The most effective 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 possible attain for greater than every other in your closet. Which explains why there are a mind-boggling quantity of white sneakers obtainable, from all-time classics to wild-style flexes, upscale designer fashions to inexpensive upstart manufacturers.
And whereas white sneakers, typically, 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 whenever you crack open a recent pair. Scuff-free. Gleaming. As a result of the perfect white sneakers are all the time the latest pair you have received. Certain, there’s somewhat disappointment whenever you thank your outdated, roughed-up pair of white sneakers for his or her lengthy and distinguished service and set them free. They delivered lots of of wears; held down lots of of matches. It is the circle of life.
To maintain the circle going, we surveyed lots of of potential white sneaks, examined out the cream of the crop, and settled on these seven picks—together with 21 honorable mentions—as the perfect white sneakers for males. (With a number of extra right here for those who want solely the perfect white sneakers below $100.)
Go forth and be recent.
Don’t miss GQ’s definitive information to all the things kicks—from the varieties of sneakers all the time value copping to the perfect methods to attain the following sizzling drop.
The Finest White Sneakers for Finances-Acutely aware Minimalists: Adidas Originals Stan Smith
It may appear loopy now, over a decade into its comeback, however for awhile there it was actually arduous to discover a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths. In 2011, for causes unbeknownst to us—possibly an absence 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. Instantly, the once-ubiquitous sneakers had been popping up on eBay for quadruple the retail value. 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 Growth of the 2010s. It appeared like each celeb on the planet was stepping out within the Three Stripes classics, and scarcely a problem of GQ would go by with out them popping up someplace in our pages. The relaunch hysteria has fortunately light over time, however the Stan Smith’s enchantment completely hasn’t. Regardless of what number of commas you’ve got in your checking account, these $95 icons gives you all of the extremely clear vibes you might ask for. Simply pray Adidas by no means takes them away once more.
The Finest White Sneakers Constructed Like Bench-Made Wingtips: Widespread Initiatives BBall
When it first landed on the scene in 2004, the Widespread Initiatives Achilles Low felt revolutionary: a easy, streamlined tennis shoe crafted by hand in Italy from tremendous Napa leather-based. In 2022, the posh sneaker market is flooded with riffs on minimalist low-top sneakers—however CP nonetheless does ‘em higher than anyone. Our favourite mannequin lately is the BBall, which marries the label’s signature no-frills aesthetic and high-quality building with hallmarks from timeless classics just like the Air Pressure 1 and Stan Smith. Nonetheless clear and supple and constructed to final, however rather less stark and plain than its predecessor.
The Finest White Sneakers that Show Huge is Stunning: Nike Air Pressure 1 ’07
All actual sneakerheads know that black Air Pressure 1s are a nasty omen—for those who see somebody in them, it means it’s best to flip and run. White Air Pressure 1s, however, are an indication of nothing past the wearer’s very tremendous 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 the perfect acting on the courtroom, or essentially the most storied—however 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 Pressure 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 unbelievable recent 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 nasty time to select up one other.
The Finest Model of the Finest White Canvas Sneakers: Converse Chuck 70 sneaker
Appears to be like-wise, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star has hardly modified in any respect because it first hit the hardwood within the early Twenties. When it comes to building, although, the no-frills GOAT hit its peak within the ’70s: the canvas higher was weightier, the rubber midsole rode up somewhat greater, the toe cap was a contact smaller, and the patch on the again of the heel was a cool retro black reasonably than the usual white. A number of years again, Converse determined to make them that means once more. For a cool $85, the Chuck 70 will get you all these key design upgrades, plus the advantage of fashionable cushioning put in into the thicker classic outsoles. They’re the identical Chucks you have all the time cherished, solely higher.
The Finest Underneath-the-Radar White Sneaker: Reebok Membership C 85 sneaker
If Pete Doherty’s lyrics and each subject 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 Types himself turned to for a clear look. What makes the Membership C such a perfect all-purpose shoe? It is nondescript sufficient to work with all the things in your wardrobe, however nonetheless distinctive sufficient (that tiny Union Jack on the brand!) to not look completely bland. If you happen to’re eager to change up your common rotation of Chucks and Stan Smiths—otherwise you’re a very huge Pulp fan—the Membership C is the best way to go.
The Finest White Sneakers for Racing Via the Mountains: Salomon XT-Wings Superior 2
When the legendary French outside clothing store Salomon needed to get extra folks inquisitive about their hyper-functional sneakers, they scoured their archives for silhouettes that would function canvasses for wild colorways: electrical limes, hearth truck reds, recent ocean blues. Because it occurs, although, Salomon’s footwear look lots sharp with no colour 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 one way or the other fiercer. Like all Salomon kicks, the XT-Wings Superior 2 has all of the instruments to beat craggy mountainsides, however it’ll carry out simply as effectively on town streets along with your greatest brunch matches.
The Finest New College, Fascist-Preventing White Sneakers: Stepney Staff Membership “Dellow”
A variety of upstart manufacturers attempt their arms at making retro vulcanized sneakers, however few have as wealthy a backstory or as distinct a viewpoint as Stepney Staff Membership. Based in London in 2018, S.W.C. borrows its identify from a Twenties anti-fascist sports activities group, and its signature mannequin—the Dellow—is predicated instantly on an outdated canvas sneaker the model’s designers as soon as got here throughout. They up to date the straightforward design and exquisite building, added their very own winsome handshake brand, after which decked the shoe out in a variety of colours and supplies. Nowadays you will discover the Dellow in clean suedes and hardy canvases, however for our cash the perfect model is that this white leather-based model. It is lower than $90 for a sneaker with a long time of historical past and sensible design below its belt. That is the way you craft an immediate basic, children.
21 Extra White Sneakers We Love
