These days it’s impossible to log on to Instagram, to Pinterest, or even turn on your fav TV show without seeing someone rocking a pair of Golden Goose Sneakers. They are one of the hottest shoes out there! They first caught my eye last summer, but honestly the price tag kept me from trying them. However earlier this year, I went on the hunt for the perfect pair of white sneakers. And of course while researching several different brands, the GG Superstars kept popping up! I’m the kind of person who truly needs to know all of her options before making a decision, so I did it. I ordered ’em. And not just one pair either! I ordered three different styles for a big Golden Goose Sneakers review!
Golden Goose Sneakers Review
Like I mentioned, I’m an options gal. So when I was going through all the different styles and getting feedback from y’all on Instagram, I knew I wanted to try more than one style out. The classic Golden Goose Superstar appealed to me style-wise since I love a low-top slim sneaker. And since I tend towards more classic style, I wanted to try the non-distressed Superstars too! Lastly, I ordered the Pure Stars after several of you recommended them to me! I kept hearing that their comfort was amazing, and I had to try them out myself!
Fit and Sizing
When it comes to sneakers, I’m a pretty solid size 9. However if you’d like brand-specific sizing reference points, read my Best White Sneakers of 2020 post. I have 10 different styles of sneakers listed there with exactly what size I wear in each brand! (Spoiler alert though: I’m a 9 in nearly all of them, including Reebok, Nike, Tretorn, VEJA…)
I ended up ordering a size 39/9, and those are the perfect fit for me. They fit true to size! Golden Goose sneakers don’t come in half sizes. So if you are in between, I would suggest trying a size down.
Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers
Let’s start with the classic Superstar because these are the most-commonly seen version out there! I love the low-top style of these. They don’t feel clunky on my feet and are comfortable straight out of the box. The sole has plenty of flex and the insole is cushioned. I also love all of the different options there are for the star and back tab. Glitter, prints, solids: the options are truly endless! Another really cool thing about these is that they are hand-distressed. No two pairs will look exactly the same! They also make a limited quantity of each color combination, so you’re unlikely to come across many other people with the same style! After doing a ton of searching SSENSE has the best variety and selection!
Non-Distressed Golden Goose Superstar Sneakers
Style-wise these are exactly the same as the distressed Superstar. They come with white laces instead of the grey, giving them a super-clean all-white look! Even though they are essentially the same shoe as the distressed version, I swear these are more comfortable! The insole seems to have more cushion! For now, the non-distressed style only come in the grey star and black tab combo. I searched high and low and didn’t find any other options. But honestly, I really do like the two together. They truly are an awesome neutral option that will go with anything and everything.
Golden Goose Purestar Sneakers
When chatting with y’all on Instagram, several of you recommended the Purestar! After hearing about them being the most comfortable, I had to try them! Y’all weren’t kidding! Of all three pairs, these are definitely the most comfortable straight out of the box. The insole has a memory-foam-like feel that is insanely comfortable. They are slightly heavier than the others, but if you’re going strictly for comfort, these win!
Like the non-distressed Superstar, the style is a little more classic. Every version is all-white with a white star, but they do have several options for the back tab including glitter, blue, black, and the pink I’m wearing! The platform is very on-trend without being overly clunky!
Are Golden Goose Sneakers Worth the Price?
So, I know this is what you’re really here for. But truly, I cannot answer it for you. Personally, I wear sneakers nearly every day. A year or two ago that wasn’t the case, but even if it’s just to walk to and from the bus stop, I am always wearing sneakers! So, I am willing to invest in a pair that I can wear daily and that will last me years. The cost per wear analysis makes sense. However if you’re just looking for a fashion sneaker to wear every once in a while, they may not make sense to you and your budget! It’s truly a personal decision!
I will say, however, that the craftsmanship of Golden Goose Sneakers is wonderful. They are handmade in Italy, and like I mentioned previously, the distressing is all done by hand! The leather is sturdy but soft. All-around they are a high quality shoe. Compared to other true designer sneakers, they are actually on the lower end price-wise.
Are You Keeping Them?
I spent a lot of time debating back and forth about whether to keep a pair and which pair to actually keep. Even though part of me wanted to go with the classic Golden Goose distressed look, they just didn’t feel like me on! Maybe it was just the pair I tried, but I felt like they were almost too edgy for me and my wardrobe.
In the end I decided to keep the non-distressed Superstar. They are very comfortable and are super-classic in style. Out of all the sneakers I tried including my best sneakers of 2020 roundup, they were my absolute favorite.
One thing I am going to do to switch them up a bit is change the laces! When I was going back and forth between the two pairs, my mom suggested I try the grey laces that the distressed ones came with on the non-distressed pair. Once I made that swap, I was 100% convinced! They add just enough contrast while still being classic! These are the laces I ordered on Amazon, and I can’t wait for them to arrive!
Do you have any other Golden Goose Sneakers questions? Let me know, and I’ll add them here!
Hi Lauren! Thanks for the white shoe review! Just curious if you would be interested in doing a part 2 white shoe review? I would love to know what you think of J Slides, Gola, Cole Haan and P448. There are so many great options available and in so many price points! Take care!
Wow!! You did an excellent and quite possibly the best review EVER on golden goose.
I have been waiting to hear what you thought of the Golden Goose after #goldengoosegate on your IG stories lol!
This is a fantastic review and I am adding the pair you decided to keep to my wish list. I don’t wear sneakers often enough to splurge right now, but definitely thinking about them since they’d last a long time!
if you have wide feet, are they still comfortable?
