So you’ve figured out what shoe works best for you, how much support you need and what fits your foot shape. Now it’s time to get down to the real nitty-gritty of choosing your next running shoe…how good does it look with a pair of jeans?

A word of warning: this topic could spark a civil war. Opinions on jeanability are surprisingly strong, so proceed with caution, and please don’t hold any of this against Runlimited. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, after all.

But what does jeanable even mean? Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory: how good a shoe looks paired with jeans. Simple, right?

It might sound trivial, but if you’re someone who loves wearing running shoes everyday, jeanability matters. My non-running friends have even started questioning my footwear choices when we hang out.

To find your perfect denim-and-trainers combo, we’ve been on a mission to find the most jeanable shoes in store. Or, at the very least, narrow down the contenders. 

What actually makes a shoe jeanable? 

Colour is definitely an important factor. You might assume that a basic neutral such as black or white would be the most jeanable, but I’d argue that a fun pop of colour can earn a few extra points. For Raif, the R.A.D® UFO takes the crown, specifically in Neon Pink. That’s certainly one way to make a statement on the shop floor! Subtlety clearly isn’t the goal here.

But are we judging a shoe solely on looks? Because if practicality also comes into the equation, that’s a whole other story.

Some might argue that the likes of the ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo or Nike Alphafly are perfectly jeanable. And aesthetically, who are we to judge? But when it comes to what you’ll actually be doing in your jeans, while ridiculously rapid, carbon-plated racing shoes might not be the most practical choice. Unless, of course, you’re planning to rock up to the start line in denim on race day. That could lead to some rather painful chafing!

Jonty, Runlimited’s co-founder, has some rather strong opinions on the matter. The Salomon Aero Glide GRVL, R.A.D®  Mallow, and On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LightSpray get the green light, provided the Ons are clean (looking at no one in particular…). Alphaflys, Vaporflys and Metaspeeds, absolutely not.

“Keep those carbons in your cupboard. Don’t you dare…or dare… what do I know?”

Make of that what you will.

My own pick, purely on aesthetics, has to be the new Space Cowboy edition of the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3. Who doesn’t love a cheeky bit of cow print and silver chrome? If only it were sans carbon plate! 

Speaking of Saucony, the new Paramount Max also picked up multiple votes from the team. And you have to admit, the women’s colourway in white, blue and silver is particularly easy on the eyes.

Phoebe says it’s “an excellent height for all my short ladies who have jeans that are a bit too long”, while Chloe reckons it gives her serious 2000s “grandpa-core FAD” vibes (in a cool way).  And if looks weren’t enough, it’s also super comfortable, with plenty of pillowy cushioning underfoot. 

The R.A.D® Mallow was another popular choice, picking up votes from Jonty, Anthony and CJ. Anthony also nominated the Nike Structure Plus, in black and white, alongside the Salomon Aero Glide GRVL. A classic colourway and a bit of extra support? Hard to argue with that. Although, as we’re discovering, not everyone agrees on what makes a shoe jeanable.

The Salomon Aero Glide GRVL deserves a special mention for more than just its looks. If you’re after something that pairs well with jeans and can handle whatever the stereotypical British weather throws at you, look no further. Rain or shine, mud or puddles, this shoe is ready for the job. It looks the part beneath a pair of jeans while doubling as a reliable workhorse for mixed terrain. From Borough Market to Hampstead Heath, it’s got you covered. Basically, you’re ready for a hiking trip in the Alps, even if your biggest adventure today is popping to the shops.

The debate wasn’t just confined to the shop floor. We also turned to Instagram to see what our followers had to say, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Mallow proved popular here, too. Some thought it was giving “straight-up Yeezy vibes”, while others considered it a perfectly sensible option for everyday wear. Proof, if any were needed, that jeanability is very much in the eye of the beholder.

The Nike Vomero Plus also received multiple votes, while the Aero Glide GRVL made another appearance. One person pointed out that its jeanability “depends on what jeans and socks”. Fair point, actually. The right shoe and denim combination is clearly a delicate art.

Other contenders included the Adidas Evo SL Exo, ASICS Superblast 3 and, naturally, pretty much anything from On. Even the Nike Alphafly 4 made the list, proving that some people are more than happy to ignore Jonty’s unwritten rules of denim styling.

And then there was the Puma Fast-R 3. We’re choosing to believe this one was a joke.

At the end of the day, jeanability is entirely subjective. One person’s Yeezy-inspired dream shoe is another person’s fashion faux pas, and there doesn’t seem to be a universal rulebook for what works with denim.

Of course, these are still running shoes, so finding the right fit for your feet should always come first. But if you can find a pair that ticks both boxes, even better.

If you’re still wondering whether your favourite pair makes the cut, perhaps Abi summed it up best: “Anything is jeanable if you’re brave enough.”

Words by Cara Teton