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.
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.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() adidas Originals | 2 ![]() Converse | 3 ![]() Vans | 4 ![]() VEJA | 5 ![]() Nike | 6 ![]() Ted Baker | 7 ![]() MAIITRIP | 8 ![]() New Balance | 9 ![]() Superga |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Gazelle trainers | Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Cosy Club Trainers in Tan Leather | Ward Old Skool Black Platform Trainers | Women's Venturi logo-embroidered Alveomesh trainers | Black and White Internationalist Trainers | Telvi Retro Runner Leather Trainers | Women's Slip On Walking Trainer | 327 Trainers in Sea Salt With Golden Hour | 2790 Contrast Sole Lace Up Espadrille Trainers |
Features | Fresh Black and White Platforms for Year-Round Style | The Iconic All Star in Tan Leather | A Forever-Cool Design From a Classic Brand | Comfortable, Wearable Trainers Made From 100% Recycled Plastic Bottles | Nike's Most Versatile Shoe for Everyday Wear | Luxurious Black Leather Trainers With A Pink Touch | Budget Knit Trainers for Walking or Running | 70s Inspired Heritage Style Suede Trainers | Unique Espadrille Trainers On A Budget |
Price | £74.00 | £75.00 | £74.00 | £150.00 | £47.95 | £110.00 | £24.99 | £95.00 | £18.60 |
Sole Height | Platform | Platform | Platform | Regular | Regular | Regular | Low | Regular | Platform |
Best For | Casual wear | Casual wear | Casual wear | Casual wear | Sport or casual wear | Casual wear | Sport, walking | Casual wear | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | Slip-on | Laces | Laces |
Material | Textile | Textile and leather | Textile and leather | 100% Alveomesh (100% recycled plastic bottles), 100% jersey (100% recycled polyester) | Leather and textile | Bovine leather and polyester | Textile | Suede, rubber | Cotton, rubber |
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This 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.
£74.00
Sole Height | Platform |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Textile |
£75.00
Sole Height | Platform |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Textile and leather |
£74.00
Sole Height | Platform |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Textile and leather |
£150.00
Sole Height | Regular |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | 100% Alveomesh (100% recycled plastic bottles), 100% jersey (100% recycled polyester) |
£47.95
Sole Height | Regular |
---|---|
Best For | Sport or casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Leather and textile |
£110.00
Sole Height | Regular |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Bovine leather and polyester |
£24.99
Sole Height | Low |
---|---|
Best For | Sport, walking |
Fastening | Slip-on |
Material | Textile |
£95.00
Sole Height | Regular |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Suede, rubber |
£18.60
Sole Height | Platform |
---|---|
Best For | Casual wear |
Fastening | Laces |
Material | Cotton, rubber |
Written and researched by Rosa Fairfield
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.
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