Need New Sneakers? We Found All the Comfiest Pairs of the Moment

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There's no better investment than the most comfortable sneakers—and I would know, I've lived in heels for most of my life, heh. Maybe you've recently had a not-so-great experience with a pair of sneakers. Or, maybe your last beloved pair is kinda falling apart and desperately needs to be replaced. Not to sound melodramatic, but I know how a bad shoe can ruin your day. I know I'm not the only one who has slightly twisted an ankle while exercising or gotten shin splints while running in flat-footed kicks. Sneakers can be particularly tricky, and not just because there are about a million sneaker brands out there and you're trying to figure out which cool shoe best suits you. It's tough to navigate what each one has to offer, from the extremely high-tech, high-intensity running shoe to the chunky-but-cute fashion sneaker that's been on your radar for months.

Luckily for you, the sneaker (fashion or otherwise) is a Cosmo specialty. Having lived in cities and walkable areas for a long time, and having tried out a lot of different options, I know what can make or break the experience. I've sifted through a bunch of options and reviews to help you parse out which ones are worth your time and money.

Our top picks for the most comfortable sneakers of 2024:

Whether you're aiming to get a move on your kick game or simply looking to replace your favorite worn out pair, we've also got some options that'll help you put your best foot forward (pun intended, lol, sorry). Regardless of your shopping need, these comfy sneakers are gonna make your feet *so* happy.

Possession Bone/Khaki

It's easy to see why this bestselling pair from Steve Madden is so loved—look at the chic colorway, the design, the price point! Dad sneakers never looked so cool.

Sizes: 5-14

Colors: Bone/Khaki, Black/Tan, Denim Fabric, and more.

Heel drop: 2.5 inch heel height

Rave Review: "Omg! These shoes are truuuue to size and the color is ON POINT!!! Order them ASAP!!!! They are very beautiful and worth the price!!! Pair them with the handbag and you're ready to go!!!"

Hokusai Peonies & Canary Canvas

Bring some spring vibes to your closet with canvas sneakers featuring peonies and canary print. With about 17k positive reviews, you can count on these Cariumas to keep you on cloud nine.

Sizes: 5-13

Colors: Peonies and Canary, Mystic Grey, Black, and more.

Rave Review: "As always with all their shoes, these are ridiculously comfortable straight out of box. No need to worry about breaking them in or getting blisters. I've purchased at least five pairs and ordered three more yesterday."

Samba OG Shoes

If you haven't heard about Samba OG shoes, where have you been?! Standing at almost 12k positive reviews, reviewers rave about its comfort, style, durability, and how it pairs well with everything. In other words, you can't go wrong with 'em. You'll be buying and re-buying Sambas for a looong time.

Sizes: 5-15

Colors: Magic Beige, Cloud White, Core Black, and more.

Rave Review: "As always, the Samba is a great fit! Love the comfort... no other sneaker compares! And this new color of tan is the perfect neutral, especially for spring/summer!"

Recife Logo Sneaker in Extra-White Steel

We all need a comfy, clean-cut sneaker—especially one that allows you to channel your inner child with velcro straps!

Sizes: 36-41

Colors: Extra-White Black, Extra-White Babe

Rave Review: "I was hesitant to buy these shoes because of the mixed reviews but to my surprise, this pair is very comfy. I am 6-6.5 in size depending on shoe and make. This shoe fits me well; I can still wear a light sock and the fit is not narrow. Good padding for support and the straps though a bit short, does not bother me at all. Super cute, good with shorts, pants, leggings, skirts and even dresses!"

574 Core Sneaker

The New Balance 237s are immensely popular, but these alternatives (which are bestsellers on Amazon, nbd) are just as cute. Plus, they come in seven colors, and whether you opt for a classic neutral or go with muted blue, green, or burgundy shade, they'll work just as well with dark denim as they do with your chicest yoga outfit. I have a pair of NB fashion sneakers that have held up for years because they toe the line between fashion and function—highly recommend.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 10mm

Colors: Navy, black, grey, burgundy, white, green

Rave Review: "I love New Balance shoes and these don’t disappoint; the fit is true to size and super comfortable right out of the box, especially around the toes. Love the style and more arch support than I expected, which is great for me.”

Suede V-10 Sneakers

How do I not already own these pastel beauties?? Veja is well-known for their focus on sustainability and fair trade standards, and it doesn't hurt that they're very chic too. Lots of users call Vejas the most comfortable everyday sneakers they've *ever* worn. FYI, these can run a little narrow in the width and either true-to-size or require a half-size up.

Sizes: 36–41

Heel drop: 10mm

Colors: Lavender, Peach, White

Rave Review: "The colors are so cute and perfect with my Madewell vintage jeans. I initially got the 37 (the recommended size) but ended up sizing up to 38. I wear sneaker socks with these shoes, which aren’t very thick. With these socks, the 37 was too tight and I couldn't move my toes. While there’s a tiny bit of space with the 38s, it was perfectly comfortable."

