The Sneakers Women Are Buying in 2026—According to Snobette

If you're a woman and you've been interested in the world of sneakers for more than a decade, you'll remember a time when it was slim pickings for Women's-exclusive styles that were worth the money. Sure, some of the world's biggest sportswear brands have launched product for the underserved segment of the market over the years—namely signature models for women athletes—but their combined efforts over the last five years in particular have made it an awesome time to be a woman sneaker collector.

Lois Sakany, co-founder of the Snobette media network, recently went on a mini-investigation to determine which sneaker styles women are actually buying right now. She looked at sold out or near-sold out choices across a number of retailers, focusing on four stockists that operate in the realms of sport and affluent specialty: Foot Locker, JD Sports, Kith, and Nordstrom.

If you live in a major city and/or are on top of fashion trends across social media, Sakany's findings likely aren't surprising to you. Yet, it's reassuring to find product is actually moving; nowadays, the lines are blurred between influencer marketing pushes and genuine consumer feedback.

Ahead, you'll find the eight sneaker styles that have been popular amongst women in the first four months of 2026. Although Sakany's research isn't all-encompassing, it delivers a good glance at what women are buying.

adidas Samba

Before you finished reading the title to this article, you likely thought of the adidas Samba. The low-profile silhouette blew up in popularity a few years ago, but it hasn't completely faded away into obscurity. Yes, many "it" girls have moved on to other styles, but the Samba's classic look, football heritage, and accessible $100 price tag continue to make it a go-to option for women across the globe.

Nike P-6000

Oddly enough, the Nike P-6000 is a silhouette that's been in-and-out-of-production over the last decade. A mashup of some popular running models—including a pair from the storied Nike Pegasus line—the sneaker offers a chunky midsole and techy upper. A plethora of color choices have surely helped the design gain popularity, as has its $115 price tag, which is lower than the similar Nike Vomero 5's MSRP.

Vans Premium Old Skool 36

Vans footwear has always been in style, but the last eight months have seen the internet go crazy for some of the brand's more experimental offerings. The Premium Old Skool 36 is amongst the California-based institution's biggest hits of recent memory. Its fashionable makeovers will likely continue to be popular throughout the remainder of the year.

adidas Taekwondo Mei Ballet

Arguably no brand marries sport heritage and modern style quite like adidas Originals. The Taekwondo Mei Ballet blends the thin-soled Taekwondo with a trendy ballet update that won fans of the balletcore aesthetic over.

Nike Vomero Plus

Nike Running might be trailing behind the competition, but its Vomero Plus has been a huge success. Built with the same max-cushioning proposal popularized by Hoka after 2020, the Zoom X-cushioned sneaker has become a go-to option for walkers and runners alike.

Brooks Revel 8

Historically, Brooks hasn't been a brand associated with fashion, but the last year has seen the heritage running company dedicate some time into developing its lifestyle category. Nevertheless, the Revel 8 is a budget-friendly shoe perfect for any gym session. It also doesn't look out of place with a casual outfit.

Nike Air Rift

Those who don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for any of Maison Margiela's tabi toe footwear styles have been just fine with the Nike Air Rift. Funny enough, the peculiar shoe first launched in 1996. A recent co-sign by Kim Kardashian and her NikeSKIMS partnership has also helped bring attention to Nike's tabi toe design.

Salomon XT-6

Who said women don't like the great outdoors? The trail-informed Salomon XT-6 has been an unexpected success with women, who widely use the shoe as a jump-off point for more technical ensembles. Gorpcore aesthetics aren't as strong as they were a couple of years ago, but the XT-6 remains in steady rotation amongst women who like an aggressive-looking sneaker