1 Robert Clergerie Tasket Sneakers
2 All Birds wool runners
3 Women by Common Projects Achilles Low
4 Vince Blair sneakers
5 Vans classic slip-ins
6 Veja
All I want to wear lately are sneakers. Flats, platforms, runners, whatever, just give me a comfortable pair of sneakers and I’m good. The problem is that just by virtue of the fact that they’re “sneakers” doesn’t mean they’re comfortable. I’ve tried almost all the “trendy” and not-so trendy brands, old-school sneakers and more, and here are my thoughts.
Vince
Besides my Nike Free RN shoes, which I bought and wore new to SLC last year and logged upwards of ten miles a day in, my Vince Blair sneakers have been just about the most comfortable shoe I’d ever worn. I sized down a half size to a 7.5 in both pairs of my blair sneakers I bought when they first launched, and wore both pairs until I couldn’t wear them anymore. My sister has two pairs of Vince Blair sneakers and loves them as much as I do. They never let me down.
Recently, I needed to replace my final pair of blair sneakers and wanted to try the Warren style, which has a bit of a platform and a more narrow look. I tried the technical weave (nylon) pair last year and sized down like I do with Vince and they were much too small so I sold them. A couple weeks ago I ordered the suede Warren shoes from Shopbop in my true size (8) and I’m not sure they’re as great as I’d hoped.
As soon as I put them on, I remembered why I love Vince sneakers – they’re cushioned and it feels like you’re walking on air. I wore them around at home for a couple of hours and they felt fine, so I decided it was safe to wear them out. And I have no idea what happened, but after wearing them just an hour or so, I thought they felt too small, or maybe just too narrow at my toes. But I didn’t give up, I tried to wear them again, and sometimes they’re okay, sometimes they feel too tight. I think my feet are still getting used to shoes after a summer of Birkenstocks?
Anyway, I can’t take them back because I’ve worn them outside, but I’m not sure they’re going to work for me. They feel good on my feet generally, but also constricting. I never got any blisters from wearing them, which is another testament to the padding and leather.
AllBirds
I have the All Birds runners – Kotare Birch – in my true size and I’m interested in the loungers in SF Gray. Nothing but amazing things to say about my runners. I’m wearing them now in Denver and they’re warm and cozy. Slightly less comfortable generally then my Nike Free RN sneakers, but not by much, and I love that they’re warmer and I don’t have to wear socks (have I mentioned how much I hate socks?). The birch color I got shows dirt, etc., rather easily, but I don’t mind that. I haven’t tried washing them yet. I like these so much, I’ll probably get the loungers also, they’d be great for traveling, and I’m tempted to use them at home for slippers. I’m trying to phase out my UGG boots when they wear out, I’m not interested in purchasing sheepskin anymore, so I think these will be a nice replacement.
Common Projects
I have the Women by Common Projects – Achilles Low. These are my newest sneakers, and I love them. I do have some rubbing on the back of my left heel, so I padded it with moleskine, but otherwise, these are very comfortable in my “true” size of 38. I love the tonal grey and the “slim” look of the sneaker.
Vans
I tried the “classic” Vans slip ins – which turns out aren’t really black & white, and I thought they were a bit wide/big looking on me. I wanted to love these, but I didn’t. My size, 8, fit, but might have been a little wide for my feet. They just looked big on my feet I think, and I had a problem with the cream/black instead of WHITE/black checks. I know…over time the white would’ve turned “dirty” anyway, but I didn’t want to start out that way, you know?
Golden Goose
Okay, I will admit, I LOVE the look of Golden Goose sneakers and have for a while, even though they’re way too cool for me. So, I wanted to try them, but was really nervous about the sizing and the price, so I bought a pre-loved pair from the RealReal earlier this year in a size 39. They fit, but might be a little big; I do much better with a 38.5, as in Robert Clergerie, but fewer and fewer designers are doing half sizes anymore. I was really intrigued by the terrycloth lining and the hidden wedge that GG sneakers have in them. I love the lining, and the way the hidden wedge makes my legs look, but I think because the 39 is a little big on me, my heel slips up more because of the hidden wedge, if that makes sense. And GG sneakers are SQUEAKY!! That’s really a thing.
Anyway, I’m glad I finally tried a pair of GG sneakers, but I certainly don’t think they’re comfortable enough to warrant their full price. If they were…I’d be in trouble. Because like I said, I love all the colors they come in (even the glitter!!) and I would be tempted to own more than one pair! Apparently some people think they’re the most comfortable sneakers EVER (rolls eyes), but on me, not so much.
