If you like to stay comfy on the job (and your office doesn’t require fancy footwear), a good pair of kicks can be the perfect workhorse. When your usual shoe rotation has lost its luster, it’s time to check out the best work sneakers to add to your Monday through Friday wardrobe.
Between SELF staffer favorites, online bestsellers, and even a few Sneaker Award–winners, we’ve assembled quite the list. We’ve found chunky, sporty pairs; practical, supportive walking shoes; and (of course) plenty of goes-with-everything white sneakers. Come to think of it, you may even want to wear these outside of the workweek too.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Triple Strap
- Runner-Up: Lululemon Cityverse
- Most Timeless: Adidas Stan Smith
- Most Comfortable: Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker
- Best Splurge: On Cloudmonster Hyper
- Best Office-to-Gym Option: Athleta Saysh One Sneaker
- Best Samba Dupe: New Balance RC42
- Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Vionic Walk Strider Walking Shoes
- Best Budget: Vans Sport Low Top Sneaker
- Best Sporty: Asics Gel-NYC 2055 Sportstyle Sneakers
- Best High-Top: Nike Blazer Mid ‘77
- Best Colorways: Merrell Alpine 83 Sneaker Recraft
- Best for Standing: Hoka Bondi SR
- Best Slip-On: Gola Coaster Slip-On
In this article
How to choose a cute pair of sneakers for work
Beyond looking for what works with your particular workplace, there are a couple key things to keep in mind when shopping for your next go-to pair of office-friendly sneakers.
- Support: As SELF has previously reported, your sneakers should match the shape of your foot, without allowing your arch to collapse or forcing it into a higher position than is natural. 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.
- Fit: While we’re on the subject of your foot’s shape, your shoes also need to accommodate the length of your feet. As Denisa Riera, DPM, a podiatry specialist with Hartford HealthCare at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut, previously told SELF, there should be a thumb’s width of extra space at the front of the shoe so your toes can wiggle and spread freely.
- Comfort: Work sneakers should feel as good by the end of the day as they do when you first put them on in the morning, so make sure your pick has enough padding to keep you comfortable. This is mostly a matter of personal preference (some people like the marshmallowy feel of Hokas, while others prefer a little less cushioning), but don’t go completely without some kind of shock absorption in your shoes—that’ll just make it unpleasant to walk around on hard surfaces.
- Style: Shop with your favorite colors, trends, and brands in mind to ensure your new shoes mesh well with your existing workwear and feel like your taste. Getting dressed for work isn’t always the most exciting part of the day—but with a cool pair of sneaks, it doesn’t have to be a total drag.
The best work sneakers
Tired of loafers, clogs, and ballet flats? Take your pick from these top-rated, office-ready sneakers, which check our boxes for both form and function.
Best Overall: Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Triple Strap
Pros
- Classic design
- Slight platform
- Easy to tighten to fit your foot
- Available in office-friendly colorways
Cons
- Velcro is an acquired taste
Stylish, but far from stuffy, the Sneaker Award–winning GrandPro Topspin Triple Strap sneaker from Cole Haan will elevate your standard 9 to 5 outfits, rather than dress them down. “They’re sleek, modern, and look great on my feet,” our tester said. “I think they’re very classy and perfect for when you want to look more polished.”
A slightly lifted heel and unfussy Velcro straps keep these sneakers from looking too basic, while their classic colorways (including black, ivory, and white) are well within work-appropriate bounds. Oh, and did we mention they’re comfortable, too? Our testers wore them for hours at a time around the office, on dog walks, and while hanging out with friends without missing a step.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium and wide | Materials: Leather, synthetic fabric, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), and rubber
Runner-Up: Lululemon Cityverse
Pros
- Streamlined design
- Very comfortable, even for long periods of time
Cons
- Might look a little too basic for some
Another Sneaker Award–winner, Lululemon’s Cityverse is the non-flashy shoe your commutes need. We put it to the test on day-long outings, including multiple trips to the office, and were seriously impressed by how comfy it was the entire time. “Somehow Lululemon made cool sneakers that feel just like super-cushiony running shoes,” one tester said. “My feet are just so happy when I wear them!”
These aren’t necessarily the shoes you put on when you want to get noticed, but that’s kind of the point: “I don’t need to think about them at all once they’re on,” another tester wrote in their review. And on especially busy days, who wants to be distracted by their shoes?
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, foam, and rubber
Most Timeless: Adidas Stan Smith
Pros
- Never going out of style
- Easy to spot clean
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 sign to go for it: The Adidas Stan Smiths, originally a court shoe but now an everything shoe, have become ironic for good reason. “I have ones with the small pop of green, and they practically go with everything I wear,” one tester who reviewed the shoes for SELF tells us. “They’re also really comfortable when commuting and super easy to clean.”
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Leather, synthetic fabric, and rubber
Most Comfortable: Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker
Pros
- Extremely cushy and comfortable
- No break-in period
- Under $75
Cons
Believe the hype—our tester joined the chorus of TikTokers raving about the chunky Time Off Sneakers pretty much as soon as she tried them on: “Right out of the box, these sneakers are unbelievably comfortable—they don’t rub or pinch at all, and I say this as someone who is incredibly blister-prone.” She adds that their thick outsoles are surprisingly flexible and that the footbed has a nice, bouncy feel.
Plus—and most importantly for our purposes here—their simple design makes them totally suitable for the office. “I’ve banished all my other everyday, lifestyle sneakers to the back of my closet since I’ve gotten these,” she says. “They’re truly the only pair I want to wear (to work, to the park, out to dinner…).”
Sizes: US 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 cushioned
- 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 making it part of her workweek rotation: “On’s sneakers are usually too firm for me, but this actually felt perfect. So much so that I wear these on my walks, to the office—pretty much everywhere I go.” The sole, stacked high with foam, 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, on the off chance you’re running late).
When paired with trousers or a midi dress, the Cloudmonster Hyper won’t look so performance-driven—instead, it’ll look like the coolest, comfiest shoe in the building.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabric, foam, and rubber
Best Office-to-Gym Option: Athleta Saysh One Sneaker
Pros
- Just-right level of cushioning
- No break-in period
- Supportive
Cons
- Laces tend to tighten and may need loosening throughout the day
If you clock out and head straight to your workout, you can save some room in your gym bag by choosing these sleek sneaks. “I reach for these all the time—they don’t stick out at the office, but they’re also easy to wear while walking through Central Park or on the treadmill,” one SELF editor says. “I love that I can wear them directly from work to the gym without having to pack a spare pair of shoes.”
She’s had her pair for over a year and hasn’t noticed much wear or stretching at all. They’re as comfortable as ever (not “too thick or squishy,” she says), and still support her high arches like a dream.
Sizes: US 5.5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic suede, synthetic weave, and EVA
Best Samba Dupe: New Balance RC42
Pros
- Versatile
- Comfortable out of the box
- True to size
Cons
There’s no denying that Adidas Sambas make great office sneakers, but at this rate, you could be stuck on their waitlist until retirement. Luckily, our commerce writer found a perfect—and far more accessible—alternative in New Balance’s casual-cool RC24. She describes them as stylish, slim, versatile, and pretty much perfect for her everyday needs: “They’re comfortable for my NYC power walks and instantly elevate the look of my work, weekend, and gym outfits.”
