“Sportstyle” is a category of running shoes that has popped up in the last few years from legacy shoe brands like Asics, Salomon, Saucony, and more. What are sportstyle shoes, you ask? Think of them as running shoes with a streetwear flair; the athleisure of footwear. Many sportstyle shoes are really just heritage designs from a brand’s vault—performance shoes that runners wore twenty or thirty years ago with small tweaks, be they aesthetic or technical. Others are completely new designs that just look retro. Below, you’ll find our picks for the best sportstyle athleisure running shoes to shop in 2022.
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Asics Gel-MC Plus
This 1995 sneaker has been redesigned with the midsole technology of the Asics Gel-Cumulus 17.
Asics Gel-Kayano 14 RE
If you’re planning an urban walking adventure, consider these revamped utility-focused Gel-Kayano shoes.
Saucony Originals Grid Web
Straight from the year 2000, Saucony’s Grid Web sneaker was one of the OG stability shoes, featuring angled stripes through the midfoot and a soft neoprene heel collar and tongue.
Saucony Grid Azura
Another high-mileage shoe from the turn of the 21st century, the Grid Azura has thick cushioning and a vibrant, color-block design.
Salomon S/Lab XT-4 Advanced
You could hypothetically wear these Salomon S/Lab sportstyle sneakers to run UTMB and to the offices of GQ. Not everyone can pull that off.
Salomon XA Pro 1
If this Salomon shoe looks similar to the Saucony Grid, it’s because they’re both remakes from the early 2000s that emphasize comfort.
Hoka Mafate Speed 2
Similar in style to the Saucony Grid and Salomon XA Pro, the Hoka Mafate Speed is a comfort-first shoe with geometric designs. The Mafate is a highly technical trail running shoe too, featuring deep grooves on the outsole to take on a variety of terrain.
Nike Zoom Air Fire
The 90s are back, in running shoe form.
New Balance Staud 57/40
The original New Balance 574 was a hybrid road and trail shoe that debuted in 1988. Designed in collaboration with womenswear designer Staud, this rainbow 57/40 has 1980s cues like a wavy mudguard and eyerow, plus a super flared outsole.
New Balance Lunar New Year 57/40
If the bright Staud collab colors aren’t for you, go with a darker color combination with bold contrasts.
Diadora N9002
Any Diadora shoe falls into the sportstyle category, if you ask us.