Robert Clergerie
I’m a Robert Clergerie super-fan and find their shoes to be the most comfortable and well-made I’ve ever owned. I bought the Tasket Sneakers late in the summer and they were excellent right from the start. I do think they might be a little big on me in the 38.5 (my normal RC size), but they fit nicely with an insert in and lightweight footies. They’re not heavy at all for being a platform, and I love the extra height 🙂
Veja
I could never get Veja to fit right, and I thought the leather/canvas was really stiff, no matter the size or style I tried, and I tried several. I love that they’re a more sustainable and environmentally conscious choice, but that’s no good if I can’t wear them. I’ve heard similar from other people, but then I still see them raved about on blogs. so…
Nike
Nike Free RN – these are my go-to sneakers for walking Dagny, and/or travel when I’m going to be walking a lot, unless it’s cold, and in that case, I’ll wear my AllBirds. I CANNOT wear the AllBirds when it’s 90 degrees out…no way.
Eytys
I also have Eytys Mother canvas sneakers. I’ve had these in my “true” size for a while, and I love the simple look and the slight platform, but they’re not always super-comfortable. Again, I think my feet are temperamental (age??) and maybe don’t love being constricted in shoes as much as they love being “free” in one of my many pairs of Birkenstock sandals LOL.
Okay…your turn. What are your favorite sneakers? Do you wear sneakers? What have you tried and loved? Not loved?
Oh, I forgot!! I do want to try Tretorn, I like their basic white style. I also tried superga and thought they were really heavy and didn’t fit right. I also love these by Rachel Comey 🙂
Oh no, no love for Superga! Those have been my favorites and I’m considering either a pair of those or PF Flyers these days. I just got a pair of navy Kamm pants and I’m pretty sure that Supergas would look great with them for casual days, and I’m totally inspired by Erin at Reading My Tea Leaves and her PF Flyers. I like the idea of Veja but even Lee at Stylebee who usually seems to rave about most things said that her Veja’s were a you-know-what to break in, and in the end, my commitment to ethical production is not so committed that I’m willing to suffer through breaking in a stiff pair of shoes — especially when there are other choices out there like buying pre-owned, which is also a sustainable option.
AllBirds all the way! I’m usually a 7.5 or 8 but sized down to 7 in these (no half sizes). I had one recent unfortunate experience in my AllBirds on Sunday when I took my son and his friend to the park. It started to drizzle and I discovered that wet AllBird are not as much fun! I was in love the with limited edition Starry Night color but resisted!
My other favorite sneakers are Converse All Stars low tops. I just can’t not have a pair in my closet, usually in navy. I size up just a bit in these so I can put in an insole since these have no arch support!
I have such a hard time with sneakers – I don’t love them for casual and I struggle to find a pair for exercise! I do nicely with hiking shoes – I think they must be wider in general? Because New Balance (which used to work for me) even in Wide don’t work anymore. I went to Walking Company while on vacation in Seattle and tried on all their running shoes (I alternate bike/treadmill for home exercise with my husband most of the year) and found a pair of their house brand that worked nicely for me. I wear Merrell, Haglof & Lowa hiking shoes (most goretex) for hiking & for travel (we tend to travel to cold/wet places and walk a lot, so it makes sense for me).
I do have a pair of slip on Ecco from a couple years back – brown nubuck – that I love. Tried to order a similar pair this year, but black nylon, and the vamp (?) came up too far and was too narrow so I have to bring them back to Nordstrom (um, that box is in my car, I need to get on that, but Seattle, Thanksgiving, and a budget presentation at work….)
All of these are so nice looking, thank you for your honest review. The problem I have is I need arch support now (the old feet issue) or I get a pain across the top of my foot several inches below my toes. My podiatrist told me I need a heels of at least 1 inch (most sneakers are very flat). A flat shoe with little variation in height between the toes and the heel put stress on the arch as it’s not supported. So I gave away my beloved leather white Chucks, Supergas and my Stan Smiths 🙁 Even though you didn’t like the Golden Goose I’m wondering if that wedge may work better for me (but the price, OMG).
I like my All Birds in the same way you do, as a replacement for loungy comfy shoes. I have the ivory color. I use them on the plane now (no socks needed, lol). The loungers look too flat for me, if they made a wedge version I’d give them a try (& think they’d look real cute too). Agree on the Nike Frees, my exercise shoe. I also have a Nike Sky Hi dunks with the wedge, which is so out of style now but I keep it as it works for my arch situation and short stature.
One more thing, wanted to mention I am very skeptical of blog reviews anymore but I do feel you give very honest and thorough reviews. But if a product is “hot” among bloggers and/or instagrammers I exercise a critical eye as it seems those products never work out well for me or live up to the hype.
Great review Grechen–very helpful! I couldn’t make Supergas work for me either, unfortunately, because I love the way they look. Love your Robert Clergerie snake print sneakers! I wear Saucony for running but never wear them casually. I like the look of the Tretorns a lot.
