In our modern-day world, it seems like everyone everywhere is on the move from one place to the next. Especially in New York City, where I live, the fast-paced life calls for comfy shoes to navigate the streets.
As of late, I’m seeing more and more of the “dad shoe” out and about. Typically, these are worn by (yes) dads, but the style has long been making its way to the feet of women, who pair them with dressy outfits and casualwear alike.
Shop TODAY Snapshot: The best dad shoes
- Expert's pick: Fila Disrupter II Sneakers, $54.78
- Editor's pick: New Balance 9060 Sneaker, $149
- Best budget, expert's pick: Skechers Tres-Air Uno Tetri Airy, $54.71
What is a dad shoe?
Similar to the name and idea of “mom jeans,” dad shoes refer to a particular style of shoes that are often worn by dads.
“When talking about dad shoes, think practical, comfortable shoes that middle-aged men wear. Styles that are trending now are those with traditional features like thick soles and a lot of support,” says Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, a board-certified podiatrist in New York City and New Jersey, and a member of Vionic's Innovation Lab. Basically, picture a suburban middle-aged dad sporting a pair of chunky New Balance 530 kicks walking en route to his kid’s soccer game or the supermarket.
At one point, dad shoes were deemed ugly, but much like a lot of fashion trends, it’s back — and is actually now cool. So much so that even celebrities are wearing them on rotation. And that's not surprising: these kinds of kicks make outfits look effortless and and your feet feel comfy.
When talking about dad shoes, think practical, comfortable shoes that middle-aged men wear. Styles that are trending now are those with traditional features like thick soles and a lot of support.
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, board-certified podiatrist
“My dad wore this type of sneaker in the ‘90s, always in a white or bright neutral color to match his polo shirts and college alma mater baseball hats,” says Dr. Casey Ann Pidich, a New York City-based podiatrist and owner of DoctorGlassSlipper.com, an essential foot wellness website for women.
“Dad shoes or dad sneakers have three significant characteristics: a chunky sole, they feel comfortable, and [they] are usually worn in neutral colors such as white, black, taupe, etc. All of which makes them very versatile," Pidich adds.
Another benefit of dad shoes? Pidich says they’re excellent for our foot health. “They are wide and allow our toes to naturally bend and move. Plus, they are especially ideal if you have bunions or hammertoes.”
Without further ado, read on for the 11 best dad shoes for women — from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy picks and many in between. For easy reading, use the links below to jump to each section.
Best budget | Best classic | Best statement | Best New Balance | Best all-white | Best sandals | Best for walking | Best slip-ons | Best platform | More editor-loved dad sneakers | How we chose | FAQs | Meet our experts
Best budget dad shoes
Fila Women’s Disruptor 2 Premium Sneakers
- Excellent shock absorption
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Size up by a half size
If you're on a budget, Pidich suggests going for a pair of these retro Fila Disruptor 2 Premium sneakers.
“These are made of leather, which will hold up between wears,” she says. “The rubber sole and padding add to the sneaker's comfort and durability.”
It’s extra-chunky and has a cushioned insole so you can walk around in bliss.
Adidas Ozelle Cloudfoam Shoes
- Removable cushioned insole
- High traction outsole
- Runs large
“Adidas are my go-to sneakers for all things athletic,” says Pidich. “I like these because they are good enough to exercise in but [also] stylish and comfortable for all-day wear.”
Plus, at less than $70, these neutral shoes just might be the pair that you’ll get the most cost-per-wear worth from.
Best classic dad shoes
Skechers Tres-Air Uno - Terti-Airy Sneakers
- Air-cooled memory foam
- 1 3/4-inch heel height
- Not water resistant
“Skechers makes the ultimate dad shoes,” says Jemma Cotterrell, a fashion and personal stylist (aka @theshoelovingstylist on Instagram). If you also grew up in the ‘90s, you’ll likely remember that this brand is indeed classic.
This sporty style has a color palette of navy blue, white and silver, and features an air-cooled memory foam insole for extra comfort during your walks.
Best New Balance dad shoes
New Balance 530 Sneakers
- "Very comfortable"
- Impact absorption
- Wide for some
Both Cotterrell and Pidich brought up this iconic shoe from New Balance. This throwback style is reminiscent of the 2000s running shoe and comes in at a mid-price range of $100.
“The sneakers have perforations for breathability, which will be crucial to keeping our feet cool in the upcoming summer months,” says Pidich. “They also have extra padding in the tongue and cuff for added comfort.”
Best all-white dad shoes
Keds Women’s The Court Leather Sneakers
- Versatile style
- Cushioned footbed
- Smaller sole than others
White sneakers like these make it a breeze to pair with different outfits. Shop TODAY associate editor Fran Sales owns and swears by these Keds sneakers.
