If you pick the wrong footwear, you can end up in a lot of pain (you know what we're talking about if you've ever spent all day wearing heels!). Fortunately, trainers are no longer reserved just for the gym – with lots of stylish designs to choose from, they're the perfect everyday wardrobe staple too. But with ever-increasing ranges of both functional and designer trainers, and so many options to choose from, how do you know which ones to pick?
We've listed some top tips to pay attention to, from minimalist black and white designs to eye-catching colourful ones, follow our advice and you'll find the perfect pair. Don't miss our recommendations for the latest women's trainers to buy on ASOS, John Lewis and Amazon too, with options from on-trend brands like Converse, Nike, Vans and Adidas. Moreover, we have partnered with fashion designer Neelam Lalwani for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Trainers for Women
Converse
The Iconic All Star in Tan Leather
VEJA
Comfortable, Wearable Trainers Made From 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles
Neelam is an ambitious, motivated, fashion and business-oriented graduate. She has 2+ years of experience in the fashion industry working as a fashion designer and social media marketer. Neelam has a keen eye for detail and extensive training in understanding current consumer demands, industry dynamics and new fashion trends.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
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Table of Contents
Neelam is an ambitious, motivated, fashion and business-oriented graduate. She has 2+ years of experience in the fashion industry, working as a fashion designer and social media marketer.
Neelam has a keen eye for detail and extensive training in understanding current consumer demands, industry dynamics and new fashion trends.
Trainers have so many different uses; they're great for day-to-day casual wear, as well as for sports, jogging or your favourite gym workout. However, not all trainers will be suitable for every activity, especially with the rise of athleisure fashion.
For exercise, make sure the shape is up to the job. Pick a supportive sports shoe that will offer good protection and won't rub. Fashion-forward trainers, of course, are better for casual wear. If you want them to complete your outfit as well as being comfortable, look for an interesting design or shape to make them look dressier.
Platform trainers are not only comfy but are a great alternative to high heels. However, they add a few extra inches without the discomfort and damage to your feet that heels might bring! Some platform trainers have a chunkier sole than others, so save the really high ones for casual wear. Meanwhile, platform shoes are suitable for both professional and casual events.
Without having to find somewhere to sit and then spend time making a bow, there's no denying the ease of slip-on trainers. You can slide your foot into slip-ons and be ready to go. If you struggle to tie your shoelaces because you have dyspraxia, this could also be a good option for you. Slip-ons in trainer boot form might also be a more sophisticated choice than lace-ups.
Laces, meanwhile, have a more secure fit that offers your foot better support. This is especially useful if you have narrow feet, as slip-on trainers can be on the wider side and cause the shoe to rub against the side or heel of your foot. You can even try out different lacing techniques that help with problems like toe pain and high arches.
Without a doubt, leather or faux leather shoes are distinctive, stylish, long-lasting and waterproof shoes. Leather, or faux leather, was the original trainer material, but it's very much back in fashion now. It will make your trainers durable and keep your feet dry if you're walking or jogging out in the rain. It's also much easier to clean, plus, you can keep white trainers in tip-top condition by buying a shoe whitener.
The major downfall to this material is that it's not as breathable as fabric, so you might find your feet become sweatier if it's a hot day or you're exercising. Are leather shoes breathable? The pores in the leather material used to manufacture leather shoes enable air to flow.
On the other hand, leather shoes can trap heat and moisture if they are too tight or worn for an extended amount of time. As a result, whether it's a hot day or you're exercising, your feet may sweat more. Plenty of trainers now use a mix of leather and fabric, which is worth looking out for if you'd like the protection that leather offers, as well as some breathability.
Most running shoes are made from – or incorporate – mesh fabric as it's highly breathable and has good temperature control so it will reduce how sweaty your feet get when you're exercising. It also keeps the shoe feeling light, as it's easier to move around when you're not wearing a heavy shoe.
The mesh fabric does offer some protection against the rain, but they're normally not fully waterproof. Running around with your feet feeling wet isn't pleasant, but all is not lost – you can use Vaseline or waterproofing sprays to give your shoe protection against the rain.
Canvas shoes have a lot of benefits, making them a popular choice of footwear. They are comfortable, lightweight, easy to clean and can be paired with a wide range of outfits. Lots of trainers are made from a woven cloth fabric because it's durable and breathable, and its thick material won't stretch out of shape.
Canvas or textile shoes are also flexible so you can freely move around in them, which is useful for both day-to-day life or exercise. Not forgetting that they also look great! A bonus is that you can usually throw these shoes in the washing machine to get them clean without much hassle.
