The Best White Sneakers for Men (and Other Hot People)

I’m no sneakerhead, but I can for sure say, without any further research, classic white sneakers are the most versatile footwear in the game. And, as an American, I reserve the right to hold that opinion, no matter how much new information is provided to me, or how many new pairs of Balenciaga Crocs grace this mortal plain. White sneaks go perfectly with every outfit—they’re perfect for everyday use, you wear them with a suit (or a sweatsuit), and they match with literally every outfit imaginable. But, there is one thing I’ll note before you dive into the white sneaker game: You’re gonna need more than one pair. 

Yep, that may be the one downside to being a white sneaker aficionado: They get dirty, fast. Which is no big deal, really, but there’s nothing quite like sporting that bright-white pair of fresh sneaks with a new outfit. That’s why you’ve gotta have three pairs (at least). You need one pair for everyday use that you know is going to get dirty—this is the pair that’s going to see the most action during the week, from trips to the grocery store and laundromat to grimy, weeknight dive bar seshes with your buddies. The second pair you need is the “pretty nice” pair. These are in solid condition, the laces could probably use a swap, but there aren’t any stains or scuffs, and you’re comfortable wearing them out to a party, date, or well-lit get togethers. The final pair is the immaculate, crisp, whiter-than-Chip-Skylar’s-teeth set of sneakers that you can wear to formal events, holidays, anniversaries, and other big-time occasions. 

Now, shit happens, and your perfectly white pair will, inevitably, get dirty. Not to worry, though—once your shoes get cruddy, you can just continue the cycle. Your perfect pair becomes your “pretty nice” pair, your “pretty nice” pair becomes your everyday pair, and your everyday pair either gets tossed or donated, if it’s in good enough condition. That’s the beauty of white sneakers: They all kind of look the same and serve the same purpose, so interchanging them is no big deal. There are, however, some that are better than others, which is why we put together this handy-dandy list of some of our favorite pairs out there. 

Reebok

Whether you’re walking off the tennis court or down the street, some classic, white Reeboks are a perfect go-to sneaker option for nearly any outfit. They’re sturdy, low-profile, and come with different color accents that you can tailor to your OOTD. Given that the brand has been cosigned by noted good-taste-haver™ JJJJound, it’s clear that at least one pair from the brand deserves a spot in your shoe closet.

Adidas

These are, without question, my favorite white sneakers. They’re plain, but not boring, come with a colored heel for outfit-matching, and the leather uppers mean they’ll last a while. I find that I usually get around six months of constant wear before they get downgraded to my kickaround, beat-up pair.

If the Stan Smith silhouette is a little played out for you, Adidas’ indoor soccer classic—the Samba—reigned as one of the most popular sneakers in the last 12 months. If you’re asking us, this is the perfect time to slide into a pair while the trend (and the vibes, naturally) are still hot.

Vans

If you didn’t have these growing up, there’s a good chance you’re wearing them right now. Vans work with nearly every aesthetic and outfit for good reason—they’re comfortable, easy to match, and have a classic, pared-down look that’ll never go out of style. I’ve probably owned around eight pairs of slip-ons in my day, but the Old Skools and the crispy Authentics are just as easy to integrate into your everyday wear.

Converse

Besides being some of the best shoes for weightlifting, Chuck Taylors have stood the test of time, never really falling out of the internet’s good graces. This whited-out take on the canvas classic is kinda divisive, and personally, I’m not a huge fan. However, if they work for you—like they do for my roommate and millions of other people—they really work for you.

New Balance

Maybe it’s just the influence of those Nolita Dirtbag-types, maybe it’s the ascendency of Aimé Leon Dore, but New Balance is far from its former position as the de facto sneaker brand for dads. The aforementioned Aimé Leon Dore has made the 550 silhouette—a legacy model originally rooted in basketball—a modern, downtown mainstay. Similar in form to the Nike Air Force 1 (we’ll get to that in a minute), it’s a chunkier style that—like Dimes Square—is able to accommodate a lot of weird vibes without skipping a beat.

Nike 

No, we didn’t forget Nike. This list would, quite frankly, be incomplete without the addition of the Swoosh’s iconic Air Force 1s. A pair of Uptowns (the sneaker’s nickname in New York City) is one of the few mainstays in our wardrobes, going with just about anything—or, more importantly, any pant leg shape—that we can throw at it. Immune to trends and hardier than it has any right to be, if there’s a single shoe you should buy on this list, this is it.

Nike Monarchs? Now we’re talking. It’s almost always a catastrophically bad day to be a grill or unmowed lawn when someone’s got a pair of these bad boys on. In all seriousness, though, my girlfriend got these for me for Christmas, and they slap. They’re ridiculously comfortable, and are now ironically cool, or so I’m told. See you at Chili’s.

Now, go forth and squeak.

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The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.