Back in the 1830s, canvas shoes with rubber soles were created to walk on sand. About 30 years later, croquet players began wearing rubber-soled shoes. With innovators catching on to the idea into the 1900s, sneakers were adapted to multiple sports including basketball, running and tennis. Through it all, interest in healthy feet and ease of movement has remained intact.

Today’s everyday sneakers have evolved tremendously. Packed with innovation, they are still built on the same premise of delivering performance and comfort. “People want a lightweight construction, responsive cushioning, and all-day wearability that supports movement without feeling technical,” explains Nick Myers, marketing manager, Alegria. The exec says that the current expectation is for “invisible performance.” But that doesn’t mean that customers don’t care about technical attributes. The biggest demand that Liam Bourke, president of Comfort Co, is responding to is energy return. “Customers are increasingly knowledgeable. They’ve heard the language of EVA and foam compounds, and they want to know what their shoe is ‘giving back’ to them.”

While “athleisure silhouettes” are still desired, it’s also about “something that fits how he/she lives now, versatile enough to wear most places, but doesn’t lose the orthotic benefits along the way,” comments Kele Leistritz, director of product development at Revitalign.

The ballet sneaker trend remains compelling. Scott McCabe, director of omni channel merchandising and brand experience at Mephisto, says the brand finds that ballet sneakers appeal to women seeking something both refined and comfortable, offering soft leathers, lightweight soles, and a flexible fit.

“We tie in fashion through cleaner profiles, thoughtful material mixes, and a more elevated casual point of view, so the shoes feel versatile enough to wear well beyond active settings,” says Jill Butler, director of merchandising for ECCO.

And at Xelero, Michael Arce, national sales manager, notes that “not all athletic footwear is created equal.” Consumers may need some coaching on what’s right for their feet and their lifestyle.

Rick Blackshaw, co-founder of wide-foot-friendly STOKE Shoes puts it simply: men want a shoe that fits. “It’s not a shoe with a QR code or a carbon fiber plate or one engineered for a four-minute mile. They want a wide toe box that doesn’t crush them by noon, a midsole that handles eight hours on concrete, and a price point that doesn’t feel like a punishment for having wide feet.” Stoke claims that up to 75% of men have wide feet, but only 25% wear wide width shoes. The bottom line for Blackshaw is, “if your feet hurt, you don’t move.”

Here, brands share some of their standout new sneakers for men and women.

1. All-Day Active

Rieker President Rich Rask is getting the most interest in his Hobart offering, “which is built for effortless movement – it’s a lightweight style and agile all-rounder, combining natural comfort with performance driven-features for everyday wear.” Meanwhile, Xelero’s “athletically-inspired casuals” have features like a slip-resistant outsole, are orthotic-friendly and offer enhanced stability, Xelero CEO Dan Werremeyer comments.

STOKE FO-MO

Stoke’s flagship offering is built specifically for men with wide feet, offered in both wide (E/2E) and wider (3E/4E) constructions built on a true wide last. A BIG BALL GIRTH toe box offers room for toes to splay naturally and a MANSPLAY MIDSOLE provides lateral stability for a wider stance. MSRP $85.

XELERO JOURNEY

Built on the importance of foot health and wellness, Journey offers Xelero’s patented technology that makes walking easier. Four colorways are available for men and women, along with multiple widths. Journey features a slip-resistant outsole and water-resistant upper. MSRP $199.99.

TOPO ATHLETIC SPECTER 3

This June, the brand launched the Pro Series, designed for runners seeking responsive, lightweight performance across every mile. Topo Athletic’s new ATPU-based RevFoam midsole delivers a lightweight, energetic ride in the Specter 3. Directly underfoot, an ATPU footbed offers increased rebound. MSRP $170.

SKETCHERS SLIP-INS AERO BURST

This hands free running shoe is engineered for comfort, even for distances, thanks to dual density HYPER BURST ICE cushioning. HYPER ARC technology promotes smooth transitions and a Goodyear Performance Outsole offers traction and longevity. MSRP $165.

RIEKER HOBART

Available for men and women, Hobart includes a breathable upper to ensure optimal airflow and removable insole for individual comfort. An integrated cushion layer delivers soft, yet responsive, support. This shoe is designed for all-day wear and active lifestyles. MSRP $145.

2. RETRO REVIVAL

In 2015, the original “Taos Star was the first classic canvas sneaker to combine timeless styling with a removable, anatomically designed footbed with arch support and all-day comfort,” notes Mike Walker, VP of marketing and ecommerce for Taos. After a decade of consumers and retailers asking for an update, the new Star Collection brings a premium leather Co-Star, a suede Star 2.0 and the soccer-inspired MegaStar.

TAOS MEGA STAR

Get set to be a Mega Star in this slimming silhouette offering arch and metatarsal support. Taos’ signature Curves & Pods removable footbed delivers support, cushioning and stability. Available in caramel, dark blue and tofu hues for understated luxury and ability to match any ensemble. MSRP $180.

ECCO JUNE

June is a retro-inspired silhouette with a soft textile lining, removable dual-fit comfort foam insoles and a soft premium leather upper. ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology offers lightweight comfort and flexibility. A mixed-lace detail adds a touch of fashion. MSRP $170.

CAMPER PELOTAS SOLLER

This shoe pays homage to Camper’s Mallorca heritage. The upper of Pelotas Soller is a vision in nubuck/pigskin leather, while the lining contains 55% recycled polyester. The sneaker includes an OrthoLite Recycled footbed which uses at least 98% recycled post-production waste. MSRP $165.

DR. SCHOLL’S TIME OFF

This lace-up low top style has a retro-inspired toe cap, a minimalist silhouette, and athletic two inch sole. An anti-odor insole offers anatomical cushioning, comfort and arch support with 15% plant-based BLOOM foam. Easy Clean Repellant keeps outsoles looking fresh. MSRP $75.

3. MATERIAL INTEREST

Textile innovation can add to the fashion quotient of a comfort shoe. Finn Comfort’s Ikebukuro offers a “premium vegetable-tanned upper with a full leather lining that forms to the foot over time for a customized feel,” notes Justin Orrell-Jones, CEO of Finn Comfort. A removable/replaceable, contoured insole is crafted from cork, jute, latex and leather.

REVITALIGN LEXI

Lexi is designed using nylon ripstop and finished with suede trim on the toe, collar and heel for a sporty, yet modern look. A Stridelyte platform supports the body’s natural motion. Articulated flex grooves in the heel and forefoot allow for the shoe to bend with you. MSRP $199.99.

ALEGRIA DEMMI

Set for Spring 2027, rose gold Demmi is crafted with a stretch vegan upper that’s perforated for enhanced breathability. This lightweight, everyday slip-on is designed to reduce foot fatigue and includes a pull tab for easy on/off. A non-marking outsole keeps the look clean. MSRP $100.

FINN COMFORT IKEBUKURO

As the brand’s customers seek wider, deeper and more accommodating toe boxes and oblique toe designs; Finn Comfort innovates. Ikebukuro is built on an anatomical design philosophy with a Finnamic outsole crafted to enhance a natural walking motion. MSRP $425.

VITASOLE ALLURE

Allure is politely put-together in a stretch fly-knit, while offering strong support. The shoe gently wraps the foot while allowing airflow throughout. Allure has built-in arch support and a removable insole, for the flexibility to personalize your shoe. A mule version is on tap for SS27. MSRP $119.95.