Athleisure Shoes – 10 Great Shoes For Your Everyday Adventures & Ramblings

best-athleisure-shoes

Today I’m counting down the top ten best athleisure shoes for women and men.

Now that 2019 said goodbye, it’s high time I talked about some of my favorite recently released lifestyle running sneakers that could also be worn for lifestyle wear.

All of the sneakers mentioned in today’s article are of course some of the best everyday shoes for everyday runs but they’re also great for going to the gym, going to the store, and even going to work.

The best part about these shoes is not only are they great running sneakers but they’re also very stylish and comfortable and they look good as well so you wear them all day with no issues.

This list is not in any particular order, which means I didn’t make number one the best shoe and number ten the worst shoe.

They’re all great shoes for different things. So make sure you pick up the shoe that you like because it works for your lifestyle and it also looks good to you.

With all that out of the way,

let’s jump right into the list…

10 Best Athleisure Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080V10

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The Fresh Foam 1080v10 is one of New Balance’s latest running sneakers and it comes in at a pretty reasonable price.

Midsole

The first thing that you’d probably notice about this shoe is the brand new Fresh Foam X midsole with laser edge details around the heel.

This midsole is really great because it gives the shoe a super unique look and it also hides the creasing from extended wear.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X is a super comfortable and very lightweight cushion that feels great underfoot.

Not only that but just the sheer amount of cushioning that you get underfoot pretty much guarantees you’re going to have a very comfortable and smooth ride.

Upper

The top half of the Fresh Foam 1080V10 comes with a Hypoknit upper which provides strategic stretch and strategic support depending on where your foot needs it.

It’s a super soft and breathable upper especially around the top of your toes but it still does provide some really nice support around your midfoot and around the heel.

Speaking of the heel …

The back of the shoe has what New Balance is calling Ultra Heel which provides a super stiff and super strong support structure.

Outsole

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On the bottom of the shoe, you’ve got some gray and black rubber traction pods as well as some exposed foam which should allow for a little bit more expansion and more compression.

The Fresh Foam1080 has always been a favorite of runners worldwide and this latest V10 edition is no different. Runners wear it for their 5Ks, 10Ks, and marathon distances.

In short …

The Fresh Foam midsole of the NB Fresh Foam 1080V10 provides some nice cushion without feeling too soft while the Hypoknit upper provides some nice breathability around the toe with some added structure around the midfoot and around the heel.

Adidas Solarboost 19

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The Solarboost 19 is Adidas’ latest Solarboost sneaker.

Upper

The majority of this shoe is covered in a breathable mesh upper and then around the sides of the toe and the midfoot you’ve got some stitched line details which are actually called Tailored Fiber Placement.

On the Solarboost 19, Adidas actually completely removed the midfoot cage and instead only used Tailored Fiber Placement because it provides just as much stability without the added weight.

I also really like the esthetic of this TFP because I think it gives the shoe a more aggressive and unique look.

Midsole

In addition to that, you’ve also got a full-length responsive Boost midsole. Adidas has also added what they’re calling an Energy Rail which is designed to guide your foot and keep it more in place.

This Rail technology is actually a new breakthrough in running shoes and a lot of other companies like Brooks are integrating their Guide Rails into their new sneaker releases.

Unlike some of Adidas’ other Boost sneakers, there is a little bit less Boost in the Solarboost 19. This means you’re not going to get as much cushion but you are going to get some more responsiveness and some more ground feel.

Outsole

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The Solarboost 19 is still an incredibly comfortable shoe and it comes with a full-length Continental Stretch Web outsole which also helps with traction.

In short …

The Adidas Solarboost 19 is a great-looking Adidas sneaker with a full-length Boost midsole which feels good underfoot but also provides you more stability than a lot of other Boost sneakers.

Nike Epic React Flyknit 2

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The Flyknit 2 is one of Nike’s premier running and lifestyle sneakers.

Nike’s Epic React line is actually one of my favorite lines that they make because of how comfortable this shoe is underfoot.

Midsole

Of course, a lot of that is due to Nike’s full-length React cushioning which can be in the midsole.

React is very soft underfoot without feeling unstable, which is pretty hard to do especially when your midsole is as tall as the Epic React’s.

I personally love the React cushioning because not only does it feel good in casual runs, but it’s also the kind of shoe that you can wear all day and you don’t even feel like you’re wearing it.

Upper

The upper of this shoe is a one-piece Flyknit booty construction, which means it doesn’t have a separate tongue. This is going to give you a much more sock-like fit than a lot of other sneakers in the market.

The upper is somewhat stretchy but it’s very breathable and very lightweight. It almost feels like you’re not even wearing anything on your foot.

I also like the minimal esthetic construction of the Epic React Flyknit 2. It’s a very unassuming shoe, which means you can get away with wearing it pretty much anywhere.

Outsole

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Unfortunately, there isn’t a huge amount of traction on the bottom of Nike Epic React Flyknit 2, but as long as you’re running on dry surfaces, you should be good to go.

