Finding the best sneaker to fit your style and budget can be downright grueling, considering the thousands of choices. But don’t worry. We have tested many sneakers to narrow down your options, both in the lab and outside, while rocking them around the city.
Whether you’re looking for an iconic silhouette, a sleek tennis sneaker, or a chunky dad shoe, we’ve got our top picks in different categories for you to choose from.
Adidas Samba
What makes it the best?
Dating back to the 1950s, the Adidas Samba boasts unrivaled longevity and legacy, moving from a sporty sneaker to a closet must-have. It’s our best classic sneaker, featuring a minimalist low-cut design. It’s crafted with premium leather and suede upper, ensuring exceptional durability, while its grounded profile and traction enhance our stability.
As we strolled through town sporting the Sambas, we discovered the absence of a midsole giving an almost barefoot feeling. Our caliper reveals a humble 19.3/11.9 mm stack, elevating us only slightly from the ground. It truly embodies minimalism and gives a natural feel together with its light 12.1 oz (342g) weight and loose build. Our bend test confirms it’s 40.9% more flexible than average.
Our lab reveals both the leather and suede in the upper are real, except for the white piece at the top of the collar that got damaged in our test. Putting it against our Dremel revealed its sturdiness, earning an impressive 4/5 for durability.
With its roots tracing back to indoor soccer, the gum rubber outsole features two-directional lugs for enhanced traction. From sharp corners to slippery surfaces, we had no instances of losing confidence in our strides.
Unfortunately, the absence of a foam midsole isn’t the best option for long hours on foot. Those who prefer more cushioning should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Clean and minimalist style
- Unbelievably affordable
- Real leather and suede
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Long-lasting construction
- Lighter than average
- Highly flexible build
- Good grip for casual use
Cons
- Poor breathability
- Tongue slides to the side
- Not for all-day wear
- Slippery when wet
Nike Zoom Vomero 5
What makes it the best?
Combining classic style with all-day comfort, our tests with the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 felt like a breeze. It’s incredibly lightweight, ultra-breathable, and pleasantly effortless on foot. As seen in the lab, this sneaker won’t allow any kind of overheating or leg fatigue, making it our best overall sneaker.
Eager to put the hype to the test, we strolled around town in the Vomero 5. To our delight, its thin mesh upper offers full-length airflow, ensuring zero sweat and blisters. Our smoke test proves its permeability as it easily escaped, earning a perfect breathability score.
We found the pair immensely versatile as it moves with our strides smoothly. Our bend test reveals it’s 14.3% more flexible than the average sneaker. What adds to its weightlessness is its airy build. At 11.2 oz (316g), it’s 19.0% lighter than average.
Even with its average stack height, the Vomero 5 feels more cushioned underfoot. We cut the shoe open and discovered two Zoom Air units, adding some perceived softness and bounce to the ride. Our shock absorption test verifies this with an outstanding 112 SA result, 25.8% above average.
While the seamless airflow is a highlight, the upper’s durability is compromised. The toebox scored the lowest 1/5 rating on our Dremel test. Exercise caution when handling this area of the shoe.
Pros
- Nostalgic 2000s aesthetic
- Excellent breathability for summer
- Cushioned like a running shoe
- Lighter than average
- Very comfy in-shoe feel
- Flexible and forgiving on foot
- Wear-resistant outsole and inner lining
- Better lockdown with a gusseted tongue
Cons
- Mesh is easy to tear
- Not for flat feet/overpronation
- Can be slippery on wet
- Pricey