Walking 35,000 Steps a Day Abroad Without Fatigue! Top 5 Sneaker Brands Loved by Young People in 2026: 'Comfortable, Stylish, Durable, and Breathable' – Once Worn, You’ll Never Go Back

Having a pair of shoes that are both comfortable and stylish while traveling not only prevents foot pain during long walks but also enhances your overall outfit. A netizen recently shared their enthusiasm for the trending 'Mary Jane' shoes, especially those with bubble soles, and highly recommended the MOOPIE series from Japanese brand Grounds, stating that wearing them all day is no problem—sparking widespread discussion. The world's largest sneaker trading platform, StockX, recently released its report for the first half of 2026, revealing that Nike has once again claimed the title of the world's best-selling sneaker brand, with New Balance and ASICS following closely behind. Users who have worn these brands praise them with comments like 'I walked tens of thousands of steps abroad and didn’t feel tired at all' and 'They’re breathable, easy to wear, and go with everything.'

Walking All Day Abroad Without Tiring: Insiders Recommend This One Shoe That’s Both Stylish and Comfortable

A user posted on Threads saying that bubble-soled shoes from Japan are incredibly popular this year, especially the Mary Jane series. However, the original poster once wore a similar style all day and found it extremely uncomfortable—the tongue rubbed against their heel, leading them to believe Mary Janes were only suitable for people who don’t walk much. But they discovered that the MOOPIE series from Japanese brand Grounds was surprisingly comfortable and walkable, even after a full day of use. With the new pastel blue colorway, the poster said, 'I’ve been tempted again by their new color release… the light blue is just too attractive.' However, they also warned against buying transparent-soled versions, as they tend to yellow over time.

After the post, many users commented: 'I bought a pair recently, and I noticed cute girls checking them out when I wear them—there are so many trendy young women wearing them on the streets,' 'If you're used to wearing thick-soled shoes, these are fine. I find them very comfortable, and I always wear them when traveling abroad,' 'I’ve worn mine for almost two years; the interior has softened, and walking all day in Japan is no issue,' 'I think they’re amazing—I already own three pairs.' However, some users offered negative feedback: 'They look great in photos, but they’re actually extremely uncomfortable… I wore them the day after buying to walk around Shibuya, and my feet were almost ruined—uneven sole height and a narrow toe box caused toe pain,' 'They’re relatively high-heeled and heavy, not recommended for long walks,' 'Not suitable for wide feet.'

New Balance and ASICS Lose Out! The Champion of the 2026 First-Half Sneaker Sales Ranking Is…

According to the latest report released by StockX, the world’s largest sneaker trading platform, Nike, Jordan Brand, adidas, New Balance, and ASICS continue to dominate as the top five best-selling sneaker brands in terms of transaction volume over the past three years.

Notably, after a recent market adjustment period, Nike and Jordan Brand have shown significant signs of recovery, with average transaction prices increasing by 5% and 6% respectively compared to the same period last year—indicating that demand for classic, popular models remains strong.

In addition to the traditional giants leading the market, the sneaker industry is showing increasingly diversified trends. The StockX report highlights that brands such as Mizuno (Mizuno), Maison Mihara Yasuhiro (Yasuhiro Mihara), and Saucony (Saucony) have performed exceptionally well, emerging as new dark horses driving continued growth in the sneaker market during the first half of 2026.

Recommended Running Shoe 1: Nike

Beyond trendy models, according to StockX’s 2026 mid-year report, Nike, Jordan, adidas, New Balance, and ASICS have ranked as the top five best-selling athletic shoe brands on StockX for the third consecutive year. Nike takes the top spot, maintaining its dominant position in the athletic footwear sector. Looking at actual user reviews, many say: 'Nike’s design is still a level above others—putting on any Dunk or Air Force 1 instantly elevates your style. Classics are classics for a reason,' 'React foam is incredibly durable—I’ve worn my Pegasus almost every day for nearly a year, and the cushioning still feels light and springy. The value for money is actually very high,' 'The Invincible is literally a knee savior! Packed with ZoomX material, it feels like running on clouds, offering excellent protection—my top choice for injury recovery runs,' 'The Air Max 270 is practically the perfect everyday lifestyle shoe. It gives me natural height, and the rear air cushion is soft and bouncy—my feet don’t ache even after walking all day,' 'During my self-guided trip to Japan, I walked at least 20,000 steps daily, and my Pegasus carried me through. This pair is legendary—my feet weren’t destroyed when I got back to the hotel, with just the right support and no collapse,' 'Highly recommend the Vomero 5 for shopping—it’s great for walking, and my feet don’t get sore even after 20,000 steps a day,' 'Recently loving the P-6000—the design follows the hottest retro silver trend, and it’s super lightweight, taking up no space in luggage and feeling incredibly light on the feet,' 'My travel essential is the Nike Free because it can be folded flat and takes up zero space. It’s comfortable on planes or in hotels, and I can even wear it straight to the gym,' 'The Vomero 5 is an underrated god-tier walking shoe. I wore it for ten days in London—no blisters at all. Plus, the mesh is super breathable, so my feet never felt stuffy.'

