Snappy new sneakers for spring

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I dislike most everything about what’s happening in the world of sneaker trends right now: they’re so chunky and tricked-out and not appealing in any way I can relate to, and they make me feel like I don’t understand anything. The selection here today is a bit all over the place, but I think they’re all quite wearable, starting with this bright and happy pair of Tretorns.

I like the clean lines and strategic pop of pink on this Nike Airmax.

I just bought These Adidas kicks for my trip to Portugal, and several things about them excite me: the boss color combination, the old-school styling, and the height-enhancing platform sole.

The Nike Jester is a clever shoe—check out the lower-than usual swoosh and other bits of trickery—and a grey sneaker is so versatile.

Wool runners from Allbirds have a sort of modern classic look that I can get behind, and people swear by them.

This sneaker, by a brand called P448 that I’ve never heard of, is the closest to being a trendy sneaker that I’ve got in this lineup: it’s altogether clunky but weirdly chic, and has a wave sole that reminds me of Famolares of yore.

I don’t know that I would wear these, but I adore them.

I think the desert colors here are quite pretty.

 

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32 Thoughts on Snappy new sneakers for spring
    Doyenne
    3 Apr 2019
    11:22am

    Just hit “submit” on my Tretorn purchase–Quite colorfully out-of-the-norm for this dark-wardrobed GOACA over here, but I always love your recs, Kim! Wrt the Allbirds, can y’all who love them repeat the singing of their praises? I’m very tempted by what I think of as their “no stink” factor…uh, I mean, askin’ for a friend. 😉

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      Viajera
      4 Apr 2019
      5:01pm

      What Doyenne said … but also, how are these allbirds in terms of footbed and support? I have PF and I want to *not* have it anymore.

      Any allbird lovers with hinky feet?

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        SueAnne Robinson
        6 Apr 2019
        8:09am

        I put my orthotics in my All Birds and was fine. I think without the orthotics my PF could rear it’s ugly head.

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      MaryAlice
      3 Apr 2019
      12:55pm

      I wore my Allbirds on a trip through Southeast Asia in the summer…they are wool, so they breathe, you can throw them in the washing machine and they are crazy comfy. Plus they are plain so they go with everything.

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      c.w.
      3 Apr 2019
      3:05pm

      My beau has two pair of Allbirds––one tie, one slip on. He swears by them. Comfortable, no stink (that I’ve noticed) and even though he wears them all the time they have really held up and still look nice.

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      Lori
      3 Apr 2019
      4:10pm

      Yes! Love Allbirds! Have two pairs of Wool Runners (the first of which completely saved a winter London trip a few years ago, when a pair of chicer, supposedly “walkable” weatherproof ankle boots killed my feet within two hours), and a pair of Tree Skippers, which I love in spring and summer for their extremely light weight, and for their low front gorge, which is very flattering on a shorter-legged person. They are all durable, order-free, even without socks, and SO comfortable — you literally will not want to take them off your feet at the end of the day!

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        Lori
        3 Apr 2019
        4:12pm

        Oops, “odor-free” (-:

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      Jean
      3 Apr 2019
      6:48pm

      I’ll fess up. I have several pairs. Not as chic as Vince sneakers but not as heinous as crocs. The incredible comfort factor overrides any remaining doubts for me. It’s the first shoe I grab for travel or day long errands. I live in a warm weather zone and don’t wear socks and haven’t experienced any stink factor even though I tend to have that issue with leather shoes. I hear there’s a cooler version now but I’ve been fine with the regular wool. I may give the new style a shot. I’m an 8.5 but do better in the 8.

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    Reagan
    3 Apr 2019
    11:10am

    I had a bad foot injury in October and need a new pair of “everyday” sneakers. I am torn between the Tretorns and Vejas.

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    Amy
    3 Apr 2019
    10:49am

    Thank you, thank you for the Famolares reference. They’re back at Nordstrom!

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      Mae
      3 Apr 2019
      2:33pm

      Famolares at Nordstrom!!!!!! I just ordered a pair of sandals. YAAAAAAAAAY.

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      SuH
      3 Apr 2019
      6:46pm

      OMG famolares, visions of 1981 ads in the NYT…thanks for the wonderful news!

