Help me choose my new trainers - Boden/Nike Air

[waterproofed]

I’m 40 this month, smart casual office and will wear them out too. Which do you prefer?

Boden option:

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/erin-retro-tennis-trainers-off-white-classic-leopard/sty-a1294-ivo?cat=C1_S2_G11

Nikes look awesome irl - saw someone on the tube wearing these and fell in love:

https://www.nike.com/gb/t/air-max-1-87-shoes-gh8cb6

I’ve been obsessed with the Nikes but I like the Boden ones as they’re are a lot cheaper, sleeker, and there’s no obvious branding + no canvas upper.

Please suggest alternatives if you hate them both.

They’re not personally my taste so I won’t comment on which I ‘prefer’ but get the Nikes, if you can afford them. They’re the ones you love and really want and the Boden ones just won’t feel the same! Plus Nikes are so comfy.

If you like the thinner, flatter profile of the Boden, and the price, then you might also like Adidas Samba/Superstars/Galaxy ranges. I know RIshi Sunak has ruined Sambas for some, but the cool kids in my area are still wedded to them! Onitsaka are also slim and I like them a lot, but they aren't quite as comfortable for walking a lot on hard pavements, and they are generally around £130.

I love the Nike Air, I’ve been tempted by those myself. I have loads of Nike Air Max trainers and they are so comfy, they last years if you clean them well. I have bought a pair of Boden trainers before, funnily enough they were also leopard print and they were so uncomfortable. They were £95 and sold them recently on Vinted for £5.

I can't imagine anyone over the age of 18 taking fashion advice from a 17 year old.

Sorry OP, not my taste either, but I'm glad you've reached you decision!

Generally, is this where trainers are right now? I buy running shoes, but never casual trainers really - I prefer boots - but probably need some. If the trend is leaning towards garish/metallic/busy, I might wait.

I love the Nike ones.

I've got a pair very similar to the Boden ones, from Mint Velvet, and they're fine but the Nike ones you've posted look so much cooler

I think these are nice

https://fredfunk.co.uk/products/vanessa-wu-luna-trainer-with-leopard-print-detail-bk2656-gold?_pos=10&_sid=401373ad3&_ss=r

Not really, I’d say it’s just my loud sense of fashion. Plenty of minimalist styles knocking about, I just have lots of these already due to work.

Never heard of the company but found these beauties thanks to your recommendation: https://fredfunk.co.uk/products/vanessa-wu-jade-lace-up-with-coloured-insert-bk2663-or-2-gold?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=19d6ce00e&pr_rec_pid=8306475139323&pr_ref_pid=8306477564155&pr_seq=uniform

On the wish list they go.

I ordered the Nikes - v excited despite running the risk of looking nearly twice my age in the eyes of any passing teenagers 😉

Get the Nikes. The Boden trainers are just too safe to be stylish, although they're a credible-ish copy of the Samba/Gazelle lo-pro style. Sometimes only too far is far enough. Go with flair.

Also, fgs don't listen to teenagers on the question of style; they can barely acknowledge that fortysomethings exist without crippling spasms of embarrassment.

Much prefer the Nike ones - urban and a bit cool and fun whilst being chic

Nikes 100%! I've these nikes and love them. I'm a 41, mum of 3 that loves leopard print and trainers. www.nike.com/ie/t/air-max-90-shoes-H6XRJb/DQ9316-001?cp=70388792259_search_&Macro=--g-10564800177-103186516974--t-EN-cssproducts-454138246795-aud-372501554099:pla-336329126871-1007882-00195867251808&ds_rl=1252249&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwoPOwBhAeEiwAJuXRh6ItBl3W5v8sgGWmMMg5PRYGaUeajw3nHhDghM9X4v8NYdu8ENYWOhoCLCQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Oh they are fab as well!!! 😍
To be honest I’ve never heard of the brand either but this wee shop has great “different” shoes that you won’t find on the high street.

Glad you ordered the Nikes they’ve a bit of life about them and most importantly look comfortable.

I'm ethically opposed to Nike but they're the better-looking shoes. They look extremely comfortable, too.
[Edit] You went for Nike! Oh, good! The Vanessa Wu ones you linked are great, too. Shame I'm on a Total Clothing Ban for the year.

The Boden ones are a near miss. A chunky animal-print trainer should not be attempted with pared-down "neat" styling, and the gold bits look like an afterthought.

I've got these and also the NB ones in the black and leopard print. Both lovely and surprisingly comfy.

Those Boden ones are so boring and look like they wouldn't be comfy.

Has anyone tried the Vanessa Wu ones for comfort yet? mustnotbuymore trainers...

Totally agree with this. Boden shoes are often beautiful to look at but I've made that mistake one too many times. Horrifically uncomfortable.

I have green Nike Air I got in the sale Jan 23. I really love wearing them, they still look great despite heavy use. Nike Air all the way for me!

They look great under wide leg trousers for a casual office day look as well.

I like the Nike and the Joe browns, not keen on the Boden ones as o prefer the chunkier look. I’m 42 and very tempted to buy the Joe browns.

Those are the worst Nikes I've ever seen but they are better than the Boden ones.

Boden looks cheap and plasticy rather than anything decent quality.

I love those Nike's! And I guarantee they'll be a lot comfier than any "trainers" Boden can produce.