New Balance Fuelcell Rebel

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New Balance’s Fuelcell Rebel is actually one of the lightest shoes on the list. Not only that, but it’s also one of the lightest on your wallet.

What can I say, I love puns.

Midsole

As the name would suggest, this shoe features a full-length Fuelcell foam midsole which provides cushioning that’s designed to rebound you into the next step.

New-Balance-Fuelcell-Rebel-outrigger

Another interesting detail is that if you look at the top of the shoe, you’ll notice that the midfoot of this sneaker has a large outrigger on the lateral side.

I would presume that’s there for added stability and if that’s the case, I don’t mind it.

Upper

The upper of this shoe also comes in a booty-like construction, which means it’s going to give you a sock-like fit.

The one downside is that it’s a little bit harder to get your foot into this shoe than other sneakers.

One of the reasons the Fuelcell Rebel is so light is because it has a very thin and minimal trace fiber upper, which provides a surprising amount of support around the midfoot.

Esthetically, the NB Fuelcell is also interesting because even though this shoe has like five different colors and crazy patterns going on in the upper, it doesn’t feel like it’s too much or it’s too loud.

New Balance did a good job of keeping this shoe very wearable.

Outsole

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Rounding off the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel, the bottom of the Fuelcell comes with a data-driven lug outsole which provides lightweight traction.

Adidas UltraBoost 19

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Adidas-UltraBoost-19

The UltraBoost 19 is one of Adidas’ flagship running lifestyle sneakers. I think the price tag is justified because this is genuinely one of my most worn sneakers the entire year.

Upper

The UltraBoost 19 features a Primeknit 360 upper which is stretchy and supportive and one of the most comfortable uppers available on the market, at least in my opinion.

This shoe also features a mesh midfoot cage which is great for lockdown.

Unlike some of the previous UltraBoost iterations that used a solid plastic midfoot cage, this mesh should be a lot lighter weight.

Midsole

The main reason I love the UltraBoost 19 is the super-thick dual-density Boost midsole which feels incredible underfoot.

Since 2015, Boost has been one of the softest and most comfortable cushioning technologies on the market.

Adidas has done a great job of capitalizing on the technology and in fact, the UltraBoost is widely considered one of the most comfortable sneakers available.

All that said, I think I prefer the UltraBoost 19 as more of a lifestyle sneaker than a running sneaker.

While you can run in this shoe and while they Adidas have made a lot of performance improvements to make the UltraBoost a better running sneaker, it is still pretty heavy and the cushioning can feel a little bit mushy at times.

But if you’re primarily wearing this shoe around the office or going to the store and only occasionally going on some runs, the Adidas UltraBoost 19 is a great way to go.

Adidas UltraBoost 20

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I know I just talked about the UltraBoost 19, but the UltraBoost 20 is Adidas’ latest and upcoming UltraBoost model.

Even though both the UltraBoost 19 and the 20 retail at the same price, the UltraBoost 20 does have some pretty interesting performance improvements.

Upper

First off, like the Solarboost 19, the UltraBoost 20 now features Tailored Fiber Placement around the toe and the midfoot cage of the shoe.

The TFP should provide some more stability around the toe and around the midfoot of the sneaker while shedding off some weight.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a relatively heavy sneaker, but it does feel a little bit lighter than the UltraBoost 19.

In addition to that, the 20 switched out the Primeknit on the heel for a super-soft and super-plush neoprene-like material.

Midsole

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Even with all the performance improvements, it does look like Adidas kept my favorite part of the sneaker the same, which is the full-length Boost midsole.

In short …

Just like the 19, the Boost midsole on the Adidas Ultra Boost 20 is super thick, super comfortable and feels like you’re walking on a cloud, which is awesome.

Last but not least, the Ultra Boost is one of the best celebrity shoes.

Nike Zoom Vomero 14

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In my opinion, the Nike Zoom Vomero is one of Nike’s best-looking running sneakers and it also comes in at a pretty reasonable retail price.

Midsole

Not only that but the Zoom Vomero 14 also features a really interesting dual-cushioning setup.

Inside the midsole of this shoe, you’ve got a full-length Air Zoom unit which provides a smooth and snappy ride.

Not only that, but you’ve also got Nike’s React foam in the midsole, which really softens out and cushions the ride.

Related: Nike Vomero 14 compared to Nike Pegasus 35

Upper

The upper of the Zoom Vomero 14 comes in this really nice textile mesh which provides some nice support and durability.

If you like a tighter and more customized fit, the Vomero also features a FlyWire lacing system. Basically, what the FlyWire lacing system is are these tiny little wires as Nike calls them that wrap through the upper of the sneaker.

So when you tighten the laces, FlyWires actually pull the entire upper around your foot.

That and in addition to the separate tongue really allows you to customize the fit the way that you want.

