularComparison
Overview
How we test sneakers
We test hundreds of sneakers every year. To identify great quality designs, we bring all the knit shoes to the RunRepeat shoe lab where we do a series of mechanical tests. We weigh all the models, measure the softness or firmness of each, and perform actual wear-tests in the street.
To give you an idea of our selection process, we do the following:
- Spend hours of research about each sneaker and days of wear-tests engaging in various activities. We invest our own funds for the tests to ensure complete freedom and objectivity when writing our reviews.
- Evaluate the style, fit, quality of the knit material, cushioning system, break-in period, weight, support, flexibility, traction, durability, and other features. We also consider the sneakers’ price range, performance, and actual worth in the real world.
- Gather additional data from checking out forums and hundreds of customer reviews.
In the end, we publish our top rankings of all the knit sneakers in the database. We also show on the CoreScore the overall rating of each model.
Best knit sneakers overall
Nike Air Max 270
Nike
$114
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$120
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$125
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$125
CoreScore
- Top 1% most popular sneakers
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
Verdict
Air Max 270 is a sleek, sporty, lightweight lifestyle shoe. With a huge 32mm 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.
Best Nike knit sneakers
CoreScore
- Top 1% in sneakers
- Top 1% in Nike sneakers
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Stylish
- Flexible upper materials
- Efficient magnetic strap
- Snug fit
- Lightweight
- Breathable
Cons
- Expensive
- Easily creases
- Flimsy
Verdict
Armed with an unprecedented and futuristic design and some of the latest technologies in the market, the Nike Air Vapormax Premier Flyknit, one of Nike’s Air VaporMax releases, has caught the eye of sneakerheads. The shoe’s lightweight and breathable Flyknit upper and responsive VaporMax Air cushioning are the most essential features of a good sneaker. However, its high price had most consumers reevaluate whether it is a worthwhile cop.
Best Adidas knit sneakers
CoreScore
- Top 3% in sneakers
- Top 7% in Adidas sneakers
Pros
- Excellent breathability
- Great for summer
- Stylishly appealing
- Superb cushioning
- Superb comfort
Cons
- Fits bigger
- Tight collar
- Expensive
Verdict
With its retro style and innovative comfort, the Adidas Crazy BYW LVL x Pharrell Williams takes the shoe one step further with its Boost-equipped midsole and Primeknit upper technology. Many wearers are pleased with this pair's combination of new technologies and its unique and fashion-forward style.
Best retro knit sneakers
CoreScore
- Top 3% in sneakers
- Top 8% in Adidas sneakers
Pros
- Fashion-forward silhouette
- Primeknit upper
- Easy on/off
- Well-made
- Comfortable for long-wearing
- Surprisingly affordable
- Breathable
Cons
- Limited colors
Verdict
This women’s shoe boasts of a form-fitting Adidas Primeknit woven upper drenched in cool colors, which makes this variation very minimalist and ultra-chic. This laceless interpretation has similarities with the nomadic Adidas runner, the NMD City Sock regarding aesthetics and comfort, which makes this sneaker ideal for varied indoor and outdoor events. This edition’s eye-catching silhouette is made even more attractive with its reasonable price tag.
Best PUMA knit sneakers
CoreScore
- Top 26% in sneakers
- Top 21% in PUMA sneakers
Pros
- Appealing color combinations
- Stylish knit upper
- Sock-like fit
- Durable outsole
- Versatile
- Great on wet surfaces
- Flexible sole
Cons
- High-end price
- Fiddly to put on
Verdict
PUMA jumps into the latest craze among shoe companies, which is the production of the premium knit-like upper. In the Ignite EvoKNIT, the wearers are in for a shoe that mixes fashion and sports featuring an innovative mid-height upper that hugs the foot. It has a surprisingly flexible sole and tons of comfort that keeps you comfortable all day.
Best value
CoreScore
- Top 2% in sneakers
- Top 22% in Hey Dude sneakers
- Top 19% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Breathable
- Insanely light
- Stylish
- Easy to slip on and off
- Good heel support
- Orthotic-friendly
- Great for long walks
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Runs wide for some
- Lacks arch support
- Poor traction
Verdict
A perfect way to enjoy being constantly on the go is by getting the Hey Dude Wendy Sox. With its incredible comfort and lightness, this sneaker makes the long-hour standing or walking a breeze. Together with its different styles that best suit your casual ensembles, this kick becomes a favorite go-to pair.
Most popular knit sneakers
New Balance XC72
Joes New Balance Outlet
$60
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$60
Stadium Goods
$65
Champs Sports
$70
CoreScore
- Top 2% most popular sneakers
Pros
- Unique aesthetic
- Superb comfort
- Excellent quality
- Grippy
- Eye-catching hues
- Great for all-day wear
- Reliable lockdown
- Perfect finish
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Rubs on heel
Verdict
Apart from ticking all the boxes of excellent modern sneakers, the XC72 makes sure that you also stay fly style-wise. It is an updated spin on the 70s model called the UXC72V1. Its squared forefoot and rear midsole, along with the vertical split design, give off a retro-future look that will surely amp up any ensemble.
