15 Sneaker Styles Every Woman Should Have in Her Wardrobe

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Showing off the latest styles in women’s sneakers is no longer a thing for the sneakerhead culture only.

With streetwear clothing courted by luxury brands, wearing the trendiest sneakers – an integral part of streetwear styles – is a must.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to the top 15 most stylish and comfortable sneakers for women right now.

Women's Sneakers

From chic to chunky to dad style, functional, and even high-tech sneakers, these are the best sneakers for women in 2024.

1/15
Chunky Sneakers

Sneaker trends - Chunky Sneakers

Re-launched in 2017 by Demna Gvasalia, the Georgian designer behind the cult-loved fashion collective Vetements and now creative director at Balenciaga, chunky sneakers are a polarizing footwear trend.

Demna is also distinguished with the return of OTT sneakers, following its success with Balenciaga’s ultra-chunky Triple-S, part of the fall-winter 2017 collection.

And while some fashion critics foresee a return to timeless trainers, women can’t get enough of oversized and bulky sneakers.

The trend is further helped by streetwear brands experimenting with shapes and silhouettes.

The juxtaposition of the ‘dad shoe’ silhouette with the extra height will turn heads on the spot.

A stalwart on fashion week runways, street style veterans, and Instagram influencers, the chunky sneaker trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Paired with loose-fitted jeans and simple-cut tees, chunky sneakers will always stand out; remember, the chunkier – the better.

Ugly and bulky trainers are more of a faux pas fad, and the two pieces I’ve curated below are the best chunky sneakers for women right now – for every taste and budget.

Adidas Sock Sneakers

Balenciaga

Tripple S White Sneakers
$995

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ASOS Design Divine Chunky Sneakers

ASOS Design

Divine Chunky Sneakers
$37

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2/15
Platform Sneakers

Platform sneakers for women

Not to be confused with chunky sneakers, platform women’s sneakers have an obnoxiously weird design that makes people say, ‘I need that.’

Over the past few years, we’ve seen many controversial women’s sneakers; from dad-inspired styles to chunky soles galore, most have become daily wardrobe staples.

As you may have noticed, the sneaker trends work in rotation, and platform sneakers are no exception.

Introduced to 90s fashion by the ‘Spice Girls,’ platform sneakers reached peak popularity in the 2000s fashion, expected to reign supreme over sandals and casual trainers.

Looking clean and crisp – without being too much – platform sneakers are a must if you’re looking to rock the Y2K fashion trend.

Ash Cult Platform Sneakers

ASH

Cult Platform Sneakers
$89.90

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Hogan Maxi 222 sneakers

Hogan

Maxi 222 sneakers
$242

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Malibu Suede Platform Sneaker

New Republic

Malibu Suede Platform Sneakers
$39.99

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PUMA Women's Roma Platform Sneakers

Puma

Women’s Roma Platform Sneakers
$54.95

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3/15
High-Top sneakers

High top sneakers

Most commonly used as athletic shoes – particularly in basketball – high-top sneakers are often confused with mid-top ones.

However, mid-top sneakers are shorter and extend no higher than the wearer’s ankle.

On the other hand, high-top sneakers are a type of shoe that extends over the wearer’s ankle.

Fashionable and functional, women’s high-top sneakers have been a crowd favorite since the ‘70s fashion days.

Moreover, the high-top sneakers trend continues to grow in popularity after a comeback in 2014.

Classic and versatile, some high-top sneakers for women will never go out of style.

Nowadays, the most sought-after high-top sneakers are either the original Converse All-Stars and Nike Air Forces 1, 2, and 3 or variations of these models.

Converse Run Star Motion

Converse

Run Star Motion High Top Sneakers
$120

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Nike Air Force 1 High Top Sneakers

Nike

Air Force 1 High Top Sneakers
$105

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4/15
Sock Sneakers

Sock Sneakers trend

Compared to classic kicks, you can argue that sock sneakers are an unusual breed of shoes.