The allbirds loungers are amazing, I have glerups slipper boots which I love but actually often prefer my allbirds around the house because they’re so soft and have more support. I have two colors and am seriously considering a third since I will probably exclusively wear these shoes until it snows.
Ditto on your last comment–I don’t think people mean to be misleading, but having something very hyped at the moment can lead one to overlook its shortcomings. I feel like it takes a while for any shortcomings to be acknowledged. At least, that was my experience with Vejas, and I noticed the same thing about Kamm pants (which I did not purchase). Ended up selling the Vejas because I just could not deal with the stiff tongue giving me blisters on my ankles!
I really wish I could find an ethical pair of honest-to-goodness running shoes. I ordered some AllBirds hoping they would be that (though I rather suspected they were using the term “runners” in a loosely), and they don’t quite make the cut. They aren’t cushioned enough, and sadly even my worn out Nikes feel better. The AllBirds will make some good walking shoes for sure though.
I recently discovered that Birkenstock makes some sneakers (Arran) … They are run high on my list of shoes to try…
Laurie, that’s good to know about the AllBirds. So sorry they got wet. I was thinking about trying a pair for walking my dog and taking my kids to the park, but now I’ll wait. Also, Grechen, my husband has a pair of white Tretorns and loves them. The only downside is that the shoes are mostly cloth/canvas, so they get dirty quickly and are hard to clean. I think he tried washing them and it didn’t make a difference.
I discovered Gabor shoes and always try to find styles by them. They are so comfortable!
i was concerned about my allbirds shoes getting wet too. i wouldn’t want to wear them in the rain, or wear them wet necessarily, but if they get wet, i won’t be concerned – i did wear them the other day and it started to rain/sprinkle, so they got slightly wet, and were okay. my sister’s washed hers already and says it turns out well. no smell….
yes. allbirds are definitely NOT running shoes. they’re walking around shoes. and not too far. i mean, i wore mine in denver, but didn’t make it more than 2-3 miles a day, and they were fine, but i’m not sure they’d be great for 10+ like my nikes were. and they’re just hot if it’s not really cold…
oh! thanks for the endorsement 🙂
They dried out just fine and I still love them! I was glad I was wearing socks that day – I’m like you Grechen, I wear socks only when necessary!
haha! why do we hate socks so much??
i did actually buy some heattech socks at uniqlo when i was there (we don’t have one in dallas) just for emergencies and to wear at the hotel, but man…i just don’t like socks!
I like my Allbirds loungers; they are the closest thing I gave to a fashion sneaker since retiring my last pair of Chuck Taylors. I tried the Allbirds runners first and didn’t like the way they looked on my feet; my big toe really poked up prominently due to the low-profile toebox. The lounger feels a little higher volume and looks less “lumpy” with my foot in it. They are on duty as indoor slippers til the spring.
I has almost given up on canvas sneakers (used to live in Chuck Taylors, but they seem SO rigid to me now, and too narrow in the toes), then picked up a pair of Xero Lena’s for ridiculously cheap early last spring, and wear them All. The. Time. https://xeroshoes.com/shop/ipari/lena/
They work better for me than any other barefoot/ minimalist sneaker I’ve tried in years (Vivobarefoot, etc.) and I get compliments on them regularly.
For actual running — and hiking — I wear Altras. Their newer models are not as splendidly comfortable as the older ones.
I love your Common Project sneakers in grey!
Next to ankle boots and sandals sneakers are my favorite footwear. I have four pairs in constant rotations: white low top Converse, white Adidas Stan Smiths, Golden Goose Sliders and Common Project Achilles black with white sole.
Interesting what you said about Common Project sizing. Following everybody’s advice I sized down to a 38 (I wear a US size 8.5-9 = EU 39) and they fit like a glove with a little wiggle room; same with GG Sliders, I took 38 and they fit great. If I had to choose my favorite one I would go with Common Project and Stan Smiths, so versatile and comfortable.
OOh, thanks for that idea – those look interesting to try!!
The Greats makes great millennial-pink sneakers (and other colors), they can be worn with socks or sockless comfortably.
I love my Vince Blairs but I do find them heavy sometimes.
For light as air sneakers, Nike Free Runs. Yes they’re on every other mom in SoHo but they have great arch support and they are weightless.
Sneakers work with so much now! And to think that it wasn’t that long ago when we wouldn’t have DREAMED of pairing a dress or a pair of black trousers with a pair of sneakers! Oh how the times and trends change, including what our eye gets used to, and how much those trendy, exclusive items cost. Your snakeskin sneakers are really cute, but they seem more like “real shoes”!
uh, you’re right about common projects sizing – mine are 38 and indeed, fit like a glove. 🙂