Let’s face it, the summer is expiring. The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and a good portion of the population will be heading back to school. As that return is nigh, we figured now would be a fitting time to remind our readers of the important preparation that lies ahead. No, we don’t mean mentally steeling yourself for the rigors of academia. We mean getting your fits right—specifically your sneakers.
To aid in that, some of the Complex staff picked shoes that we feel are appropriate for heading back to school: things that are fresh, accessible, and interesting. We left hot, hype collabs off here, but feel free to blow your money on those if that’s your thing. (If you’re blowing your money on reps of them though, leave us out of the conversation.) Our hope is that these will make your back-to-school experience a little less painful, a little more sure footed.
All products are independently selected by our editors. Complex may collect a share of sales from the links on this page if you decide to shop them.
Reebok Club C
Price: $90
Anyone who knows me knows that if you see me outside of the house, nine times out of 10, I’m going to be wearing a pair of Reebok Club Cs. I’m even wearing them as I write this blurb right now. They are as versatile as sneakers come: you can dress them up with a collared shirt and a pair of slacks if you’re trying to put something on for the first day of school, or you can dress them down with a pair of jeans or sweats just as easily. On top of that, you can grab a pair in just about any colorway for $90 any time that you want, and they’re right there for you again when you run through the pair you have on now. —Ben Felderstein
Shop Reebok’s inventory of the Reebok Club C here.
Nike Air Max Dn
Price: 170
The Nike Air Max Dn was introduced to celebrate Air Max Day in 2024 and touted as having Nike’s latest cushioning innovation. Such technology may imply that it’s a performance shoe, but this one was intended more for all-day comfort, not setting the best lap times. While it could be used for the occasional workout, it’s a much better candidate to wear for a long day of class. This version is reminiscent of the original “Hyper Blue” colorway of the Air Max Plus, a shoe that the Dn silhouette itself also takes design inspiration from. There is no shortage of colorway options though, including a USA-themed version recently seen on the medal stand of the 2024 Olympics. —Zac Dubasik
Shop Nike’s inventory of the Nike Air Max Dn here.
Asics GT-2160
Price: $130
Mesh running sneakers have become all the rage in recent years and their popularity will likely continue into the start of the upcoming school year. One of the more affordable and versatile options in that category is the Asics GT-2160. We can point to collaborations like the recent Kith x Marvel pairs boosting its popularity, but a sign that this silhouette holds up on its own is that even the general release colorways are selling out. That said, there are still some styles available at retail though, including this vintage-themed cream pair. —Victor Deng
Shop Asics inventory of the Asics GT-2160 here.
New Balance 1906R
Price: $155
New Balance has been on a run with mesh running shoes for decades now, but finally made them cool in the lifestyle space over the past couple summers. It may be another Mesh Boyz Summer, but it’s OK to keep them on feet when transitioning to fall. The New Balance 1906R has been a standout shoe for the past two years, thanks in part to projects from the likes of Aime Leon Dore, Action Bronson, and Salehe Bembury, but there are also great inline colorways to get, too. They’re even arguably just as good as the limited-edition pairs. And they won’t crease when you wear them to school a couple of times a week. —Matt Welty
Shop New Balance’s inventory of the New Balance 1906R here.
Nike Air Max Sunder
Price: $180
Nothing compares to that transitional stage where summer ends and class begins. Yeah, it’s always bittersweet, but for a lot of us, going back to school meant new clothes and, of course, new shoes. We’ve graduated from the classic Nike Air Force 1, and kids these days want something new. So what better than the return of a 1999 Nike banger like the Sunder? You’ve got a choice between the colors of canyon, pink, and volt. The best part about the Air Max Sunder is the level of comfort and convenience the shoe provides. The neoprene upper adds softness, while the zipper in the center provides overall stability. So if you’re walking to school, or walking long walls, the Sunder will have you looking and feeling good. P.S. I’m not here to teach you how to style the shoe, but the colors are bright, so less is more when wearing these. —Breeana Walker
Shop Sneaker Politics’ inventory of the Nike Air Max Sunder here.
Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty In Session
Price: $120
I remember wearing my first Fenty x Puma Creepers to death when they debuted almost a decade ago. After a brief hiatus on releasing new models, Rhianna returned last year with the Creeper Phatty silhouette, an oversized, exaggerated counterpart to the original. For 2024 Back to School season, Rhi delivers the Phatty In Session, outfitted in textural corduroy that gives the shoe a cozier feel. My favorite colorway from the new release is this Triple Black—I’ll be wearing it through the fall and winter, and the Fenty Creeper 10-year anniversary next year. —YJ Lee
Shop Puma’s inventory of the Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty In Session here.
New Balance 990v3
Price: $185
We love a colorful collab, but sometimes you just can’t beat the classics. If you are looking for a sneaker that can be dressed up or down with pretty much anything, look no further than the grey New Balance 990v3. Some people prefer the 990v4. Others may like the updated 990v6. But if you ask me, the 990v3 that debuted in 2012 is the best of the bunch. Put most simply, the silhouette just looks the best on your foot. From my experience, these also take the longest to show toe creases, which will be very beneficial once you want to start wearing them every single day. That type of longevity also helps justify the semi-steep $185 price tag. Did I mention they’re incredibly comfortable? These aren’t as easy to come by right now as some others in the 990s series, but if you see them on the shelf, don’t hesitate. Some people hate wearing the same shoe more than once a week. If you have these, you won’t be able to help yourself. —Mike DeStefano
Shop Snipes’ inventory of the New Balance 990v3 here.
Hoka Clifton 9
Price: $145
Unlike a lot of the sneakers that collectors obsess over, Hokas are actually comfortable; they are not a rehash of some ancient silhouette made with the cheapest possible materials. That’s another thing that makes Hoka enjoyable right now—their good shoes are new, not retros of things that we’ve seen and experienced a million times—there’s something fulfilling about wearing shoes that hail from this century. We could steer you in the direction of recent heat like Satisfy’s Mafate Speed 4 Lite collab, or the latest Tor, but more accessible and arguably just as good is the Clifton 9 in this oat milk/alabaster colorway. The shoe is fine for running if you need to do that, but it’s also just a clean everyday pair that communicates you have an appreciation for sneaker design that extends beyond the 1980s. —Brendan Dunne
Shop Hoka’s inventory of the Hoka Clifton 9 here.
Nike Air Max Plus
Price: $180
Regardless of where you’ve been on this list thus far, congrats, you’ve landed at the perfect back to school sneaker. The Air Max Plus (or TN) is currently trending (check), it’s a return of an original colorway (check), and there’s even a global soccer slant to it thanks to the affiliation through the soccer gear of Vini Jr and co. The best part? There’s no need for a StockX link to cop, as these are available in full size runs everywhere. The perfect shoe to (sun) set the tone for your school year. —Joe La Puma
Shop Nike’s inventory of the Nike Air Max Plus here.
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