Apocalypse-Ready Sneakers: The 5 Best Shoes for Outrunning Zombies

As Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later drops on the 20th of June, we thought what better excuse to discuss a zombie apocalypse. Being the UK’s number one place for everything-sneakers, we at The Sole Supplier wanted to put our own spin on the whole debate and give you our The Best 5 Sneakers To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse. We thought just because the world has ended doesn’t mean your drip has to.

You might think this list takes the whole zombie-survival subject a little too seriously, and you are probably right. We just didn’t want our loyal audience at The Sole Supplier getting themselves or their immaculate trainer collection chewed to pieces.

Of course Reddit was full of funny suggestions, with one user suggesting “Socks and Crocs” while another said “Jordan 1s for me because I know I'm not gonna survive long. If I'm gonna die, I'mma at least walk around dead in style” - we hear you buddy. Although there were a few good suggestions in there such as the military-inspired Nike Air Force SF1, as well as the mention of “Broken in Red Wing boots with wool socks”, broken in being a key detail here. No one is lasting very long in a fresh pair of Red Wings.

Of course, with such an important list comes an equally important criteria. So here is what we consider when choosing a great pair of post-apocalypse sneakers:

Coming in at first place is the Salomon XT-6, an absolute all-rounder that works just as well at picking up a Blank Street matcha as it does keeping you far away from crowds of flesh eating zombies. There is a reason why the XT-6 is a favourite among the gorpcore crowd and that is comfort. This Salomon go-to is also helped by a solid traction pattern below, with chevron-based lugs which dig deep into muddy terrain. Although having said that, the reddit world is full of claims that the XT-6 is a lot slippier than you would think, so just bear that in mind. A shank plate underneath the rubber outsole will prevent nasty floor-based traps from poking through, letting you worry about the one less problem.

As the XT-6 is a reissue of trail running favourite from the 2010s, speed is well within its stride. While fell running or off-terrain scrambles might not be within your comfort zone, it is definitely within the XT-6’s wheelhouse. In terms of colourways we would recommend the “Black Phantom” or GORE-TEX “Black Silver” edition, two make-ups built to stay stealthy and hide nasty zombie blood spatters. And before we forget, the Speedlacing system and Kevlar laces are the cherry on top of the cake, because fiddling with laces while a zombie bear charges at you isn’t ideal.

One of the most affordable options on our list comes from ASICS, because nothing screams a cost of living crises like a zombie apocalypse. At £70, they’re cheaper than most apocalypse survival kits… and probably more useful too. Rear and front pull tabs means getting these on feet while you’re wearing teeth-repelling gloves is as easy as can be. That said, we do suspect that the hits of 3M on the flat rope laces might be a little exposing, so you should consider swapping them out for a standard set of black laces.

As far as comfort goes, a mix of AMPLIFOAM and GEL cushioning should have your bipedal instruments well and truly covered, although if you’re on a multiple day excursion then do expect some level of soreness.

If there is one brand you could argue solely designs apocalypse-ready shoes, it’s norda. Built to last hundreds if not thousands of kilometres, the upper is formed from Dyneema, “a fibre that’s 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float on water,” so these might be the only thing zombies won’t try to chew through.

The Norda 001 boasts an impressive list of features which include a lock lace system, eTPU insole for the highest possible energy return as well as a Vibram SLE midsole kitted out with Megagrip 5mm rubber lugs. With grip, comfort and speed firmly checked off, it is worth mentioning that this particular “Glitch” colourway is not the most low-key, especially considering its 3M details. However, during the daytime this pair of webs are perfectly capable of blending into the background. If you fancy a triple black edition, then you’ll have to be quick as it will undoubtedly be a top choice for other survivors out there.

If we are talking about comfort then we need to mention Nike’s Zoom Vomero 5. The last thing you need when the world has gone to hell in a handbasket is a sore set of feet, so opting for the Vomero 5 is an easy one for us. Thanks to Nike’s updated Roam series, you now have a pair of modified Zoom Vomero 5s which are nothing if not apocalyptically-optimised.

Pull tabs, a toggle lace system, an increased ride height and beefed up traction across the outsole is a combination that cannot easily be overlooked. The only downfall are the multiple hits of 3M across the pull tabs and laces, but otherwise we think this “Black Phantom” colourway could be a top contender. Nike clearly got the memo: you roam, you don’t run. Unless you’re being chased.

Some of you might be scratching your heads at this choice and we don’t blame you for doing so. Definitely our wild card option, the adidas Adios Pro 4 are for those who would take anything but the slow and steady route. We recently tested these in house for our ‘Run Don’t Walk’ series and were thoroughly impressed at the results. If your idea of an end-of-the-world ideal hideout is city-based then the adidas Pro 4 should be the pair laced up on your feet.

Thanks to a carbon plate in the midsole, picking up the pace is no problem at all, although we suggest being at least an intermediate runner before deciding on these. It’s large stack height implies soft footsteps, epic for sneaking about while providing top levels of cushion. The Pro 4’s downfall is clearly the lack of outsole grip, so they might not be made for the woods but if you’re sprinting through Canary Wharf with a backpack full of tinned beans, they’re ideal.

The “Black Focus Olive” is definitely the most stealthy option available, with the green 3-Stripes channelling some strong military-issued energy. You might as well go all out and pick the “Lucid Lemon” colourway because it’s the kind of shoe you’d wear if you think you’re the lone survivor in a gritty HBO series. Bonus points if you’ve got a katana and unresolved trauma."

So whether you're hiding out in an abandoned Tesco or scouting for supplies in Zone 2, at least you'll be doing it in comfort and in some serious heat. Because fashion may be dead, but your sneaker game doesn’t have to be.

Let us know if our list was similar to yours or if we were miles off, tell us what would be your go-to shoe for surviving the apocolypse in over at The Sole Supplier socials! Or if you are excited for the new 28 Years Later film let us know what you think!