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Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Garner are all fans of the style, too.
Grandparent-inspired fashion is dominating my spring moodboard, from the grandma heels celebrities have convinced me are a must-have to the retro-inspired eclectic grandpa aesthetic. And I just added another style I never anticipated liking — let alone loving — to my wishlist: Grandpa sneakers.
Yes, the chunky, orthopedic-looking tennis shoes my Papaw’s worn for years are one the top items I’m coveting this season. And if you’re looking for someone to blame, it’s Kaia Gerber. The supermodel has worn the style with laid-back athleisure looks but was able to convince me they’re as cool as they are practical when pairing the shoes with a full-length trench coat; it was sporty-chic at its finest. And while Gerber might have been the final push I needed to try the style, she’s not alone in loving them: Natalie Portman, Hailey Bieber, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Garner have rocked the “ugly” shoes, too.
This spring, I’m looking to make practical purchases, so getting my walking and everyday sneakers wrapped up in one shoe is a no brainer. Shop the 10 Gerber (and grandpa)-inspired sneakers I’m eyeing, below.
- Asics Gel-Contend 7 Sneakers, $55; amazon.com
- Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max Sneakers, $60 (Originally $75); amazon.com
- New Balance 530 Sneakers, $100; madewell.com
- Saucony Ride Millennium Sneakers, $100; shopbop.com
- Asics Gt-2160 Sneakers, $120; freepeople.com
- Merrell Moab Speed 2 Sneakers, $140; nordstrom.com
- New Balance 9060 Sneakers, $150; anthropologie.com
- Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers, $160; nordstrom.com
- Hoka Clifton L Suede Sneakers, $170; nordstrom.com
- Veja Venturi Sneakers, $190; amazon.com and nordstrom.com
New Balance 530 Sneakers
Buy on Madewell.com $100
New Balance’s 530 sneakers are the perfect combination of grandpa and cool-girl, with an oversized silhouette, cushioned insoles, and metallic details. One Madewell shopper wrote that they love how these are “comfy and decently affordable” while being “perfect for work, working out, or standing for long periods of time.” And at other retailers, customers rave that they’re “so comfortable [you] could walk for miles without any issues” and, just as importantly, “extremely cool looking.”
Hoka Clifton L Suede Sneakers
Buy on Nordstrom $170
I love my Hoka running shoes, so the brand’s Clifton L Suede Sneakers are an obvious choice for me. The style has an elevated suede design and a look that feels somehow both retro and modern while maintaining the level of comfort and support that’s made the brand famous. My boyfriend bought these ahead of a trip a few years ago where we walked 20,000-plus steps a day and experienced no aches or pains and found that they went with his entire wardrobe. I, on the other hand, was looking to replace my trending, non-supportive sneakers less than two days in. So with these finally back in stock, I’m officially grabbing a pair.
Asics Gt-2160 Sneakers
Buy on Freepeople.com $120
Asics’ sneakers are the shoes in Hollywood, with Bieber, Garner, and Gerber all rocking sneakers from the classic brand. And at Free People, you can find a style nearly identical to the latter’s that shoppers describe as a “stylish dad sneakers…[that] can be worn with virtually everything.” The Gt-2160 Sneakers feature a breathable mesh exterior, leather overlays, and, of course, the brand’s famous gel inserts that customers say make them comfortable from the moment you slide them on. According to one person with “extremely flat feet,” these sneakers provide excellent all-day support while another called them “much comfier than your traditional sneaker.” But if you’re looking to save a bit, these Asics are just $55 at Amazon.
Grandpa sneakers are the practical shoe trend I’m getting behind this spring. Shop more sneakers inspired by the celebrity-loved shoe, below.
Asics Gel-Contend 7 Sneakers
Buy on Amazon $55
Reebok Walk Ultra 7 DMX Max Sneakers
Buy on Amazon $75 $60
Saucony Ride Millennium Sneakers
Buy on Shopbop.com $100
Merrell Moab Speed 2 Sneakers
Buy on Nordstrom $140
New Balance 9060 Sneakers
Buy on Anthropologie $150
Nike Zoom Vomero 5 Sneakers
Buy on Nordstrom $160
Veja Venturi Sneakers
Buy on Amazon $190 Buy on Nordstrom $190