These Vans trainers are wider and more cushioned than adidas Sambas - and they're now less than £30 on Amazon

Vans Brooklyn trainers were initially created as a men's shoe, but the style was so popular that the brand decided to release a women's version of the cool canvas and suede design.

While I love wearing my best white trainers with pretty floral summer dresses, a pair of dark trainers is definitely a capsule wardrobe must-have, particularly for the cooler months. Thanks to the pared-back, minimalist design, this black-and-white style is great for teaming with smart tailoring or jeans.

With a slightly chunkier profile than the classic Vans Old Skool trainers, Vans Brooklyn trainers are a great option if you're after Adidas Samba alternatives that offer a more cushioned sole and wider toe.

Vans Brooklyn trainers are extremely comfortable as they have a wider toe cap shape, which allows for more wiggle room. The shoe also benefits from the brand's skate shoe know-how, offering a cushioned sole that really will put a spring in your step.

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Vans Brooklyn trainers: comfort & support

Thanks to their heritage as a skate shoe company, Vans trainers are known for making comfortable trainers. All of their styles include a supportive sole that helps protect your foot by cushioning it from impact with a flexible yet supportive sole. Vans Brooklyn trainers also include an ankle cuff that is more padded than other styles, meaning that your heel is protected and the shoe needs less wearing in than some other trainers.

The shoes themselves are not too heavy, so you can wear them for long stretches without feeling weighed down, thanks to the combination of suede and canvas upper materials. This dual fabric upper also contributes to a lighter shoe weight than full-suede upper styles and allows for an easy wearing-in period. Thanks to these two natural materials, the Vans Brooklyn trainer offers a degree of breathability, despite not having vents.

When it comes to sizing, Vans Brooklyn trainers are mostly true to size, but you might find that for some variants, such as the platform style, sizing down by half a size will help the fit, as the sole has less give.

However, there is one crucial aspect to consider when purchasing a pair of Vans Brooklyn trainers - unlike Adidas Sambas, Gazelles and Handball Spezials, this style lacks in-built arch support and has a completely flat footbed inner. This could affect your comfort if you're on your feet for long periods of time or have flat feet and need additional arch support.

Vans Brooklyn Trainers: Style

When it comes to stylish designs, Vans Brooklyn trainers have a cool, pared-back aesthetic. The classic monochrome colour combination fits seamlessly with a selection of outfits while the low-profile shape finishes under the ankle, creating a flattering cut.

Despite the wider, more rounded toe cap, the canvas and suede upper add minimal bulk to your foot, so they feel slick and streamlined, while the white sole gives them a lighter look.

It's not just the classic black-and-white combination that's available, either - there are fully black or fully white versions perfect for wearing with your favourite white jeans outfits.

For those who prefer colourful trainers, the design is also available in a variety of seasonal colours, ranging from burgundy and pink to beige and green colourways, so you're sure to find a pair for every summer outfit idea.

Vans Brooklyn Trainers: Cleaning & Care

With suede leather detailing on the uppers of the Vans Brooklyn trainers, it's generally not recommended to machine wash this style. Instead, it's best to carefully spot-wash stains, using a dry brush to lift out dirt before applying any liquids.

However, if your trainers are heavily soiled, there are steps you can take to minimise damage from a washing machine. First, using a suede brush or old toothbrush, give them a gentle brush to remove the worst of any dried-in stains. If your shoes are muddy, allow them to dry first before brushing to avoid pushing the stain deeper into the fabric or spreading it wider.

If you need to loosen any baked-on stains on the canvas areas, try using a bristle brush such as a toothbrush on the hard-wearing fabric to lift out the worst and then remove the laces and insoles, but don’t forget to add them to your wash too! You may want to give white laces a gentle soak in a whitening cleanser before placing them in a net bag to avoid tangling.

When putting your shoes in the washing machine, it’s best to place them into a mesh bag inside the very middle of a full wash to prevent any damage to the drum. Sheets or towels are a good option as they will fill the drum, adding a protective cushion.

It's best to wash your shoes on a cooler wash, as hot temperatures can cause the rubber to warp and the glue holding the shoes together to deteriorate.

After they’re washed, stuff the toes with newspaper or something similar to help them retain their shape and stop the fabrics from shrinking. Leave them somewhere warm to dry naturally - never place your shoes in the tumble dryer as the heat will cause them to shrink and warp.

Vans Brooklyn Trainers: How we tested them

There's no better way to test trainers than to wear them - I donned a pair of Vans Brooklyn Trainers for a week to see if they lived up to their bestselling hype, and after a brief breaking-in period, I was blown away by their comfort.

My top tip is to swap Millennial favourite hidden socks for a pair of retro mid-calf sports socks - this thicker style will help buffer against any initial rubbing at your Achilles and around the heel and help them soften up quickly.

I wore my pair for a variety of events - from running around town on appointments, errands and meetings to day-to-day tasks such as the school run and was surprised at just how comfortable they were, the canvas and suede quickly moulding to my feet.

My only bugbear? The overly long laces - I'll be swapping them over for the elastic shoelace hack that has changed all of my trainers for the better.

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Vans Brooklyn Trainers: Verdict

With an incredibly affordable price tag and comfortable fit, Vans Brooklyn trainers are an excellent style to add to your wardrobe.

Their classic, low-key style makes them the perfect addition to every wardrobe and their versatility is a definite plus, particularly if you’re packing for a mini break or hand luggage only.

While they might need a little bit of breaking in, once they’ve moulded to your foot they are extremely comfortable, even for those spending a whole day on their feet.