Real Sneaker People Know There's Only One Style Worth Buying RN
As a sneaker collector myself, I understand the importance of making a sneaker purchase. While aesthetics are also high on the list of pros, comfort is key when picking what to add to your sneaker shelf.
Leather sneakers are a personal favorite for both of those reasons. The current trend in sneakers is retro-inspired soccer sneakers, playful color combinations, and heritage brands. The fashion crowd is loving reissued or reminiscent styles from the '60s (the Adidas Japan), the '70s (the Adidas Country OG), and the '80s (the Nike Cortez and the Reebok Club C 85). Gum soles are back, and zany color combinations add an exciting touch.
But beyond their appearance, leather sneakers offer an added comfort option. They can break and stretch to give you a more tailored shoe for your foot. While the initial break-in may be a pain, the result will be worth it.
Ahead, I've gathered the leather options that sneakerheads are loving right now.
Shop the 10 best leather sneakers:
1. Adidas Originals Samba OG Sneakers ($100)
2. Nike Cortez Leather Women's Shoes ($90)
3. Reebok Classic Leather Sneaker ($56)
4. Adidas Originals Japan Low Sneakers ($120)
5. New Balance 550 Sneakers ($110)
6. Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Sneakers ($90)
7. PumaSpeedcat OG ($100)
8. Gola x Anthropologie Stadium Sneakers ($125)
9. Gola Elan Leather Sneakers ($110)
10. Veja Esplar Sneakers ($150)
Rating: 4.7/5
"The fit is unique and it's very comfortable to wear. Despite me being a wide fit, I have no concerns wearing them about. Can walk about in them for long hours without stress. The color is cute too." — Reviewer
It's no secret that it's been the year of the Samba. The color options are extensive, as long as you catch them before they sell out. The sneaker style is also incredibly comfortable (in my opinion) and molds to your foot the more you wear them. This particular pair is produced in women's sizes 5 to 11.
Rating: 4.7/5
"I only have 2 words to review these shoes….buy them! I wear these shoes all the time and get compliments on them often. They are comfortable and fashionable in a very relaxed way. The green is the color everyone wants right now. I am usually a size 7 but got these in an 8 and they fit perfect." — Reviewer
The Nike Cortez is an '80s classic style that remains just as relevant today. It comes in a large variety of color offerings but this red and blue pair is a fashion-crowd favorite. The shoe is built narrow but comes in sizes up to a women's 12. Keep in mind that you will likely need to size up.
Rating: 4.4/5
"A great sneaker for every outfit. The shoes are super comfy and made well. The white is easy to clean and shoe strings stay tied." — Reviewer
This Reebok sneaker is a true classic. While the all-white may seem like a con, they are supposedly easily cleaned. They also come in a plethora of other colorways and materials, but white leather is the traditional option. They are offered in sizes 5 to 11 and most customers sized up a half size.
Rating: 4.9/5
"Wow, the most comfortable pair of Adidas I've ever had. Great quality and super stylish. Delighted! I'd love to see more color variations in the future." — Reviewer
The Adidas Japan is a reissue of a sneaker style from 1964, making it feel very authentic to the brand. The rich red is a fun option, but if you're looking for a more neutral option, the sneakers also come in black, white, and cream. Since it is a unisex style, the sizing ranges from a men's 4/women's 5 to a men's 13/women's 14.
Rating: 5/5
"Great shoes to walk miles in (took my dog on a 5 mile walk and my feet felt great afterwards!) The color green is subtle yet adds some interest to my outfits!." — Reviewer
These New Balance sneakers have a cool, vintage feel with a nice pop of color. They come in standard women's sizing from 5 to 11 and run true to size. They are offered in additional neutral colorways from other retailers.
Rating: 4.8/5
"I purchased these sneakers for a weeklong holiday in Europe. They were perfection. I packed 5 pairs of shoes and ended up wearing these every day. We walked 20,000 steps or more each day and I was the only one who wasn't complaining about their feet at the end of the day. Plus they go with everything." — Reviewer
From personal experience, these are some of the most comfortable sneakers on the market. They are tennis-inspired sneakers from the Reebok archive featuring the vintage logo. There are six color offerings, and all except for one are the standard white with a different accent color. Sizing is standard women's 5 to 11 and they fit true to size.
Rating: 4.5/5
"Obsessed didn’t think they would be comfy but they actually so are. Everyone loves them I have gotten so many compliments!!" — Reviewer
Puma's iconic Speedcat sneakers have been making the rounds this year among the fashion crowd, being spotted on Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson. The 25-year-old motorsport-inspired silhouette is crafted out of soft suede and comes in a variety of colors, including this black-and-white option, as well as a red version that's booming right now. There's an ultra-trendy blush-pink option available too.
Rating: 4.6/5
"I absolutely love these shoes. As soon as I saw them in store, I had to buy them! I am usually between an 8 and 8.5 but sized down to an 8 in these. I take my smaller size in most Gola shoes. These are comfortable, stood all day and walked a lot in them and had no complaints! The green ribbons laces are my favorite thing about the shoes but they also come with regular laces too. These are a must buy!" — Reviewer
These exclusive collaboration sneakers have playful details including ribbon laces and stitched details. They come in the white/black/green colorway as well as an inverted version in black/white/pink. The sizing is women's 5 to 11, but most reviews cite them running slightly larger and wider.
Rating: 4.5/5
"I absolutely love these shoes! I own them in several colors and constantly receive compliments whenever I wear them. They’re both comfortable and versatile, pairing perfectly with just about any outfit. For sizing, I usually wear a size 7, but I found it best to size down to a 6.5 for the perfect fit. Highly recommend!" — Reviewer
Gola has become a choice brand among sneaker enthusiasts over the past couple of years and the Elan is no exception. The black-and-white versions are go-tos, but the style has also been highly coveted in the bright options including pink, red, green, orange, and yellow. The sizing ranges from women's 6 to 11.
