7 Best Summer Sneakers in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
Why trust us
As summertime approaches, it is inevitable to go over your cabinet and check which of your sneakers fit the warm season. As you swing from your spring clothes to your summer outfits, we’ve concocted a user-friendly guide to help you pick the best summer sneaker you can confidently rock during the dog days.
To help you jumpstart your summer sneaker hunt, we have made several recommendations for five categories.
How we test sneakers
To save you from the inconvenience of opening scores of tabs, we have put together thousands of summer sneakers from a multitude of brands.
- These sneakers were bought using our money to avoid biased reviews.
- To get authentic and actual results, we put them through several tests and comparisons.
- We meticulously collated reviews from the real users of these summer sneakers.
With the results from tests and gathered reviews, we rate these sneakers from 1 to 100. The Corescore scoring system will provide you an overview of how these summer kicks went for the crowd.
Best summer sneakers overall
Vans Old Skool
93
Superb!
What makes it the best?
Vans Old Skools have soared from subculture staple to mainstream fame repeatedly over the years. It’s easy to see why. With a classic, versatile silhouette, brand recognition, and a comfortable, breathable upper, who could resist having a pair in their wardrobe? While the canvas/rubber construction might not be the most durable and can collect stains easily, the Vans Old Skool still looks amazing when beaten and worn.
Pros
- A classic silhouette deserving of any wardrobe
- Easy to wear in
- Super comfortable
- Fits true to size
- Incredibly breathable thanks to the all-canvas upper
- Clean aesthetics
- Very durable outsole
- Brakes well on the board
Cons
- Not very durable in comparison to other modern skate shoes
- Collect stains easily
Today's best price
Unisex
Any color
More colors
Sun and Ski
$31
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$33
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$70
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$70
Journeys
$80
Best retro summer sneakers
Adidas Busenitz
91
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Adidas Busenitz 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.
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
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Free shipping
$50
Stadium Goods
$55
Adidas
Free shipping and returns
$85
Zappos
Best chunky summer sneakers
Nike Air Max 97
91
Great!
What makes it the best?
What else can be said about the Nike Air Max 97 that hasn't been said before, the shoe has literally had books written about it. It's an athletic, versatile, and comfy sneaker that looks incredible in so many colorways. There's a reason it's been one of Nike's most popular sneakers for decades. Like others in its family, this is a silhouette that will stay relevant for years to come and work with most wardrobes.
Pros
- Good all-season sneaker
- Good for sockless wear
- An identifiable piece of fashion history
- Fits true to size
- Near indestructible
- Lightweight
- Feels as athletic as it looks
- Great even for winter
Cons
- Takes some time to wear in
- Attaches to stains easily
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$105
Nike
$106
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$123
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$129
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$175
Best classic summer sneakers
Adidas Stan Smith
93
Superb!
What makes it the best?
The Adidas Stan Smith is a legendary sneaker with a claim to fame as the original white tennis shoe for the masses. Culture has respected that for the last 50 years the Stan Smith is still as relevant today as it was when the man was winning trophies. It's fair to say that with its robust design and sleek looks, it's probably going to last another 50.
Pros
- Classic silhouette
- Numerous colorways and collaborations
- Easy to style
- Durable
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Runs large
- Lack of support
- Takes some time to wear in
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$30
Adidas
Free shipping and returns
$50
Stadium Goods
$50
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$70
Journeys
$100
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$100
Best breathable summer sneakers
Nike Air Max 2090
90
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Nike Air Max 2090 is a sneaker that was born to be great. As a predecessor of the original Air Max 90 there's plenty of comfort in there to get excited about. Maybe the sneaker's biggest downfall is that it's up against the incredibly designed Air Max shoes that are also being released at the moment.
Pros
- Elastic sock-liner fits like a glove
- Durable material
- Flexible, easy to wear in
- Well-cushioned
- Flashy Air Max unit
- Versatile colorways
Cons
- Futuristic style is a miss
- Hard to clean
- Not breathable
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
More colors
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$76
Stadium Goods
$85
Nike
$90
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$150
Best summer low top sneakers
Reebok Club C 85
92
Great!
What makes it the best?
The Reebok Club C85 is a piece of history. The sneaker world took hold of the Club C85 and hasn't let go, as it fits in with the cleanest, upper-class circles of kicks. From skaters to rappers, this sneaker has gone the distance and continues to do so, comfortable, durable, and stylish it's all you need.
Pros
- Ideal price point
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Durable construction
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Surprisingly breathable
- OK for sockless wear
Cons
- Lacks modern inner shanks for support
- Slightly loose fit
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$29
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$63
Stadium Goods
$69
Champs Sports
$70
Journeys
$75
Footshop
$75
Best summer mid top sneakers
Nike Air Trainer 3
88
Good!
What makes it the best?
There's no doubt about it, the Nike Air Trainer 3 is a beautiful shoe. A resurrection of the 1988 Nike Air Trainer SC, Nike built this as a pioneering crossover for multiple sports. Today it's a piece of history and looks the part too. There are some minor comfort issues, but with its durability, once worn in it'll last a lifetime.
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
Today's best price
Men
Women
Any color
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$125
Stadium Goods
$189
Zappos
Running Warehouse
Comparison of the 7 best summer sneakers
+ + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | ||||||||
| CoreScore | ||||||||
| Users rating | ||||||||
| Best price | ||||||||
| Ranking | ||||||||
| Popularity | ||||||||
| # of colorways |
