Best Sneaker Brands for Women: How to Choose

"Sneakers" and "trainers" mean the same shoe: "sneakers" is the term you'll see across most brand pages and product listings, while "trainers" is the everyday word in the UK and Ireland. What really separates two pairs is three things: the foot shape the brand caters for, the material of the upper, and the height of the sole.

What sets one brand apart from another

Foot shape

This is the most important factor and the least visible. A pair cut for a wide foot will feel uncomfortable on a narrow foot, even in the right size. The only reliable measure is a pair of the same type you already wear — not the size printed on a shoe from a different family.

Upper material

A smooth upper wipes clean with a damp cloth. Suede needs a dedicated brush and doesn't like rain. Canvas can be washed but marks more quickly. The actual material of each style is listed on its product page.

Sole height

A flat sole gives more stability for walking long distances. A slightly raised sole streamlines the silhouette but is harder to wear for long stretches at a time.

The women's sneaker brands available here

• Calvin Klein — the understated silhouette, in white, grey, brown and burgundy. Available in a women's version and a men's version.
• Guess — styles with a more detailed design.
• New Balance — the sporty sneaker, in white, blue and grey.
• Superga — the white sneaker.

They're all gathered on one page: women's sneakers. Men's sneakers are on the matching page. And for Diadora styles, the article what sets the brand apart, model by model breaks down the shapes.

Sneaker, trainer or shoe: which word to use

All three refer to the same family. In store you'll say "trainers", online you'll often read "sneakers", and a product page will sometimes say "shoes". None of them implies any actual sporting use: these are everyday shoes with a sporty sole.

The sizing question

Sizes at Maison Mercier run from 35 to 41 in women's and 39 to 47 in men's, with half sizes on some styles. Three things to keep in mind:

• Measure at the end of the day. Feet swell slightly over the course of the day; measuring in the morning often gives you a half size too small.
• The least misleading reference: a pair you already wear in the same family of shapes, not the size printed on another shoe.
• If you're torn between two half sizes, the larger one leaves room for a thicker sock without pinching the foot.

Three questions that come up again and again

How long does a cemented-sole pair last?

It depends on how often you wear them more than on the brand. A pair worn every day wears out roughly twice as fast as a pair worn every other day, in the same style. A stitched sole can be repaired; a cemented sole has to be replaced.

Can you wear sneakers with a dressed-up outfit?

Yes, as long as the upper is smooth and the colourway is understated. A sneaker with a smooth upper in a muted colour works where a brightly coloured canvas pair doesn't. That's the thinking behind the New Balance selection, in white, blue and grey.

Should you take your usual size?

Not always. A sporty shape often fits more snugly than a dressier one. The most reliable reference is still a pair of the same type you already wear.

Where to start

If you're after the widest range, head to women's sneakers. If your question is about other shapes — boots, derbies, mules, loafers — read how to choose women's shoe brands instead.