Rating: 4.3/5
"Not only are these the most comfortable pair of white sneakers I own, but they are so flattering and cute. I have worn them literally all over the world and they are still in great condition. I have a normal sometimes on the wider side foot bed and my 8.5 foot was perfect in the 39." — Reviewer
Veja continues to produce sought-after sneakers in their quintessential white base and colorful logo format. The olive green is a nice neutral-adjacent hue for an everyday shoe. The shoe is available in women's sizes 6 to 10 and most all of the reviews confirm the shoe runs wide.
Shop more leather sneakers:
Rating: 4.9/5
"These are the best sneakers I have ever owned. Able to wear with shorts for a summer day out or with a nice pair of jeans and a collared shirt for date night or a business casual setting." —Reviewer
Koio's Capri sneakers are handmade in Tuscany out of high-quality, full-grain leather, making them investment shoes if you want sneakers you can wear year after year. They're available in sizes 5 to 11, though the brand recommends sizing down if you're in between two sizes. They're available in nine additional color options, most of which are quite neutral and timeless.
Rating: 4.4/5
"What’s not to love? Super comfortable and stylish. Get lots of compliments when I wear them out. Great purchase." — Reviewer
These match-everything sneakers have their reviewers fawning. They cite the ease and comfort of the shoes as well as the quality. The striking Puma logo gives a retro soccer-inspired feeling. These come in women's sizes 5.5 to 11.
Rating: 4.6/5
"Gorgeous trainer, true to size, striking color and very comfortable. I always wear Adidas trainers and these are definitely one of my 'go to' most days. Good grip to the sole & look great. Very happy with these & would highly recommend." — Reviewer
These statement sneakers are a maximalist's dream. The style originated in the '70s for cross-country runners but is now considered modern lifestyle sneakers. Apart from this dramatic silver, there is another metallic style (an opulent shiny burgundy option) and a vintage-inspired white pair. The women's sizing is standard from 5 to 11.
Rating: 3.9/5
"These shoes were comfortable right out of the box, and I have foot issues! Arch support was just the right size and width ran true to size and the color is just so darn cute. Wore these all day during and were comfortable as could be!" — Reviewer
The Gola Torpedo sneaker has a sophisticated feel in lush chocolate brown. The shoe is also offered in black and white for a more traditional option. Apart from minor fit issues, the shoes are highly recommended for comfort and color. The size run is women's 5 to 11 and most reviewers said they fit true to size.
Rating: 4.7/5
"Extremely comfortable! I’m so glad I bought these. I own 15+ pairs of Nikes… these are also wider than their average width and insoles are actually cushiony. These are great for walks and everyday wear. I got my usual size. Totally recommend!" — Reviewer
Based on customer reviews, these shoes have a lot of support, one customer even cited running in them. They are produced in 18 different colors ranging from tonal beige to forest green. The unisex sneaker has a wide size range from men's 3.5/women's 5 to men's 15/women's 16.5.
Rating: 4.5/5
"I ordered 3 different pairs of tennis shoes to try on. These were the most comfortable. I have high arches and these have excellent support. The toe box is a little narrower than I normally prefer but I just don't lace as tightly. They are narrow in look which I like as a change from my more chunky blue tennis shoes. I ordered the 8 women's/6.5 men's size." — Reviewer
This heritage brand is known for pioneering comfort. The Mestari sneaker feels timeless and chic without having obvious outward branding. They are also available in lavender, green, and dark grey/navy. They have a streamlined silhouette, however that is also the cause for the narrow toe box. These are offered in women's size 5.5 to 12.
Rating: 4.2/5
"I wasn’t sure what to expect after having a similar style in Vejas but wow - I can’t get over how comfortable these are! It’s like wearing slippers. My feet are so happy! I had absolutely 0 break in period which was fabulous and my first day wearing them I walked close to 8 kilometers and didn’t have a single issue. They are a quick go-to for me!!" -Reviewer
If you're a fan of a simple, sleek sneaker this is for you. The paired-down silhouette allows them to be evergreen in your wardrobe. They run true to size but have a slightly more narrow toe box. Sizes include women's 5 to 11.
Rating: 5/5
"Love my Vessis! This is my third pair and I recommend them to everyone—so comfy, stylish, and durable." -Reviewer
Made of vegan leather, these entirely waterproof white sneakers are classic, chic, and shockingly comfortable, according to an abundance of reviews. One said that they get more comfy with every wear, encouraging owners to keep grabbing for them day after day.
Rating: 4.6/5
"Comfy, beautiful, retro, but yet on trend. These sneakers are everything I wanted! Now I just have to decide which color to get next." -Reviewer
These vintage-inspired suede-detail sneakers check off every box. According to reviews, the sizing is a bit tricky to get right, though, as they run small and slightly narrow. One reviewer noted that she's usually a size 7 in Tory Burch sneakers, but in these, she got a 7.5 and they were perfect.
Editor's note: Reviews have been lightly edited for clarity where necessary.
Copelyn is a freelance fashion and accessory editor. She formerly worked for Who What Wear as an associate shopping editor and is based in New York City. She writes about fashion and accessory trends in addition to creating original content. Before her time at Who What Wear, Copelyn was at Bustle Digital Group, working on the accessory market for cover shoots and fashion features across Nylon, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Romper, and Elite Daily. Copelyn also previously worked at InStyle and Cosmopolitan in the fashion and accessory departments on shopping and fashion market. Copelyn has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Copelyn freelances in graphic and web design in the fashion-and-lifestyle space. She also loves to upcycle clothing and home décor as well as collect an embarrassing number of colorful sneakers and experiment with her hair color.
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