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    Elle
    3 Apr 2019
    9:17am

    Love those sambas! May have to get them, although I usually only go for a thick heel on my clogs. Hmmm

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    c.w.
    3 Apr 2019
    9:22am

    Great sneaker choices! The Tretorns are soooo happy! I find I wear sneakers more often than I used to partly due to age and wanting that stability and comfort and partly due to walking the dog. I’m moving to a different condo building soon and was sent a list of “rules” the other day––no traipsing through the lobby in pajama pants to walk your dog in the mornings––is one and suddenly EVERYTHING in my closet looks like pajama pants so I’m hoping a new pair of sneaks will elevate the hell out of what I normally slide into when I slide out of bed. Lordy.

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      Mamavalveeta03
      4 Apr 2019
      1:52am

      They tell you what you can WEAR?!? Oh, cw, the rebel in me would want to say “Screw that!” (The rebel can’t say the F word comfortably, however.)

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        Viajera
        4 Apr 2019
        4:58pm

        Yeah ditto … that took me aback a bit too … otoh, does that mean the place is so well-run that they have tiiiiiime to worry about that? or are they a bunch of fascists? Please be careful c.w. – you sound too nice to have to put up with snotty neighbors. But, maybe they are just fine, and they have the rule just in case? Research, it’s the ticket!

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    Susanna
    3 Apr 2019
    10:19am

    Love those Tretorns! Does anyone know about Tretorn sizing? TTS? I frequently have trouble with sneaker sizing, especially when they’re made unisex. I find them oftentimes to run large.

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      Lori
      3 Apr 2019
      4:17pm

      Haven’t tried any of their trainers, as posted here, but have been wearing their women’s size 11 Nylite and Nylite Plus sneakers for years, and find them extremely comfortable, and true to size!

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    Emily
    4 Apr 2019
    4:11pm

    I own the tretorns and they’re true to size!

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    elise
    3 Apr 2019
    11:54am

    Thank you for noting the ridiculous & hideous “dad sneaker” trend – it must end! Not even it-girl millennials look good in them! RE: Allbirds – several ppl I know have & love them – supposedly very comfy and lightweight. I just ordered Veja’s – haven’t received yet so can’t comment but I like the look.

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      Mimi
      4 Apr 2019
      10:44am

      Sorry, but I’m an old GOACA and I love a good Dad sneaker. Not the ones that are ridiculously embellished and never in all white, but to me they say “fashion” rather than “cute” and I like the heft and off-beat note they give to a tailored outfit. I wear a lot of wide-legged pants and Dad sneakers with a generous platform don’t even show that much under a long leg. My favorites are a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Lo Fi sneakers in olive green that represent my Holy Grail since the sole and platform are the same color as the shoe. I have never owned nor would be caught dead in any kind of clog, so different strokes……

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    Gablesgirl
    3 Apr 2019
    7:01pm

    How do Allbirds hold up if they get wet?

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      Lori
      3 Apr 2019
      7:47pm

      The wool repels water surprisingly well in a drizzle, and since both the wool and tree versions are long-wearing and machine-washable, it doesn’t hurt them even if they get soaked!

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    y.k.
    3 Apr 2019
    8:56pm

    I love the Adidas you chose – most attractive color combination. and YES – the chunky sneaker style going around is bewildering.

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    Davina
    4 Apr 2019
    1:08am

    P448 is actually a fantastic brand out of Italy. They have some very fun looks.

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    Mamavalveeta03
    4 Apr 2019
    1:46am

    When it comes right down to it, I guess I’m just a simple girl. (Excuse me, I can’t hear myself think over the sound of my husband’s uproarious laughter.) I agree with you about tricked out sneakers, Kim. So much so, that even most of these are too blingy for me. The basic white Tretorn, Adidas with black stripes, or Veja with red and blue accents are what make me sing. And you don’t want to hear that. 😉

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    LMM
    3 Apr 2019
    12:34pm

    All Birds doesn’t make over a size 10? That seems like a miss on their part.

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      Lori
      3 Apr 2019
      3:45pm

      I have three pairs of Allbirds — two Wool Runners, and one Tree Skipper — and because I wear women’s size 11, I order men’s 10, and they work really well! (The styles are completely unisex, with no difference between genders — except, occasionally, a limited-edition color.)

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    Tamara
    3 Apr 2019
    12:51pm

    Those adidas…they came in silver…my credit card jumped out of my wallet…and my soles will be happy 😃

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Kim France

I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.

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