10 Best Trainers for Women 2022 | UK Fashion Designer Reviewed

1. Choose a Style and Height Based on the Occassion – Casual, Dressy, or Sports
2. Consider the Fastening – Laces for Support or Slip-Ons for Comfortability
3. Evaluate the Material’s Flexibility, Breathability, and Durability

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:

1. adidas Originals - Gazelle trainers for £74.00
2. Converse - Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Cosy Club Trainers in Tan Leather for £75.00
3. Vans - Ward Old Skool Black Platform Trainers for £74.00
4. Puma - Cruise Rider Silk Trainer for £80.00
5. VEJA - Women's Venturi logo-embroidered Alveomesh trainers for £150.00

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

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.

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.