I have 2 pair. I bought some really cute Ball Star GG. They are the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever worn! I have tried everything to make them more comfortable but the insoles feel like concrete! I’m determined because I paid so much for them and they are cute, but the side rubs on my toe, the heel slides up and down and frankly they are torture to wear. Higher priced shoes that I have bought have beautiful leather and super comfortable but not these!
I just purchased a pair of the Hi Star GG’s as well and i’m conflicted on sending them back or not. They are SO uncomfortable and hurt my toes. I have the same problem as you. I have read reviews to keep wearing them in and break them in but I just don’t know that it is getting better.
I’m sad to hear that both of you have found them uncomfortable! I wore mine walking for miles at Disney World without any issues. I will say that wearing them without socks does allow them to soften and mold to your feet, but I never found mine incredibly uncomfortable at the start!
I’m a size 11 and I got classic style, size 41. I wore them with very thin socks and they hurt my toes too. The seaming inside made a pressure spot on my foot and it was so uncomfortable. I don’t know if I should break them in or get size 42. Anyone else a size 11? What size did you order?
I am so disappointed. I purchased the Super-Star Low Top and absolutely loved it, but wearing it around the house, it rubbed the top of my pinkie toe and the toe next to it. I tried it with socks, and it didn’t help. I tried loosening the laces, that didn’t help. I’m a size 7. The 38 fit me better than the 37 which was definitely too small. A 39 would be too big. The problem area was where the stitching is on the top, right. I tried everything to ease the area of discomfort, but just a couple of hours in the house and the pain only got worse. I wanted so badly to keep them, but it’s not an option. I don’t think “breaking them in” is a solution. I’m wondering if a different style would fit differently, but they all appear to have the stitching in the same area of the shoe. Dang it!
I want to throw my GG tbh. Haha! It hurts my feet too. It feels like there is a lot of friction on my toes!!!! I am a size 38z i find the 38 way way better BUT the SA insisted to gwt my true size and i really really need to break them. Unfortunately, i think my feet will break first
I just purchased the Purestars (waiting on Superstars to compare but lost in mail) and have been wearing around the house. Definitely NOT the most comfy and even tried the hairdryer trick to soften. I’m trying to be patient but they are also very loud and make a squishy sound ever step I take… anyone else have that issue and does it go away? If it’s just b/c they’re new I can wait but if it won’t stop it’ll drive me (and those around me) nuts!
Hi – I am wearing my new pair of hi-stars today and am also getting that squeaky sound in one. I wore them around the house for a while and they seemed to be breaking in, but today I am getting some blistering on my heels and some on the top of my toes. I am hoping with time they will break in. I did try on other sizing and styles. I think I am clearly a half size so needed to size down to a 7 as I stepped right out of the 8. I love the look of them and my husband kindly surprised me with them at Christmas. Envisioning myself wearing everywhere – once I break them in. Going to try a thin no-show sock to see if that makes a difference, fingers crossed.
I too was surprised with hi star gorgeousness at Christmas and was wearing them around the house since Christmas and today for the first day I wore them out (30 minutes) around town and oh my god, my heels are cut to shreds I cannot even walk in other shoes they are so bad, I don’t know what to do! I mean for the price of them I hope this is a period of breaking in but I am scared they never get any better and the money is wasted on shiity sore shoes! 💔💔
Cat,
I had the same issue! I was devastated. I walked for maybe 10 minutes and there was no skin left on my heels. I have scars!! I tried to see if others were having the same problem through reviews and I only found one other person who this had happened to so I ended up returning them and getting the superstars instead and WOW what a difference!! The superstars are SO comfortable.
Hi Lauren, I purchased two golden goose super star low top and I need your help on which should I keep.
Size 6: too tight in the front i think it’s great at the heel/back
Size 7: great in the front I think it’s tiny bit loose at the back.
Please help?
Thanks!
Hi Anna! I wish I had the perfect answer for you, but it’s going to be a very personal decision with what you find most comfortable! I will say that I didn’t find the toe box to stretch out much, so if it’s too tight there, I would probably personally prefer the size up. You could always add a heel grip! Hope that helps!
I have this exact same issue!!!!
I just got my size 6 yesterday 🙁 what did you end up doing?? Please
Where did you buy your non-distressed Superstars???
Hello!
Could you try the high star low top and ball star (and possibly starter) and explain how they compare? I agree – pure star is way more comfortable than the standard superstar ones but curious about how the new and older models stack up. Thanks!!
I usually don’t leave reviews but before paying this much money, people should know. I had my distressed superstarts for a year, the uncomfort doesn’t get better! I think it is due to the platform, once I walked 3 hours with them, it made my ankle strain and I had to wear a bandage for days.
Such a shame because they’re gorgeous and very my style -I can only wear them to the office or when I’m not planning to walk more than 30 mins. I hope this helps. Don’t think they’re comfy all-round sneakers.
I got the “Hi Stars” for my birthday and as beautiful they are they are so NOT worth it. I had awful blisters on my heels from walking for less then 10 minutes and I bled all over the shoes! I have scars from the blisters. I was so upset so I tried looking up reviews on google to see if anyone was having a similar problem and I only came across one other person who had the same issue. I didn’t want to give up so I went with the oirginal “superstars” after hearing everyone rave about how comfortable the shoes are and they are! It is amazing the difference in the style of the shoes, I can confidently say that I could walk miles in these shoes without an issue!!
Omg me too awful awful blisters and how about how stiff ??? And my heel kept slipping out