With a stretch-knit and breathable fabric, sock sneakers are a hybrid type of shoe, made, as the name suggests, to resemble a sock.

While the sock sneakers style is not new, the look gained massive popularity after Balenciaga’s sneakers reached a cult-like following.

A curiosity ten years ago, sock sneakers are everywhere, especially on the catwalks, paired with techwear clothes to create a sophisticated look.

Worn by celebrities and designers alike at runways in London, NYC, and Paris, functional sneakers are some of the most purchased women’s sneakers.

And, in direct competition with Balenciaga and Vetements, the number of brands making affordable sock sneakers is also on the rise.

For example, Adidas NMD City Sock is already more popular than Balenciaga’s best sock sneaker, while Nike and Reebok recover ground fast.

Adidas Sock Sneakers

Adidas

Bubble Sole Sock Sneakers
$180

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Hello MrLin Running Sock Sneakers

Hello MrLin

Running Sock Sneakers
$40.99

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5/15
Tennis Sneakers

Tennis Sneakers trends

Inspired by traditional tennis shoes – a rubber sole and low-top canvas or leather upper – the tennis sneakers category for women is not made for the tennis court.

Moreover, it is not the shoe’s functionality but the style that has made sneaker brands and designer labels build variations of the original tennis sneakers.

With their classic look, tennis sneakers are a big part of the sneaker culture, reaching hype sneakers status in 2024.

This season, we love the ultra-minimal stylings of CELINE’s Triomphe Lace-up Sneakers and Valentino’s Garavani Logo Trainers, both with white leather uppers accented by perforations.

There are also Golden Goose’s pre-distressed sneakers if you’re after that luxe, lived-in look.

Valentino Backnet Low-Top Tennis Sneakers

Valentino

Backnet Low-Top Tennis Sneakers
$690

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Oliver Cabell Vegan 481 Chalk Tennis Sneakers

Oliver Cabell

Vegan 481 Chalk Tennis Sneakers
$164

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Diadora B.Elite H Italia Sport Tennis Sneakers

Diadora

B.Elite H Italia Sport Tennis Sneakers
$75.60

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6/15
Designer Sneakers

Gucci Designer sneakers - sneaker trends women

The continued permeance between streetwear and designer fashion has seen sneakers cement their place as the ultimate versatile footwear option.

From Balenciaga to Gucci and Tom Ford, designer sneakers are a must-have accessory in every fashion lover’s wardrobe.

Designers like Gucci, Common Projects, and Vetements have long embraced the sportier side of footwear, and more high-end designer labels have joined the party more recently.

If you want premium materials and instant brand recognition, designer kicks are the ideal choice.

Match your designer sneakers with jeans and a dark blue suit jacket to showcase next-level style and versatility while maintaining comfort.

Price-wise, we are seeing top fashion brands such as Saint Laurent and Gucci making sports-luxe sneakers available to the masses now.

Balmain B Bold Monogram High-Top Sneakers

Balmain

B Bold Monogram High-Top Sneakers
$1095

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Off-White 3.0 Off Court Leather White Pink Sneakers

Off-White

3.0 Off-Court Leather White Pink Sneakers
$605

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7/15
Casual Sneakers

Casual Sneakers trends

If you want to give your house slippers a post-pandemic break and try some shoes with laces, casual women’s sneakers are perfect.

And that’s because, of all sneakers for women on this list; casual sneakers are the least overwhelming or obligatory.

Designed as comfortable shoes, casual sneakers have a sleek silhouette that works wonders with skinny jeans for women.

And, of all casual sneakers, the ones below are the most popular right now: retro classics, old-school throwbacks, and eco-friendly designer collaborations.