Recommended Running Shoe 2: Jordan

Jordan takes second place, with the Air Jordan being the most popular model. Users say: 'They’re very comfortable to wear—the exposed PU midsole material, plus Air cushioning in both the heel and forefoot,' 'Their performance still surpasses many current low-top models,' 'Even though the feel is a bit firm, I don’t feel uncomfortable after exercising—great!' 'When I slip my feet into the shoes, I don’t feel any friction between my foot and the inner lining,' 'AJ5 is still my number one favorite! Personally, I think the fifth generation is the most comfortable,' 'During multiple real-world uses, I didn’t feel my foot sliding noticeably inside the shoe, but it wasn’t overly locked down either,' 'The AJ5 has two large padding pieces around the ankle, and plenty of lace holes to choose from based on personal preference. Combined with its vintage, practical leather material and mid-to-high-top design, it offers above-average support.'

Recommended Running Shoe 3: adidas

adidas ranks third—not only a long-time favorite for many, but also continuously innovating in shoe design in recent years, prompting users to say: 'The Gazelle fits my foot shape more smoothly, and the sole isn’t too thin—just right,' 'The Spezial is comfortable and easy to style, with great arch support,' 'The German Army Trainer is truly vintage and stylish, with colorways that go with everything,' 'Among Adidas’s mainstream German Army Trainers, I highly recommend the Spezial! The sole is softer than the Samba or Gazelle, and the toe box is wider, making it more suitable for Asian foot shapes,' 'Adidas’s recently launched premium running shoes have received positive reviews, and more people are wearing them in marathons,' 'If you have some running experience, I’d recommend the SL2—the midsole setup in both forefoot and heel, as well as the shoe’s weight, are slightly better,' 'The Supernova Rise offers excellent cushioning and comfort,' 'For walking, I only recommend the Ultra Boost from Adidas—super comfortable.'

Recommended Running Shoe 4: New Balance

New Balance ranks fourth, successfully attracting consumers by combining retro styles with streetwear culture. Many users comment: 'New Balance 530—I walk 20,000 steps and don’t even feel it,' 'The 530 is amazing—affordable, comfortable, and comes in many colors. I’ve already repurchased two pairs,' 'The New Balance 1080 is very light, bouncy, and comfortable,' 'Highly recommend the 2002R—I walked 20,000 steps daily in Seoul and Tokyo, my feet didn’t hurt, and my calves weren’t sore the next day. I suggest sizing up half or a full size,' 'The 1080 is truly comfortable—New Balance is especially suitable for people with wide feet!' 'The New Balance Made in USA 998 handled nearly 20,000 steps a day in Turkey, even on rugged terrain,' 'NB is genuinely recommended! It was my first time experiencing walking 20,000 steps daily and returning to the hotel without needing foot recovery time.'

Recommended Running Shoe 5: ASICS

ASICS ranks fifth, having long offered professional and affordable running shoes. In recent years, the brand has actively expanded into the fashion market, successfully blending performance with style. Users praise it: 'I’ve bought three pairs—walked 35,000 steps in Tokyo and my feet didn’t hurt,' 'ASICS is highly recommended—I fell in love the moment I wore them,' 'Extremely comfortable—I walked 20,000 steps daily in Japan without any soreness,' 'As someone with wide feet, ASICS truly saved me. Many big brands squeeze my toes, but only ASICS’s 4E wide fit feels like my feet are living in a spacious house—no pain during long walks,' 'I had just bought the 1906, wore it a few times, then saw this pair while shopping, tried it on, and the comfort was so good I bought it immediately. I relied on this pair for 20,000 steps daily in Japan,' 'I used to think ASICS was something only my dad would wear, but now…