10 Best Retro Sneakers in 2022

Sheena
Sheena on
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10 Best Retro Sneakers in 2022

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.

Best overall
New Balance 550 New Balance 550
£120 £110 From Foot Locker
Best Nike
Nike Waffle One Nike Waffle One
£110 £35 From Very
Best Adidas
Adidas Busenitz Adidas Busenitz
£90 £65 From Amazon
Best high top
Converse Run Star Hike Converse Run Star Hike
£120 £80 From Foot Locker
Best value
Nike Court Legacy Nike Court Legacy
£70 £22 From Very
See all 885 retro sneakers

Overview of this guide

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

New Balance 550
New Balance 550
£110
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Check stock
No stock  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

83
Good!
4.6 / 5 from 5 users

Pros

  • Attention-grabbing throwback look
  • Well-cushioned insole
  • Incredibly clean details
  • Suitable for various outfits
  • No visible wear after several uses
  • Easy to clean
  • Striking shades
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Insufficient lockdown feel
  • Fits wider than expected
  • Released in a limited quantity

Verdict

If retro sneakers float your boat, the New Balance 550 will surely tickle your fancy. From the hardwood to the playground, this kick boasts its clean and straightforward style that amplifies its adaptable vibe. However, since this sneaker is a vintage pair from the archives, don't expect any innovative feeling. It offers basic comfort on your feet that you can wear all day, every day.
See our full review and facts
New Balance 327
New Balance 327
£55
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£65
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£68
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£80
See deal  
Also great

Corescore

90
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 642 users

Pros

  • Fashionably sporty
  • Well-ventilated upper
  • Chic colorways
  • Superb grip
  • Lightweight
  • Suitable for driving
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Average quality only
  • Tight on the midfoot and forefoot

Verdict

The New Balance 327 overall is a lightweight and comfortable NB Classics shoe that has a snug fit you can use for everyday work. It comes in multiple colorways ranging from vibrant colors to tonal hues. The EVA midsole and rubber outsole provide good support and grip. It’s an affordable New Balance pair to add to your collection.
See our full review and facts

Best Nike retro sneakers

Nike Waffle One
Nike Waffle One
£35
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£60
See deal  
£68
See deal  
£70
See deal  
Top pick

Corescore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 343 users

Pros

  • Stylishly unique
  • Reasonably priced
  • Premium detail
  • Lightweight
  • Well-ventilated
  • Grippy
  • Spacious toe box
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Not bouncy
  • Irritating seams

Verdict

Building up a sneaker stack that's as steal as the Sacai's without spending much? Scoring Nike Waffle One that's obtainable in multiple color choices could be a good starting point. This fresh recast to the Waffle racer is almost hard-to-resist, from its see-through mesh webbing to its tasteful color blocking. A caveat though, its comfort level isn't in any way squishy soft as most Nike React kicks.
See our full review and facts
Nike Air Force 1 Shadow
Nike Air Force 1 Shadow
£60
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£95
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£95
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£109
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Also great

Corescore

92
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 4,965 users

Pros

  • Unique design
  • Elevated
  • Versatile (goes with any outfit)
  • Lightweight
  • Cute colorway
  • Excellent quality
  • Comfortable right out of the box

Cons

  • Looks bulky
  • Darker in person

Verdict

Introduced in 2019 as another addition to the Nike Air Force 1 sneaker collection, the Nike Air Force 1 Shadow has established a name for itself in the industry as well with its notable design. It also captures attention with how it stayed true to its origins while honoring women around the world. This women-exclusive, low-top silhouette doesn’t disappoint when it comes to style and comfort.
See our full review and facts

Best Adidas retro sneakers

Adidas Busenitz
Adidas Busenitz
£65
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£65
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£67
See deal  
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

90
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 6,030 users

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

The Adidas Busentiz has been around for a while. It stands on its own against modern skate shoes because of its durability and versatility. More than anything it's a really clean-looking sneaker that works just as well on a night out as it does in a skatepark. It helps that the shoe is easy to clean, sturdy and has loads of cushioning to keep you comfy and supported.
See our full review and facts
Adidas Forum 84 Low
Adidas Forum 84 Low
£136
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

85
Good!
4.7 / 5 from 7 users

Pros

  • Looks and feels premium
  • Undeniable retro charm
  • Progressive comfiness
  • Crisp detailing
  • Street-centric versatility
  • Crazy affordable 
  • 50% are recycled materials
  • Basketball-inspired
  • Very soft leather

