7 Best Riders For Women in 2023

Sheena
Sheena on
7 Best Riders For Women in 2023
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With over 1000 women’s Riders to choose from, selecting the best and right one for your beautiful feet can easily turn into a nightmare. It’s a good thing that here, at Stefoy-les-lyonShops, we have Rider-doting queens who are here to tell you which ones are worth your time and money.

Whether you’re into chunky kicks or minimalist tennis shoes, we got you covered. We even went the extra mile by buying and wear-testing the shoes ourselves to know which one is indeed the best choice. So, if you’re in dire need of our help, just sit back, relax, and read on.

Best women's Riders overall

Vans Old Skool
93
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The ultimate pair of women’s Riders is none other than Vans Old Skool. We say it is the greatest because other Riders couldn’t get ahead of what it comess to the ladies. One of which is being a straightforward, classic pair, which gives us the freedom to style it however we want, from preppy style to dainty and even street fashion. 

Besides its versatile style, we consider Vans Old Skool the best as we never felt hot inside its canvas confines when we took the pair for an on-foot wear test. Consequently, our feet were in tremendous comfort. 

We also did lab tests on Vans Old Skool, such as the Dremel test, where we pushed a drill against the Rider’s upper. The first attachment that we used was a wire brush, resulting in a Rider that was left without a scratch. The second attachment, on the other hand, was a steel hole saw, which caused abrasion to the canvas. Therefore, with respect to longevity, we can confirm that Vans Old Skool is here to stay, as long as it isn’t put through super intense conditions. 

Another test done in our lab is the waterproofing test, in which we almost let Vans Old Skool swim in the water by pouring liquid all over its upper. The outcome is an inside-out-drenched canvas Rider. Due to this, we do not recommend Vans Old Skool for rainy and winter use.

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • A classic silhouette deserving of any wardrobe
  • Easy to wear in
  • Super comfortable
  • Fits true to size
  • Zadig&Voltaire Tyler star studs boots
  • Clean aesthetics
  • Very durable outsole
  • Nike Blazer Mid '77 Jumbo Women's Shoes White

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • All-Star Riders From s Space Jam
  • Collect stains easily
Full review of Vans Old Skool

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Grey (VN0A4U3BX1K)
Navy / White (VD3HNVY)
Aura Shift (VN0A4U3BWGQ)
Grey (VN0A4U3BWVK)
Green (VN0A5JMI90P)
Grape Lea (VN0A5KRFB0F)
White/white (VN0A5KRSCOI)
Green (VN0A5KRSYQW)
More colors

Best women's tennis-inspired Riders

Adidas Stan Smith
93
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Adidas Stan Smith overshadows all the other women’s tennis Riders, as it continues to be one of the most sought-after pairs up to this date. Other than being tennis-inspired, this Rider is also a classic with a very adaptable style, making it perfect not only for sporty fits but also for casual and smart casual attire. More to its style, we declared Adidas Stan Smith top-notch because of how it survived the tests we put it through.

For us, the perfect tennis Rider is a perfect lifestyle Rider. And a perfect lifestyle Rider should be durable. Good thing that Adidas Stan Smith is! We pressed a drill equipped with a wire brush to the Rider’s upper, and this resulted in an unscratched upper. 

Apart from abrasion, we found that Stan Smith also resists water and stains. We poured liquids on the Rider’s upper and we tried smudging the toe box with dye. However, both elements didn’t get absorbed by the leather, plus, the stains were easily wiped off.

Stan Smith significantly flexed around the toe area when we bent it using our bar clamp. While this allowed us to bend our feet more naturally, we realized that underfoot, there isn’t much provided support. Thus, we do not recommend this kick to people who prefer rigidity and greater support.

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • Classic silhouette
  • Numerous colorways and collaborations
  • Nike Air Zoom Tempo Fk Gs Running Kids Youth Womens Shoe
  • Durable
  • Weatherproof

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • Runs large
  • Nike Tanjun Marathon Running Shoes Riders 812654-015
  • doucal's brown shoes
Full review of Adidas Stan Smith

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends | Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
adidas stan smith cloud white purple tint matte gold aa7b 60
White/green (B24105)
adidas originals womens stan smith cream white cream white clear mint 9 5 cream white cream white clear mint e626 60
adidas stan smith shoes women s white size 8 5 wonder white wonder white cloud whit 532d 60
adidas originals women s stan smith end plastic waste Rider white clear pink victory crimson 6 5 white clear pink victory crimson 4dd4 60
adidas stan smith off white rose tone off white 4ed3 60
White (S75139)
Pulse Yellow/Pulse Yellow/Cloud White (GX8553)
More colors

Best women's Riders for summer

Vans Authentic
91
Great!

What makes it the best?

Women’s summer Riders should be insanely comfy, very breezy, and always OOTD-ready. After extensive laboratory testing and wearing the Riders around town, we have concluded that Vans Authentic is the ultimate choice across all these criteria. Its all-canvas upper is highly breathable and comess exceptional comfort, even when worn without socks. Additionally, these Riders are effortless to wear and style.

Based on our firsthand experience, the breathability of these Riders is unparalleled. During our stroll around the city, they provided a refreshing and cool sensation, ensuring our comfort throughout the day. Our feet remained dry and free from sweat, even without wearing socks. The canvas upper is everything!

The slip-on entry design, paired with a minimalist canvas upper, makes the Vans Authentic so easy to match with women's sunny season outfits. With over 260 colorways available, there's literally a design suitable for any summer motif we can think of.

However, when we tested the Rider's stain resistance, it fell short. In the lab, we deliberately stained the upper with dyes and found that once the canvas absorbed the colors, removing them became nearly impossible. As a result, women in search of wash-friendly kicks should consider other options. 

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • Eternal silhouette
  • Fits true to size
  • Durable canvas upper
  • Breathable
  • Easy to slip on and off
  • Low Cut Lace-Up Rider V3B9-80115-1355 M Black 999

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • Could use some more padding
  • Vans' canvas shoes always attract stains
  • Not a great year-round Rider
Full review of Vans Authentic

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends | Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Brown (VN0A5HZS9EN)
Multi/True White (VN0A38EMVKI)
Port Royale Black (VQER5U8)
Grey (VN000JRAPBQ1)
Theory French Oak (VN0A5KS9BLL1)
Black (VN0EE3BLK)
WHITE (VEE3W00)
BLACK (VN000EE3BKA)
More colors

Best women's Riders for narrow feet

Nike Air Max 90
90
Great!

What makes it the best?

The iconic Nike Air Max 90 is undoubtedly the top choice for women with slender feet. Through extensive testing in the lab and wearing the Riders around the city, Nike Tênis Running Wildhorse 7 Trailhese Riders never become uncomfortably hot as they comes exceptional breathability despite their narrow profile.

We took the Riders for a walk around town and noticed that they fit snugly and securely. Furthermore, we discovered that women with slim feet need not worry about hotspots or additional pressure in the toebox, which are common concerns for those with average-sized feet when wearing the AM90s.

Moreover, the mesh material used on the toebox and tongue allows for optimal breathability. In high of durability, we tested the kicks in the lab by scuffing them with a wire brush attached to a power drill. The leather and mesh materials showed excellent resilience, proving the legendary grit of the Air Max 90.

However, it is important to note that Air Max 90 requires some time to break in. For women seeking immediate comfort, we recommend exploring other options.

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • Very durable
  • Breathable
  • The stuff of legends and rightly so
  • Huge amounts of colorways
  • Great price for a statement shoe
  • Fits true to size
  • Quality materials
  • Kubrik-high High Top Riders
  • Stain resistant

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • Dolce & Gabbana rounded toe lace-up shoes Black
  • Normal and wide feet find it too narrow
Full review of Nike Air Max 90

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Phantom/metallic silver (DZ5194001)
J200 hemp/sail/velvet brown/light s (DX2313200)
Sail/honeydew/artic orange/copa (DX3380100)
Pink (DH8010600)
Pink (DQ7783600)
nike air max 90 women s shoes white white 0eeb 60
Black (CN8490003)
nike air max 90 women s shoes white light iron ore university red black bd50 60
More colors

Best women's Riders for cold weather

Nike Air Max 95
88
Good!

What makes it the best?

With its snug silhouette and cozy sock liner, the Nike Air Max 95 stands out as a top choice among women's Riders for the fall and winter seasons. Through our testing in the lab and rocking them on the streets, Nike Tênis Running Wildhorse 7 Trailhe shoe's recycled Grind soles comes exceptional grip, even on slippery surfaces. As an added bonus, the combination of canvas and synthetic materials creates a water-repellent upper.

