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Sneakers & Casual Footwear

Smooth leather wipes clean, suede needs care, canvas is for dry days. Open the advisor ›

Guide

Sneakers & Casual Footwear

Material comes first: smooth leather wipes clean with a damp cloth, suede needs a brush and proofing, and canvas is a cotton fabric for dry days. For rain and slush, choose a model with a membrane.

Key points

Brush suede dry, wipe smooth leather damp.
Clean first, then proof.
Kids' shoes: foot length plus at least 12 mm.

Buying advice

Which winter boot suits you?

Four questions on who the boots are for, use, cold and features help you choose. The advisor compares models for women, men and children.

Compare by use
Check fit and features

Open the winter boot advisor ›

Which type for which use?

Use	Choose	Reason
Summer, town, holidays	ChooseCanvas sneaker	ReasonCotton fabric, vulcanised rubber sole, flexible. Not waterproof without a membrane
Everyday, office, all year	ChooseLeather sneaker	ReasonSmooth leather, wipes clean with a damp cloth. Needs wax now and then to keep the wet out
Rain, town, easy trails	ChooseOutdoor sneaker with membrane	ReasonGore-Tex keeps water out, tread sole. Warmer than canvas; suede needs care
Autumn, winter, slush	ChooseCasual boot	ReasonWaterproof leather, lining, higher shaft. Too warm in summer
Nursery, school, playground	ChooseKids' Velcro shoe	ReasonVelcro fastening, width stated, some with Gore-Tex. Fits only while at least 12 mm of room remains

Types compared

Canvas sneaker (Cotton fabric)
For warm, dry days in town and on holiday.
- Advantage: Light, flexible rubber sole
- Drawback: Not waterproof without a membrane
Example: Victoria 1915 Inglesa Lona ›
Leather sneaker (Smooth leather)
For everyday wear and the office, all year round.
- Advantage: A damp cloth is enough
- Drawback: Needs leather wax now and then
Example: Gola Grandslam Leather Sneaker Women ›
Outdoor sneaker (With Gore-Tex)
For rain, town and easy trails.
- Advantage: Membrane keeps the wet out
- Drawback: Suede needs proofing
Example: Scarpa Mojito Wrap GTX ›

What to look for when buying

Question	In brief	Why
Leather, suede or canvas?	In briefBy care and weather	WhyWipe smooth leather with water and mild soap. Brush suede and nubuck dry and proof them with a dedicated product. Canvas is a cotton fabric and not waterproof without a membrane.
What is a vulcanised sole?	In briefBonded under heat	WhyVulcanising bonds the rubber sole to the upper under heat and pressure, rather than just gluing it. Typical of canvas sneakers: the rubber strip all round and a flexible sole.
Do I need a membrane?	In briefFor rain and slush	WhyA membrane such as Gore-Tex keeps water out and lets sweat escape as vapour. You still need to proof the shoe: once the upper soaks through, sweat can no longer get out.

Frequently asked questions

Are Gore-Tex sneakers too warm in summer?

They are a little warmer than open-weave models, because the membrane lets less air through. On dry summer days, a canvas or mesh sneaker is enough. The membrane pays off in rain and slush.

How often should I check my child's shoe size?

Regularly. Up to the age of three, children's feet grow by about 1.5 mm a month on average, from three to six by about 1 mm. Once less than 12 mm of room is left in front of the longest toe, the shoe is too small.

Do all kids' shoes come up the same?

No. The inside length does not always match the size on the label. Check with the cardboard template rather than going by the number.

When should I choose casual boots over sneakers?

In snow, slush and frost. Lined casual boots with waterproof leather and a higher shaft keep feet warm and dry. For deep snow and long winter walks there are dedicated winter boots.