7 Best 8-l

8-l needed to be comfortable to get our attention, and the Adidas Ozweego delivered lots of it. It has plush cushioning and a pretty roomy upper. We even thought that this shoe could comfortably accommodate wide-footers because of how spacious it felt. We couldn’t ask for more because this shoe also delivered so well in the looks department. The best sneaker to date, indeed!

The midsole was a little thicker than average, especially at the forefoot. Our calliper measured it to be 24.7 mm thick at the forefoot when the average was only 20.0 mm. Not only was this part thicker, it was softer as well. Our HA durometer gave it a score of 26.8, making it significantly softer than the 30.9 average. This midsole made us experience what walking on pillows all the time felt like. 

Aside from being soft and comfortable, the shoe also had a lot of space inside out, allowing our feet a lot of breathers. The widest part of the footbed was 105.0 mm (ave 99.1 mm) wide as per our calliper while it opened as much as 79.0 mm (ave 75.2 mm) at the big toe.

All the goodness we’ve discussed thus far would have been for naught if the Adidas Ozweego didn’t look as nice as it did. We loved it so much that we got compliments wherever we went. We loved it even more that this shoe was available in a lot of colorways.

While the materials indeed looked good, they did not really feel the most premium. We could even say that in some areas, especially in spaces where mesh was used, the shoe actually felt cheap.

Dating back to the 1950s, the Adidas Samba boasts unrivalled longevity and legacy, moving from a sporty sneaker to a closet must-have. It’s our best classic sneaker, featuring a minimalist low-cut design. It’s crafted with premium leather and suede upper, ensuring exceptional durability, while its grounded profile and traction enhance our stability.

As we strolled through town sporting the Sambas, we discovered the absence of a midsole giving an almost barefoot feeling. Our calliper reveals a humble 19.3/11.9 mm stack, elevating us only slightly from the ground. It truly embodies minimalism and gives a natural feel together with its light 12.1 oz (342g) weight and loose build. Our bend test confirms it’s 40.9% more flexible than average.

Our lab reveals both the leather and suede in the upper are real, except for the white piece at the top of the collar that got damaged in our test. Putting it against our Dremel revealed its sturdiness, earning an impressive 4/5 for durability.

With its roots tracing back to indoor football, the gum rubber outsole features two-directional lugs for enhanced traction. From sharp corners to slippery surfaces, we had no instances of losing confidence in our strides.

Unfortunately, the absence of a foam midsole isn’t the best option for long hours on foot. Those who prefer more cushioning should look elsewhere.

The adidas Originals Sweatshirt mit College-Wappenmotiv aus grauem Fleece surely did not skimp on materials for its cushioning system. It was among the thickest that we ever tried, and it easily made this shoe the best chunky pick among all the 8-l that we tried. We also loved that the midsole was twist resistant even if it was also amazingly soft.

According to readings made by our digital calliper, the cushioning system of the NB 9060 was 37.3 mm thick at the heel and 26.0 mm thick at the forefoot. These numbers made the midsole significantly thicker than average, which only measured 31.3 mm and 20.0 mm, respectively.

In the lab, we manually twisted and bent the adidas Originals Sweatshirt mit College-Wappenmotiv aus grauem Fleece to test its torsional rigidity. We learned that it was quite resistant. Giving it a rating of 4 out of 5 was truly warranted.

Just because the base was resistant to twisting did not really mean that it felt quite hard underfoot. Quite on the contrary, this shoe delivered among the nicest and softest feels ever. Our HA durometer gave it a rating of 19.4, which was a far cry from the 30.9 average. 

It was just a shame that this shoe was not available in many colorways. It would have been fun to experiment with different looks while wearing different colours of the NB 9060.

Combining classic style with all-day comfort, our tests with the Footwear adidas FortaRun El I FY1464 Hazblu Glopnk Hazsky felt like a breeze. It’s incredibly lightweight, ultra-breathable, and pleasantly effortless on foot. As seen in the lab, this sneaker won’t allow any kind of overheating even on the warmest days, making it our ultimate summer sneaker.

Eager to put the hype to the test, we strolled around town in the Vomero 5. To our delight, its thin mesh upper offers full-length airflow, ensuring zero sweat and blisters. Our smoke test proves its permeability as it easily escaped, earning a perfect breathability score.

