As with all sneakers, style over substance but comfort is of paramount importance. Anytime a sneaker is uncomfortable I will literally wear it once and it gets banished to the bottom of the pile, only to see the light of day on the rare occasion when they perfectly match an outfit. The age-old adage, suffering for beauty, springs to mind. In my opinion, a pair of well-crafted sneakers can elevate the look of any outfit. This being said, we take look back at the top 5 sneakers for women in 2022.
Related: Top 5 Nike Sneakers of 2022
The Nike Air Huarache

First on my list is the Nike Air Huarache. I may be a bit biased on this one, as I own a pair of these stunningly colourful and floral sneaks. They are eye-catching without being loud. The floral detail and thick rubber sole complimented by the Nike swoosh are subtle and only noticeable upon closer inspection. I will say, however, if you are thinking of buying a pair, I would size up as they tend to nip you at the ankle.
With the recent release of the Nike 2023 Air Huarache Craft, it’s not difficult to assume that it’ll make the 2023 list again.
Related: Classic Meets The Future in the Nike 2023 Air Huarache Craft
Nike Air Force 1 High

The Nike Air Force 1 High was created with Bruce Kilgore’s made-for-basketball design. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. The two-tone harkens back to this simple style. You are never in bad company with a classic high-top. Adding this pair just gives your sneaker collection that extra flair. This sneaker is effortless without being pretentious. The red accents elevate such a simple-looking sneaker. A definite must-have for any sneakerhead, male or female.
adidas Classic Gazelle

adidas has revamped the classic Gazelle. Its triple stack and three stripes cohesively act together with a classic suede look. It is a classic for a reason. Another sneaker that’s a staple in any sneaker collection. adidas has boldly updated the classic Gazelle and elevated this simple sneaker look. The synonymous gold stamp reiterates the fact that this is a Gazelle. Simple and effortless, this latest iteration of the Gazelle is perfect for any collection.
adidas NMD_R1 White Grey Blue Rose

I have to er on the side of bias here again. I own at least two pairs of the adidas NMD, as it brings style and comfort rolled into one. It’s difficult to try complete any collection without a pair of these. As such, I am continually looking to add a fresh pair to the collection. The slip-on knit design and its flexible rubber sole is the epitome of comfort for long days on your feet. A splash of colour on this iteration brings it all together for an overall stylish and comfortable look.
Related: adidas Originals Officially Releases NMD V3 Range
PUMA RS-X Thrifted Sneakers

I want to need this. As with previous styles, I own a pair of PUMA RS-X sneakers. And, as with many of my sneakers, the need to fit well and be comfortable is important. These give me a little extra height while being effortlessly cool. This new RS-X from the PUMA Thrifted Pack has a simple look with a splash of colour that just radiates the simple style. This worn-in look also gives it a retro feeling. PUMA does have many of these styles so finding your perfect fit should be easy.
The PUMA Thrifted Pack has also just launched in South Africa in January 2023.
Related: PUMA Thrifted Pack Inspired by Thrift Shop Fashion
Ahead Into 2023
The past year or so has seen quite a drive toward women’s sneakers, with plenty of collaborations and collections as standalone. This has brought in a new stream of sneaker designs across brands, over and above the standard colourway updates and calling it a silhouette for females. 2022 gave us a strong lineup of top sneakers for women. With strong growth in this sector, we can only hope and expect more in 2023 from all the leading brands.