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If you’re ready to transition from sandals and mesh ballet flats but the weather isn’t exactly calling for snow boots just yet, sneakers are a happy medium. The footwear is seasonless, and when you have the right pair, they go with just about anything from skirts and dresses to jeans and shorts.
Whether or not you’re really into streetwear and know all the hot new collabs, we spoke to our friends at StockX — one of the go-to resale marketplaces for high-demand fashion — to round up the best pairs to buy, backed up by all the latest data. We’ve also tapped Stadium Goods’ staff for their favorites.
StockX’s most recent report identified the record-setting brands and products that made waves in 2022 and predicted what will be trending come 2023. By crunching the number of searches, the figures provided a full picture on which sneaker silhouettes had the biggest spikes compared to the previous year (cough, cough, Adidas Samba).
With extra insight from Drew Haines, director of collectibles and sneakers at StockX, and Matthew Gomes, senior director of retail at Stadium Goods, we rounded up all the trending sneakers — plus some other top-rated ones — in a bunch of different categories.
The Best Sustainable Sneakers
Demand for sustainable sneakers first began to build on StockX in 2020, and interest has remained strong since. Haines says that the Nike Dunk Low Next Nature, which is made with 50 percent recycled materials, and the Adidas Samba Vegan White Gum were among the best-selling sustainable sneakers on StockX this year.
The cotton lining, leather, and rubber outsoles of these colorful dad sneakers are made from recycled materials. They also have a cloud-lift insole for an extra comfy fit. New everyday sneaker, is that you?
These soothing seafoam-green vegan sneakers are made from recycled ocean plastic. And for every pair sold, the brand donates 10 percent of profits toward protecting and conserving sea life.
French brand Veja has really cornered the sustainable-sneaker market (with a little help from Meghan Markle). This white pair is made from ethically sourced materials like wild Amazonian rubber for the soles and responsibly produced leather for the upper.
Everlane’s ReLeather Court sneaker is made of recycled leather scraps requiring no new tanning or dyeing. “Leather reimagined,” the brand dubs it.
Half of the materials in this style are recycled, and the Samba was basically the shoe of the year. According to StockX, searches for the style increased 485 percent year over year.
Ever heard of corn leather? Now you have. Other materials that make up these sneakers include natural rubber, wood chips, and certified organic cotton.
You can’t mention sustainable sneakers without bringing up Cariumas. The vegan insole is made from cork, the canvas is organic cotton, and any plastics used for the laces and labels are actually from recycled water bottles.
With an upper made from recycled leather and an insole made of recycled rubber, the whole shoe is made with sustainable practices in mind. When you get as much wear out of them as you possibly can, the brand encourages you to mail them back so it can reuse the materials, and you’ll get $20 toward your next pair as an incentive.
The Best Classic Sneakers
Fact: A pair of Nikes, Chucks, Vans, or New Balances will never go out of style. They’re even cool when they’re all beat up, because that just shows you’ve had them for ages. And the best part about them is that they’ll never break the bank.
You can never go wrong with the New Balance Classics. They are a little bit nerdy, a little bit cool, and super comfortable, of course.
Whether you wear them sparkling clean or tossed around in the dirt, they are an unmatched classic.
The Best Trendy Sneakers
Whether they’re remixed classics or a completely new style, these are the styles that feel especially of-the-moment.
Nike Dunks have stood the test of time and proved to us that they’ll be trending forever. StockX says Nike continues to restock them numerous times and they sell out each time. We get it. The colorways are unique, the style is classic, and they can be styled with almost anything.
Or opt for this suede pink colorway. The pink foam edition is a trending style at Stadium Goods that will add subtle color to your outfits.
When Rihanna stepped out wearing this sneaker, that pretty much cemented it into Hall of Fame status. After dropping in June, it sold out lightning fast and is available only on resale sites.
Again with Adidas! The brand’s collaboration with Bad Bunny has been one of the highest traded sneakers on StockX, specifically in Mexico City. The Puerto Rican rapper’s fanbase almost immediately sold out these low black triple leather and suede sneakers. Even Bella Hadid is a fan of this collaboration.
Even if you’re not into a gorpcore look, you can’t deny the pull you feel when looking at a pair of Salomon shoes. The stylish color variations, thin laces, and sleek design are hard to resist; plus the Gore-Tex material will keep out any water and withstand harsh weather.
You don’t have to be a hypebeast to wear these. They’re chunky and playful without being too in your face, thanks to the pastel color palette.
From the contrast swoosh logo to the netted mesh upper, these deserve a top spot on the list of best sneaker collabs this year.
Aritzia’s an underrated source for trendy sneakers, carrying brands like Salomon, New Balance, and Asics. These feature a fun mix of colors that make them more than ideal for several outfit pairings this fall.
This best-selling pair from Nike falls somewhere between gorpcore and dad sneakers that Stadium Goods says shoppers love. With textured mesh and silver details, this cool gray pair will look just as good with denim as it will with sweatpants.
Bright-yellow sneakers are all the rage right now, and while it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on the black-and-yellow colorway, this nearly identical style with maroon details still has plenty of stock.
The Best High-Performance Sneakers
The ultrasleek, futuristic-looking sneakers do double duty, combining well-researched performance technology and a street-style aesthetic. They’re breathable, flexible, and just really cool looking, whether or not you’re actually exercising in them.
Haines says Hoka was the No. 1 fastest-growing sneaker brand on StockX in 2022, with a whopping 3,606 percent trade growth year over year.
The support you get from the Vaporfly is unlike any other sneaker’s, and the cushioning also comes in handy if you’re recovering from a leg injury. The reviews say the shoe lives up to the hype if you’re the training type, so don’t wait any longer to snap it up.
Ultraboosts are known for their functionality and breathability. This nude colorway is perfect for minimalists and will match all your workout gear.
Asics’s “GEL” technology gives you protective shock absorption and comfortable cushioning, and these come in a variety of color options.
This version of Nike’s popular Flyknit has it all: style, function, comfort, and breathability.
For the regular runners out there, the Glycerin is a favorite for its stabilizing effects and cloudlike footbed. Your toes are going to fall in love with the slightly wider (read: non-suffocating) toe box.
The Best Fashion Sneakers
Last but not least, here are the sneakers for anyone who wants a little luxury on their feet.
Found: a retro pair of sneakers to wear with your luxe Loewe jeans.
The British brand updated its ubiquitous sneaker with an exaggerated, translucent sole. It comes in a ton of color options.
No one blends streetwear and cool luxury like Off-White. These sneakers are proof of that.
These funky sneakers have fun laces and construction that makes sneaker heads remember why they fell in love with kicks again.
Valentino sneakers are sleek and classic. The signature studs are the simplest detail that does all the talking for these shoes.
That classic high-top look but with more height — and a zipper at the back for easy on-and-off.
Getting an already-worn-in look without putting in the time will cost you, but Golden Goose sneaks are for those who are impatient.
Our Experts:
- Drew Haines, director of collectibles and sneakers at StockX
- Matthew Gomes, senior director of retail at Stadium Goods