Gucci Leather Ace Sneakers

Gucci

Leather Ace Sneakers
$680

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Stuart Faux Pearl-Embellished Leather Sneakers

Stuart Weitzman

Faux Pearl-Embellished Leather Sneakers
$210

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8/15
Sustainable Sneakers

Vegan Sneakers

We see more and more sneakers made from more environmentally friendly materials, like post-consumer rescued polyester and recycled leather.

For $98, Everlane’s Court sneakers are made from leather from an environmentally friendly gold-certified tannery.

The sole is over 90 percent free of virgin plastic, and the lining is 100 percent recycled polyester.

Another great brand in the sustainable sneakers category is the French brand Veja.

With Meghan Markle’s marketing help, the label has almost conquered the sustainable sneakers market.

With soles from ethically sourced Amazonian rubber and responsibly produced leather for the uppers, Veja is a must-wear brand of sustainable sneakers.

Stella McCartney Eclypse Low-Top Sneakers

Stella McCartney

Eclypse Low-Top Sneakers
$685

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Adidas x Parley Ultraboost DNA Sneakers

Adidas x Parley

Ultraboost DNA Sneakers
$339

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9/15
Dad Sneakers

Dad sneakers womens sneaker trends

At peak popularity this year, Dad sneakers have been trendy for a few years now.

Also described as ugly sneakers, dad sneakers have seen a resurgence following TikTok’s nostalgia for normcore trends and 90s styles.

While super comfortable and great for all-day wear, a typical dad shoe has thick, chunky soles and throwback paneling in bright colors.

You can style these sneakers in many ways, but they look best with Dad jeans.

Try a sporty look, pairing them with your activewear, or rock them casually with joggers and a t-shirt.

New Balance’s 452 sneakers and Nike Air Monarch sneakers are the most representative dad sneakers, designed in bold colors for extra visual impact.

Nike Air Max VG-R Women's Sneakers

Nike

Air Max VG-R Women’s Sneakers
$120

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New Balance 624 Women’s Sneakers

New Balance

624 Women’s Sneakers
$79.99

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10/15
Classic Sneakers

Classic Sneakers sneaker trends

Whether you’re a smart-casual dresser, remember that classic sneakers are a must-have in every man, woman, and child’s wardrobe.

Regarding classic sneakers, look for heritage sports brands rather than trend-led women’s sneakers of high-end designer brands or popular streetwear brands.

Material-wise, classic sneakers (or legacy shoes) are made from either canvas or leather.

Color-wise, for classic sneakers, “cream is the new white!”

Matched nicely, cream-hued, off-white sneakers will deliver that “worn-out touch” to your next OOTD.

Nike’s Air Force 1 takes the top spot as a truly timeless pair from all classic sneakers out there.

However, you may want to opt for the Air Force 1 Sage Low for a feminine update on the sneaker.

It has a slimmer silhouette than the original and a slightly elevated platform midsole.

However, Nike fans will be pleased to see that many traditional design details remain, like the leather upper, athletic perforations on the midfoot, and the Swoosh emblem on the sidewall.

Other classic sneakers choices include Adidas Originals’ Stan Smiths, Reebok’s Club C 85, and Converse’s Chuck Taylor All-Stars.

Adidas Originals White Sleek Super Sneakers

Adidas Original

White Sleek Super Sneakers
$110

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Georgia Bulldogs Women's Glitter Low Top Canvas Shoes

FOCO

Georgia Bulldogs Women’s Glitter Low-Top Canvas Shoes
$45

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Prince Club C 85 Sneakers

Reebok

Club C 85 Sneakers
$85

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11/15
Retro Sneakers

Retro Sneakers womens sneakers trends

Most sneakers for women come and go like the changing of the tides.

In the summer of 2022, we’ve seen streamlined and minimalist trainers at the height of footwear fashion.

A few months later, everyone stomped around in bulky kicks more suitable for a lunar mission than walking or sporting activities.

However, one type of sneakers remains untouched: the classic, retro sneaker style.