Cons

  • Roomy fit for some
  • Break-in needed
  • Color might bleed

Verdict

Low-top Adidas Forum 84 is a treasure find to those who want to score a definite throwback Three-Stripe shoe without a crazy price tag. It’s a pick-me-upper too that’s suitable for all-day wear. Comfort-wise, it’s nowhere near its Boost cousins, but it screams premium quality from shoe to its pull-out box packaging.
See our full review and facts

Best high top retro sneakers

Converse Run Star Hike
Converse Run Star Hike
£80
See deal  
£109
See deal  
Check stock
No stock  
Top pick

Corescore

91
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 3,202 users

Pros

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

Cons

  • Gets dirty easily
  • Laces are too long
  • Lacks traction

Verdict

A chunky platform sole for the classic and iconic Chuck Taylor All Star, Converse offers the Converse Run Star Hike. A new eye-catching twist on a classic sneaker, this high-top elevated shoe delivers a futuristic vibe in a modern style without sacrificing its remarkable comfort.
See our full review and facts
Nike Air Max2 CB '94
Nike Air Max2 CB '94
£167
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Check stock
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

72
Bad!
4.0 / 5 from 22 users

Pros

  • Responsive cushioning
  • Eye-catching
  • Lockdown feel 
  • Long-lasting
  • All-rounder
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Hard to put on
  • Sells out fast
  • Pricey

Verdict

Keep your game strong with the Nike Air Max2 CB '94. Molded to withstand Charles Barkley's aggressive playing style, this kick will definitely make you in charge on and off the hardcourts. While its style may not be everyone's cup of tea, it has a modernized comfort and durability that will surely make your feet happy.
See our full review and facts

Best value retro sneakers

Nike Court Legacy
Nike Court Legacy
£22
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£38
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£60
See deal  
£73
See deal  
Top pick

Corescore

85
Good!
4.3 / 5 from 1,661 users

Pros

  • Hip
  • Easy to dress
  • Long-lasting
  • Comfortable all-day wear
  • Premium quality
  • Easy to clean
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Narrow

Verdict

Do you want to ace a courtside vibe on the city streets? Don a pair of Nike Court Legacy, and you're far from having qualms. It has a street-worthy style that displays a minimalist and modern flair perfect when updating your look. Moreover, it proudly offers comfort and durability that further smashes its opponents in the daily street-style game.
See our full review and facts
Nike Daybreak
Nike Daybreak
£77
See deal  
No stock  
No stock  
No stock  
Also great

Corescore

89
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 1,596 users

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Retro
  • Made to last
  • Attractively colored
  • Cheaply-priced
  • Lightweight
  • Supportive 

Cons

  • Roomy toebox
  • Crease marks
  • Rubs against the heel
  • Not too squishy 

Verdict

Marathon-inspired Nike DBreak reappears in fresh and bold color schemes while keeping a strong throwback charm. Apart from a blast-from-the-past aesthetic, this kick offers tons of comfort with its amply foamed underside. It’s one of the lightest and cheapest vintage runners you can get from the Swoosh brand.
See our full review and facts

What are the most popular retro sneakers in 2022?

  1. New Balance 550
  2. New Balance 327
  3. Nike Court Legacy
  4. Converse Run Star Hike
  5. New Balance 57/40
  6. Nike Daybreak
  7. Nike Air Max Excee
  8. Nike Waffle Trainer 2
  9. Nike Blazer Low 77
  10. Nike Air Max SC
  11. Nike Dunk Low Retro
  12. Nike Venture Runner
  13. New Balance 237
  14. Nike SB Nyjah Free 2
  15. Converse Weapon CX

See all retro sneakers sorted by popularity

What are the cheapest retro sneakers in 2022?

  1. Puma R78 - from £17
  2. Puma Caracal - from £21
  3. Asics Japan S - from £22
  4. Nike Court Legacy - from £23
  5. Puma City Rider - from £23
  6. Reebok Club C Legacy - from £26
  7. Nike Air Max SC - from £26
  8. Nike Blazer Low 77 Vintage - from £30
  9. Asics Gel Lyte III OG - from £32
  10. Adidas Continental 80 Stripes - from £34
  11. Asics Gel BND - from £36
  12. Vans Sk8-Mid - from £36
  13. Converse Unt1Tl3D - from £36
  14. Adidas ZX 700 HD - from £36
  15. Fila Trigate - from £37

See all retro sneakers sorted by lowest price

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.

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