The very best white sneakers for males are greater than a mere wardrobe staple—they’re the bottom of the menswear meals pyramid, the pair of footwear you’ll doubtless attain for greater than another in your closet. Which explains why there are a mind-boggling quantity of white sneakers accessible, from all-time classics to wild-style flexes, upscale designer fashions to reasonably priced upstart manufacturers.
And whereas white sneakers, usually, aren’t the sneakers you lust after, drool over, or dream about (then come up quick on the SNKRS app after they drop), there may be an plain hit of endorphins if you crack open a contemporary pair. Scuff-free. Gleaming. As a result of one of the best white sneakers are at all times the most recent pair you’ve got received. Positive, there’s a bit of disappointment if you thank your outdated, roughed-up pair of white sneakers for his or her lengthy and distinguished service and set them free. They delivered a whole lot of wears; held down a whole lot of suits. It is the circle of life.
To maintain the circle going, we surveyed a whole lot of potential white sneaks, examined out the cream of the crop, and settled on these seven picks—together with 25 honorable mentions—as one of the best white sneakers for males. (With just a few extra right here should you want solely the finest white sneakers below $100.)
Go forth and be contemporary.
Don’t miss GQ’s definitive information to every part kicks—from the forms of sneakers at all times value copping to one of the best methods to attain the subsequent sizzling drop.
The Greatest White Sneakers for Finances-Aware Minimalists: Adidas Originals Stan Smith
It may appear loopy now, over a decade into its comeback, however for awhile there it was actually exhausting to discover a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths. In 2011, for causes unbeknownst to us—possibly a scarcity of gross sales, possibly to create a man-made shortage—Adidas ceased manufacturing of their most iconic tennis shoe for the primary time since its launch within the early ’70s. Immediately, the once-ubiquitous sneakers had been popping up on eBay for quadruple the retail worth. By the point Adidas introduced them again round in 2014, folks had been clamoring for the OG low-tops, resulting in the Nice Stan Smith Increase of the 2010s. It appeared like each movie star on the planet was stepping out within the Three Stripes classics, and scarcely a difficulty of GQ would go by with out them popping up someplace in our pages. The relaunch hysteria has fortunately pale over time, however the Stan Smith’s enchantment completely hasn’t. Irrespective of what number of commas you’ve in your checking account, these $95 icons provides you with all of the extremely clear vibes you could possibly ask for. Simply pray Adidas by no means takes them away once more.
The Greatest White Sneakers Constructed Like Bench-Made Wingtips: Frequent Initiatives BBall
When it first landed on the scene in 2004, the Frequent Initiatives Achilles Low felt revolutionary: a easy, streamlined tennis shoe crafted by hand in Italy from positive Napa leather-based. In 2022, the luxurious sneaker market is flooded with riffs on minimalist low-top sneakers—however CP nonetheless does ‘em higher than anyone. Our favourite mannequin as of late is the BBall, which marries the label’s signature no-frills aesthetic and high-quality development with hallmarks from timeless classics just like the Air Power 1 and Stan Smith. Nonetheless clear and supple and constructed to final, however rather less stark and plain than its predecessor.
The Greatest White Sneakers that Show Large is Stunning: Nike Air Power 1 ’07
All actual sneakerheads know that black Air Power 1s are a foul omen—should you see somebody in them, it means it is best to flip and run. White Air Power 1s, alternatively, are an indication of nothing past the wearer’s very positive style. Since 1982, after they had been launched as Nike’s first basketball shoe to function its revolutionary Air tech, the AF1 has held it down because the Swoosh’s single most dependable mannequin. It’s hardly the flashiest Nike ever launched, or one of the best acting on the court docket, or essentially the most storied—nevertheless it’s tasteful, understated, and wholly timeless, three adjectives that don’t get thrown round in sneaker circles typically sufficient. Lengthy earlier than Balenciaga made clownishly outsized sneakers a factor, Air Power 1s had been chunkier and extra bulbous than any of the sneakers that got here earlier than them. When doused in all-white, these proportions—together with the perforations on the toe and the panelling alongside the perimeters—really feel all of the extra statuesque. And whereas they give the impression of being unimaginable contemporary out the field, they’re amongst a uncommon class of white leather-based kicks that genuinely nonetheless look killer smoked to excessive hell. Whether or not you are in your first pair or your fortieth, it is by no means actually a foul time to select up one other.
The Greatest Model of the Greatest White Canvas Sneakers: Converse Chuck 70 sneaker
Seems to be-wise, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star has hardly modified in any respect because it first hit the hardwood within the early Twenties. By way of development, although, the no-frills GOAT hit its peak within the ’70s: the canvas higher was weightier, the rubber midsole rode up a bit of greater, the toe cap was a contact smaller, and the patch on the again of the heel was a cool retro black relatively than the usual white. A number of years again, Converse determined to make them that approach once more. For a cool $85, the Chuck 70 will get you all these key design upgrades, plus the advantage of trendy cushioning put in into the thicker classic outsoles. They’re the identical Chucks you’ve got at all times beloved, solely higher.
The Greatest Beneath-the-Radar White Sneaker: Reebok Membership C 85 sneaker
If Pete Doherty’s lyrics and each concern of NME from the ‘90s are to be believed, the Reebok Membership C is the most-worn sneaker—sorry, coach—by wayward youths within the British Isles. It is also the exact same sneaker that Harry Kinds himself turned to for a clear look. What makes the Membership C such an excellent all-purpose shoe? It is nondescript sufficient to work with every part in your wardrobe, however nonetheless distinctive sufficient (that tiny Union Jack on the emblem!) to not look completely bland. In the event you’re eager to change up your common rotation of Chucks and Stan Smiths—otherwise you’re a very large Pulp fan—the Membership C is the way in which to go.
The Greatest White Sneakers for Racing By the Mountains: Salomon XT-Wings Superior 2
When the legendary French outdoor clothes shop Salomon needed to get extra folks eager about their hyper-functional sneakers, they scoured their archives for silhouettes that might function canvasses for wild colorways: electrical limes, hearth truck reds, contemporary ocean blues. Because it occurs, although, Salomon’s footwear look a lot sharp with no coloration in any respect. The nylon mesh, smooth panels, and quick-lace system work even higher collectively iced out in glacial whites, and the grippy lug soles appear in some way fiercer. Like all Salomon kicks, the XT-Wings Superior 2 has all of the instruments to beat craggy mountainsides, nevertheless it’ll carry out simply as nicely on town streets together with your largest brunch suits.
The Greatest New College, Fascist-Preventing White Sneakers: Stepney Staff Membership “Dellow”
Quite a lot of upstart manufacturers strive their fingers at making retro vulcanized sneakers, however few have as wealthy a backstory or as distinct a standpoint as Stepney Staff Membership. Based in London in 2018, S.W.C. borrows its title from a Twenties anti-fascist sports activities group, and its signature mannequin—the Dellow—is predicated immediately on an outdated canvas sneaker the model’s designers as soon as got here throughout. They up to date the straightforward design and exquisite development, added their very own winsome handshake emblem, after which decked the shoe out in a variety of colours and supplies. Nowadays you will discover the Dellow in easy suedes and hardy canvases, however for our cash one of the best model is that this white leather-based model. It is lower than $90 for a sneaker with a long time of historical past and good design below its belt. That is the way you craft an on the spot traditional, children.
