Atoms: The Most Underrated Everyday Sneaker
I don’t like any shoe that requires more than the bare minimum. If I have to get down on my knee to tie a shoe, I’m not going to wear it. If I can’t toss it in the washer or use a baby-wipe for a quick smudge cleanup, I’m not going to wear it. If it requires me to use a shoehorn, I will literally throw it, and the shoehorn, in the garbage.
This laziness presents a real issue, as sneakers are my preferred shoe. Not fancy, wait-in-line-at-5-a.m. sneakers, just functional (but like, cute) sneakers. I like to feel secure in my ankle socks — no-show socks are a sham and we all know it — as I tromp up and down the stairs seventy-million times a day.
Atoms, founded by Pakistani couple Sidra Qasim and Waqas Ali, sent me a pair to try out last year and I’ll be damned if they haven’t become my go-to shoes for everyday wear. Comparable to Allbirds, these shoes are lightweight (about 15 ounces, depending on your size), crazy-comfortable for a walk or all-day wear, and woven with copper to prevent that “foot smell.”
I have the Model 000, which comes in six colors (shown below). The brand has also introduced the Model 001, which appears to have a chunkier sole, designed for comfort during even longer wear.
The best thing about Atoms is that I have not once had to re-tie them. It’s been months. My feet feel snug as bugs in rugs, but because of the stretchy laces, I can slide them in and out of the shoes every morning and evening. Some other perks:
Machine washable
Unisex, so you can get a pair for everyone you know
Cushiony for sensitive feetsies
Vegan and recyclable
Should you be so obsessed with your own pair of Atoms, you’ll be pleased to know that they have a mini version for kids, too: Model 123. They did send me a pair for my daughter but we have yet to try them out — I’ll update this post once she fits into them.
For now, here are the Model 000 colors:
