The best leather sneakers for women
- Leather sneakers are casual, cool, and comfortable, a perfect trio that goes with just about every look.
- There are so many great leather sneakers for women out there, so we're helping you out by sharing our top picks across the board.
- Our top pick overall is The Royale from Greats because it's stylish, comfortable, and relatively affordable. You can find out more about this pair, and the rest of our picks, below.
When it comes to shoes, there's nothing I love more than a leather sneaker. A good leather sneaker strikes the balance between sleek and sporty, trendy and classic, comfortable and stylish. That's why I wear mine everywhere and with everything. Leather sneakers, jeans, and a plain white T-shirt are the ultimate effortless outfit trifecta. Swap out wedges for a pair of leather sneakers to edge up a sundress in the summer, or wear them in place of loafers to dress down a more formal look.
These days, dressing casually is cool — and a good pair of leather sneakers are a wardrobe staple. Simple silhouettes and supportive construction make leather sneakers a classic, reliable choice for any outfit, occasion, or mood. I could wax poetic on leather sneakers for days, but instead I'll channel my fervor into helping you find the best pair.
The best part about the leather sneaker trend is the variety of options. But with so many brands and styles to choose from, it can be hard to pin down just what to buy. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly pair, a timeless pair in a fun pattern, or a luxury pair, we've researched offerings across brands and tested some of these ourselves, too. Once you find your perfect pair, just make sure you keep them clean — we have lots of products to help you with that too.
Here are the best leather sneakers for women you can buy:
- Best women's leather sneakers overall: Greats The Royale
- Best budget-friendly women's leather sneakers: Adidas Stan Smith
- Best classic women's leather sneakers: Nike Air Force 1
- Best women's leather sneakers for comfort: Cole Haan GrandPrø Tennis
- Best lightweight women's leather sneakers: M. Gemi The Sempre
- Best splurge-worthy women's leather sneakers: Koio Capri
The best women's leather sneakers overall
GreatsGreats The Royale sneakers look and feel like the more expensive pairs out there, but with a much more affordable price, making them our top choice.
Premium white sneakers are popping up everywhere. If you want that luxury look without the accompanying luxury price tag, Greats will become your go-to.
Greats was founded in 2014 as a middle ground between the fast-fashion throwaways and the pricey luxury pairs. Each pair is handmade in Italy with premium materials, but they carry a much more affordable price tag than you'd probably expect — all of the pairs go for less than $200.
The Royale, one of Great's bestsellers, is a timeless wardrobe staple. The supple full-grain leather upper gives this pair a clean, premium look that lasts. The waxed cotton laces won't wear out quickly, adding to the sneaker's durability.
Ortholite insoles provide a little extra cushion, so you can wear these comfortably for hours. The Strategist also named them one of the best travel shoes for women. And sock haters, rejoice: The breathable, soft leather lining inside the shoe means you don't even need to wear socks with these.
Over 300 reviewers over at Greats have given these sneakers an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. They say that they're supportive, and the quality leather just gets softer over time. At $179, The Royale sneakers aren't cheap, but they're much more affordable than most of the premium leather pairs you'll find elsewhere.
Pros: High quality, reasonable price, classic style
Cons: Limited color options, midfoot seaming isn't as simple as others
The best budget-friendly women's leather sneakers
AdidasThe Adidas Stan Smith sneakers have been bestsellers for almost 60 years now, and they just so happen to be budget-friendly too.
If a shoe has been popular for over 50 years, it's safe to say it's not going out of style anytime soon. Such is the case for Adidas' classic Stan Smiths, arguably one of the most iconic sneakers around.
The shoe was originally released as a tennis sneaker in the 1960s. Today, the Stan Smith isn't a performance pair, but the style has stayed relatively the same and somehow still feels fresh after all these years. The low-cut silhouette is in line with the other style-focused leather sneakers on the market. A leather upper with Adidas' perforated three stripes and green detailing on the tongue and heel tab make this pair a classic. The green and white colorway goes with everything, but if you want something more neutral, or more loud, there are plenty of designs to choose from.
The Stan Smiths are cushy and comfortable on your soles, though they lack the arch support of a performance sneaker. I find that my Adidas sneakers run true to size, but some shoppers comment that this pair runs large. So if you're between two sizes, you should probably pick the smaller option. And an Adidas pro tip for small-footed ladies, you can get these shoes even cheaper by going for a kids' size.
Pros: Affordable, comfortable
Cons: May run large
The best classic women's leather sneakers
NikeThe Nike Air Force 1 was launched in the 1980s as a performance basketball sneaker, but has since become a street-style icon that's equal parts cool and comfortable.
The Nike Air Force 1 debuted in 1982 as a premier high-top basketball sneaker and quickly found itself on the feet of some of the NBA's biggest names. Encapsulated air units in the soles added springy cushioning while box-toe perforations offered easy ventilation, making the Air Force 1 a simple and stylish choice for the pros. While originally made for men, the Nike Air Force 1 quickly became a street-style symbol, and in 2001, Nike introduced women's sizing.
The Air Force 1 is one of the most enduring pairs from the innovative Nike Air franchise. The shoes seamlessly blend performance and style, making them a go-to on courts and streets alike. The leather upper, foam sole, and padding around the collar provide all-day comfort, and with the chunky, low profile, they have a casually cool style that looks good with everything. Nick Engvall, founder of Sneaker History, credits the Air Force 1 with starting the sneaker culture we know today.
Over the years, the Air Force 1 has seen many colorways and collaborations with designer brands. You can't go wrong with the clean, crisp, white-on-white pair though. At $90, these are relatively affordable for a pair of quality leather sneakers — though the price can be higher for different colorways.
Pros: Timeless style, comfortable, affordable
Cons: Can get dirty easily
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