Lightweight shoe recommendations?
I'm looking for a stylish lightweight shoe that is reasonably comfortable for someone with a wider foot, high arch, and often need an onsole/extra support/cushioning. I've researched the Adidas Sambas & Gazelles and idk if they'd be too narrow and lack the support I usually need. I'm sorry if this is an annoying question to ask but I'm just looking for suggestions and recommendations which I can research further myself. I usually wear Converse Hightops and Veja sneakers. Both are comfortable but I want a lightweight, comfortable, and casually stylish alternative.
Any suggestions/recommendations?
44 Replies
something to consider - how do you define 'casual'? or rather, what are you wearing these shoes with?
the suggestion implies a casual sneaker but there's other types of shoes that are informal (loafers, mocs, boots) - the shoe guide can help with the basic distinctions https://malefashionadvice.substack.com/p/shoe-guide-v20
Shoe Guide v2.0
by u/jdbee (2012)
your definition of 'wide' and 'high arch' may also vary (to say nothing of cost) so trying shoes on is the most effective thing imo.
onitsuka tigers and vans authentics or eras may be good options for sneakers depending on the width of your shoe.
fair question. I think a sneaker would be the easiest to consider for something lightweight, casual, and stylish. I would probably wear jeans, linen pants, maybe trackpants, t shirts, maybe some flannels or other layers/outerwear
I tried the 3 eye basic Vans and found they are not great for my foot shape. The lace area is painful against my arch, too narrow and flat, and for their size they actually felt a bit heavy
But I haven't tried your specific suggestions
Something low top is easier
Why are you so focused on the weight of the shoe? There are some very comfortable shoes out there but things like cushion and arch support add bulk to the shoes - if the comfort aspect and weight aspect are at odds with each other, why not just wear the comfy shoe?
Because I already have comfy shoes but I find they are sometimes a bit heavy, so I'm looking for a lightweight alternative
What are some examples of the shoes you have that are too heavy for your liking?
Chucks and vejas are already pretty light imo so finding something that fits your foot shape + meets some "low weight" may not be trivial
*i would also argue chucks and (to an extent vejas) are stylish for casual wear
what are these heavy shoes specifically?
Totally agree chuck high tops are soo versatile
as someone who suffered through many uncomfortable shoes for the sake of style it's not worth it
and the difference in weight between a 'heavier' and 'lighter' sneaker or loafer is negligible
I've had these old pair of Adidas Adistar Racers for years, they were handmedowns, they are the lightest shoe that I've tried and enjoyed (stock photo, mine are not as clean, almost dead)
So something with a similar weight, and more current/stylish, would be awesome
I can feel a significant difference in weight between these and Converse or Vejas
Or it might just be because of how good of a fit they are
it could be because of the support they feature
they're a heavier shoe by pure weight than ultraboosts, for instance
(note i am not recommending an ultraboost this isn't 2018)
They are possibly the perfect fit for me, but sometimes feel a bit narrow or sore in general but that's usually after walking a few kilometres
For these lightweight adidas racers/trainers I've found going up half a size from brannock (if you're a 9E, get a size 9.5) can help alleviate the narrow feeling
i pivoted away from adidas for that reason
True, I think if I went up a size my current Adidas would basically be perfect (if they didn't have a dead sole)
I'm also a big fan of Adidas style/aesthetic
idk if you'll think they're too heavy but the NB 1906r/2002r/990v3,4,5,6 are very comfortable, but not lightweight. I would say that the comfort is excellent enough to mitigate the added weight
They are not sleek though, which seems to be what you prefer
Yeah I think I prefer a sleek, simple look
a challenge in general is that sleek shoes are usually not comfortable for wide footers (my experience as a wide footer)
there's going to be some concessions though - the sleek, simple sneakers typically don't have all the added support that you may want
Hence my conundrum, and why I am asking for suggestions lol
you can accomodate by going up a 1/2 or 1 size, if you really like the style of those shoes
sad but true, so I gotta find the happy medium, the perfect balance of sleek and comfort
i would try on some of the NBs that @champagnepaji recommended to see if their comfort is worth the added weight
onitsuka tigers are also an option
or are Sambas or Gazelles still an option for me?
try mexico 66's, adidas sl 72, nike waffle one, gazelles/sambas
if you're dead set on sambas go up a half size imo
i encourage exploring other options because most of what's been suggested is timeless and will likely be unchnaged from year to year
and if these sleek/lowheight shoes are uncomfortable you replace the insole with a more plush one
Something like the Onitsuka Tiger tokuten could be good. I think Mexico 66 is another popular model
I do love the look of the sambas and gazelles, just concerned on fit and comfort
That could be nice alternative
any recommendations on good insoles?
Uhh personally I just rock the stock ones in every shoe I own, I'm sure there's plenty of options on the market though (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-insoles-for-running-and-walking/)
Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World
The Best Insoles for Running and Walking
Insoles can add cushion in your shoes and even relieve some lower-body ailments. We’ve tested over three dozen pairs to determine which insoles offer the most support.
New balance has some models that are less chunky than the 99x series. For example the 420 and the 574
Those are probably be way more comfortable than sambas etc
That is pretty slick for a NB
if you are trying on shoes in person they will almost certainly have insoles and insole recommendations
true
I wonder if just going for Sambas/Gazelles with the right insole would be best combination of both style and comfort
Yeah onitsuka tigers are super light
I’ve been wearing sambas for like six years now, they work fine for my wide feet. They also usually have a fair amount of arch support (to the point where they’re uncomfortable for my feet which are flat). That being said, they don’t have much in the way of specifically comfy features or anything; they’re basically just two slabs of leather with flat soles on them lol
I kinda am wondering like many other people here why weight is such an important factor for you though? I can go from wearing sneakers to steel toe doc martens and not really notice a weight difference even though the docs are much much heavier. Maybe it’s just something you get used to? I wouldn’t worry about weight unless you’re planning on running in these shoes too
Try Vans Ultrarange. Lightest shoe I've ever held. Lighter than Onitsuka
If you want lightweight and supportive just buy some running shoes, but you're going to sacrifice stylishness unless you're willing to embrace the technical/outdoorsy nature of something like a Saucony Endorphin or Hoka Bondi/Clifton Wide.
I'm maybe hyper-aware of the weight of my clothing and footwear because I can feel a significant difference between Doc Martens and Converse for example
Docs weigh like three times what converse high tops do, thats reasonable to notice
Exactly what I thought