The only downside is that this fabric doesn't offer a lot of ankle support in low-top designs as the collar is often very thin. If you want better support, look for designs that mix textile fabric with a leather collar.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | adidas Originals Gazelle trainers | ![]() | Fresh Black and White Platforms for Year-Round Style | |
2 | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Cosy Club Trainers in Tan Leather | ![]() | The Iconic All Star in Tan Leather | |
3 | Vans Ward Old Skool Black Platform Trainers | ![]() | A Forever-Cool Design From a Classic Brand | |
4 | VEJA Women's Venturi logo-embroidered Alveomesh trainers | ![]() | Comfortable, Wearable Trainers Made From 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles | |
5 | Nike Black and White Internationalist Trainers | ![]() | Nike's Most Versatile Shoe for Everyday Wear | |
6 | Ted Baker Telvi Retro Runner Leather Trainers | ![]() | Luxurious Black Leather Trainers With A Pink Touch | |
7 | MAIITRIP Women's Slip On Walking Trainer | ![]() | Budget Knit Trainers for Walking or Running | |
8 | New Balance 327 Trainers in Sea Salt With Golden Hour | ![]() | 70s Inspired Heritage Style Suede Trainers | |
9 | Superga 2790 Contrast Sole Lace Up Espadrille Trainers | ![]() | Unique Espadrille Trainers On A Budget |
It's no wonder that these sneakers sell quickly! They're flexible, padded, well-protected, and breathable while still looking fresh and fashionable. Wear them to the court or gym to maximise your speed and agility or on a night out—these trainers will never let you down.
Plus, they will go with everything no matter the season. For these reasons, including its comfortability and durability, this product is highly rated, with a whopping 98% of users raving and recommending it!
The famous Chuck Taylor Converse All Star high-tops are constantly updated with new colorways and prints presented each season, always with a spirit of creativity and rebellion. This tan leather design has a borg lining, offering superb coziness on top of unparalleled style.
Practicality-wise, the high ankle will give you support, which is just what you need when you're on the go all day. They also have a thicker sole without being a full platform, which makes for a sturdier shoe that won't wear down as quickly as some.
They're one of the coolest names in the world of trainers, but Vans' latest twist on the old-school design is something you need to add to your collection. The classic design has had an update with a platform heel, but the neutral black and white will still match with anything.
Vans are a good choice for a low-top causal shoe; you can wear these hard-wearing trainers daily and they should last a couple of years. Plus, although they are made predominantly from canvas, they have extra ankle padding for support.
These sophisticated and almost futuristic shoes are not only super chic, they're wearable, and good for the environment too. 100% wide rubber soles provide secure grip when walking, and the classic V logo on the side elevates its minimalistic look
This shoe uses Alveomesh, which is 100% made from recycled plastic bottles that's breathable and will stop your feet from overheating if you spend all day on the go. Cool, comfy and even suitable for more dressy occasions, these are a great smart-casual pick.
Are you looking for top quality trainers for your morning jog or gym work out? These lace-ups from Nike have you covered with their standard sports shoe shape and thick, mixed fabric upper. They're sure to keep your feet supported and protected.
Like almost any pair of Nikes, they're not just for exercising; you'll be both stylish and comfortable wearing these low-key quilted trainers when you're out and about. Their dark colour gives them a slightly more sophisticated edge and means they'll match all your clothes. Try wearing them with black skinny jeans for a chic look!
Ted Baker do a lovely range of trainers with style and wearability in mind. This one is made of bovine leather on the outside, and a polyester lining on the inside. Its black, retro-inspired design is accented with the brand's logo, and with a light pink colour to make it stand out.
With its neutral colour and design, this is a shoe's sure to go with any outfit and appeal to anyone with a classic sense of style. The knit outer layer also brings plenty of breathability and comfort, making this an ideal pair ideal for walking or running.
These trainers are lightweight and flexible with a thin sole, so they're easy to move around in too. They may not look the most fashionable, but they do have a non-slip bottom going for them, as well as the fact they're so comfortable that you won't want to take them off!
The rubber outsole provides adequate grip and durability, and the lace fastening allows for a personalized fit. The retro-inspired nylon tongue isn't just for looks; it also keeps your feet snug and comfortable inside.
Buying a new pair of trainers can be expensive, but if you only need them for a holiday or to wear from time to time, you're not going to want to spend that much. These are a comfortable, inexpensive, and elegant option that will do the job.
Italy's Superga, which has been around for almost a century, gives its iconic creps a fresh update with this unique espadrille trainer. With a woven midsole for added style, these trainers also have textured grip treads to prevent slipping. The reason it's so low on our listing is that the low price tag could mean that it won't be as sturdy as the other options on our list.
We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.
- mybest UK
Our ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
No. 1: adidas Originals|Gazelle trainers
No. 2: Converse|Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Cosy Club Trainers in Tan Leather
No. 3: Vans|Ward Old Skool Black Platform Trainers
No. 4: VEJA|Women's Venturi logo-embroidered Alveomesh trainers
No. 5: Nike|Black and White Internationalist Trainers
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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