The 10 Best Platform Sneakers to Elevate Your Shoe Game This Fall

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Comfortable sneakers for women are a mainstay in every footwear rotation, but there’s always room for a little lift. The best platform sneakers for women are a streetwear trend that’s stacking high above the rest, with tons of celebs sporting them out and about, and top shoe brands releasing elevated iterations of their most classic silhouettes. The best part is you don’t have to sacrifice comfort with this high-style shoe, because we curated the most comfortable platform sneakers on the market to add an edgy boost to any outfit.

While platform sneakers have become a major fashion trend in recent years, they’re far from new in the athleisure lexicon. Through the ‘90s and early aughts, style stars from the Spice Girls to Britney Spears and even Bratz dolls were constantly sporting the sneakers with everything from luxe velour tracksuits, flared jeans, and itty-bitty mini skirts. With the decades surrounding Y2K dominating today’s footwear trends, these chunky sneakers have only towered to new heights of design and comfort alike. 

Modern platform sneakers first stomped the runways at Stella McCartney’s fall 2014 show, then made waves in rainbow at Gucci’s Resort 2017 show. More recently, they were seen on spring 2022 runways, including white platform sneakers at Céline. Throughout summer 2023, celebs have been spotted embracing bold soles from the red carpets to street style. From platform Converse sneakers worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid, Camila Cabello, and Ciara, to tall white steppers seen on Heidi Klum, Vanessa Hudgens, and Katie Holmes, it’s safe to say the trend isn’t leaving anytime soon.

There’s a myriad of platform sneakers for women to shop right now from the range editor-loved brands including Adidas, Nike, HEYDUDE, New Balance, and Vans. In 2023, brand new styles are introducing innovative cushioning, supportive collar padding, and essential cushioned footbeds that add extra comfort to your stride. You can even buy them in your favorite sneaker styles, from New Balance 574s, Adidas Gazelles, slip-on Dr. Scholl’s, and Vans Old Skool’s.

Whether you’re prepping for back-to-school season, boosting your sneaker lineup for fall, or looking to dip your toe into the towering trend, keep reading, because we’ve rounded up the hottest platform sneakers for women to shop now.

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What to Look for in Platform Sneakers

• Materials: There’s a wide variety of upper material construction across platform sneaker offerings. You can choose from easy-to-clean canvas, supple suede, luxe pebbled leather, stiff faux-leather, durable rubber, or airy mesh. Stitch Fix stylist Molly Roe says, “Rubber uppers not only offer durability, traction, and spring, but style-wise, they can come in various colors. In colder months, clients often prefer a sneaker made of leather or suede; however, as we transition to warmer weather, I recommend opting for a mesh or canvas fabric sneaker.” For those with common foot problems (i.e., those who need shoes for bunions, shoes for plantar fasciitis, or shoes for wide feet), opt for more flexible materials like mesh and canvas, as they’ll be easiest to break in.
• Midsole: The midsole of a platform sneaker is arguably the most significant element to pay attention to depending on your foot type. Platforms are not all equal, as some stack totally flat and others are made with a heel-to-toe drop. Keep in mind that the thicker the midsole, the less control you have when walking. If you need shoes for flat feet or are prone to overpronation, look for platform sneakers with stiffer elements such as insoles and orthotics for greater control. New York-based podiatrist Dr. Parker M Gennett says, “the goal is not to create an arch” as you select a proper midsole, “it’s to support the foot, as to neutralize abnormal stresses and forces.” As for shoes for high arches, Dr. Jackie Sutera, fellow New York-based podiatrist and Vionic Innovation Lab member, says it’s best to avoid rigid, stiff, and flat sneakers. She adds, “high-arches are best treated with lightweight, softer, and more flexible midsoles.”
• Cushioning: Cushioning is essential to comfort, especially in tippy top platforms. Dr. Gennett explains that “the key to comfort is finding a pair with the balance between the right cushion and amount of control.” Platform shoes from Vans and Nike support stability with padded collars and tongues, while styles from HEYDUDE and New Balance offer plush EVA cushioning to soften steps. While all feet will be happy with lots of cushioning, Dr. Gennett advises that those with high arches should especially look for a platform sneaker with elevated cushioning to absorb impact. This also applies to those who need walking shoes for plantar fasciitis or running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