When we took these kicks to the city streets, the first thing that caught our attention was the delightful sock liner that embraced our feet with comfort. It provided just the right amount of warmth, making it perfect for colder seasons. They felt so cozy, like a warm blanket for our feet!

In the lab, we conducted a water resistance test on the Rider. By pouring water onto the toebox and tongue, we observed that the Rider demonstrated impressive water resistance. The thick canvas material repelled a significant amount of water, which is very commendable.

Furthermore, during our walks, the recycled soles provided excellent grip, on almost every type of surface. We never had to worry about slipping! However, it's worth mentioning that the overall weight of the shoes is a bit on the heavier side. We recommend that women seeking lightweight footwear explore other options.

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • Part of Nike Street Style Heritage
  • Scaldy Heeled Sandal
  • Speed lace loops comes great fit and comfort
  • Kubrik-high High Top Riders
  • Asics Snapdown 3 Men S Wrestling Shoe Mesh Grey White
  • Best for colder seasons
  • Great lacing for a secure fit

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • A bit heavy
  • Timberland Brooklyn Rider Boot A2EJD
Full review of Nike Air Max 95

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
001 anthracite/viotech-ironstone-m (DX2955001)
Dark Atomic Teal/Dark Atomic Teal (DZ5226300)
nike air max 95 men s shoes black elemental gold sesame summit white 91e6 60
White/Neutral Grey-Red-Blue (CW6579100)
nike womens air max 95 running shoe 9 5 barely rose plum chalk 4d2b 60
nike air max 95 women s shoes summit white mantra orange black university blue adult summit white mantra orange black university blue e4a8 60
White/black/persian violet (DO5960100)
White Black Lt Iron Ore University Red (DR2550100)
More colors

Best value women's Riders

Reebok Club C 85
92
Great!

What makes it the best?

Of all the women’s Riders in our database, the one that we found has the best value is the Reebok Club C 85. At a price point of only $90, this Rider blew us away with quality and versatility. And by versatility, we don’t only pertain to the kick’s timeless style but also the intense comfort that allowed us to sport it every day, all day.

What made Reebok Club C 85 even more of a deal is its sterling quality. In our lab, we applied a Dremel with an attached wire brush to its upper, and nada! No damage was done except for a bit of a dust fallout. More to its abrasion resistance is the upper’s water tightness. The water we poured over the Rider was not able to pass through the leather upper, making Club C 85 an affordable water-resistant option.

Consequently, this Rider is also a combatant against dirt and spots. We proved this on our stain-proofing test in our lab when our powdered dye and colored liquid didn’t cause any irreversible effect on the Rider’s upper. 

The only issue that the generally slim-footed women among us encountered is the slightly loose fit of the Reebok Club C 85. Due to this, we do not recommend this Rider to women with really narrow feet.

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Pros

  • Ideal price point
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Durable construction
  • Kubrik-high High Top Riders
  • Lightweight
  • Water-resistant
  • Surprisingly breathable
  • OK for sockless wear

We have several casual Riders in white that follow different trends Cons

  • Lacks modern inner shanks for support
  • Slightly loose fit
Full review of Reebok Club C 85

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/Emerald/Grape (DV7251)
White/Chalk/Dark Green (LZN79)
chalk/vector blue/vector red (MAQ73)
White (AR0456)
White (BS7686)
White (BS7685)
Chalk/Chalk/Semi Classic Teal (LYT49)
White (GX3686)
More colors

Comparison of the 7 best Riders for women

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

How we test Riders

Imagine choosing the best Rider out of over 1000 models from 60+ brands. That will surely take a lot of time. So to help you out, we already did all the dirty work for you. To find the best one, here’s a rundown of some of the things we did:

  • As mentioned, we buy the shoes with our own money and wear them like crazy. No free shoes were used to avoid biased or one-sided reviews.
  • Apart from testing the shoes ourselves, we perform various tests on them in our lab. We collect the results for each test and we interpret them along with what we felt on our daily and casual use of the Riders. Moreover, we crack the shoes open to view them more in a closer aspect. 
Author
Sheena
Sheena

Sheena is a wordsmith turned Rider addict. Her Rider fixation intensified as her passion for writing grew. A hands-on mom of two sweet yet spunky kids (plus three dogs and two cats), she finds solitude in leafing through shoe catalogs to find the next "it" Rider. Scrutinizing hugely popular and underrated kicks is her favorite pastime.