"I've been looking for all-white chunky kicks that aren't too 'dad' or too bulky; luckily, this pair came into my life. The best part is that they're also not as pricey as similar brands, and the mesh body and super-soft footbed means I can wear them for hours," she reports.
Key features: leather upper, breathable mesh fabric lining, rubber sole, and a padded collar and tongue to give it that extra comfort.
Best dad sandals
Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals
- Soft straps
- Durable outsole
- Some say straps rub
“Teva Hurricane sandals have also been labeled as ‘dad’ shoes,” says Cotterrell. Best for water sports and hiking, these sandals will keep your feet comfy (thanks to the soft heel-strap padding).
More than 1,500 people have rated it with five stars and there are glowing reviews aplenty, like this one on Teva's site: “Took these sandals to Hawaii. Great for hiking and swimming. Saved my feet from getting scraped along the coral. 10/10.”
Best dad shoes for walking
Vionic Walker Classic
- Molded midsole
- Stability features
- May take a while to break in
Count on this pair to get you through long walks. These sneakers combine a podiatrist-designed orthotic with a cool, modern design. There’s also a 100 percent polyester mesh liner that’s moisture-wicking. What makes Vionic stand out is its three-zone technology in all of its shoes (a deep-seated heel cup, a cushioned insole and arch support).
One of the many happy reviewers on the brand’s website noted, “This my seventh pair of Vionic shoes and my favorite. ... I can wear these shoes all day long, and my feet love them. When I go out, I get a lot of compliments, and one friend was so impressed [that] she is buying her first pair of Vionic shoes.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: Sutera is a member of Vionic’s Innovation Lab. Her insights did not influence our editorially independent decision to include the brand's product.
Best slip-on dad shoes
Sperry Women's Authentic Original Boat Shoe
- Rubber outsole for traction
- 360 degree lacing system
- Sizing not always consistent
This one’s an ode to the dads who love boating. Sperry’s known for their boating shoes, and this one for women is as classic as it gets.
The handsewn moccasin is made with full-grain leather and the style goes with so many outfits, from jeans and a T-shirt to lightweight pants and a spring blouse and beyond. There are more than 700 reviews for the pair on the Sperry website, and most rated it five stars.
Best platform dad shoes
Cole Haan ØriginalGrand Platform Wingtip Oxford
- Breathable cushioning
- Lightweight
- Some say color not as expected
In our modern-day world, it seems like everyone everywhere is on the move from one place to the next. Especially in New York City, where I live, the fast-paced life calls for comfy shoes to navigate the streets.
As of late, I’m seeing more and more of the “dad shoe” out and about. Typically, these are worn by (yes) dads, but the style has long been making its way to the feet of women, who pair them with dressy outfits and casualwear alike.
More editor-loved dad sneakers
New Balance 9060
- Comfortable
- Great everyday shoe
- Wear down easily
New Balance sent writer Emma Stessman a special edition of their 9060 sneakers, and while the exact pair she has is no longer available, you can still grab other colors. "When I first received these shoes I honestly thought they would be too trendy for me, but I was amazed by how easily they paired with everything in my closet and how quickly they became a staple in my wardrobe," she says. "Since the weather has been so nice, I've been making the three-mile walk from my apartment to the office on workdays pretty regularly and I often wear these shoes, since they're comfortable and supportive enough for my walk but also stylish enough for the office."
Saucony Progrid Triumph 4
- Breathable mesh
- Supportive
- Limited sizes available
"These are by all means dad sneakers but are also somehow so stylish," social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo shares about these sneakers. "I get lots of compliments on them. They are so cushiony, too, so they make walking feel light."
The shoes blends performance with lifestyle functionality, so you can wear them for long walks or a night out with friends.
How we chose the best dad shoes for women
There are a ton of dad shoes on the market today, and curating this list took hours to thoughtfully select the best.
Shop TODAY reached out to top experts (namely a fashion stylist and two podiatrists) who shared their favorite dad shoes based on their personal experiences. In addition, we took some walks and tested some of these chunky shoes ourselves, as well as surfed the web to find top-rated reviews of popular and bestselling styles.
Meet our experts
- Jemma Cotterrell (aka @theshoelovingstylist on Instagram) is a fashion and personal stylist who focuses on helping people feel their best by choosing outfits right for their body shape. She is a graduate of the London College of Style and previously worked in the designer footwear industry for 20 years.
- Dr. Casey Ann Pidich, DPM, is a New York City-based podiatrist and owner of doctorglassslipper.com, an essential foot wellness website for women. She is a shoe lover (particularly high heels) and shares her tips on finding comfortable footwear, as well as styling ideas, on her Instagram, @dr.glass_slipper.
- Dr. Jackie Sutera, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist based in New York City and New Jersey, as well as a member of Vionic’s Innovation Lab. She specializes in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. Sutera is also a member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.
