15 Cool Sneaker Brands Fashion People Always Wear

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Whether you’re a sneakerhead who knows about every new drop or you’re investing in some cool shoes to add to your new-season wardrobe, there are some noteworthy sneaker brands to know about that you’ll find in the closets of fashion insiders. From practical athletic shoes intended for a workout to directional designer pieces, there are a range of styles that can fit into your wardrobe, regardless of how you’ll be wearing and styling them.

Brands including Adidas and New Balance have recently climbed the ranks even higher with their styles such as the Sambas and 550s which are sold out practically everywhere. Rising brands including Onitsuka Tiger and Saloman have been picking up steam recently. Other designers including Aimé Leon Dore and Wales Bonner have cult collaborations that sell out instantly when they’re released. Ahead, see the 15 best sneaker brands to add to your wardrobe that all have the "cool girl” stamp of approval. 

Adidas

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Adidas have a long line of cult collaborations but their core sneakers are also in heavy demand, including styles like the Samba sneakers that are everywhere on the fashion set.

Converse

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Not only are Converse All Star sneakers a favorite style among cool fashion people, but their price point also makes them a great affordable option to add to your closet.

New Balance

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Though New Balance has many styles that have won fashion people over, the 990 V5s are the key popular style to own.

Nike

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Nike sneakers have established themselves as classics, recognizable by the brand's signature swoosh.

Asics

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Recently, Asics have entered the fashion-girl sneaker collection in a major way—especially the metallic Gel styles.

Aimé Leon Dore

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Aimé Leon Dore's designs in collaboration with New Balance continue to command long waitlists, including the 550 sneakers that you'll have to hunt down if you want to find them in your size.

Gucci

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Leave it to Gucci to make the Adidas Gazelle sneakers even more viral with the addition of the brand's iconic GG logo.

Salomon

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You'll count celebs including Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid among the growing list of Saloman sneaker fans.

Hoka Hoka One

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If you step inside a cool gym, you're guaranteed to find the people inside wearing Hoka sneakers.

Reebok

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This editor is a personal fan of Reebok sneakers, stocking many colorways of the Club C 85s in my closet.

Onitsuka Tiger

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Onitsuka Tiger sneakers are currently on the rise, and the yellow Mexico 66 sneakers are the key buy to add to your closet.

Loewe

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Loewe's cult sneakers capture the nostalgia of retro designs.

Wales Bonner

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Yet another cool Adidas collab to know: The Wales Bonner sneakers that mix cool textures and colorways.

Chanel

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Chanel remains one of the most in-demand brands for designer sneakers.

Toteme

Next: This Is the Sneaker Trend Every Early Adopter Is Wearing

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If you're a minimalist, Toteme sneakers will be on your radar.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.