Mindy Kaling’s Chunky Sneakers Persuaded Us to Refresh Our Closet Thanks to One Eye-Catching Detail

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Getty (1); New Blance (1)

Getty (1); New Blance (1)

Picking theright sneakers for a theme park dayis no small task, which is whyMindy Kalingwas prepared.

The star ofThe Mindy Projectrecently tookher kiddosto Universal Orlando Resort, where she wore a pair of chunky New Balance shoes known for packing some serious cushioning. She shared a fewInstagram picsfrom the day, showing off herNew Balance 1906Rs.

Mindy Kaling Instagram

Several celebrities worechunky sneakerslast year, includingMargot RobbieandSalma Hayek, but we love the silver metallic detailing on Kaling’s that puts a fun spin on the classic dad sneakers.

New Balance 1906R Sneakers

New Blance

$155 at Newbalance.com

When you envision a pair of dad shoes, chunky New Balance sneakers might be the first ones you think of.Jennifer Anistonhas worn the brand and Kaling clearly trusts it enough to carry her across one of the world’s biggest theme parks. Her 1906R sneakers are anything but subtle in their styling, which is why we love them as a fun alternative to theclassic white sneaker.

This Y2K-inspired design is tricked out with webs of silver and glossy black popping off the plain white mesh uppers that keep your feet cool. “The most comfortable and stylish shoe ever,” wrote one person who said they wore theirs for 12 hours on a day of airport hopping. “Definitely walking shoes.”

Dream Pairs Chunky Liv Sneakers

Amazon

$48$28 at Amazon

Visually, the look of these Dream Pairs sneakers at Amazon is super similar to the New Balances we saw Kaling wearing — but they’re more than $100 less. The current sale price has them going for under $30, which is a great deal for a sneakerthat’s been called“super cushy and comfy” and “on trend.”

With a thick heel and mesh upper, these sneakers are ideal for long days of walking and the design is, again, straight out of the early ’00s. “The most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn,”wrote another shopper. “So cute [and] I get tons of compliments.”

Skechers Shadow Stellar 90

Sketchers

$80 at Skechers.com

If you really want to embrace the retro sneaker trend, these Skechers will take you right back to the days of the iPod. The Stellar 90s have a squeaky clean look that’s less busy than the shoes Kaling wore but still has the hallmarks of a comfy dad sneaker: a chunky heel, mesh upper, and wide toe box.

These vegan kicks have a memory foam insole that the brand says will keep the air flowing into your shoe with every step. The high-traction outsole is another nice touch for days of walking around a theme park, where the pavement can get slippery. You can even take 20 percent off the price through January 14 with a free membership to the Skechers loyalty program.

New Balance 530 Sneakers

New Balance

$100 at Newbalance.com

Asics Gel-1130 Sneakers

Anthropologie

$100 at Anthropologie

Charles & Keith Gaskell Metallic Mesh Chunky Sneakers

Charles & Keith

$86 at Charleskeith.com

Calvin Klein Magalee Sneakers

Zappos

$99$90 at Zappos

Adidas Crazychaos 2000, $65 with code

DSW

$80$65 at Dsw.com

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source: people.com