Get Your Kicks: 13 Sneaker Brands To Shop This Season

You don’t have to be a certified sneakerhead to recognise the hold running shoes have on modern wardrobes. And while some occasions (and outfits) call for a pair of dainty slingbacks, heeled boots or trending Mary Janes, there’s a reason we continue to reach for sporty styles day after day.

From dad silhouettes done up in multicoloured hues to high-fashion pairs that take a tonal approach, these are the best sneaker brands to buy this season – and wear for many more to come.

Asics

Asics might just be the brand for collaborations. But be warned, as someone with multiple pairs of their partner projects, this statement may be a biased one. That said, the brand’s archive has designers like the avant-garde Kiko Kostadinov, Japanese favourite Issey Miyake, whimsical Cecilie Bahnsen and even the Danish-design brand Hay (to name a few), so the names speak for themselves.

The brand’s mainline is impressive too. The range is designed to maximise performance across different types of sport, as well as sporty style icons like Gel Kayano, Gel Nimbus and Gel Quantum Kinetic.

Simone Rocha

Simone Rocha is the Irish fashion designer making tomboy-femme wear from experimental fabrics like wrapped cellophane, embroidered lace and exaggerated tulle in muted, modern colour palettes. The designer’s ballerina-inspired shows at London Fashion Week have been nothing short of epic. Its last collection of ballerina sneakers balances chunky soles with delicate details, but its new-season silhouettes take a more slimline approach. 

Adidas

The revival of Adidas is here and it’s all thanks to the resurgence of ‘90s fashion. Blokecore, the trending aesthetic that celebrates British football culture of this time, has propelled the presence of soccer jerseys, sports shorts and – of course – the Adidas Samba, well, everywhere. There are even ballet flat versions of the iconic silhouette. 

Earlier this year, Melbourne joined cities like London, Tokyo and Dublin with a namesake sneaker as part of the sneaker giant’s City Series. Made in collaboration with local retailer Up There, the vintage design draws on track spikes from the Melbourne Olympics.

Other styles like the Ghost Sprint and Taekwondo Mei shoes are also in our rotation. 

Brooks

If you’re in your run club era, Brooks has got your back. The brand is known for its functional running gear that helps you go the distance. For a multi-purpose sneaker, designed to handle your workouts but also any long shifts on your feet, may I suggest the Cascadia 1? The sleek design makes it easy to style them for your rest days spent shopping, walking outside or when you just need a little more ankle support.

But if you’re here to up your Strava game, the plush cushioning, powerful spring and solid rebound of the Glycerin Flex are your match.

Puma

Puma is another brand making waves off the blokecore trend with its racing-inspired ‘90s Speedcat sneaker. The slimline silhouette was originally created as a take on the fireproof shoes that Formula One drivers wore 25 years ago. More recently, the style has been worn by Dua Lipa, Rihanna and Troye Sivan, among other big names, solidifying it as the sneaker of right now.

Choose from the classic, staple colourway in black or red or go for metallic silver, mesh takes, and even ballet-flat interpretations. New to the repertoire are these chocolate brown and blue Sprint kicks and these dusty pink Mostros. 

Radical Yes

Radical Yes was created by Melbourne couple Kerryn and Leo Moscicki in 2013 in an act of flat shoe liberation. The ethical shoe brand is loved by design-savvy Australians for its handbags, sunglasses and accessories – but mostly for its comfortable footwear. The shoe range features sneakers but also sandals, slip-ons and boots, too.

We’ve got our eye on these light blue, slimline kicks, which take inspiration from the low-profile fit of vintage ballet trainers from the ‘60s. Choose from the colourways like gold, green and snake-print. 

Tabi Footwear

It’s no secret that split-toe shoes tend to divide people. But as of late, they’ve found their place in the mainstream. Spotting the Fivefinger shoe by Vibram is common and Maison Margiela’s Tabi leather Mary-Jane shoe has become ubiquitous in cool-girl wardrobes. There’s also Tabi Footwear’s sneaker sandals for comfortable, day-to-day wear.

Tabi Footwear was founded by Eik Braun-Ottosen with the goal to fuse Scandinavian simplicity with Japanese functionality. The brand’s designs are based on the natural structure of our feet to give the illusion of walking barefoot. This means that comfort reigns supreme, but the fresh take on the Tabi means they look pretty cool too.

Salomon

From the French Alps to Australia – and everywhere in between – Salomon is the premium outdoor brand that’s made its way off the slopes and onto the heels of streetwear enthusiasts all over. The XT-6s are one of the label’s best sellers and come in hues of black, white, brown and moss green. 

Alongside the brand’s mainline collection, Salomon collaborates on frequent design capsules with some of the most popular featuring the works of MM6, Comme des Garcons, Sandy Liang, among others. It’s a competitive space, so if you find a pair available in your size, don’t sleep on it – you’ve struck gold.

Merrell

You might know Merrell from the stamp it made on street style with its Hydro Moc Mule – a fresh and freaky-but-cool take on a Croc or water shoe. Since that release, its range has continued to delight both hikers and fashion enthusiasts alike. It’s all about soles that promise cushy, arch-cradling support and earthy, tonal palettes that work both on and off the trail. And the big plus of committing to a hiking sneaker means you get the added functionality of high-tech breathability, ideal for the summer months. The slimline ’90s Barrado is our choice.

Hoka

Hoka is the French brand known for its cushy-chunky soles that put an extra spring in your step. The brand has cemented itself as a go-to choice for powering workouts, but the ever-growing lifestyle collection has some solid multi-purpose options too. It’s all about tuning the right features for performance wear while tailoring the overall look for downtime. The Bondi 9 in silver and the Clifton 10 in mineral blue get our pick.

New Balance

When the dad shoe movement began in 2018, “outdated” sneaker styles like the New Balance 990v4 evolved from something your dad wore to mow the lawn to the fashion-forward kicks that everyone was reaching for. The brand has since reinvented itself with fresh styles like the 204L and Gator Run, and more of a fashion-adjacent vibe with collaborators like Miu Miu. The Miu Miu project in particular stands out with vintage-effect leather, a contrast double lace set and a streamlined design that hits all the right notes for a modern twist on a classic sneaker.

Nike

Known for its blend of athletic innovation and street style, Nike is the undisputed icon of sneaker culture. The Cortez earns its place on this list for its clean lines and minimal detailing. Famously featured in Forrest Gump in the white, blue and red colourway, this slim-fit classic remains a staple, with plenty of fresh shades to choose from. For something bolder – and in line with the split-toe trend – the Air Rift is a true retro standout. Its split-toe design and breathable mesh stay true to the roots of the original 1996 release. There’s also a satin-finish take on the silhouette as part of the Nike x Skims collection. 

Our Legacy

Swedish brand Our Legacy is renowned for its refined yet subversive approach to fashion, merging classic silhouettes with an experimental spirit. The label’s understated aesthetic and focus on premium materials make it a go-to for effortlessly cool pieces, and the footwear line is no exception. Our top pick for the change of season is the Gabe sneaker for its Vibram rubber sole, ready for city streets or weekends in the countryside.

Additional reporting by Alice Jeffery.

This article was first published in March 2024, and has since been updated with new brands and products.

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