Air & Grace trainers - buy or avoid?

[MassDebate]

I really like some of the A&G sparkly trainers, but am struggling to get the “distressed” trend. They seem to have a few plain styles which actually look like new trainers, but I like the really over the top sparkles (I also have plenty of plain trainers already without the eye watering price tag). What do people think? Is the distressed trend cool or distasteful? I can’t decide.

Fwiw I’ve always thought Golden Goose (which are all distressed designs) to be a total waste of money but the Air & Grace designs are so pretty!

I have two pairs of Air & Grace trainers, although not the sparkly ones, and I really like them.

I also have some Golden Goose trainers and I think they are more distressed than the A&G ones and also not as comfortable to wear.

I really like the leopard glittery A&G high tops though I’d rather the toe wasn’t so dirty looking (they say distressed I say dirty 😄). What’s stopping me from forking out £199 for a pair is that A&G seems to have gifted pairs of their trainers to hundreds of bloggers. Am loathe to pay for expensive trainers when they seem happy to cheapen their brand by giving them away to anyone and everyone on Instagram.

Avoid - their shoes aren't very good quality and their customer service is APPALLING!!!

Ive got two pairs, which I bought in the JL sale. They are nice, comfy, and have worn well. They are about to get their second summer, having worn them a lot last summer. However, I would say at full price they are very expensive compared to what else is out there at a similar look and quality.

their shoes aren't very good quality

Can you tell us more about this please @canyon2000 ?

I've had Air and Grace shoes from when they first started out (met Claire the founder at a small trade show) and they've always been excellent quality. However, I haven't bought anything from them in the last year as I prefer their actual shoes (boots and espadrilles) to their trainers but they seem to have focussed heavily on trainers recently. Just wondering if their quality has gone down given the above comment?

I do remember someone posting on here saying that they'd written a negative review on the A&G website and it was removed so that always made me a little sceptical of the glowing 5 star reviews for everything.

Do the A&G have the insole like golden goose?

I've 4 pairs and think they are extremely well made and comfortable and definitely worth the money. Yes they look distressed but that's the fashion and they do have a very lovely memory foam insole which makes them just as comfortable as wearing Nike's or similar all day.

They won't bugger your feet like converse either.

Yes I’ve noticed the blogger gifting too WoahThereMama and got to say that’s putting me off too. I love the rainbow high tops though (if only they were clean!)

A friend loved them but online reviews seem to be pretty mixed for the trainers especially:

uk.trustpilot.com/review/airandgracelondon.com

you-well.co.uk/air-grace-trainers-review/

The most comfortable trainers…like walking on butter! Much more comfortable than GG which I find a bit flat.

Practically speaking, distressed white trainers will last longer than pure white, simply because they already look 'grubby'.

@WoahThereMama

I really like the leopard glittery A&G high tops though I’d rather the toe wasn’t so dirty looking (they say distressed I say dirty 😄). What’s stopping me from forking out £199 for a pair is that A&G seems to have gifted pairs of their trainers to hundreds of bloggers. Am loathe to pay for expensive trainers when they seem happy to cheapen their brand by giving them away to anyone and everyone on Instagram.

Are you under the impression that this is unique to this particular company? The fact is you’d be hard-pressed to find a company that doesn’t send free stuff to social media influencers.

Has anyone tried the Birkenstock ‘bend low’ trainers. Quite liking the white ones. Any thoughts on sizing /wear/ comfort?