7 Best Sneakers For Women, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
With over 2000 women’s sneakers to choose from, selecting the best and right one for your beautiful feet can easily turn into a nightmare. It’s a good thing that RunRepeat’s sneaker-doting queens are here to tell you which ones are worth your time and money.
Whether you’re into chunky kicks or minimalist tennis shoes, we got you covered. We even went the extra mile by buying and weartesting the shoes ourselves to know which one is indeed the best choice. So, if you’re in dire need of our help, just sit back, relax, and read on.
Table of contents How we test sneakersBest overallBest tennis shoeBest retroBest NikeBest chunky shoeBest valueMost popularComparison
Overview
How we test sneakers
Imagine choosing the best sneaker out of over 2000 models from 60+ brands. That will surely take a lot of time. So to help you out, we already did all the dirty work for you. To find the best one, here’s a rundown of some of the things we did:
- As mentioned, we buy the shoes with our own money and wear them like crazy. No free shoes were used to avoid biased or one-sided reviews.
- Apart from testing the shoes out ourselves, we also collect reviews from other users and experts.
And since we already have a bunch of data on hand, we might as well put these to good use. CoreScores are calculated (based on all the data collected) and are assigned for each shoe. The ones with the highest scores are the most liked.
Best sneakers overall for women
Vans Old Skool
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$25
Sun and Ski
$33
Stadium Goods
$39
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$50
Corescore
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
What makes it the best overall?
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.
Best tennis sneakers for women
Adidas Stan Smith
Adidas
Free shipping and returns
$30
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$45
Shoebacca
$45
Stadium Goods
$70
Corescore
Pros
- Classic silhouette
- Numerous colorways and collaborations
- Easy to style
- Durable
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Runs large
- Lack of support
- Takes some time to wear in
What makes it the best tennis shoe?
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.
Best retro sneakers for women
Corescore
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
What makes it the best retro?
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.
Best Nike sneakers for women
Nike Air Max 97
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$90
Nike
$96
ASOS
Free shipping & returns
$102
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$110
Corescore
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
What makes it the best Nike?
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.
Best chunky sneakers for women
Corescore
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
What makes it the best chunky shoe?
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.
Best value
Vans SK8-Hi
Amazon
Prime & free shipping
$39
Stadium Goods
$49
Sun and Ski
Free shipping
$57
Zappos
Free shipping & returns
$64
Corescore
Pros
- Classic silhouette that works with any wardrobe
- Fits true to size
- Breathable
- Durable
- Comfortable when broken in
- Padded collar for ankle support
- An easy silhouette even for a hi-top
Cons
- Takes time to put on
- Can take time to wear in
- Not good in wet weather
What makes it the best value?
The Vans Sk8-Hi is the original subculture sneaker. Built as a super-padded skate shoe it was soon adopted by the punk rock scene for its large space on which to customize. Today it's not just a piece of history but a versatile and easy-going silhouette that works with almost any outfit. Not only that but it's strong enough to last years of use and abuse.
Most popular sneakers for women
Nike Air Max 270
Amazon
Free shipping
$115
Champs Sports
Free shipping & returns
$120
Nike
$137
Finish Line
Free shipping & returns
$160
Corescore
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
What makes it the most popular?
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.
