14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (2024)

14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (1)

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Summer might be the only season that requires you to invest in new sneakers. The warmer weather can wreak havoc on your feet in a pair that kept you comfy all winter and spring due to moisture, swelling and extra activity. That's why the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has rounded up the best summer sneakers for women that will keep your feet happy (and dry!) throughout the rising temps. But don't think that function means you have to skip style. The selects below are cute enough to go with any of the many dresses, skirts, shorts and capris you'll be wearing all season. Our options include white sneakers, trainers for exercise and even sneaks for your boat trip. Of course, before you buy, there are a few things to keep in mind ...

Shopping tips for when you buy summer sneakers:

Tip: Make sure to try the shoes on at night instead of morning (your feet swell more by the end of the day so this will give you a better idea of fit). Here’s what to look for when you shop:

  • Breathable materials: Opt for something lightweight and airy like mesh for a sporty sneaker, or a cotton canvas for a fashion sneaker. You can find some summer sneakers made of leather as well for a more polished look.
  • Minimal coverage: Many people will prefer low cut styles in the summer vs. something that goes higher up on the ankle.
  • Lightweight: Especially if you’re going to be spending lots of time walking outdoors, you don’t want your footwear to weigh you down. (Not to mention, add weight to your luggage if you’re traveling!)
  • Cushioning: Sneaker soles should have enough cushioning to absorb impact as you walk. Avoid soles that seem too thin or stiff.
  • Style: Aesthetic matters, too. Pick something that will look good with summer outfits, like dresses and shorts.

Below are our picks for the best summer sneakers for women:

1

Best Overall Summer Sneakers

Allbirds Women's Tree Runners

14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (2)

1

Best Overall Summer Sneakers

Allbirds Women's Tree Runners

Pros
  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (3)Machine washable
  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (4)Versatile style
  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (5)All-day comfort
Cons

    The heat doesn't stand a chance with these sneakers. The material islightweight and breathable, and you can wear them with or without socks. The best part just might be that they are machine washable, meaning you can keep them fresh all season long.

    2

    Best Value Summer Sneakers

    TIOSEBON Women's Athletic Walking Shoes

    14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (6)

    2

    Best Value Summer Sneakers

    TIOSEBON Women's Athletic Walking Shoes

    Pros
    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (7)Inexpensive
    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (8)Lots of colors
    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (9)Easy slip on
    Cons

      Both our testers and Amazon users love these shoes thanks to the price,cushioning and sock-like feeling. One tester told us,"I love that they are super light,"while another said "I didn't feel any discomfort at all."

      3

      Best Workout Summer Sneakers

      ASICS Women's Gel-Quantum Running Shoes

      14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (10)

      3

      Best Workout Summer Sneakers

      ASICS Women's Gel-Quantum Running Shoes

      Now 12% Off

      Pros
      • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (11)Perfect comfort scores
      • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (12)Well-cushioned
      • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (13)Supportive for exercise
      Cons

        This pair fromASICS came out on top in our tests for the best walking shoes. Testers noted howcomfortable, supportive and well-cushioned they were. Doctors we spoke with also said these provided excellent stability and control, making themideal for people with flat feet.

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        14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (14)

        4

        Best Lightweight Summer Sneakers

        New Balance Women's FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker

        Pros
        • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (15)Inexpensive
        • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (16)Breathable
        • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (17)Lots of colors
        • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (18)Lightweight
        Cons

          The mesh upper here providedgood breathability and movement. This pair also stood out for offering a great fit in our tests. "Right when I put them on they started molding to my feet," raved one tester.They are available in a bunch of different colors, too.

          5

          Best White Summer Sneakers

          Amazon Essentials Women's Frances Sneaker

          14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (19)

          5

          Best White Summer Sneakers

          Amazon Essentials Women's Frances Sneaker

          Pros
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (20)Inexpensive
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (21)Versatile style
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (22)Easy slip-on
          Cons
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (23)Fit runs narrow

          For those days when you just need to slip on a pair and go, these sneakers are great for the summer because they are lightweight and can be worn with any outfit.

          6

          Best Loafer Summer Sneakers

          Birdies The Swift

          14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (24)

          6

          Best Loafer Summer Sneakers

          Birdies The Swift

          Now 46% Off

          Pros
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (25)Easy slip on
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (26)Comfortable cushioning
          Cons
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (27)Not as breathable

          Combine slipper-like cushioningon the inside with the upscale look of a slip-on loafer and you get this comfy sneaker that goes with just about any summer outfit. It's made with real leather and comes in both basic and trendy colors.

