Best Laceless Sneakers Review: Top Five Brands & Styles

Best Overall

Laceless Converse for Men and Women (Unisex)

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Best Value

Laceless APL Techbloom Bliss

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Honorable Mention

Adidas Laceless Ultraboost

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Photo credit: Amazon

Laceless Converse for Men and Women (Unisex)

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Pros

You can slide on laceless Converses easily, yet they'll still keep a firm grip on your feet. Just like the original version, lace-free converse are very flat on the inside, are low to the ground, and have excellent grip on the sole. So, they are perfect for heavy lifting. They also have ortholite insoles that mold to your foot and provide support for your arches. The better your foot support, the better and safer your lifts will be. Converses, however, are not designed for running. They are better for deadlifting and squatting because of how flat they are. This holds true for all Converses, not just the laceless versions.

Cons

Be aware of the fact that Converses are always in men’s sizing. If you need women’s sizes, make sure to get a pair that’s two sizes down from your regular size so they will fit properly.

Bottom Line

Laceless Converse look sleeker than the original versions, but fit and perform the same. You can wear either style for weight-lifting, but keep in mind that they only make them in men's sizes, and they fit low to the ground.

Photo credit: Amazon

Laceless APL Techbloom Bliss

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Pros

APL’s are known for having extremely comfortable insoles, and this laceless version is no different. They’re light, supportive, and fit like a glove. If you have an ankle or foot injury, such as plantar fasciitis, this is the shoe for you! They will give you the support you need and are easy to slip on. The best part about the shoe is that it has a stretchy tongue that allows for easy slip-on and locks your foot in.

Cons

This specific style of APLs is designed as a woman’s running shoe. However, they seem more suited for aerobics classes, not long endurance activities. Taking the laces away on these shoes also gives them a frumpy look IMO. Laced APLs are definitely a cuter style.

Bottom Line

The Techbloom Bliss are designed as a running shoe, but seem better for shorter workouts. They perform excellently during hour-long aerobics classes or quick jogs. Lace-free shoes almost always have a cleaner silhouette, but I think they make these APLs look outdated.

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Adidas Laceless Ultraboost

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Pros

Adidas Ultraboosts are probably the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn, and the laceless version is no different. Both have the softest inserts and you can wear them for endurance activities. Your foot won’t slide out, and your ankles and knees will feel well-supported. Out of all the lace-free shoes I’ve seen, the Ultraboosts are the most stylish. Their knit design makes them easy to wash as well!

Cons

Adidas shoes, like Converse pairs, are always in men’s sizing. Make sure you order 2 sizes smaller than your regular size if you’re a woman.

Bottom Line

Laceless Ultraboosts are perhaps the most stylish, performance-friendly shoes. Their inserts support your foot and are extremely soft. Like all Adidas sneakers, these are in men’s sizing, so take that into account when ordering.

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New Balance Women’s Spk V1 FuelCore Cross Trainer

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Pros

The FuelCore cross trainer is considered a performance inspired shoe. It’s perfect for the girl who wants to be able to do everyday activities in comfort and style. The slip-on upper is modern, lean, and has great traction. The price point on these shoes starts at $15.75, which really can’t be beat.

Cons

Since these are only performance inspired, they do not provide enough support for exercise. They’re not great for your arches, and the insole wears down pretty quickly.

Bottom Line

Cute, stylish, and comfy, the FuelCore Spark makes a great everyday shoe. They do not hold up well under physical activity, but at $15.75 they are a great style piece to add to your collection.

Photo credit: StockX

Laceless Running Shoes: Nike Vapormax

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Pros

Laceless Vapormax are breathable, bouncy, and comfy. Despite having no laces and lacking traditional foam inserts, they are supportive and light. These are perfect for an urban or road run and keep your foot firmly secured. They look most chic when they are designed as laceless white sneakers.

Cons

The base of support isn’t as wide on these shoes, which may make your ankle feel unstable. Also because they make the soles out of rubber pods, the sneakers squeak excessively. All kinds of Vapormax have these problems—not just the lace-free ones.

Bottom Line

The Flyknit upper is extremely breathable and stretchy, and the rubber pods on the bottom of the shoe provide excellent shock absorption. These laceless shoes keep up with their laced counterparts, proving that performance isn’t in the laces. Like all Vampormax, they don’t provide the best ankle stability, however, and make obnoxious squeaking sounds.

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Who Has Time for Laces? The Best Laceless Sneakers for Working Out

The bubble around athleisure trends doesn’t seem to be bursting anytime soon. In fact, people continue to blur the line between athletic and casual wear. Fashion-forward fitness attire will take you to the gym, brunch, and everything in between. Laceless sneakers have now entered the athleisure fray—and here, we’ll review five of the best laceless sneakers. Keep reading to learn which pairs are worth your money and time.

A person stopping to tie their laces while running. Would laceless sneakers save them time? — How Much Time Do You Waste Tying Your Shoes While Running? (Image source: Pixabay)

Top Laceless Sneakers Right Now

Many major shoe brands, such as Adidas, Nike, and APL, are turning some of their best-selling footwear into slip-on versions. But are these laceless versions equally as good for high-intensity activities like running, basketball, or working out?

According to Ben Herath, the vice president of design for Adidas Running, there is very little difference between sneakers that do or don’t tie. They make both kinds of shoes to fit, feel, and perform the same. In fact, laceless shoes have the added bonus of not coming undone and tripping you during intense physical activity.

Why You Should Choose Laceless Running Shoes

So can lace-free shoes really withstand an entire workout? Testing them out before you go gung-ho and run 5 miles seems like your safest bet before purchase, but that isn’t always possible. Whether you’re an expert runner or learning how to become a better runner, you’ll want the right types of shoes. Refer back to this page for our walk-through of the shoes to keep in mind.