18 Best Work Sneakers, Recommended by Style Editors
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The best work sneakers are a nonnegotiable piece of the modern-day office uniform—but finding the right pair can take some trial and error. Our editors have gone through plenty of that here at Glamour, and we’re here to spill the best options for every wearer and workplace.
If you’re a nurse or someone who stands all day on the job, extra-cushioned sneakers are your best bet; pairs like the Hoka Clifton 9 and the On Cloudrunner 2 balance shock-absorbing performance with sleek design. If you’re an office worker, meanwhile, it’s imperative to pick a pair that’s easy to style with your professional wardrobe; we see the Adidas Samba OG and the Reebok Club C 85 in the Condé Nast offices paired with everything from trousers to denim skirts. (Another trendy pick is the Salomon XT-6, which two separate Glamour staffers own and love.)
Below are our picks for best on-duty footwear, according to the editors and testers who actually wear them.
The best work sneakers for women, at a glance
- Best Overall: New Balance 574, $90
- Most Comfortable: Hoka Clifton 9, $145
- Best for Standing: Nike Court Legacy Lift, $90
- Most Popular: Adidas Samba OG, $100
- Most Trendy: Salomon XT-6, $200
- Best Dressy: Vionic Uptown Loafers, $130
- Most Versatile: Superga 2750 Cotu Classic, $70
- Best Sporty: Kizik Milan, $99
- Best Slip-Ons: Ugg Alameda Sammy, $110
- 1/18
New Balance 574
A normcore classic, the New Balance 574 is a true neutral shoe that looks great with everything: suits, dresses, leggings, you name it. But most importantly, it’s also truly comfortable and wide-feet-friendly. “The 574 is the casual sneaker that lets me run errands comfortably for hours without giving just-came-from-the-gym vibes,” says Glamour staffer Cynthia Puleo. “It’s streamlined and subtle enough to work with any ’fit I choose, yet my feet have never been happier. It’s a rare combination to find a shoe that feels good and looks good, but this is the one.” Style yours with a cardigan, straight-leg jeans, and a trench coat for a look that’s elevated yet easy.
- Sizes: 5–12 in medium and wide
- Colors: 5 options
- Material: Suede, mesh
- 2/18
Hoka Clifton 9
Hokas are arguably the sneakers of the moment—take a walk down any city street and you’ll likely spot a pair. (Even Comme des Garçons founder Rei Kawakubo is a fan.) “My new favorite work shoes are the Hoka Cliftons—they’re amazing,” says Alexis Paules, RN, a nurse based in Pennsylvania. “I [recently] sprained my lower spine, and now my shifts can be complicated by occasional lower back pain. The shoes I wear truly make a difference in how much that pain comes back, and these shoes have proved to minimize that discomfort the most. These sneakers have a cushiony heel that you almost bounce on when walking—perfect for me!”
- Sizes: 5–12 in regular and wide
- Colors: 19 options
- Material: Mesh knit
- 3/18
Adidas Samba OG
“I normally don’t go for super-flat sneakers because of my height, but I can’t help but love the retro look of Sambas,” says Talia Abbas, a Glamour contributor and senior commerce editor at Vogue. “I wouldn’t say these are my 10,000-step sneakers, but they’re comfy enough for shorter walks or commuting to work.” They’re just as popular among the fashion crowd with jeans and a white T-shirt as they are styled with full suits; consider these the ultimate closet chameleons.
- Sizes: 5–15
- Colors: 2 options
- Material: Leather
- 4/18
Lululemon Cityverse
Glamour contributor Lindy Segal recommends Lululemon’s low-top kicks for their comfortable feel and sleek looks. They’re not the brand’s most athletic silhouette, but that’s a plus: You’ll get the cushioning of a running shoe without the super-techy look. Plus, they come in five neutral shades, including trendy butter yellow, classic white, and and soft pink.
- Sizes: 5–12
- Colors: 5 options
- Material: Vegan leather
- 5/18
Nike Court Legacy Lift
These Nike platform lace-ups earned our pick as the best overall sneakers for standing all day. “I love them because the platform provides ample support for the longest of days,” says Stephanie Angelone, lead hairstylist at RPZL in Manhattan, who pulls six- to eight-hour shifts on her feet. The retro design will work with dresses, pants, and pretty much anything else in your wardrobe.
- Sizes: 5–12
- Colors: 13 options
- Material: Leather
- 6/18
Merrell Moab Speed 2
“I love these for walking for hours,” says Kathryne Hall, Glamour’s visuals director. (It’s especially high praise, considering she’s frequently on set at work and needs shoes that look as good as they feel; she owns this limited-edition pair in metallic blue.) While they aren’t a low-key pair of walking sneakers, they’re more versatile than they look; hiking silhouettes are trendy right now, and we’d like to see these contrasted with more feminine styles like dresses and flowy skirts.
- Sizes: 5–11
- Colors: 9 options
- Material: Mesh
- 7/18
Reebok Club C 85
Need an uncomplicated pair of white sneakers you can wear everywhere? Turn to Reebok’s classic kicks, perennial favorites of Glamour deputy editor Anna Moeslein. “Ever since I bought myself a pair of Reebok Club Cs during a Black Friday sale, all other white sneakers have been collecting dust in my closet,” she says. “These have carried me through fall, winter, spring, and now summer, because they really are that good. It’s because they’re so versatile—they sit perfectly just below the ankle, which makes them work with just about any pants style, cropped or otherwise, as well as skirts, dresses, and shorts.”