We found the pair immensely versatile as it moves with our strides smoothly. Our bend test reveals it’s as flexible as the average sneaker. What adds to its weightlessness is its airy build. At 11.2 oz (316g), it’s 20.8% lighter than average.

Even with its average stack height, the Vomero 5 feels more cushioned underfoot. We cut the shoe open and discovered two Zoom Air units adding some perceived softness and bounce to the ride. Our durometer also reveals the comfy foam is at 28.0 HA, 9.1% softer than average.

While the seamless airflow is a highlight, the upper's durability is compromised. The toebox scored the lowest 1/5 rating on our Dremel test. Exercise caution when handling this area of the shoe.

Our wear tests with the Veja Campo boosted our confidence with its crisp and classy look, high-quality and ethically sourced materials, and grounded ride. Our lab proves its durability even with its minimalist build, making the £180 price point worth the investment. For all these and more, Campo is our top leather sneaker.

The shoe’s clean look makes it easy to style across outfits and occasions. Beyond looks, our lab proves the leather upper’s genuineness and durability. Upon exposing various parts to our butane torch, nothing melted away as a synthetic material would. When tested against our Dremel, it resisted impressively and ended up with a perfect toebox durability score, ensuring its long lifespan.

Walking with the Campo gives a surefooted and ground-connected feel, care of the 22.3/10.6 mm stack we measured—the forefoot being one of the lowest we’ve seen in the lab. Further boosting its stable ride is the firm carrier midsole which our durometer showed is 60.0 HA, a mind-blowing 109.8% firmer than average! However, this is balanced by a plush 11.5 mm insole that serves as the primary cushioning. For reference, that's 6.1 mm thicker than average.

However, those on a budget should explore alternatives as leather 8-l in our lab only average £110, making the Campo 59.1% more expensive.

The look of the ASICS Gel 1130 had not been tampered with in its current version, so one could feel all the nostalgia just by looking at this shoe. It is for this reason that we hail this ASICS sneaker as the best retro release to date. Its plush cushioning and pretty stable platform just made loving it a lot easier. 

From the bulky look down to the many overlays that made this shoe look caged, all the defining characteristics of the OG were retained in this shoe. We loved its scene-stealing prowess, especially when we strutted the streets. 

The softness of its midsole was really noteworthy. Our HA durometer gave it a rating of only 19.0 when the average could go as high as 30.9. That's a 39% difference in softness! We loved that this ASICS Gel 1130 made it experience what it was like to walk on clouds.

Even if the midsole was soft, we never felt wobbly because this shoe had a pretty wide platform that erased any possibility of slipping. It was 111.8 mm wide at the forefoot and 90.1 mm wide at the heel. The respective averages were only 108.9 mm and 83.4 mm.

The breathability of the upper was a bit disappointing, though. It only got a dismal 2 out of 5 in our breathability assessments.

In our trials, the New Balance 990 v6 left us hard-pressed to find any faults. It's nearly flawless, boasting exceptional cushioning, strong arch support, and durable materials. Even under rigorous lab testing, no major flaws were found, solidifying its position as the ultimate premium sneaker.

990 v6 has a smooth and bouncy ride, encouraging us to clock in more miles. Our dissected shoe reveals it’s home to the FuelCell cushioning, often found in elite running shoes. Its tall stack ultimately absorbs shock, while the plush 28.3 HA foam launches our toe-offs effortlessly. Surprisingly, it never dragged us down, maintaining a mere 12.9 oz (366g) weight.

We found this to be one of the most supportive casual 8-l, with a ride similar to dedicated stability shoes. It has a stiff ENCAP rim wrapping our heel firmly for added support. 990 v6 also adds some width to its midsole to stabilise off-balance landings. Plus, any foot type can find a suitable pair as 990 v6 is available in 6 different widths.

Our torch test proves the suede layers’ genuineness, while our smoke test reveals a well-deserved perfect breathability score. The mesh panels made sure our feet stayed fresh even in the heat. 

990 v6 feels stiffer than other 8-l, and our bend test confirms it’s 18.1% less flexible than average. Those who prefer a more natural feel should explore alternatives.