If you like to stay comfortable at work (and your office doesn’t require fancy footwear), a good pair of sneakers can be the perfect workhorse. When your usual footwear rotation has lost its luster, it’s time to check out the best work sneakers to add to your Monday-through-Friday wardrobe.
Among SELF employee favorites, online bestsellers, and even some Sneaker Award WinnersWe’ve put together quite a list. We’ve found pairs that are sturdy and sporty; practical and supportive walking shoes; and (of course) lots of options that go with everything white sneakers. Come to think of it, you might even want to use these outside of the work week as well.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Triple Belt
- Runner-up: Lululemon Cityverse
- More timeless: Adidas Stan Smith
- More comfortable: Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneakers
- Best Extravagance: In Cloudmonster Hyper
- Best option from office to gym: Athleta Saysh One Sneaker
- Best Samba Dupe: New Balance RC42
- Best for plantar fasciitis: Vionic Walk Strider Hiking Shoes
- Best Budget: Vans Sport Low Top Sneakers
- Best Sports Car: Asics Gel-NYC 2055 Sportstyle Sneakers
- Best high top: Nike Blazer Mid ’77
- Best color combinations: Recreation of the Merrell Alpine 83 sneaker
- Best for standing: Hoka Bondi SR
- Best Slip-On: Coaster Slip-On Neck
In this article
How to choose a nice pair of sneakers for work
In addition to looking for what works with your specific work environment, there are a few important things to keep in mind when purchasing your next pair of office sneakers.
- Support: As SELF previously reported, your sneakers should conform to the shape of your foot without allowing your arch to collapse or forcing it into a higher-than-natural position. This will make the shoe easier to wear for long periods of time (say, eight hours a day) and prevent you from developing foot pain over time.
- Adjust: Since we’re talking about the shape of your foot, your shoes also need to accommodate the length of your feet. As Denisa Riera, DPMHartford HealthCare podiatry specialist at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously told SELF that there should be a thumb-sized amount of extra space in the front of the shoe so your toes can move and spread freely.
- Comfort: Work shoes should feel just as good at the end of the day as they do when you slip them on in the morning, so make sure your choice has enough cushioning to keep you comfortable. This is mostly a matter of personal preference (some people like the marshmallow-like feel of Hokas, while others prefer a little less cushioning), but don’t go completely without some sort of shock absorption in your shoes—it’ll just make walking on hard surfaces unpleasant.
- Style: Shop with your favorite colors, trends, and brands in mind to ensure your new shoes pair well with your existing work outfits. and feel like your own person. Getting dressed for work isn’t always the most exciting part of the day — but with a cool pair of sneakers, it doesn’t have to be a total drag.
The best work shoes
Tired of loafers, clogs and ballet flats? Choose from these top-notch, office-ready sneakers that meet our requirements in both form and function.
Best Overall: Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Triple Strap
Pros
- Classic design
- Lightweight platform
- Easy to tighten to fit your foot
- Available in office-friendly colors
Cons
- Velcro is an acquired taste
Sleek but far from stuffy, Cole Haan’s Sneaker Award-winning GrandPro Topspin Triple Strap sneaker will elevate your standard 9-to-5 outfits instead of making them look plainer. “They’re sleek, modern, and look great on my feet,” our tester said. “I think they’re very stylish and perfect for when you want to look more polished.”
A slightly raised heel and no-fuss Velcro straps keep these sneakers from looking too basic, while their classic colors (including black, ivory, and white) fall well within the work-appropriate realm. Oh, and did we mention they’re comfortable, too? Our testers wore them for hours at the office, on dog walks, and while hanging out with friends without missing a step.
Sizes: USA 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Leather, synthetic fabric, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU) and rubber
Runner-up: Lululemon Cityverse
Pros
- Simplified design
- Very comfortable, even for long periods of time
Cons
- It may seem a little also basic for some
Another Sneaker Award winner, Lululemon’s Cityverse is the low-key footwear your daily commute needs. We tested them on all-day outings, including multiple trips to the office, and were seriously impressed with how comfortable they were throughout. “Somehow, Lululemon made cool sneakers that feel like super-cushioned running shoes,” said one tester. “My feet are so happy when I wear them!”
