Brand Reviews
Independent reviews of the biggest footwear brands: what each one does well, where it falls short, who it suits, and what its shoes typically cost. Each review is written by Alex Carter, and none of them is paid for by the brand.
Our independence: Sole & Stride is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official site of any brand reviewed here. We do not sell shoes, we do not link to shops, and this site currently contains no affiliate links. We do not give star ratings or numerical scores, because a single number cannot describe how a shoe will fit your foot. Prices are given only as typical ranges as of November 2026.
Nike Shoes Reviewed: What the Brand Does Well, and Where It Falls Short
Nike is the largest athletic footwear brand in the world, and its shoes are everywhere — on running tracks, basketball courts, pavements, and school playgrounds. This review looks …
Adidas Shoes Reviewed: Boost, Everyday Classics, and Fit Quirks
Adidas is one of the oldest and largest sportswear brands in the world, known for its three stripes, its Boost cushioning, and a back catalogue of classics that have never really g…
Skechers Shoes Reviewed: Comfort, Value, and Who They Are Really For
Skechers is the brand many people buy when comfort matters more than fashion, and its slip-on shoes and cushioned walking shoes have a loyal following among people who stand all da…
New Balance Shoes Reviewed: Wide Fittings, Running Heritage, and Everyday Style
New Balance is the brand runners with wide feet swear by, and the brand whose grey running shoes became a fashion statement without trying. This review looks at its running range, …
Jordan Shoes Reviewed: Basketball Heritage, Hype, and Everyday Wear
Jordan is the brand that turned a basketball shoe into a cultural object. This review looks at what Jordan shoes actually offer as footwear — on court and on the street — where the…
Puma Shoes Reviewed: Sport Heritage, Value, and Everyday Style
Puma is the other half of one of sportswear's founding stories, a brand with deep roots in football and running that has reinvented itself as a lifestyle and training brand. This r…
Crocs Shoes Reviewed: Comfort, Practicality, and the Limits of a Clog
Crocs is the most divisive shoe brand in the world: loved by nurses, chefs, and gardeners, mocked by fashion critics, and worn by millions. This review looks past the argument abou…
ASICS Shoes Reviewed: Running Heritage, Gel Cushioning, and Reliable Trainers
ASICS is the runner's brand: less visible than Nike, less fashionable than Adidas, but trusted by runners for decades. This review looks at its Gel cushioning, its running range, a…
HOKA Shoes Reviewed: Maximal Cushioning, Rocker Soles, and Who They Help
HOKA went from a niche trail brand to one of the fastest-growing running brands in the world, built on a simple idea: a lot of cushioning under a light shoe. This review looks at w…
Vans Shoes Reviewed: Skate Heritage, Everyday Style, and Comfort Limits
Vans is the shoe of skateboarding, and its checkerboard slip-on and its Old Skool are among the most recognisable shoes ever made. This review looks at what Vans shoes actually off…
How to use these reviews
Start with the brand you are considering, then check the guides that match your needs: our running shoe buying guide for runners, our sizing guide for fit, and our 10,000 steps guide for all-day comfort. A brand review tells you what a brand is good at; a guide tells you what your feet need. You need both.