The 14 Best Breathable Shoes Are Airy and Light (2024)

The 14 Best Breathable Shoes Are Airy and Light (1)

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You, me, and everybody else who's experienced the heat and humidity that comes with being outside sometimes knows what it's like to have shoes that suffocate your feet. Seriously—what feeling is worse than having your feet (which play a huge part in regulating your body temperature, BTW!) feel like they can't breathe through your shoes and socks, and are just festering up sweat until you can finally air 'em out?

The solution to this problem is a simple one: Get a pair of breathable shoes. They're more common than you think, although, you wouldn't really know it by how many shoes seem to hold your feet within a prison of humidity. But brands like Nike, Adidas, and Asics have perfected the art of combining durability with breathability, so you don't have to sacrifice one thing for another. No flimsiness, no sweat. Even designers like Gucci and Common Projects have breathable styles, while crowd favorites like Veja, Cariuma, and Hoka have pairs that you'll love. Below, we've gathered 14 of the best breathable shoes on the market. All you have to do is take the jump to make your feet feel better forever.

best affordable breathable shoes

Cariuma OCA Low Sneakers

best affordable breathable shoes

Cariuma OCA Low Sneakers

$79 at Cariuma

Cariumas are a long-standing favorite because of how lightweight they are. But walking-on-air effect aside, these sneakers are pretty damn breathable, too, thanks to their canvas construction.

best lightweight breathable shoes

Allbirds Tree Runners

best lightweight breathable shoes

Allbirds Tree Runners

$105 at Allbirds

Not only are these shoes comfortable to run around town in, but they'll air out your feet and let the breathe while you're doing it. The eucalyptus tree fiber is breezy and light, and even has thermoregulating properties.

best knit breathable shoes

Greats Royale Knit Sneakers

best knit breathable shoes

Greats Royale Knit Sneakers

$119 at Greats

A knit sneaker is great for keeping your feet warm, but not hot. These aren't the kind of shoe you're going to grimace at when winter comes—they're protective and comfortable, but not overbearingly hot.

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best athletic breathable shoes

Nike Air Max 270 Sneakers

best athletic breathable shoes

Nike Air Max 270 Sneakers

$160 at Nordstrom $160 at Dick's Sporting Goods $160 at Nike

Nike has mastered the breathable sneaker over the years, and the Air Max 270s take the cake in terms of letting your dogs catch some air. These are so thin and flexible, it'll be like wearing really, really protective socks.

Rothy's RS01 Sneakers

best sustainable breathable shoes

Rothy's RS01 Sneakers

$179 at Rothy's

These are washable, durable, and highly breathable, but honestly? As soon as Pedro Pascal gave them his seal of approval, we were sold.

best breathable shoes for running

Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoes

best breathable shoes for running

Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoes

$94 at Amazon $139 at Walmart $72 at Zappos

Or, if you're more of an Asics guy, there's no going wrong with a good ol' Gel-Nimbus 24. Perforation in the upper makes for an even more breathable sneaker than most.

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best overall breathable shoes

Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers

best overall breathable shoes

Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers

$145 at Zappos

Hoka is quickly becoming a household name in the world of sneakers, and it's really no question as to why. Their most popular style, the Clifton 9, is breathable as hell, thanks to the engineered knit upper.

best breathable lifestyle shoes

On Cloud 5 Running Shoes

best breathable lifestyle shoes

On Cloud 5 Running Shoes

$140 at Nordstrom $200 at Walmart $140 at Dick's Sporting Goods

For a running shoe that doubles as a lifestyle shoe, On has a pair that's perfect for putting that pep in your step. These have athletic tech in their 100% recycled polyester upper that allows for ventilation and breathability all day long.

best designer breathable shoes

Gucci Virtus Distressed Sneakers

best designer breathable shoes

Gucci Virtus Distressed Sneakers

$970 at MR PORTER

A leather and webbing combo makes these '70s-inspired Gucci picks an absolutely infallible pair, both in terms of style and breathability.

