woman tying her sneakers, mom sneakers

By definition, moms are busy people. Busy people who spend a lot of time on the go and on their feet. So thank goodness we’re in an era where sneakers are trendy, and there are a ton of affordable options that combine style, comfort, and sustainability! You deserve some new kicks to go with your mom uniform — check these out!


The classics

We wore these in the ’90s, and we’ll continue to buy them in 2023! Whether your preference is Vans, Converse, or Keds, these classics will never go out of style. Bonus points if you buy your kiddo a matching pair. Just be careful if you get the urge to ride their skateboard down the street!


Sporty sneaks

Gone are the days when sneakers were designated solely for exercise. I opt for this style on days when I know I’ll be doing a lot of walking — or when I expect to be running after my kids! All the great athletic shoe brands make cute street sneakers for women — try Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Puma, or Reebok. And, bonus, many of these brands make slip-on sneakers — every mom’s dream.

Newer on the scene are brands like Hoka, which are said to be some of the most comfortable shoes ever, and Veja, which uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for the canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles, and various innovative materials. Sorel, once known for its quality winter boots, now makes some great sneakers as well.

These days, it’s easy to find comfortable yet fun sneakers like these anywhere, from your local sporting goods store or department store to sites like Amazon and Zappos (which makes it easy to order a few sizes and send back the ones that don’t work). You’ll even spot them at places like J.Crew and Anthropologie!


Trendy kicks

There are a number of trendy brands that either focus exclusively on sneakers or have them as part of their offerings. First up is Allbirds, which makes sneakers from sustainable wool, and they’re known for being amazingly comfortable.

Everlane’s stylish shoes are made from durable, sustainably sourced materials — and they’re machine washable. The clean look of Everlane’s shoes is timeless, so no need to worry about these sneakers going out of style!

Want another eco-friendly option? Madewell’s Kickoff trainers use recycled and sustainable materials! Also, the “cloudlift” insoles are designed to have you feeling like you’re walking on a cloud.

Next up is Vince, the fashion brand that offers a number of different slip-on sneaker options for women in various colors and fabrics. One of the most popular is the perforated Blair style, or try the Warren (pictured below) to give yourself a little height — the rubber platform sole is hollowed to ensure a light weight!

The brand Birdies offers the retro cool Roadrunner in lots of fun colors and prints. The comfort level on these means your feet will be happy in them all day long!

Rothy’s has turned more than 125 million single-use plastic bottles into their signature thread, so that’s a huge win for me! Rothy’s makes slip-on, lace-up, and high-top sneakers, so you’re bound to find something that both feels and looks great on your feet!

Kiziks have taken the mom world by storm recently because they truly require zero hands to put them on! They’re also incredibly comfortable — every mom’s dream!


This post was originally written by Rachel Wilson in 2018 and has been updated for 2023.

Ashley Dickson
Ashley is a Virginia native who moved to Boston — sight unseen — for a library science graduate degree she’s never exactly used. Within a year, she met her husband, a nerdy but handsome health economist. They planted roots in Arlington, MA, had three baby boys (2012, 2015, 2021), and entered the world of foster parenting in between. Ashley spends her days picking up Legos, freelance writing and editing, swimming at Walden Pond, and binge eating dark chocolate when her kids have their backs turned.