Outsole

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Rounding off the bottom of the Nike Air Zoom Vomero 14, you’ve actually got a pretty rugged outsole which should provide you some nice traction.

Saucony Triumph 17

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Read the full review of the Saucony Triumph 17

The Triumph 17 is the most heavily-cushioned shoe on this entire list. Both the upper and the midsole are extremely soft.

Upper

The top half of this sneaker is made of what Saucony is calling a FORMFit upper. I’ve got to say it’s ridiculously well padded.

The ankle area of the Triumph alone feels like it has almost half an inch of padding. It’s incredibly soft and feels really good on your foot.

In addition to that, the tongue is also very thick and well-padded. When you slide your foot into the Triumph 17, it really feels like you’re being surrounded by pillows. It’s a really weird feeling but one that I really like.

Esthetically, it’s a pretty plain shoe. I’m not in love with the upper, but I definitely don’t mind it.

Midsole

I’m sure this midsole looks familiar to you and I would assume that’s because they’re using very similar technology to Adidas Boost.

Like the upper of the Triumph 17, the midsole itself is very thick and very well padded. Because of that, it feels really soft underfoot.

Even though PWRUN+ does look pretty similar to Boost, it does feel like they changed up the formula of the material a little bit because it is a little bit firmer and actually a little bit more stable.

Outsole

Saucony-Triumph-17-outsole

Moving to the bottom of the shoe, you’ve got this really interesting yellow and black rubber outsole which has pretty decent traction but it’s nothing incredible.

I can’t say it enough, but this shoe is incredibly plush both on the upper and on the midsole.

If softness and pillow-like comfort is all you’re really looking for from your pair of running sneakers, the Saucony Triumph 17 is a good way to go.

Hoka One One Rincon

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The Hoka Rincon is one of the lightest sneakers mentioned on today’s list. Not only that, but it’s also the cheapest.

I got to be honest, I love the way this sneaker looks. I don’t know what it is about it and I think maybe the chunky midsole is winning me over.

There have actually been some colorways of the Rincon that I really wish I had picked up because I just love the way that they looked. The white and black colorway is definitely simple and definitely clean.

Upper

The Hoka One One Rincon is a very minimal sneaker. It’s got a single-layer mesh upper which is super-breathable but still pretty durable.

Most of the details of the Rincon are actually printed directly onto the mesh, which gives it a sort of fuzzy look which I actually kind of like.

A new addition on the Hoka Rincon is the thin nylon pull tab at the back which is going to help get the shoe on and off pretty easily.

Midsole

Getting to my favorite part of the Rincon, the really thick full-compression EVA midsole (SpEVA).

This EVA is really light and I’m kind of surprised because it looks like such as thick chunky midsole.

The construction of the midsole is pretty simple and that’s probably why it’s so light. It’s just one piece of molded EVA and that’s pretty much it.

Even though the midsole is pretty simple and pretty light, it does absorb shock really well and I really appreciate it.

Outsole

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On the bottom of the Rincon, you’ve got a few strategically-placed rubber traction pods.

I know the Hoka One One Rincon isn’t definitely for everybody, but there’s something about it that I just really like the look of it.

Nike Pegasus 36

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The Pegasus line has been one of Nike’s most popular running lines for years because of its no-nonsense design and it’s pretty reasonably priced.

For most of this year, the Pegasus 35 has actually been my go-to running sneaker and it looks like the 36 is just an iterative improvement on the 35.

Upper

The Pegasus 36 features a perforated mesh textile upper which provides a lot of breathability and a lot of support.

Not only that but like the Vomero 14 above, you also have a FlyWire lacing system that really allows you to customize the fit of this sneaker.

Also, visually I think it’s a really clean and simple-looking sneaker that you can pretty much wear with anything and get away with it.

Midsole

Moving down on the shoe, you’ve got a Cushlon foam midsole that incases a full-length Zoom Air unit. Like I mentioned before, the Pegasus 36 is definitely a no-nonsense running sneaker.

The Zoom Air unit does provide some cushion underfoot, but the Cushlon is still pretty firm so you get some nice responsiveness and some nice ground feel as well.

A big plus for the 36 over the 35 is the fact that it’s slimmed down and it’s a little bit lighter as well.

Outsole

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Moving to the bottom of the Pegasus 36, you’ve got a Waffle Piston outsole. Apparently, this outsole absorbs impact really well and it also provides some really solid multi-directional traction.

There’s definitely a reason why the Nike Pegasus line has been as popular as it has been over the last couple years and the Nike Pegasus 36 is definitely a great shoe.

That pretty much wraps up my list of the 10 best athleisure shoes.

Let me know in the comments in the section down below which one of these trendy sneakers you like the best and which ones you would consider picking up.

About Eric Barber

Eric Barber is a happy father of two little angels, a husband, and a runner. He eats, sleeps, and dreams anything foot related: running shoes, walking shoes, sneakers, you name it. It all started when Eric was a shoe store specialist watching and fitting people's feet day in and day out.

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