These aren’t necessarily the shoes you wear when you want to be noticed, but that’s the point: “I don’t have to think about them once I put them on,” another tester wrote in her review. And on especially busy days, who wants to be distracted by their shoes?
Sizes: USA 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, foam and rubber
Most timeless: Adidas Stan Smith
Pros
- Never goes out of style
- Easy to clean stains
Cons
- Not very breathable, according to Zappos reviewers
If you know them, you probably already love them—and if you’ve never tried them, this might be your cue to give them a try: Originally a court shoe but now an all-around shoe, the Adidas Stan Smiths have become iconic for good reason. “I have a pair with a little pop of green, and they go with pretty much everything I wear,” one tester who reviewed the shoes for SELF tells us. “They’re also super comfortable for commuting and super easy to clean.”
Sizes: USA 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Leather, synthetic fabric and rubber
Most comfortable: Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneakers
Pros
- Extremely comfortable and cute
- No break-in period
- Under $75
Cons
Believe the hype — our tester joined the chorus of TikTokers raving about the chunky Time Off Sneakers as soon as she tried them on: “Right out of the box, these sneakers are incredibly comfortable—they don’t rub or pinch, and I say that as someone who is incredibly prone to blisters.” She adds that their thick soles are surprisingly flexible and that the footbed has a nice, springy feel.
Plus—and most importantly for our purposes here—their simple design makes them totally office-friendly. “I’ve banished all my other everyday lifestyle sneakers to the back of my closet since I got these,” she says. “They’re really the only pair I want to wear (to work, to the park, to dinner…)”
Sizes: USA 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Synthetic leather, synthetic fabric or canvas (depending on the specific model); foam and PU
Best Splurge: On Cloudmonster Hyper
Pros
- Heavily padded
- Cool athletic style
Cons
Yes, this Sneaker Award winner is technically a souped-up, ultra-cushioned running shoe, but that didn’t stop one of our testers from incorporating it into her work routine: “On shoes are usually too firm for me, but this one felt just right. So much so that I wear it on my walks, to the office—pretty much everywhere I go.” The foam-stacked sole has a forward-rolling design, which makes your foot’s transition from heel to toe easier and your stride more fluid. As a result, your feet will feel cushioned yet energized (you know, in the unlikely event that you’re running late).
When paired with trousers or a midi dress, the Cloudmonster Hyper won’t feel so performance-oriented; instead, it’ll feel like the coolest, most comfortable sneaker on the market.
Sizes: USA 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabric, foam and rubber
Best Office-to-Gym Option: Athleta Saysh One Sneaker
Pros
- Optimal cushioning level
- No break-in period
- Supportive
Cons
- Laces tend to tighten and may need to be loosened throughout the day.
If you leave work and go straight to your workout, you can save some space in your gym bag choosing these stylish sneakers. “I reach for them all the time—they don’t stand out in the office, but they’re also easy to wear while walking through Central Park or on the treadmill,” says one SELF editor. “I love that I can wear them straight from work to the gym without having to pack an extra pair of sneakers.”
She’s had the pair for over a year and hasn’t noticed much wear or stretching. They’re as comfortable as ever (not “too thick or soft,” she says), and they still support her high arches like a dream.
Sizes: USA 5.5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic suede, synthetic weave and EVA
Best Samba imitation: New Balance RC42
Pros
- Versatile
- Comfortable ready to use
- True to size
Cons
There’s no denying it Adidas Sambas make great office sneakers, but at this rate, you might be stuck on their waiting list until retirement. Luckily, our business writer found a perfect—and much more affordable—alternative at New Balance Casual and Cool RC24. She describes them as stylish, slim, versatile, and practically perfect for her everyday needs: “They’re comfortable for my quick walks around NYC and instantly elevate my work, weekend, and gym outfits.”