Not Your Daughter's Sneaker

My 5 Favorite Styles Worth Trying This Spring

Spring 2026  ·  5 min read

What even is a low profile sneaker?

The comfortable hug around your feet. The slim barely-there sole that makes you feel like you are gliding across the ground. The minimal design that pairs with those new jeans you've been wanting to wear. If you're reading this you know and love them as much as I do. It's the low profile sneaker.

My love of low profile sneakers has a pretty specific beginning. It starts with Uma Thurman, a yellow tracksuit, and a pair of Onitsuka Tigers that were literally the coolest sneaker I had ever seen. I remember getting new shoes for school the day before and WISHING those were among my options instead of the Skechers I had just gotten. Those clean black lines on top of that bumblebee yellow are something I still think about whenever I wear a yellow and black outfit.

From Jennifer Aniston running Sunday errands in her Sam Edelman Zarias to Ariana Grande going out to dinner in downtown LA sporting Pumas, these shoes are loved by women of every age.

Fortunately, we put together a whole collection for this spring. Now you can finally get another pair for your daughter — so she can stop stealing yours!

5 of my favorites from our Spring Low Profile Sneaker Collection

01

Dolce Vita Notice — Brown Suede

Sizes 6.5–10

The soft brown suede and the single white stripe create a cool retro design — it's really giving 1970s track star. The removable insole is a game-changer if you use custom orthotics. Cute shoes and comfortable feet, finally in the same package.

Plantar Fasciitis friendly

02

Steve Madden Abbi — Olive

Sizes 5.5–10

That rich deep green with an embossed line design — subtle but elevated. The extra collar and footbed padding carried me through 6 hours at an amusement park without complaint. (Bonus: no staining anxiety with this color.)

All-day wear tested

03

Steve Madden Reboot — Grey

Sizes 6–10

I'll be honest — I thought I was too old for sparkle. I was wrong. The shimmer is subtle and fun, not overwhelming. The lace-up closure and sock upper hug your foot perfectly. Consider me persuaded.

Secure lace-up fit

04

Dolce Vita Laini

Sizes 6.5–10

Two-tone laces that can be swapped out — I love a shoe with a little twist. Farmers market, tennis match, anywhere in between. Pair with a butter yellow top and bag for the perfect spring look.

05

Sam Edelman Zaria

Sizes 7.5–9.5

Classic 80s Puma energy in a bold, modern package. Wear with white jeans and a simple tee and let the sneakers do all the talking.

Pop of color pick

From Uma Thurman's iconic Onitsuka Tigers to a red Sam Edelman that stops traffic — the low profile sneaker has always had a soft kind of loud. It doesn't need to shout. It just needs to exist.