Throwback silhouettes with a hearty dose of retro cool isn’t going anywhere, making them a solid option should you find yourself hunting for timeless trainers.

With bold color choices and classic patterns, women’s retro sneakers are a style statement in their own right.

And, those of you feeling more adventurous, opt for pastel hues to create a fresh, youthful look.

Adidas Originals TRX Vintage Sneakers

Adidas Originals

TRX Vintage Sneakers
$89

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Suede Classic XXI Women's Sneakers

Puma

Suede Classic XXI Women’s Sneakers
$70

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12/15
Collab Sneakers

Collab Sneakers

Nowadays, the world of celebs and influencer collaborative sneakers – think blockbusters and limited collaboration releases – is taking over women’s fashion.

Driven by worldwide fashion designers (in athleisure and streetwear) collaborating with luxury fashion brands, this section includes rare releases that often end up on collector’s shelves.

Some of the more notable releases as of late include the upcoming Pharrell Williams x Adidas Humanrace collection, Yeezy Quantum “Onyx,” and other releases by Prada, Pharrell, Palace, Craig Green, Human Made, and Air Jordans.

The advantage of buying rare women’s sneakers collaborations is the knowledge that you get authentic sneakers, part of a significant trend.

Designed for hardcore sneakerheads, collab sneakers are pure fashion statements loved by people worldwide.

Nike X Off-White Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Off-White - UNC" Sneakers

Nike X Off-White

Air Jordan 1 Retro High “Off-White – UNC” Sneakers
$2250

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Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 "Zebra" sneaker

Adidas

Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Zebra” Sneaker
$475




13/15
Workout Sneakers

Workout Sneakers for women

Comfortable athleisure women’s sneakers have reached new heights during the lockdown.

In particular, workout sneakers have become the go-to shoes for most trendsetters.

Workout sneakers will make you look good in the gym while offering improved grip and support to work out safely and effectively.

Right now, some of the best workout trainers for women are made by Under Armour, Inov-8, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Reebok, and Onitsuka Tiger.

The classic lace-ups are the most used of all variations of workout sneakers.

Suitable for gym and everyday activities, people use them for gym sessions, grocery runs, or just lounging around at home.

Women's UA Flow Velociti SE Running Sneakers

Under Armour

Women’s UA Flow Velociti SE Running Sneakers
$130

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Speed 21 TR Training Sneakers

Reebok

Speed 21 TR Training Sneakers
$100

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14/15
Futuristic Sneakers

Futuristic Sneakers

Following Nike Air Max’s success with ‘visible air technology,’ sneakerheads have fallen in love with futuristic sneakers.

Top fashion brands like Alexander McQueen and Prada have followed this sneaker trend and created SCI-FI-looking-like sneakers and footwear.

New sneaker designers, such as Li-Ning, are pushing women’s sneakers as far as they can, transporting buyers – with their designs – to a distant future.

Sneaker designs have become so futuristic that they now look fit for a retro-futuristic fashion world or, even better, a cyberpunk universe ruled by Mad Max and Blade Runner.

Whether it’s Raf Simons’ new Cylon-21 Runner, Maison Margiela’s Patchwork sneaker, or Vivienne Westwood’s latest ASICS collab, futuristic sneakers for women are here to stay.

Adapt Auto Max "Infared" Sneakers

Nike

Adapt Auto Max “Infrared” Sneakers
$335

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Nike Air Max 97 LX Sneakers

Nike

Nike Air Max 97 LX Sneakers
$135

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15/15
Vegan Sneakers

sustainable sneakers sneaker trends

There are almost 80 million vegans worldwide, a figure snowballing each year.

Whether for personal health, ethical reasons, or environmental concerns, women are swapping animal products for plant-based alternatives – in fridges and wardrobes.

We’ve come a long way from when sustainable shoes meant scratchy espadrilles.

Early vegan sneakers were made of recycled plastic rescued from the oceans and post-consumer waste.