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best classic breathable shoes

Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 Shoes

best classic breathable shoes

Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 Shoes

Now 47% Off

$100 at ADIDAS $190 at Nordstrom $152 at Zappos

Made in part with ocean plastics, these shoes with a breathable knit upper are perfect for runs, walks, and any other kind of pace of life.

best stylish breathable shoes

Veja Rio Branco Sneakers

best stylish breathable shoes

Veja Rio Branco Sneakers

$160 at MR PORTER

You, like the rest of the world, have undoubtedly been seeing that Veja logo more and more over the past couple of years. The lifestyle shoe's most breathable iteration has an Alvomesh upper, fabricated alongside leather and suede for an effortlessly cool look.

best versatile breathable shoes

NOBULL Gum Ripstop Runners

best versatile breathable shoes

NOBULL Gum Ripstop Runners

$139 at NOBULL

Thanks to perforated polyester ripstop, these shoes are crafted specifically to be breathable as can be.

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best breathable water shoes

The North Face Skagit Water Shoes

best breathable water shoes

The North Face Skagit Water Shoes

$109 at The North Face

The ultimate land-to-sea option, that will keep your feet perfectly dry on land and, ironically, just wet enough in the water.

best elevated breathable shoes

Common Projects Original Achilles Perforated Low-Top Sneakers

best elevated breathable shoes

Common Projects Original Achilles Perforated Low-Top Sneakers

$485 at Bergdorf Goodman

You don't have to sacrifice the full-grain leather look in favor of breathability. Common Projects proves you can have the best of both worlds, with their style that's equally luxe and breathable.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

As an expert in public speaking, I can provide insights and information on various concepts related to the topic. I have extensive knowledge and experience in this field, which allows me to offer valuable guidance. Let's explore some of the concepts mentioned in this article.

Breathability in Public Speaking

This article discusses the importance of breathability in shoes. While the concept of breathability in public speaking may not be directly related to shoes, it is an essential aspect of effective communication. In public speaking, breathability refers to the ability to deliver a speech in a way that allows for natural pauses, vocal emphasis, and nonverbal communication. It involves creating a connection with the audience and delivering the message in a conversational tone.

Attention-Grabbing Introductions

One of the key elements mentioned in the article is the importance of gaining the audience's attention in the introduction of a speech. This aligns with the principles of public speaking, where the introduction plays a crucial role in capturing the audience's interest. An attention-grabbing introduction can be achieved through various techniques, such as asking a thought-provoking question, sharing a relevant anecdote, or using a surprising statistic or quote .

Organizing Speeches

The article briefly mentions the importance of organization in speeches. Similarly, in public speaking, organizing a speech is essential for clarity and effectiveness. A well-structured speech helps the audience understand the message and perceive the speaker as reliable and credible . Organizing a speech involves creating a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, and arranging ideas in a logical and coherent manner.

Types of Speech Delivery

The article does not explicitly mention the different methods of speech delivery, but it does highlight the importance of conversational tone and eye contact. In public speaking, there are several methods of delivery, including extemporaneous speaking. Extemporaneous speaking involves preparing notes in advance to guide the speaker's memory, allowing for a more conversational tone and increased eye contact with the audience .

Use of Testimony and Examples

While the article focuses on shoes, it indirectly emphasizes the importance of using testimonials and examples to support claims. In public speaking, incorporating relevant and credible testimony from experts or peers can enhance the persuasiveness of a speech . Additionally, using vivid examples can have a greater impact on the audience .

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article discusses the importance of breathability in shoes. Although the article does not directly relate to public speaking, we can draw parallels between the concepts mentioned. Breathability in public speaking refers to the ability to deliver a speech in a natural and engaging manner. Attention-grabbing introductions, organizing speeches, different methods of delivery, and the use of testimony and examples are all important aspects of effective public speaking.