Best trainers in 2024: the best sneakers for fashion and beyond

published 5 January 2024

A great pair of trainers can elevate an outfit, or even give a smart get-up a casual slant you'd otherwise struggle to achieve.

But when shopping online it can be hard to get an idea of what's out there if you are not already a borderline footwear influencer.

OK, so while we aren't one of those either, we do have more than 25 top pairs of trainers to suggest, from olden oldie classic to brand new designs.

We also have a couple of picks suitable for runners and gym fans. But this list is predominantly about casual footwear that makes a visual statement.

You’ll find the usual suspect brands represented, including Nike, Adidas and Reebok, and we also have some slightly left-field options should you want something a little less commonplace.

One thing to consider is whether you’re after a more modern sneaker style design, or the slightly less sporty look. These are often based on sports shoes from the 1970s or earlier, and typically have less of a heel drop, a flatter sole.

You’ll find both sides of that divide represented below.

In this guide, we’ve selected our top picks. But do let us know if there are any others you think we need to include, and remember to upvote your favourite pair.

Best trainers

The classics are classics for a reason. You’ve been able to get your hands on Converse’s Chuck Taylors since… well, since before you were born. The folks behind the design have recognised you can mess with a good thing as much as you want, as long as you keep the things that made it great to begin with. The All-Star 70 high-top trainer marked one of the early tweaks that modernised the original, while keeping the good bits very much intact.

Trainers don’t get more retro or instantly recogniable than the Adidas Samba. This unisex design is the epitome of athleisure. You could work out in these sneakers, but they’ve moved on from their days as soccer shoes and are now a lifestyle trainer staple. The Adidas Samba has had many redesigns and alterations over the years, but the defining features are a classic leather upper and a gummy rubber outsole in a lightweight and low-profile design. We’ve recently spotted these trainers on many famous feet, as Rihanna, Frank Ocean, and Bella Hadid have all taken their Sambas for a spin.

Arguably a veteran of the trainer world, Adidas' Stan Smith silhouette was first released in 1973 and has stood the test of time for a reason. Sure, they've had countless limited-edition iterations over the years, however, the core design has changed very little. Featuring a lace-up front (or velcro, depending on your preference), visible side vents and a distinctive coloured heel tab adorned with the Adidas logo, there's a classic colour scheme to suit every possible taste.

Another classic shoe. There are more than 50 years of history tied up in its laces. The critical thing to know about the Puma Suede is its name has changed several times over the years. It’s been called the Puma Crack, the Clyde, the States. The last time we checked, the brand had settled on Puma Suede. Like all of the retro styles in this list, it started life as a training shoe – it was called Puma Crack because ‘crack’ means a highly-skilled person. It’s been refreshed over decades and made from canvas, wool, denim, and even snakeskin. But now, it features premium Italian leather and is a street-style staple.

Chunky dad shoes are still very much on trend in 2023. Why not make sure that trend looks good with a pair of New Balance 574s? These are another pair of wonderfully retro sneakers. They’re instantly recogniable thanks to a slight wedge on the hell, a broad base and the iconic New Balance ‘N’ logo. They’re built to be comfortable and reliable, which means they should suit a wide range of scenarios. Especially considering you can get them in an extensive range of colors and fabrics.

If you want a pair of trainers that straddle the line between stylish and sporty, look no further than the Asics Gel Nimbus 24. Considered one of the most reliable pairs of running shoes you can buy, they’re ideal if you need your sneakers to be versatile. They offer a new level of comfort thanks to the gel technology Asics pioneered. The result is a cushioned pair of shoes with lots of bounce – if you love that cloud-like feeling when you put on a pair of new trainers, you’ll find it here.

New in the SS23 collection, this Neo Triple Black version of the classic Creator is a decent upgrade to the already great trainer. While they were a little snug the first time we tried, they moulded around our foot well after subsequent wears and had the comfort factor that comes with a trainer that has a bit of bulk. There's a really nice mix classic and modern design elements and while the design is a touch understated, it means that these sneakers aren't going to go out of fashion anytime soon!

Additional words: Marc Chacksfield; Becca Caddy

How to buy the best trainers for you

When it comes to investing in a new pair of trainers there are myriad reasons why you are looking for a new pair. It could be that you have worn out your favourite pair and are looking for a replacement. Or you are looking to add to your burgeoning collection. The following tips will help you in your training buying needs.

Choose a trainer brand that suits you and your feet

Sometimes you are dead set on a brand of trainers and won’t want to sway from them, but trying out different brands could open up a whole new area of comfort for you. Each trainer manufacturer has their own idea of comfort and that may not suit your foot type.

For instance, if you are looking for a trainer for wide feet then a brand such as Vionic and New Balance seem to cater for this style more than others. Those who have high arches may want to look at a sportier trainer brand such as Asics or Brooks - both of which make running shoes that take into account a high arch.

Choose a style that suits your needs

There is a big difference in wearing a trainer outside and wearing one in the house. If you are housebound and want a trainer for comfort, then you will be looking for a shoe with a softer cushion and probably one without garish tread markings that can play havoc with carpets. If you are going to be wearing your trainers outside in, say, the winter then maybe bright white isn’t the way to go.

Look out for limited edition trainer drops

There are a number of places where you should keep a lookout for trainer news. SoulSupplier is a great UK site that knows all there is to know about trainer limited edition releases and where to find them. There are also a number of Twitter accounts that are worth following, including The Sole Restocks and Sneaker Deals GB.

Taking care of your trainers

Use inserts: if you want your trainers to keep their shape while in storage then shoe inserts are a must. Here are a few options.

Spray away: a decent hydrophobic shoe protector spray will help your trainers keep their clean look - we are a fan of Reshoevn8r Shoe Water & Stain Repellent. As for actual cleaning, then you can’t go wrong with Sneaker LAB Shoe Cleaner Kits.

Fight the light: Make sure that you don’t store your trainers in direct sunlight as this will fade the trainer’s colour. Instead try and keep them in a dark place and, better still, in the box they came in - yes, it’s a git for storage but will help with trainer maintenance.

Plastic is not fantastic: again, when it comes to storage, putting them in a plastic box will just encourage mould so it’s much better to store them somewhere that has a bit of ventilation. That will also help with any unwanted trainer odours.

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