The Spring 2021 Sneaker Guide

Photo courtesy of Anouk Yve Bos
Some lace them up for weekly grocery runs; others, for actual running. And while we can’t imagine a better pairing for floaty culottes and midi skirts, you might prefer them as the finishing touch to all things structured denim. Whatever your approach, this year’s crop of newcomers—which range from techy to trend-forward—sets you up nicely for the year ahead. (Remember, 2021 is a marathon, not a sprint.)
THE
TRIED-AND-TRUE CREW
California-cool. Eco-conscious—made with responsibly sourced rubber from the Amazon. Covertly branded. Needless to say, these six pairs are cult favorites for a reason.

THE TRAILBLAZERS
Hiking through dappled forests, hopping between hoodoos, summiting Half Dome—these supportive, terrain-friendly shoes are designed to keep up with you.


THE TRAINERS
Fantastic for everything from sumo squats to streaming #TA in your living room turned studio.
THE RETRO REDUX
The ’70s called; they want their sneakers back. These streamlined silhouettes—stitched in soft, neutral suedes—are especially charming peeking out from under cuffed pants.


THE FASHION SNEAKERS
Chunky? Yes. Adventurous? Sure. So cool they garner compliments from strangers? You bet. One-step-ahead-ers, these are for you.
THE RUNNING MATES
Whether you’re in a committed relationship with your health tracker (“Gotta get my steps in!”) or training for a 5K, you’re going to want these bad boys laced around your feet.

We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. Our goal is to suggest only things we love and think you might, as well. We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.