Women's Cloud Foam Pure Running Shoe

It's difficult to argue with 83,000+(!!) reviews, which often mention the Cloudfoam midsole, outsole, and memory sockliner as giving *intense* cushioning that mold to your feet with every wear. These are low-tops, which means flexible movement for avid runners, and there's apparently no need to break 'em in, so they'll be comfy right out of the box.

Sizes: 5–11

Heel drop: 4mm

Colors: Grey, Black, Maroon, and more.

Rave Review: "I bought a pair of Adidas Cloudfoam shoes 4 years ago and love them so I finally bought another pair in a different color. I’ve worn my other pair hundreds of times—they’re super comfy. They’ve been through several wash cycles in my front load washer over the years and they’re still not showing any signs of distress."

Bria Go-To Court Sneaker

Nisolo's another one of those brands that never compromises on sustainability but also makes really, really well-fitting shoes. These feel as comfy as socks—so much so that actual socks are optional—and they feature water-resistant leather uppers and slip-resistant soles. (The brand's stretchy eco-knit style are also super comfy, btw.)

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: Bone, White

Rave Review: "Comfortable and very versatile. I absolutely love them, especially that I can wear them with so many different outfits. I'm trying to simplify my wardrobe so these are great for that."

Clifton 8

ICYMI, Hoka sneakers are geared towards the *athletes* among us who want a shoe that strikes that elusive balance between being supportive and lightweight. The mesh construction is stretchy, breathable, cushioned, and shock-absorbing. Plus! There are lots of fun colors if you wanna match your shoes to your favorite exercise gear.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 5mm

Colors: White, Black, Shell Coral, and more.

Rave Review: "They are super comfortable and light. I've had ankle surgery and knee surgery so I take my shoes very seriously. I didn't think something so cushy and light would stay supportive but they all do! Love them. I'm a convert."

Wide Fit Drama Sneakers

Wide-fit sneakers aren't necessarily a dime a dozen, particularly when it comes to a simple, classic all-white shoe. Luckily, ASOS offers various wide-fit sneaker styles, and this one gets reviewers excited for the construction and simplicity. According to testers, you'll wanna size up—like, maybe even a full shoe size.

Sizes: 4–13

Colors: White

Rave Review: "I got these a week ago and absolutely love them, they're so comfortable and don't feel heavy on my feet."

Bend Low

We all know Birkenstock for its iconic sandals (which have come back in a huuuuuge way), but don't sleep on the sneakers. The construction that makes their sandals such a dream to walk in—mid-sole cushioning and an expert footbed—combined with a breathable lining means you'll swap in these bbs for the fall and winter without giving up any comfort.

Sizes: 5–11.5

Heel drop: 0mm

Colors: Light Rose Pink, White, Black, and more.

Air Force 1 '07 Women's Shoes

Nike's classic is a bestseller for a reason. First debuted in 1982 as a basketball sneaker, Air Force 1's are now just as beloved by influencers and fashion-lovers. The brand obviously has more running-focused sneaker styles—which I quite like for HIIT workouts—but this one's your everyday sneaker.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 8mm

Colors: White, Black, Fierce Pink, and more.

Rave Review: "I love them, and I wear them almost every day. They are still very white!"

RS02 Sneaker

As a fan of Rothy's, these are my go-to's when I know I'll be walking all day. The thread used to stitch the sneaker together comes from ocean-bound plastic. And the end product somehow manages the seemingly impossible—they mold to your feet without stretching out or losing their shape. This updated model offers an even more streamlined design, so you'll be tempted to buy them in every single color.

Sizes: 5–17.5

Colors: Bone White, Courtside White, Navy, Purple Haze

Rave Review: "I love these shoes. They are the most comfortable casual sneaker I have ever worn and I have wide feet. I wore them for 12 hours for a work event (risky, I know) and they never hurt."

Suede Warren Sneaker

There's a pretty simple reason you might wanna splurge on some basic slip-ons—these are gonna last *forever*. The platform doesn't just look cool; it provides lots of shock absorption. Plus, they're equally comfy with or without socks. Commuters who live in these shoes say the inner padding can hold up for years with even the most intense wear, then they just re-buy the same shoe and start the process over.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 6mm

Colors: Tan, Black

Capri in White Gum

Alllll of KOIO's shoes are super-comfy (check out their loafer section—trust), but their best-selling Capri sneaker comes in a million colors, including this sporty gum-sole version. The tight stitching means it's more water-resistant, and the careful construction means it's less taxing on the environment than regular leather sneakers.

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: White, Pink Quartz, Moonlight (light grey-blue), and more.

Rave Review: "From the moment I put on the shoes, they were comfortable to wear. I walked around with them the whole day with no issue. The leather is soft and feels high quality. Worth it!"

Star Sneakers

Taos shoes are wildly comfortable (including their heavier leather boots, which I wear constantly in the cold weather). They have leather, canvas, and ~hemp~ sneaker options, like this one. With forefoot, arch, and metatarsal support offering max shock absorption, this minimal-seeming style is way, way more impressive than it looks.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 19mm

Colors: Natural Hemp, White, Blue, and more.

