Listen, I get all the hype of wanting these shoes that have the star white sneakers. I have 2 pairs myself because I wanted to have them too.
But at minimum $300 price tag each, and that’s if you find them on sale in your size, are they worth the hype?
I mean, they are a simple tennis shoe, right? Surely the high-quality, fashion sneakers with the star on the side can’t be all that great.
So, if you’re looking for some bombshell Golden Goose sneaker alternatives look no further! I’ve tested them and several other brands and here’s what I found.
Golden Goose Shoe Alternatives & How they Actually Fit
Why are Golden Goose shoes so expensive?
Each GG shoe is hand-distressed and made of high-quality materials, making sure they truly stand the test of time. And believe it or not, a hand distressed shoe is higher quality. Not to mention, each shoe is made in Italy, where workers are paid fair, liveable wages. I say all this to say that these are the reasons that GG shoes are so expensive and come at such a high price. However unaffordable for some, this more than proves they are worth the hype. Still, I love having afforable alternatives that still give the same fashionable energy as origional GG.
I’ve tested them and several other brands and here’s what I found.
- Most of the GG run small in the toe box, like narrow, super narrow. Even if you size up, they aren’t the most comfortable shoe ever. I would say the Golden Goose Superstar are the most narrow pair of Golden Goose I’ve come across.
- Some styles run a whole size small and if you don’t know someone who’s bought them before or familiar with the style, you probably won’t be able to wear golden goose sneakers.
- The sales are good. But the most common sizes are rarely still in stock.
- They have a great cushion in them, but if you need arch support, they probably aren’t for you.
- The sizing is European, so you have to know what your size conversion is to purchase. Not a huge deal unless of course you get the size mixed up with needing to order a size up and don’t 😳 (of course I speak from experience with these Venetian designers)
- If you have $300 to spend minimum, then I’d buy a few of the other options below and expand your collection 🤷🏼♀️ instead.
Golden Goose Shoe Alternatives
So, if I am actually calling out the Goose, what brands am I talking about?
There’s another brand that’s similar in price to GG, but in my opinion way better.
P448 Sneakers
That brand is P448. They usually run about $260 a pair, but are worth EVERY penny!
The sneaker styles are fun and trendy, the cushion is supportive but gives a bit more, they are generally in stock, sometimes have sales, and are available in many different stores.
I own 3 pairs (my third pair just arrived yesterday) and they are fun to dress up an otherwise normal outfit. You can wear them with jeans, skirts, dresses, and joggers. They are super versatile and comfy! I would recommend on these sizing down. These are also sized and sold in the European numbers, so make sure you know your normal size.
Do p448 Stretch
For reference, I’m a 7.5 which is a 38.5 but in this brand, I wear a 38. In cycling shoes, I sized up to a 39 for a better fit, and they don’t stretch like the P448 will. The P448 are made of leather, so they will stretch as you wear them.
Vintage Havana Sneakers
If you are looking for a slightly more budget-friendly golden goose alternative, these next pair are going to hit the target!
They generally are $120 normal priced, but I’ve found them on sale at Saks 5th Avenue online for $60-$80. This brand is Vintage Havana. I personally own 5 pairs and am ALWAYS on the lookout for more!
Do Vintage Havanas Run Small
I love this brand because they are affordable, especially when you find them on sale! I personally think they are true to size, because I have them in 8 and in 7.5 and like the fit of both. The 7.5 did stretch as I wore them, which is why I believe they are TTS.
Personally, I love how they have neutral colors and shoes as well as options that are a bit more out there – think tie dye, glitter, animal print (like leopard print), Velcro closures, etc. The newest and probably least stretchy option is the canvas with tweed on the soles for an espadrille look. They are perfect for summer!
Any of these VH can be paired with so many looks, they are a great staple to have in your closet. The comfort and support they offer are amazing! I’ve worn them walking all day and didn’t get a blister or sore feet.
Vintage Havana vs. Golden Goose
With just a quick internet search, you will find tons of people that believe VH is just a dupe of Golden Goose. And I guess you could look at it like that. In my opinion, VH is an affordable Golden Goose inspired shoe. Yes the design on the side is similar, as well as the laces. But when you look close, you can see plenty of differences. But if you’re going for that relaxed Golden Goose distressed sneaker look, you can’t go wrong with Vintage Havana. VH is definitely one of my top Golden Goose alternatives.
Dolce Vita High Top Sneakers
If you are looking for a high top sneaker, I love my pair from Dolce Vita. I know this brand makes so many different styles of shoes, I only have the high top sneaker. They are stylish, comfortable, and run TTS. For price point, I believe they are sold in many different retailers, so chances of finding the ones you like in your size, and on sale are high.
J Slide Sneakers
The last brand I’ve personally tried and would recommend are the J Slides.
These are comfortable, run TTS, are stylish, and usually run around $100 for a pair. I believe they have sales often as well.
Of course, there are other cheaper Golden Goose alternatives out there on Amazon, Steve Madden, or Shein and Many other places. They range in price from $25-$65 but you give up a lot of comfort and wearability and the sizing is usually way off and depends on each shoe seller. You can find them on Amazon by doing a quick search like “Golden Goose dupes” or “fashion sneakers” to give you a wide variety to choose.
If you want to stick with a tried and true fit with comfort, pick one of the options above!
And if you’ve found another sneaker alternative that you think I missed out on, please tell me! I’d love to give them a try and update this list.
Lastly – I purchased each of the shoes mentioned myself. I did not receive any of these shoes as gifts so these opinions are my own and not influenced in any way, other than my experiences with each shoe.
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