- Sizes: 5–11
- Colors: 9 options
- Material: Leather
- 8/18
Tory Burch Good Luck
Need a shoe that’ll boost your height and your style credentials? Meet Tory Burch’s chunky Good Luck trainers. “They are much more elevated than my regular walking shoes and super comfortable,” says Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff. You can take your pick from nine easy-to-style colors and a truly inclusive range of sizes. Style them with roomy trousers or wide-leg jeans for model-on-the-go vibes.
- Sizes: 4–13
- Colors: 9 options
- Material: Leather
- 9/18
Salomon XT-6
Salomon sneakers have been spotted on Rihanna, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski—and two separate Glamour staffers. “As soon as I put these shoes on, I knew I’d be wearing them every day,” says Glamour commerce producer Kassidy Davidson. “From errands to lunches to strolls with my dog, my feet are supported and I’m able to walk long distances without any aches or pains. These sneakers are giving ‘cool girl’ while being comfortable.” Glamour designer Channing Smith, meanwhile, wears her pair on workdays with miniskirts, vintage denim, and asymmetrical tops.
- Sizes: 5–14
- Colors: 7 options
- Material: Mesh
- 10/18
Vionic Uptown Loafers
Combining classic penny loafer uppers with a sneaker’s cushioned insoles and rubber soles, this hybrid shoe offers serious arch support and office-ready aesthetics. They might not look like your typical leather sneakers, but they offer the same flexibility and grip—not to mention two width options. No wonder they come highly recommended by Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist at City Podiatry in New York City and a Vionic medical adviser.
- Sizes: 5–13 in medium and wide
- Colors: 17 options
- Material: Leather
- 11/18
Brooks Glycerin GTS 21
“I work in a procedural area, so I’m standing all day, and my feet never get sore!” says Cori Swanhart, a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, who praises this sneaker’s strong arch support and stacked cushioning. (Dr. Sutera also wears these on her own runs.) Consider these a cute alternative to your usual slip-resistant clogs; you can even wear them to the gym after work.
- Sizes: 5–12
- Colors: 8 options
- Material: Mesh
- 12/18
On Cloudrunner 2
On has quickly made a name for itself for its cushy, comfortable shoes—and this super-popular pair is an especially great place to start. “The Cloudrunners feel like they’re cradling my heel from every angle to give my feet that sweet relief, no matter whether I’m walking or running,” says Glamour contributor Jennifer Heimlich, who deals with plantar fasciitis. She praises the springy midsoles and structured design for keeping her feet happy. And based on the number of Ons we see in New York every day, they’re perfect fare for the office.
- Sizes: 5–11
- Colors: 5 options
- Material: Mesh
- 13/18
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic
“Superga’s canvas shoes are so easy to clean, which is great, because they’re also so comfy you’ll want to wear them every day,” says Glamour contributor Andrea Navarro. “I wear mine with everything from jeans to dresses.” Take a page from Kate Middleton’s style book and wear them with a light sweater and skinny jeans or slim trousers.
- Sizes: 5–11.5
- Colors: 8 options
- Material: Canvas
- 14/18
Allbirds Wool Runner 2
While these might technically be athletic shoes, Allbirds are now most popular among office workers who need comfortable, minimalist sneakers they can wear with suits and Patagonia vests. In our Allbirds review, Glamour contributor Halie LeSavage says that they’re “supportive enough for all-day wear.” Better yet, “you can forget to wear socks and make it through the day without sweaty swamp feet.” And even if you do sweat, no worries—just pop these babies in the washing machine and they’ll come out fresh and ready for another workday.
- Sizes: 5–11
- Colors: 10 options
- Material: Merino wool
- 15/18
Ugg Alameda Sammy
When you’re too busy (or, let’s be honest, lazy) to deal with laces, turn to Ugg’s knit slip-ons. “My go-to work shoes are Ugg slip-on sneakers. I love them because they’re super comfortable—and I can easily slide into them in the early morning,” says Nour Chams, MD, an internal medicine doctor. These kicks will look best with jeans and a flowy blouse.
- Sizes: 5–12
- Colors: 6 options
- Material: Knit
- 16/18
Tretorn Nylite Plus
Tretorn Nylites were first released decades ago, but they’re still just as cool today. (It’s no wonder, then, that Reese Witherspoon is frequently spotted wearing that iconic swoop logo.) “Nylites have been my go-to sneakers for the better part of a decade now—and they’ve proven to be completely trend-proof, even as my style has changed drastically around them,” Glamour’s Smith says. “Each pair features a grippy rubber outsole and breathable canvas uppers, and they last about a year before I have to replace them. Mine look their best poking out of straight-leg jeans and wide trousers.”
- Sizes: 6–11
- Colors: 3 options
- Material: Canvas
- 17/18
Kate Spade K as in Kate Sneakers
Make your office outfits stand out with these retro sneakers from Kate Spade. While there are plainer colorways available, we especially love this combination of green, pink, navy, and bone—it’s deceptively easy to style with black, gray, and blue pieces. “They are so comfortable, and the color palette goes with most outfits. I recommend them to anyone. Worth the purchase,” a Kate Spade reviewer writes.
- Sizes: 5–11
- Colors: 5 options
- Material: Leather, terry
- 18/18
Kizik Milan
Despite their laces, Kizik sneakers are essentially slip-ons—the backs of the shoes are designed to be able to be put on hands-free. Their looks, though, beat everything else; this chocolate brown pair looks way more expensive that it actually is. “I recently wore my Kiziks on a three-day trip to Paris, and they were amazing. These sneakers kept my feet comfortable all day, even with all the sightseeing and walking,” Glamour commerce producer Leilani McQuay says. “I have a bunion, but I didn’t feel any discomfort or pain, which was a pleasant surprise. And they looked stylish with every outfit.”
- Sizes: 6–13
- Colors: 13 options
- Material: Leather