However, the latest generation of vegan sneakers – powered by a veritable buffet of plant-based materials – are competing with some of the most luxurious designer sneakers out there right now.

Veja V-10 Sneakers

Veja

Low Top V-10 Sneakers
$132

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Adidas Originals Vegan Stan Smith Sneakers

Adidas Originals

Vegan Stan Smith Sneakers
$85

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FAQs

What are the Best Women’s Sneakers?

The five best women’s sneakers right now are:

  • Air Jordan 1 High ’85 ‘Georgetown’
  • Nike Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’
  • Travis Scott x Nike Air Max 1
  • Nocta x Nike Hot Step Air Terra
  • Gucci x Adidas Gazelle

What are the Best women’s Sneakers for Walking?

The five best women’s sneakers for walking right now are:

  • Ryka Women’s Devotion Plus 2 Walking Shoe
  • ASICS Women’s GEL-Excite 6 Running Shoes
  • New Balance Women’s 860v12
  • Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
  • Saucony Integrity Walker 3

What’s Trending in Women’s Sneakers?

These are the top 5 trends in women’s sneakers right now:

  • Old-school vintage-style trainers
  • Eco-friendly sneaker labels
  • Bright and bold colors
  • Cross trainers
  • Knit kicks

15 Sneaker Styles Every Woman Should Have in Her Wardrobe

Now it’s your turn…

Which one of these women’s sneakers is your favorite and why?

Which is the most versatile of the women’s sneakers presented here?

How about the most sustainable pair? Or the most stylish one?

Are there any other sneakers for women you’d like to add to this list?

Please leave your comments below!

After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London's office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.

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10 COMMENTS

  1. The classics are my fav! Never heard of Foco though, very interesting designs, in particular the Kansas City ones!
    Also, I would include Converse Chuck Taylors, the best classics of all time!

  2. Vegan Sneakers are at the center of attraction. I have been searching for this kind of stuff – luxury vegan sneakers – and was unable to get. I am from India would love I get a chance to find some of these great vegan sneaker offers in my country as well. Also, can you cover vegan sneakers for party dresses, and some kind of vegan leather sneaker alternatives to replace high heel vegan sandals?

  3. One of the best and most comprehensive articles covering the latest trends in women’s sneakers in 2022. I wear sneakers almost everywhere, and I have a lot of sneakers in my wardrobe and I can say this the author gets it to perfection!

  4. I wonder if there’s a new kind of sneaker style that’s going to take over the classic women’s sneaker styles? Asking because I see changes coming from the additive manufacturing field and I wonder if those changes will translate into retail. The changes I am referring to are of material and most importantly, style nature. If needed, I can send you some excellent materials to have a look at and maybe write an article about upcoming women’s sneaker trends or something like that. Let me know.

  5. I personally feel that the best sneakers of 2022 (for women) have it tougher than ever. For once, you can argue that the world of sneakers isn’t as alluring as it once was – with loafers, boots, and even—gasp—the occasional dress shoe – all piquing interest with more regularity than they have in years.

    But something strange happened, as a result, perhaps unwittingly: the sneaker release cycle became more focused, and with less trash to sift through, week in and week out, the cream is rising to the top faster than before.

    On one end of the spectrum are the capital-D designers taking massive, culture-shifting swings, in the form of reality-questioning styles from Balenciaga or collaborations that used to only exist in our dreams (see: Nike x Louis Vuitton).

    On the other, big hitters like Nike and Jordan are finding new ways to make us fall in love with the silhouettes that turned them into powerhouses, by simply giving the people what they want: retro hues and classic styling. And all the while, new players in the space continue to surprise, whether it’s the gorp gurus at Salomon or the certified lover boy himself, who debuted his first signature shoe with the Swoosh only a few weeks ago.

    And, this article covering the best women’s sneakers of 2022 so far, is the definitive proof that this year will be yet another big one for even bigger kicks.

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