Rave Review: "I've been looking for cute sneakers with actual arch support for so long. I have extremely flat feet and always wind up in pain if I stand for any sort of extended period of time. These shoes are great! They felt pretty tight and stiff when I first tried them on, but after wearing them a few times they're totally comfortable."

Wool Runners

Allbirds has been on the scene for a while, and lots of people know their classic round-toe look. But one of the more underrated aspects of the shoe is how warm and snuggly my feet feel. These are a little less appropriate for heavy-duty exercise (there are separate options for that), but are great for wearing into the winter months without worrying your toes are going to freeze off.

Sizes: 5–11

Heel drop: 9.6mm

Colors: Grey, White, Black, and more.

Rave Review: "I have wanted Allbirds for a long time but wanted to try in person since I am between sizes. I tried in store and went up a size to accommodate [my] orthotic. They are really comfortable!"

Recycled Polyester High-Top Sneakers

Listen, are you gonna go for a jog in these? No, but I like my Charles & Keith shoes for their impressive construction and surprisingly impressive support. The soles provide good traction (for style purposes, of course, and practical reasons too, once it's cold and gross outside!), and are made from recycled polyester. Just know that they're not gonna offer a lot of give in the footbed—but your foot will be cushioned!

Sizes: 5–11

Colors: White, Nude, Black, and Lime Green.

Integrity Walker 3

One of the cooler aspects of Saucony sneakers is the various widths available—from narrow to extra-wide—which means that if you often have fit issues, you can probably find a version of this shoe that fits you perfectly. It's not for heavy-duty exercise, but the comfort's a no-brainer for a go-to walking-around shoe.

Sizes: 5–12

Heel drop: 8mm

Colors: Grey, Black, White

Rave Review: "These are the only sneakers I can wear. I have difficult feet with pain when I walk too far. These sneakers wrap tightly around my foot and provide excellent support and comfort."

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift High Top Sneakers

Converse high-tops are everywhere rn (and for good reason), but did you know they're also particularly good shoes for weightlifting?? If you're doing *intense* deadlifts, you might wanna upgrade to the leather version, but otherwise these should do just fine for ankle support.

Sizes: 5–15.5

Heel drop: 0mm

Colors: Black, White, Summit Sage, and more.

Rave Review: "I love these shoes so much. I wear them a lot and they go well with almost everything I wear. I love how it's platformed, too."

Therma All Black Suede

Cariumas have a ton of room in the footbed (meaning I feel like my foot's secure, but not cramped). The brand's regular shoes are already great, but when you add this vegan shearling detailing, it's next-level comfortable. It's basically like wearing a slipper that's also appropriate to wear *outside*.

Sizes: 5–13

Colors: Black, Camel

Rave Review: "Comfortable, warm, cute! I’m finding that being between sizes, the upper size is better for me in Cariumas, but they break in beautifully."

What to look for in a comfortable sneaker.

Ask yourself: What's your biggest shoe challenge?

TBH, the most comfortable sneaker for you will depend on your unique needs. Do you *need* extra arch support? Are your toes always feeling cramped (and thus you might need a wider toe box)? Do you go through your soles super quickly and constantly need to buy new versions of the same shoe (which could mean you should probably invest in a better material)?

If you're unsure, you might want to head to your local running store and get assessed. For example, I'm one who needs extra arch support and the laces need to hold my feet firmly in place. Worth noting: You don't need to stick to women's shoes when you're on the hunt (the general rule of thumb is to subtract two full sizes when converting from men's to women's sizes, but look at the size charts carefully). Focus on fit, specs, and durability before anything else. And when in doubt, size up a little bit, since your foot often needs more room in sneakers.

Does the sneaker have cushioning?

Cushioned kicks are a sure way to almost always guarantee that you''ll feel light on your feet in a pair. Some are made with memory foam (yeah, the cozy stuff your bed is made of) or insoles that are pretty top tier.

Consider the environmental impact.

Sneakers have a really high carbon footprint, in part because they often consist of synthetic materials that don't biodegrade. At the same time, it's not ideal to get sneakers secondhand because the support and fit can wear with heavy use. But tons of companies are stepping up to provide much more sustainable options (and lots of them are on this list!) without sacrificing general comfort. Additionally, some brands like Nike have a recycling program where you can give them your old sneakers so they can either reuse or donate them.

Know that you get what you pay for.

Some cheaper sneakers are are not designed for long-term use—they can be less-well-constructed too. The higher cost of some of these sneakers translates to better quality and durability—so, even when you're just looking for a fashion sneaker, focus instead on getting your price-per-wear as low as you can.

Why trust Cosmo:

Cosmo’s team of fashion experts—which includes fashion director Cassie Anderson and fashion features director Rachel Torgerson, senior accessories editor Andrea Zendejas, and fashion editors Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien and Danielle Flum—have decades of experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we've curated a chic little corner of the internet for you like it’s our job (because it is, heh).

We have pretty high standards when it comes to clothing and accessory recommendations. Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge and includes products for all sizes. And you better believe we read those product reviews (and test many of the brands IRL) so you don't have to. You're welcome!

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