From everyday kicks to luxury silhouettes, here are the white sneakers to keep on rotation in your closet
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White sneakers are here to stay. From pulled-together office outfits to casual weekend and travel looks, white sneakers have a place in just about every environment. In other words, the best white sneakers have become wardrobe and footwear staples, and there’s never been a better time to pick up a fresh pair.
Different pairs have meandered in and out of style, and only a select few have become bonafide classics. Below are some of the latter; sneakers that have endured over time, and deserve a place in everyone’s wardrobe.
The best white sneakers range from low-tops to high-tops, canvas to Italian leather, and athletic to casual. But despite their differences, any white sneaker will be just about the most versatile thing in your closet.
What Are the Best White Sneakers to Buy Right Now?
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite white sneakers to wear on a daily basis. From everyday kicks to those pristine white shoes you keep for a special occasion, here are the best white sneakers to buy online right now.
TOP PICK
Cariuma OCA Low Leather Sneakers
We like these Cariumas for their pebbled leather upper, vintage-inspired detailing, and a textured outsole, but we love them for their sustainability. The brand sources materials from ethical factories, makes sneakers that last longer (to reduce waste), and plants a pair of trees in the Brazilian rainforest with each pair of sneakers sold.
With well-made durability, the sneakers work great for skating, cycling, and long walks (maybe down a beach trail), but they also look great with office attire and casual weekend fits. This bestselling OCA Low style comes in multiple sizes and colors and is also available as a canvas or suede version.
READERS’ CHOICE
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers
High-top Converse Chuck Taylors (often called “Chucks”) have been around forever. They’re an iconic throwback, and this white variant is the most classic. The red-and-white highlights on the sole, plus the All Star logo on the ankle combine for an instantly recognizable pair of kicks that can be worn with jeans, tees, chinos, and even button-ups in the right setting.
Converse sneakers have been a staple for rock bands and rappers alike, and readers love these sneaks for festival and concert style. Choose from a canvas version (above) or pick up a pair in all-white leather here.
BEST LAIDBACK PICK
Vans Classic Slip-On
Channeling laid-back style really just requires a pair of Vans slip-ons. They feature a durable canvas upper and a simple sole that create one of the cleanest silhouettes in footwear. The sneakers look at home with anything you wear but the Vans slip-ons can also be rocked with button-ups and trim chinos. You can definitely get away with wearing them to the office, as long as you keep them clean.
BEST SUSTAINABLE SNEAKERS
Veja V-10 Sneakers
Veja has become one of our favorite sustainable sneaker brands in the world that also happens to make some of the most stylish shoes you can buy. This V-10 model, designed with Amazonian rubber from Brazil, is our top choice. It sports the simple Veja logo, a logo-stamped heel tab, and an off-white sole. They’re super wearable, classic, and versatile, no matter where you’re going.
MINIMALIST PICK
Common Projects Achilles
White sneakers aren’t just reserved for casual wear. The Common Projects Achilles are an upgraded version of throwback leather sneakers, integrating premium materials into a more modern, minimal silhouette. Add the now-recognizable gold serial numbers by the heel and you get a subtle, statement-making accessory.
The Achilles’ minimalism makes them an ideal candidate for dressed-up sneakers (say, to the office), but they also pull together casual outfits including jeans, shorts, and even sweats. Keep them clean and pristine and they pair easily with a crisp suit and trousers too.
BEST RETRO PICK
Asics Japan S Sneaker
Asics is a brand that has come back in a big way in recent years, with fans flocking to their retro styling of their shoes. These low-tops are based on an original 1981 model, and we love all the callbacks to that era, with the classic Asics stripes, raised edges, chunky sole and basketball sneaker-inspired upper. These white sneakers keep you comfortable whether you’re playing a game of pick-up on the court or just running errands around town.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Skechers Arch Fit Legend – Drezo
Imagine our surprise when we complimented a guy on his sneakers recently only for him to tell us that he was wearing Skechers. The famous mall-brand store has stepped up its offerings in recent years (pun intended) with celebrity collaborations, and luxe, streamlined offerings that look way more expensive than their $100 price point.
These sneakers feature a stark white leather upper, a low profile silhouette, and Skechers’ “Arch Fit” technology, which creates a more comfortable experience thanks to a removable insole that molds to your feet for extra cushioning and support.
BEST DRESSY SNEAKERS
Allen Edmonds Courtside Sneakers
Another great luxury white sneaker is the Courtside from Allen Edmonds. The premium kicks use quality leather, including a comfortable leather liner. There’s zero branding to be seen on the outside of the shoes, drawing attention to the craftsmanship instead. Of all the best white sneakers, these are probably the most dressy and office-ready, which makes sense, since Allen Edmonds has made its name for decades as a go-to pick for upscale menswear.
This is also our go-to pick for white sneakers. In fact, we keep two pairs of these on rotation: one for everyday wear with jeans and sweats, and one that we keep in the closet for special occasions.
BEST COURT SHOE
Adidas Originals Stan Smith Sneakers
The predecessor to Adidas Stan Smith was the Adidas Robert Haillet, the first-ever leather tennis shoe. The shoes were renamed Stan Smiths in the Seventies when Adidas signed the shoe’s namesake. The Stans were ground-breaking back then, and recently led the charge in the return of the white sneaker. And it’s easy to see why. The shoes are a classic through-and-through, featuring three perforated stripes down the sides, a green heel tab, and a no-frills overall design. Even though the Stan Smiths are now everywhere, they deserve a spot in your closet.
MUST-HAVE PAIR
Nike Air Force 1
If you’re looking for a streetstyle legend, go with the Air Force 1. The iconic sneakers feature a chunky, casual look that has attained the stamp of approval from both sneakerheads and fashionistas (and that’s not even counting Nelly’s famous musical ode to the shoes).
Aside from their classic style (and artist name drops), they’re also some of the most well-made shoes you’ll find (they’ve been our daily kicks for over three years and haven’t busted). Everybody needs a pair of Air Force 1s in their closet.
MOST COMFORTABLE
Men’s Allbirds Tree Runners
Allbirds soared to fame a few years ago with its ultra-comfortable, minimalist sneakers. These soft and flexible kicks are designed to be worn sockless with moisture-wicking, odor-minimizing material, such as eucalyptus tree fibers in the case of these Tree Runners. And the best part? You can throw them in the wash to easily clean and sanitize them. Allbirds also nails the minimalist sneaker style that we’re seeing everywhere right now, and in this off-white colorway, they’re some of the best everyday kicks around.
RETRO STYLE
Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Sneakers
These Reebok Club Cs offer a great way to subtly introduce some Eighties style into your everyday wardrobe. The Club C 85 Vintage (the most recent iteration of the Club Cs) are nearly identical to the original Eighties model, which is a testament to the sneaker’s timelessness. They’re on the casual side, so we recommend wearing them on the weekends with jeans and your favorite vintage concert tee.