White sneakers are a crucial Summer item.
Pair them with light wash denim for a warm, beach feel. Slip on some black jeans for stark contrast. Put on a pair of light weight chinos for maximum summer cool.
Wear them with shorts so your pasty shins look bronzed in comparison.
Whatever the (casual) occasion, a clean pair of white sneakers passes the dress code. And once they get dirty, that’s a look all it’s own.
Our #1 Choice
Common Projects Achilles Low Leather Sneaker
Whether you have money to blow on an easily tarnished $200 shoe, or you need a dirt cheap plimsoll for kicking around on Summer break, there’s something out there to fit your budget.
This is our list of the best white sneakers for men.
Nike
$: Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski
This white trainer shoe from Nike is as fashionable as they come in 2019, and as soon as they get too scuffed, dirty white canvas shoes can be just as fashionable. Just tweak the wardrobe, and you have an evolving fashion piece at an absurdly low price.
Converse
To up the price at a snail’s pace, we have a lace up canvas option from Converse. Converse has long been a stronghold in the last minute outfit world. You can throw something together that’s cheap AND fashionable in a way previously unheard of. The shape might make it a little more casual than a typical plimsoll, but it’s a solid option for most Summer shenanigans.
Reebok
With brands like Nike & Adidas muscling their way into the streetwear market, lesser known brands have gained popularity into casual footwear with minimalist white leather sneakers. The leather sneakers are reminiscent of the shelltoes, but they keep a much slimmer silhouette.
Vans
Our next pair is the go-to white sneaker. Vans have been a staple in the skater and alternative community for decades, and have enjoyed a prominent spot in the 21st Century hip-hop closet. With the clout that the name holds in the fashion world, Vans can at this point be worn with anything short of a Tuxedo. The Sk8 Hi also dirty up with the best of them, giving you an internationally recognized style that will last until you eat a whole through the heal.
Adidas
The rise of Athleisure means that “white sneaker” doesn’t always mean low profile any more. While white basketball shoes have always held a place of importance in the fashion world, running shoes are becoming more and more prominent. The Adidas Ultra Boost takes silhouette cues from Yeezys, while the snow white color gives them a clean, almost glowing, appeal.
Nike
The next sneaker departs sharply from the rest of the list, and for good reason. The Air Force 1s have been a staple in closets for years, especially in white. The reason this list doesn’t feature a lot of high top basketball shoes is simply because they can be hard to pair with an outfit. These are the exception. Credit the slim (ish) design or society’s subservience to the brand name, these just work. You’ll see some people pull them off with very slim jeans, but for the most part, stick with something more relaxed.
Adidas
These Stan Smiths are our first pricey casual shoes. Returning to the low profile of our cheap selection, these sneakers maintain that while managing to provide a pretty unique silhouette. The off-white tones thrown in let you have the appeal of a white sneaker without the monotone. The unique shape might throw off the most discerning dresser’s outfit, but for the average man, these are a welcome deviance.
Greats
For the busy man with no time, but plenty of cash to spend on luxury goods, this white leather sneaker by Greats is the perfect fit. With a design that promises “luxury,” the Royale is a perfect fit for pretty much anything weekend related. This is essentially the high-class alternative to the classic white shoe, but the high quality uppers and linings take the classic kick-around shoe to a new level.
Common Projects
$: Common Projects Original Achilles Low White
Our final and priciest shoe is this low top by Common Projects. While most would normal tear up a little about about a pair of shoes not aimed at sneakerheads costing this much, Common Projects makes it worth every penny. First of all, the shoes are crafted in Italy. If ethical labor standards and well-made goods are up your alley, that’s the best way to guarantee them. If you want to incorporate comfort, performance and luxury into your casual wear, this is the way to go.
