Up your sneaker game with our guide to the best classic, workout and fashion trainers, as well as new collections.
Show of hands if you own more sneakers than heels or dressy shoes! With the athleisure trend now comfortably settled into our everyday style, sneakers are a step in the right sartorial direction. Want to up your sneaker game? Pimp out your shoe closet with the sickest kicks for all occasions – trendy designer sneakers, new collections, all-star running trainers and timeless essentials included. Presenting: The best sneakers in Singapore.
Sneakers in Singapore for fashionistas
Stella McCartney: Eclypse Sneakers
Always been a fan of Stella McCartney and living the vegan lifestyle? This one’s for all animal lovers who don’t want to compromise on style in their stride. These socially conscious sneakers are free of leather and bi-products. Plus, the soles are available in different palettes for that extra pop of colour in your ensemble.
Stella McCartney, multiple locations including Paragon and Hilton Shopping Gallery.
Onitsuka Tiger: Ohbori EX
Trends of yesteryears are making a comeback fosho. Just take a look at Onitsuka Tiger’s Ohbori Ex. It’s a contemporary riff on the 1974 Ohbori kicks. Still sporting the iconic sharp toe design, this new model has better cushioning and is integrated with fuzeGEL technology, giving you improved shock absorption and that much-needed pep in your step.
Onitsuka Tiger, multiple locations including VivoCity and Suntec City.
Alexander McQueen: Oversized Sneakers
If you’re into that oversized look, raise your sneaker game with the British label’s chunky kicks. Think standard white sneakers with a streetwear remix (read: quirky sole designs, bold-coloured heel counters and cool embellishments). What’s our fave? The pen-outlined sneaker, which reminds us of graffiti doodles, adds a little street cred to your whole look, be it athleisure or street chic.
Alexander McQueen, multiple locations including The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Scotts Square.
Puma: Calibrate Runner
Every household sports brand is touting its innovating technology and Puma has joined the fray. In collaboration with MIT Design Lab, Puma brings you patented cushioning foam technology XETIC, which will be featured in its new streetwear sneaker, Calibrate Runner. Looking like they came right out of a science fiction movie, the XETIC soles aim to provide the ultimate comfort in each step.
Puma, multiple locations including VivoCity and Ion Orchard; available from 15 October.
Adidas: Yeezy Boost 350 V2
Since Kanye’s 350 V2 kicks were first introduced, they’ve been flying off the shelves (and severely jacked up in price by online retailers). The epitome of elevated activewear, this latest variant, the Israfil, comes in monochrome shades of grey with a dash of orange. If sleek designs and minimalist colourways are your thing, add this to your collection.
Adidas, multiple locations including Velocity@Novena Square and Paragon; Israfil will be available from 22 August.
Common Projects
The creme de la creme in the world of luxury sneakers, Common Projects’ kicks come at a price – a hefty $400 one, that is. Sleek and minimalist, the understated design features 10 gold numbers detailing the article number, size and colour. All its shoes – including the low top trainers – are made of Italian leather and gorgeously hand-stitched.
Common Projects, Pedder on Scotts, #02-03 to #02-16, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209
Best timeless sneakers in Singapore
Axel Arigato: Clean 90
Swedish sneaker label Axel Arigato has our hearts and it’s not letting go anytime soon. Loved for its clean aesthetic and neutral colourways, the Clean 90 range is made with premium Italian leather and handcrafted in Portugal. We also love the extra height gifted by the platform soles.
Axel Arigato, available online.
Converse: Chuck Taylor All Star
When you’re looking for cool sneakers in Singapore, it doesn’t get more iconic than this. Despite the mind-numbingly vast selection of casual sneakers, nothing says stylish throwback quite like Converse chucks. These classic canvas sneakers with compound rubber soles have achieved cult status with everyone from skater boys and b-ballers to quirky fashionistas.
Converse, multiple locations including Nex and ION Orchard.
Nike: Air Force 1
Few sneakers are as respected (rapper Nelly even dedicated a song to it) and recognised as the Nike Air Force 1. Originally a basketball shoe, the AF1s may have evolved over the years in colourways and subtle details, but newer models still stick to the shoe’s classic silhouette, springy cushioning and massive sole. You can also bedazzle it to your own liking by picking your preferred materials and adding your favourite colour palette.
Nike, multiple locations including Paragon and Jewel Changi Airport.
Adidas: Superstar
Fun fact: The first Adidas superstars are said to have appeared on the basketball courts in 1970 before hitting the streets. Featuring an all-leather upper and the iconic rubber shell-toe, these #throwback kicks even saw hip hop group Run-DMC paying tribute to ’em. Today, the superstars of sneaker culture are loved by many, including street style mavens and high fashion aficionados.
Adidas, multiple locations including Velocity@Novena Square and Paragon.
Vans: Old Skool
The first to boast the iconic side stripe, Old Skool debuted in 1977. The classic skate kicks, beloved by all, feature a durable suede and canvas upper as well as a padded tongue. No longer just for Avril Lavigne-listening skaters, these iconic shoes recently made a resurgence as a style juggernaut and are constantly spotted on the feet of the fashion world’s coolest names.
Vans, multiple locations including Jewel and Jem.
Best workout trainers in Singapore
Under Armour: HOVR Phantom 2
Want to improve your running efficiency? The UA HOVR Phantom 2 has got you covered. Overtaking the footsteps of previous models, it features better cushioning, flexibility and traction. However, the highlight of this snazzy kick has to be its ability to provide real-time coaching. It’s fitted with a chip that helps track your running performance via Under Armour’s MapMyRun app.
Under Armour, multiple locations including Paragon and Takashimaya.
Reebok: Nano X
Built for all kinds of workouts, from burpees and deadlifts to sprints and hikes, these performance-focused sneakers are perfect if you’re ready to challenge your fitness level. What’s the secret? Flexweave technology on the upper: An open figure-8 weave engineered for performance, lightness and durability. Plus, the designs aren’t too shabby, so you can go from the gym to the mall without batting an eyelid.
Reebok, multiple locations including Velocity and selected Royal Sporting House stores.
Asics: Gel-Nandi
It has been 20 years since its launch, and in light of its 20th anniversary, the leading sportswear brand has brought back this trail-running shoe. The Gel-Nandi OG is pretty much the same in terms of functionality, but designer Yuuki Okumura has spruced up its design with a new midsole and tooling while keeping the classic mixed-material upper as an ode to its predecessor.
Asics, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura and Suntec City.
Nike: React Infinity Run Flyknit “Fast City”
Remarkably lightweight, this running sneaker is designed to give you crazy comfort. The Nike React foam found in the midsole is every runner’s dream. Its foam cushioning is incredibly responsive, so the more energy you put into your step, the more you’ll receive in return. Rubber sections on the outsole amp up its durability when you’re pounding the pavement.
Nike, multiple locations including Paragon and Jewel Changi Airport.
Now that you’ve gotten a sneak peek at the best sneakers in Singapore, it’s time to lace up and walk a mile in these shoes.