How to Wear Platform Sneakers: Platform Sneaker Trend Outfit Ideas

Platform sneakers style just the same as your go-to pair of white sneakers for women or walking shoes for women, while adding an extra high-style flair of personality to any ensemble and occasion. “At Stitch Fix, we’re calling 2023 the year of the ‘Intentional Wardrobe, as more shoppers prioritize quality, versatility, and trend-proof items that can be just as easily worn to work as they can for a weekend brunch, says Roe. ” Platform sneakers are already a bold and structured silhouette, so they make for a fun piece for playing with proportions. You can go all-out maximalist and pair them with your most baggy jeans or oversized jackets, or balance out their chunky vibe with daintier garments that have short hemlines and sleek fits.

• Platform sneakers with dresses or skirts: Platform sneakers will only make you look taller and your legs look longer. When you’re showing some leg in a dress or a skirt, a pair of platform sneakers will give you a towering illusion that is far comfier than any pair of pumps. Plus, they add an edgy, too-cool-for-school streetwear twist to any feminine silhouette. Whether you opt for a mini skirt and a crop top, a silky slip dress, or a chic midi skirt, platform sandals style beautifully with trendy socks or buttery-smooth hosiery.
• Platform sneakers with jeans: You don’t have to swap out your favorite pieces to style your new pair of platform sneakers. Timeless denim styles, from straight-leg jeans, wide-leg jeans, high-waisted jeans, and cropped jeans are easy pairings with platforms — and they’ll allow the stacked sole to peak out as you step.
• Platform sneakers with trousers: Comfortable sneaker trends have strutted their way into office-appropriate dressing in recent years, and while platform styles add a fashion-forward boost regardless of the ensemble, pairing them with trousers add an extra layer of polish. Platform sneakers are especially savvy if you have a pair of professional pants that are in need of a hem, because they’ll drape beautifully over the shoe’s upper as if it were an intentional style choice — in line with low-hanging baggy pants trends. Whether you opt for pin-stripes or linen, balance out the wide leg and platform shapes with a form-fitting bodysuit and a blazer, or top the look with a sweet sweater vest and a button-down during the chilly months.
• Platform sneakers with athleisure: Lean into the sporty athleisure vibe of platform sneakers by wearing them with your comfiest lounge or activewear. They style seamlessly with your go-to “joggers and a sweatshirt” suggests Roe, who adds that “athleisure continues to be a dominant trend” in 2023, Roe notes. Elongate your legs with smooth biker shorts, à la Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber, or slip into platform sneakers to dress up a pair of your coziest sweats.

How We Selected the Best Platform Sneakers for Women

 For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

In order to select the best platform sneakers for women, we conducted extensive research into brand new products currently on the market, as well as sifted through reviews to make sure we only included the most elevated and bestselling platform shoes. We included insight from Stitch Fix stylist Molly Roe, who provided platform sneaker styling expertise, and two certified podiatrist that weighed in on foot health-friendly shoe selections that don’t compromise on style. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Experts

Molly Roe is a stylist at Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service that picks clothing for you based on your needs and preferences. Roe is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and works as styling team lead for Stitch Fix, where she keeps a keen eye on trends in order to best advise customers.

Dr. Parker M Gennett is Binghamton, NY- based podiatrist certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Podiatric Medical Specialties Board. With degrees from the University of Arizona, the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, and DVAMC Palo Alto/Stanford University Medical Center, he also serves as a diplomate of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. He has over 25 years of well-rounded practice at the Foot & Ankle Care Center with full staff privileges at Lourdes Hospital and United Health Services.

Dr. Jacquelyn Sutera is an NYC-based surgically trained doctor of podiatric medicine specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. She graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Philosophy. She later attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where she earned the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). She is a proud member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.

Meet the Author

Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. In her free time, Cigliano can be found searching for her next holy grail pair of chunky platform sneakers.