<p><a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g26414563/best-work-pants/” target=”_blank”>Dress it up</a> or <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g26539014/best-jeans-brands-for-men/” target=”_blank”>dress down</a>, get a slightly new shape or fabric to change up the whole feel. As white sneaker fiends ourselves, we’d recommend looking at <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g36384400/best-mens-leather-sneakers/” target=”_blank”>leather</a>, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a19601701/chuck-70-converse-sneaker-endorsement/” target=”_blank”>canvas</a>, <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g3353/suede-sneakers-men/” target=”_blank”>suede</a>, or even high-tech knitted fabric. The white <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/g29339512/best-winter-sneakers/” target=”_blank”>sneaker</a> is a year-round, endlessly cool staple. For warm-weather travel in particular, though, a great white sneaker can take the brunt of the shoe department.</p><p>From <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a42888557/cariuma-oca-low-sneaker-review/” target=”_blank”>high-tops to low-tops</a> to slip-ons, from high-end and luxe to old-school and affordable, we’ve rounded up some of the best white sneakers available now. These are the styles our editors have tried, tested, and loved. From our closet to yours. </p>” data-next-head/>
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A Casual Classic
Puma x Reigning Champ Palermo G
Pros
- Slightly more premium than a standard Puma Palermo
- Has a really nice timeless look
Cons
- Some people aren’t huge fans of that tag this model features
I love a Puma Palermo. It’s that low-top, football casual look, but it doesn’t go through the boom-and-bust trend cycle like the Adidas shoes. It’s just always a classic sneaker.
Right now, we really love this collaboration with Reigning Champ. It’s technically a golf shoe, so that sole is a bit beefed up with traction. (No spikes, though.) You get a full leather upper and a contrasting suede heel counter. Really good looking shoe.
Converse Chuck Taylor First String
Pros
- A more luxury version of the classic Chuck Taylor you’ve always worn
Cons
- Could go for a more small-batch sneaker at this price
The First String is getting marketed as the most premium Chuck Taylor of all time. That it most certainly is. This pair has a leather upper, Vibram outsole, and more premium laces. I’m a big RRL devotee, and it’s always making reproductions of old basketball shoes like this. Now, Converse makes it itself. Converse is selling these through a few selected premium retailers.
Prada Aged-Effect Leather Sneakers
Pros
- The best brand for designer sneakers
Cons
- Some designer sneaker buyers want people to know about it; these are more understated
I’m always wary of designer sneakers, but I will always give Prada its flowers. No brand has a better idea of what an exorbitantly expensive sneaker should be. I don’t want stompy and trend-obsessed. I want simple and timeless, even if it’s going to be a bit flashy. I think these sneakers nail that.
Best White Tennis Shoes
On The Roger Advantage
Pros
- Great look
- Probably the most comfortable shoe on this list
Cons
- Not the biggest fan of the branding, but it’s forgivable
All-white is part of the tennis uniform. We could have recommended Stan Smiths, the OG in this world, but we’re really into On right now. I actually like these tennis shoes more than most of the running gear the brand puts out. They’re simple, comfortable, and modern.
The On branding is a bit of a touchy subject for me; I don’t love it. But at this point, it’s so ubiquitous that I have no real problem with it. If you like the shape of the shoe, don’t let the letters on it stop you.
A Bit of a White Sneaker Swerve
Axel Arigato Slow Runner
Pros
- High-end construction, but doesn’t have the designer price tag
- Love the paneled construction
Cons
- Brand can be a bit too fashion-forward for some
I’m never sure if Axel Arigato falls into the luxury sneaker conversation or not. That’s not because I don’t consider it an incredibly well-made shoe. It’s because of the more reasonable $300-$400 price range. “Luxury” gets me warmed up for shoes that cost a rent check.
The Slow Runner is a very on-trend sneaker for this current moment. With all the panelling over top of the mesh, it’s got a bit of a ’90s thing going on. But I still appreciate that the sole is small’ makes the shoe really easy to wear. It hits all the marks that more designer shoes hit, but it’s way less obnoxious.
Of course, if you want a traditional white sneaker, the Axel Arigato Clean 90 is that. And it’s beyond the confines of this story, but the brand’s Daze Runner is another really marvelous sneaker.
A Cheap German Army Trainer Alternative
Skechers Hotshot – Azir
Pros
- Great price
- Decent take on the German Army Trainer
Cons
- If you can pay closer to $100, I would just get the GAT colorway of an Adidas Samba
In other colorways, this Hotshot Azir looks like a classic Skechers dupe. But in this off-white with a gum sole colorway, it’s a surprisingly good take on a German Army Trainer. Credit to Skechers for keeping the design simple and make that “S” just abstract enough to not hit you over the head with the branding.
The Be-All, End-All White Sneaker
Common Projects Achilles Low
Pros
- Dead simple: good materials, good construction, good shape
Cons
- Basic, if you want to be flashy
Look, I don’t really need to tell you about Common Projects. Chances are, if you were googling “Best White Sneakers for Men,” you just wanted someone to tell you to buy these. I will oblige. You should buy these.
Even after they’ve been run into the ground by finance guys and uniform-dressing art gallerists, a pair of Common Projects Achilles Low are still the pinnacle of the white sneaker world. Great construction, good leather, and a simple look. If you want one sneaker to wear for the rest of your life, make it this one.
What to Shop For
Not all white sneakers are created equal. Take it from me, a person who once had upwards of 50 white sneakers in their closet. Here are some details to keep in mind:
The Shape: A low-profile white sneaker (like from Greats or Koio) is fresh and easy for the office or going out to dinner. But sometimes a high-top is a little cooler or something a little chunkier is more your style. I also love an athletic shoe, for athletics or not. All of these wear differently.
The Materials: The low-top sneaker with a simple leather upper is going to be one of the easiest to wear, and everyone should have one—it’s timeless and a true no-brainer. But for something more casual, there are canvas and knit uppers. For something edgier, there are combinations of those, suede, you name it.
The Aesthetic: It’s largely the combination of shape and materials that create the aesthetic of the shoe. It is a sneaker, so it will always be casual. But the higher-quality the materials and the simpler the design, the sleeker the feel.
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