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          7

          Best Everyday Summer Sneakers

          Superga Classic Low Top Sneakers

          14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (28)

          7

          Best Everyday Summer Sneakers

          Superga Classic Low Top Sneakers

          Pros
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (29)Real cotton canvas
          • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (30)Lots of colors
          Cons

            Kate Middleton is a huge fan of this brand, as are our experts. The biggest feature tonote is thereal cotton canvas fabric, which is perfect for summer from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint.

            8

            Best Glitter Summer Sneakers

            P448 Johnny Sneakers

            14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (31)

            8

            Best Glitter Summer Sneakers

            P448 Johnny Sneakers

            Now 46% Off

            Pros
              Cons
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (32)Expensive

              These luxury Italian sneakers add the fun factor with colorful glitter that'll sparkle in the summer sun. Our pros love how they're comfortable and easy to slip on, yet trendy and versatile to wear everyday.

              9

              Best Cushioned Summer Sneakers

              adidas Women's Ultraboost 21 Running Shoe

              14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (33)

              9

              Best Cushioned Summer Sneakers

              adidas Women's Ultraboost 21 Running Shoe

              Pros
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (34)Well-cushioned
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (35)May help improve joint pain
              Cons
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (36)Expensive
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (37)Cushioning may wear over time

              These sneaks are pretty pricey, but are ideal if you're in the market for a pair that will absorb impact and improve joint pain. In fact, in our tests for the best running shoes, testers said they felt like they were"walking on a cloud."

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              10

              Best Trendy Summer Sneakers

              Anothersole Holly II

              14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (38)

              10

              Best Trendy Summer Sneakers

              Anothersole Holly II

              Pros
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (39)Versatile style
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (40)Stylish
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (41)Tons of colors and prints
              • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (42)No uncomfortable lining
              Cons

                Cute? 100%. Comfortable? You bet. The perforations allow for more airflow so your feet will stay cool, while the style is unique (no athletic vibe here!). The quality and fit allow for all-day wear, and they come in cute patterns and colors.

                11

                Best Tie-Dyed Summer Sneakers

                Skechers Tie-Dye Frayed Canvas Sneaker

                14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (43)

                11

                Best Tie-Dyed Summer Sneakers

                Skechers Tie-Dye Frayed Canvas Sneaker

                Pros
                • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (44)Trendy
                • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (45)Memory foam footbed
                • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (46)Lightweight
                Cons

                  If you're a Sketchers fan, add these adorable sneakers to your collection. Obviously tie-dye is huge right now, but also, they have a memory foam footbed, which offers good pressure relief.

                  12

                  Best Water/Boat Summer Sneakers

                  Lands’ End Women's Water Shoes

                  14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (47)

                  12

                  Best Water/Boat Summer Sneakers

                  Lands’ End Women's Water Shoes

                  Pros
                  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (48)Drainage holes
                  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (49)Bungee cords for easy lacing
                  • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (50)Odor control
                  Cons

                    The perfect addition to help you get your sea legs.Two main appeals here: drainage holes on the bottom of the shoefor water to flow through and bungee laces to pull them tighter.

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                    13

                    Best Slip on Summer Sneakers

                    Vans Slip-On Core Classics

                    14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (51)

                    13

                    Best Slip on Summer Sneakers

                    Vans Slip-On Core Classics

                    Pros
                    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (52)Easy slip-on
                    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (53)True to size
                    • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (54)Breathable lining
                    Cons

                      Touted for being many people's "go-to shoe," reviewers on Amazon love the easy wear and style."Fits a little tight the first day or two then very comfortable day-after-day. I also toss mine in the laundry every so often to keep them clean," one person wrote.

                      14

                      Best Basic Summer Sneakers

                      Keds Women's Champion Original Canvas Sneaker

                      14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (55)

                      14

                      Best Basic Summer Sneakers

                      Keds Women's Champion Original Canvas Sneaker

                      Pros
                      • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (56)Real cotton canvas
                      • 14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (57)Supportive outersole
                      Cons

                        Keds and the summer go hand in hand. For when you need a no-fuss shoe, this is the best option thanks to the real cotton canvas andtextured rubber outsole, which issturdy and supportive.

                        14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (58)

                        Lexie Sachs

                        Executive Director, Strategy & Operations

                        Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.

                        14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (59)

                        Michelle Manetti

                        Group Deputy Director


                        Michelle is the deputy director of the Hearst Lifestyle Group, where she helps oversee multiple brand's strategy efforts on digital. Previously, she was the deputy editor and managing digital editor for Good Housekeeping. She has over 10 years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content.

                        14 Best Summer Sneakers That You'll Wear All Season Long (2024)

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