When ballet flats declared their renaissance in 2021 with the explosion of balletcore, I was giddy—and sad. As a lifelong fan of the shoes, I was glad they were getting their due again…but I also thought, really? You don’t need an excuse to wear the versatile shoe. They go with everything and come in literally every iteration—with arch support, as ballet pumps, in mesh designs, with straps…Just when I thought it couldn’t evolve any more, designers found a new fit of inspiration: Behold the ballet sneaker.
Ballet Sneakers Are the Latest Evolution of the Flat—Here Are 5 Styles to Shop
From Loewe to Adidas
•
Published Apr 23, 2025
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
MEGA/Contributor/Getty ImagesVivaia/Simone Rocha/Loewe/Adidas/Salomon/Paula Boudes/PureWow
The design can first be traced to Simone Rocha’s 2020 ballet trackers, which are now discontinued. (Though, you can find the odd pair here and there in the $1,000 range.) Interest in the general style is now spiking as the weather warms, with the Puma Speedcat and Loewe Ballet Runner 2.0 being breakout searches in Google Trends. Also capturing people’s interest are the Adidas Ballerina Sneaker (recently launched in collab with Bad Bunny) and hot shoe brand du jour Salomon’s Marie-Jeanne shoes. When I went to a spring preview for the eco-friendly brand Vivaia a few weeks ago, ballet sneakers were front and center in the collection—and, recently, on the feet of Bella Hadid and Charli XCX.
I admit that when I first saw the latest iteration of my beloved shoe, I was skeptical. But, after wearing a pair of Vivaia’s Cristina sneakers for a few weeks, I’m ready to eat my words. Completely. I’ve gone on record several times now saying I only wear sneakers on the penalty of death…so if that’s still the case, kill me. They’re just as cute as my favorite pair of Margaux flats, but—and I can’t believe I’m writing this—even more comfortable. Below, I’ve rounded up five pairs you can shop now.
5 Pairs of Ballet Sneakers to Shop
Vivaia
Out of all the ballet sneaker iterations I’ve seen, Vivaia’s Yanka seems like the easiest way to break into the trend. The slip-on, elastic Yanka model most resembles an actual ballet shoe with its low-rise tongue, recycled satin finish and soft colors, including a blushy pink that evokes a pointe shoe. I have been wearing the Cristina, which resembles more an actual sneaker, but has a square toe that mimics the shape of a point shoe. Saying a sneaker makes me feel elegant is absurd, but true in this case. The shoes have Vivaia’s signature triple sole construction that had me walking over gravel, cobblestones and ripped-up cement with surprising ease. My favorite thing about these ballet sneakers is that you can wear them without socks. The satin finish gives the shoes a barely-there feel. The light gold/white color option does get dirty easily, but I’ve found that Tide to Go works wonders on spots. For bigger stains, I’ve had success with overnight stain remover and a toothbrush, scrubbing everything in the sink.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: US 5 to 11
- Colors: 4
- Material: recycled satin
Adidas
While the Puma Speedcat Ballerina is no more, Adidas recently launched a ballet sneaker in collaboration with Bad Bunny. The rounded toe and slight arch connecting the rubber on the heels and ball of the foot faintly evoke a ballroom dance practice shoe. Just imagine taking these out to tango, foxtrot and salsa. As is befitting of the “King of Latin Trap,” the shoes sell out quickly, and there’s already a waiting list.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: US 5 to 13.5
- Colors: 2
- Material: suede, mesh, leather
Loewe
If you’re looking for a designer splurge, Loewe’s Ballet Runner 2.0 is climbing the popularity charts. The shoes, made from calfskin, have a subtle and elegant “L” monogram on the outside—I love a dainty logo. There’s also an anagram on the tongue and “Loewe” in raised lettering on the heel tab. This pair is more on the sneaker side of ballet sneakers, but still echoes the inspiration with a rounded toe that makes it look like you could roll all the way up to your tip toes.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: US 5 to 11
- Colors: 3
- Material: calfskin, rubber
Salomon
Last year, Salomon established itself as the celeb-favorite hiking shoe, and yes, the brand makes its own version of Mary Janes, stylized in French as Marie-Jeanne. With its signature non-marking Contagrip soles, the shoes are just as much at home on a dirt path as they are a summer outing. Other features include 3D, breathable mesh; durable nubuck leather and a sockliner that mimics the shape of your foot. For me, the really fun touch was the collapsible heel.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: US 5 to 14
- Colors: 4
- Material: leather, synthetic textiles, rubber
5. Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66 TGRS
Onitsuka Tiger
Per PureWow Associate Fashion Commerce Editor Stephanie Meraz, Onitsuka Tigers made the top of her list for 2025’s top summer shoe trends. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Onitsuka Tiger sneakers are having a *moment,* and I anticipate it’ll last for a while,” she writes. Meraz pegged the Mexico 66 as the “it” style, and the Mexico 66 TGRS are the ballet riff on the sneaker. The slip-on shoes feature adjustable, double flowercut Mary Jane straps, plus a spacious toe box. The shoes are so popular they’re currently sold out without a restock date. Dedicated fashionistas on Reddit are speculating a new drop anytime between now and September. If I were you, I’d be scanning vigilantly.
Fast Facts
- Size Range: US 6 to 11.5
- Colors: 2
- Material: leather, synthetic leather
