One of my favorite things to do is share honest thoughts on trending luxury products, and today I’m bringing you my review of Golden Goose sneakers!
These have been popular for awhile, and I jumped on board and bought my first pair several years ago.
Make no doubt about it—these shoes are a huge investment.
Wondering whether Golden Goose sneakers are worth it? I’m breaking down everything you need to know to make an informed decision, from comfort to sizing, quality, pricing, and durability.
Keep scrolling to read my Golden Goose sneaker review!
Are Golden Goose Sneakers Comfortable?
Yes, Golden Goose Superstar sneakers are comfortable!
As long as you order the correct size (more on that below), there’s practically no break-in time.
I wore them a few times around the house, but they were pretty comfortable right out of the box. I’ve never gotten a blister with these shoes.
The leather insole is higher than most sneakers, so they have added cushion.
They’re wearable all day if you’re commuting to an office, running errands, or working from a coffee shop, but I wouldn’t walk in them consecutively for more than 2-3 hours.
Are Golden Goose Sneakers Worth It?
So, are Golden Goose sneakers worth it? It depends.
Golden Goose sneakers are worth it if you have the budget, love the look, value being on trend, and can find a versatile pair. I recommend off-white or white leather with gray, navy, black, tan, silver, or gold leather or suede accents (the star and the heel tab). These will go with more in your closet.
Golden Goose sneakers won’t be worth it if you want a plain white sneaker. GGDBs are unique and comfortable, but they also only pair with certain things. You’ll be better off with a shoe like Common Projects Achilles or Frye Ivy if you want a plain white sneaker.
Shop Golden Goose Sneakers
My exact Golden Goose Sneakers are sold out, but this pair is similar!
Golden Goose Sneaker Sizing
Two of the most common questions people ask about Golden Goose sneakers are, “do Golden Goose sneakers run small?” and “how do Golden Goose sneakers fit?”
I polled my readers on this and found that, in general, GGDB fit true to size.
However, there aren’t half sizes, so if you’re between sizes, size up. They only come in European whole sizes, so stick to your corresponding US size.
How to Tie Golden Goose Sneakers
There’s a specific way to tie Golden Goose sneakers that looks best, and it’s simple!
Put on the shoes and make sure the laces are tight enough, then tie a little knot at the end of each shoelace.
You can Google ‘how to tie Golden Goose laces’ for tutorial videos if you’re running into trouble.
Why are They So Expensive?
The price point usually drops jaws given that they look so worn. They’re priced at a premium simply because they can be (similar to Chanel and Hermes). Not to mention, there are things that set GGDB shoes apart:
- The standard of the leather is excellent and should last forever with care.
- The shape is unique and flattering; the heel is slightly elevated, elongating the legs.
- The interior lining is loopback cotton toweling, making them warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Each pair is made by hand, so there’s technically no other sneaker that’s exactly like your pair!
About the Brand
The Golden Goose brand was created in 2000 by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo. It places a huge emphasis on “things that are lived in, distressed, and touched with life.” So, 99% of their shoes look scuffed or dirty.
Each pair is handmade and hand-distressed in Venice, Italy, which makes them more expensive to produce.
GGDB (Golden Goose Deluxe Brand) releases new styles every season. Every shoe has subtle design details that make it special.
How to Style Golden Goose Sneakers
Below I’m sharing a few Golden Goose sneaker outfit ideas.
My go-to look is ankle-length jeans, a simple t-shirt, and a jacket. They’re also my favorite sneaker to wear with skirts and dresses because the lifted heel is really flattering.
Golden Goose FAQ
Why do Golden Goose sneakers look dirty?
Golden Goose sneakers look dirty because unkempt is part of the Italian brand’s aesthetic.
They’re made to appear worn! Small marks are added to give them an authentic, lived-in feel.
If you’re looking for a non-distressed pair, try their Pure Star sneakers.
What are the most popular Golden Goose sneakers?
The most popular Golden Goose sneakers are the Purestar, Superstar, Mid-Star, and the high tops.
Within each style, you can choose from a wide variety of shoes, from full-on glitter and zebra animal print to white with a little something extra.
How much do Golden Goose sneakers cost?
Golden Goose sneakers cost $400–$700 USD new, depending on the style, design, and materials.
They’re expensive because each shoe is handcrafted and unique in some way. In general, the more materials involved (leather, shearling, calf hair, sequins, glitter), the higher the price tag of the shoe.
Where can I find Golden Goose sneakers on sale?
You can occasionally find Golden Goose sneakers on sale at SSENSE, Cettire, MyTheresa, TheRealReal, Farfetch, Shopbop, Net-A-Porter, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales.
Even with sale styles, expect to pay at least $200.
Are there any good Golden Goose dupes?
As with most luxury products, there aren’t any dupes out there that are going to deliver the whole GGDB package for less.
P448 is a similar brand that also emphasizes a lived-in look, but they’re still pricey. As far as white sneakers go, I recommend Sam Edelman, Frye, Veja (see my review here), and Common Projects (see my review here).
I hope this Golden Goose review helps you feel confident in making a decision about these shoes! If you have a question, send me a DM on Instagram.
I love golden goose sneakers and would buy a lot more if they had my number. I wear 7.5. Number 37 is tight on my foot and 38 is big. Both numbers cause blisters on my heel every time I wear them, which is why I have two that stay in my closet unused. Too bad
It is a bummer that they don’t do half sizes. Maybe that’s on their radar for the future! Veja and Common Projects are two alternative sneaker brands to check out—they do half sizes and have really nice styles.
Why keep stuff you can’t wear?
These have been popular for awhile — I hope you jumped on board and bought your first pair several years ago.
They don’t look that special. Nice, that they are hand made.
It’s always interesting to hear opinions about GGDB! I find they’re fairly polarizing—you either love them or you don’t. 🙂
So thankful for your description!!
So glad to hear that, Irene! Thank you for reading!
Vintage Havanas are surprisingly close dupes and once you have worn them and dirtied them they look just liked GG
Ooh I’ll have to check them out! Thank you for sharing!
Hello … this shoe is not true to size! I’ve got a size 8 which is my size and they are tight and not comfortable! I’m going to send them to be stretched and hopefully that will do the job. If I send for a size 9 I’m pretty sure they will be too big.
Thank you for that feedback, Veronica! I polled my readers and it sounds like it’s about 50:50. My true size fits perfectly and the same is true for many of them, but a handful needed to size up. This might be the case if you’re between sizes. I hope you can find a pair that work for you! I wish they did half sizes, too. Best of luck!
Where is your jacket from. Love it!!
& thank you for the great review.
It’s old by Vera Moda, but you can find a similar option here: Apparis Jacket
I’m so glad the review was helpful! Thank you for reading!