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13 Best Sneakers of 2023, Tested & Reviewed by BAZAAR Editors

Aug 06, 2023

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

We wear them 24/7.

Tennis shoes haven't been simply "athletic" for years. The best sneakers are the foundations of a modern wardrobe, and they'll reflect your personal style no matter how you dress. There are chunky sneakers for a comfortable twist on the statement platform shoe, summer sneakers begging to be worn with breezy dresses or cut-off shorts, and cool collaboration sneakers with miles-long waiting lists to impress everyone in your inner circle. The list goes on.

The question isn't whether to wear sneakers on a daily basis; the question is which pair to choose. To sift through a market of hyped-up new releases, sought-after vintage silhouettes, and reliable, comfortable walking shoes for the pairs most worth shopping, I asked BAZAAR editors to review the best sneakers they've worn to work and beyond. A handful of editors come back to tried-and-true silhouettes like the Nike Cortez and Adidas Stan Smith; others are newly converted fans of 2023 It-sneakers by Onitsuka and New Balance. Regardless of the specific style or brand, our team's reviews called out two universal qualities in every pair: a pillowy and comfortable fit and designs that seamlessly coordinate with our summer work outfits. Read on for the best sneakers BAZAAR editors wear on repeat.

"I’ve been a fan and low-key collector since the first iteration of this collaboration. Chitose Abe of Sacai's mad scientist twists on classic Nike styles are always in wearable colors that immediately become iconic! I bought these and from the first wear they've felt like walking on clouds. This past winter, I loved pairing them with grey wide legged flannel pants from The Row for a full tonal grey look. I also love wearing them in Miami with pleated Polo khaki shorts and an oversized white Brooks Brothers monogrammed shirt for a Japanese preppy fit!" —Miguel Enamorado, accessories director

"There's just something about a Salomon sneaker that gets the girls who don't normally wear sneakers excited. When I went to the launch party for the brand's collaboration with Sandy Liang, invitees stood in line to scramble and purchase them before the masses would sell them out the very next day. And now, whenever I wear them, people stop me in the street to proclaim they are one of their fashion grails. Maybe it's the fact that they remind us all of our childhood, since they're inspired by Pokemon. Or maybe it's just the soothing bubblegum pink that has managed to captivate millennials and Gen Z alike. Whatever it is, I more than understand the massive appeal and I love to wear mine with a slinky slip dress. There's just something about the fact that they should't make sense at all that makes all of the sense in the world."—Tara Gonzalez, Senior Fashion Editor

"My most classic sneaker of all: white high-tops. They truly get better with age (patina and scuffs are badges of honor!), yet they're immediately comfortable in their first wear. I love these with wide-leg black trousers and a black T-shirt, but my favorite is with vintage Levi's 501 jeans and a Saint James Breton stripe top. They're forever effortless and always cool." —Jaclyn Alexandra Cohen, senior fashion and accessories editor

"I just tracked these down in my size after trolling the internet for them for way too long! I love New Balance's 9060 silhouette—it's the ideal balance of sporty and sleek and is made for comfort. The sneakers’ light grey and white color palette makes them go with anything, and the suede adds a nice soft textural element." —Ariana Marsh, senior features editor

"I've always loved this small detail about the Tory Burch Good Luck trainer: the sole has a horseshoe for good luck carved into it. As a superstitious person, it's the perfect if you know you know design. But I also absolutely love the way Tory Burch's logo looks on this chunky sneaker silhouette. For so long I think we were all so used to seeing the emblem on ballet flats and tote bags that it feels really fresh to see it in an entirely different, sporty, context. "—Tara Gonzalez, Senior Fashion Editolr

"I'm a big sneaker head, with a large collection that spans brands, shapes, and colors, but I'll always return to an Air Force 1. The shoe is universal; it goes with everything. I'm particularly in love with Ambush's take on them and am obsessed the extended swoosh. Big if you know, you know vibes." —Nikki Ogunnaike, senior digital director

"Although I'm currently narrowing down my color preference for a new pair of Adidas Samba sneakers, the brand's Stan Smith style will always hold a special place in my heart—they're truly the perfect day-to-day shoe. Since my pair is mostly white with hint of green, they coordinate with just about everything in my closet which makes dressing easy, And of course, they're super comfortable, too." —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor

"I wear these nearly every single day. They're my go-to shoe for any moment, and not to mention, comfy enough to take on dozens of city blocks. My favorite way to wear them is with a neutral ankle sock and slip dress." —Nicole Tripodis, assistant market editor

"I want to state for the record that long before the 'Damn Daniel' meme went viral in 2016, I was already wearing Vans Old Skool Shoes for years—in black and white, what else? I’m still very much stuck in this era. While I’ve come to love many a sneaker since then—hello, Hokas—Old Skools are always my go-to. What can I say? They’re comfortable, they look good with almost anything, and I can't quit them." —Daise Bedolla, interim social media manager

"My sneaker collection has spilled out from my hall closet and into a pile by my front door. At the very top of the heap—filled with chunky Hoka sneakers, some mind-bogglingly light Nikes Vaporflys, and the Onitsukas I recently came around to—sits this leather pair from Veja. Sometimes even casual sneakers can feel too sporty for my wardrobe, but these are clean and polished. I wear them with everything from a tee and wide-leg trousers to flowy linen dresses." —Halie LeSavage, fashion commerce editor

"Coach's new dad sneakers have become my go-tos recently, mostly because I can wear them to the office and still look put together. Their colorways are so chic, they’re cozy, they go perfectly with my neutral wardrobe, and unlike actual dad sneakers, they’re not clunky." —Rosa Sanchez, senior news editor

"The sneaker trend wheel moves so fast these days that it's getting to be somewhat exhausting. Nike Blazers feel to me like a nice middle ground—not so hot that they’ll be played out by the end of summer, but still blessed with some personality. The oversized swoosh is fun, and they look great in warm weather with little dresses." —Izzy Grinspan, deputy digital editor

"I love how these sneakers resemble the silhouette of a 1950s running shoe, with touches of suede and forest green branding. I can't wait to pair them with striped American Trench crew socks, a tailored short, and a knit polo, for a preppy take on an office outfit." —Jennifer Jenkins, assistant accessories editor

For more than 150 years, Harper's BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what's new and what's next in fashion by working with the world's leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

Halie LeSavage is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Her style reporting covers everything from reviewing the best designer products to profiling emerging brands and designers. Previously, she was the founding retail writer at Morning Brew and a fashion associate at Glamour.

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