Sneakers for all your needs–from hiking to casual dressing

From running shoes to dressy sneakers, we list the right kicks for every occasion

The sneaker space has been kicking up a storm in the past few years. According to a report by Statista, the revenue in the sneakers segment worldwide amounts to $72.72 billion in 2022, and it’s only going to grow from here (by 7.95 per cent CAGR from 2022 to 2027). No wonder, luxury brands have been cashing in on this cultural wave by collaborating with sportswear giants to release some special- and limited-edition sneakers, including Gucci x Adidas and Nike x Comme des Garcons. While navigating through this space can be overwhelming, especially with new drops every other day, we’ve tried to filter the best of the lot to give a list of sneakers for your every need, whether it’s for your gym training sessions or your office party.  

Gym trainers

A good pair of gym shoes will give you support and stability when lifting heavy weights or sweating it out during a HIIT workout. Nike’s Metcon 7 and 8 Training Shoes are the gold standard for weight training. Reebok’s newest addition of Workout Plus comes with lace closures, textile linings and a double rubber cupsole that is designed to be a relaxed fit for athletic movements. If you’re a sucker for Y2K trends, then New Balance’s 624V5 comes with a classic leather upper and an outsole that gives a strong grip, making it versatile enough to wear it outside the gym too

Running shoes

There are four things you want from your running shoes: a comfortable fit, cushioning, support and light-weightiness—all of which should make your running experience as easy as possible. Introduced nearly four decades ago, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 has been one of the most favoured pairs of shoes by runners, thanks to its breathable mesh upper which has been engineered to contour to your foot and provide a more democratic fit. Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 provides a soft engineered mesh upper and a flexible midfoot panel which makes these shoes comfortable during long runs, while Asics Gel-Kayano 28 come with their new GEL technology that delivers a smooth stride that makes it easier to have a softer landing losing speed.

Hiking shoes

Love being in the wild? Whether you’re climbing a mountain or walking through a rocky trail, your shoes can make or break your hiking experience. Asics GEL-Sonoma 15-20 combines the trail-tested performance tooling of the GEL-Sonoma trail shoe and the upper of the 15-50 cross-country spike. Adidas’ Terrex AX4 Gore-Tex shoes are lightweight and waterproof, letting you explore high and low, wet or dry terrains. Merrell’s (an American company known for their high-performance hiking shoes) Moab 3 Gore-Tex have been one of the bestselling hiking shoes in the world, thanks to its comfort, durability and all-purpose versatility. They are also environmentally friendly and are made with recycled materials.

Casual sneakers

While Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars and Adidas Stan Smiths are all-time classics, no doubt, if you’re looking to go beyond them, then Palace x New Balance 580 add a colourful spin to ‘dad shoes,’ versatile enough to team up with a pair of shorts or a dress. Nike’s special edition of SB Low Dunk pays homage to Los Angeles Dodgers which are sleek on the feet. If you want to be more experimental, then Balenciaga’s newest Mold Closed Clogs will get you an edge above the rest and sure to start conversations. You can also add the hottest colour of the season in your shoe shrine, with Nike Air Humara LX getting a poppy pink makeover, thanks to Jacquemus.

Dressy sneakers

Whether it’s for your wedding or an important meeting, dressy sneakers have replaced Oxfords and brogues, especially if you adhere to the dress code of smart casuals. Wear it with a tailored suit or under your wedding dress, you can never go wrong with Adidas Sambas or Nike Air Force 1s in black or white. For a dose of luxury, Gucci Tennis 1977 sneakers are iconic and come with a textured GG motif at the sole. With a combination of leather and suede, Maison Margiela’s Replica Sneakers offer a 1970s vintage sporty vibe that can take you from work to play.

Also Read: The most talked-about sneaker collaborations of 2022 that got us hyped

Also Read: How to own a pair of sneakers that no one else has

Also Read: You're wearing your sneakers wrong