I am a huge supporter of sneakers, but no, I refuse to call myself a “sneakerhead.” At a striking 5’11 since the age of 15, I have never felt the need to wear any other type of shoe. Even in the summer when my mother forces me to buy a pair of ‘sandals’, whatever those are, I always convince her to just let me rock in my sneakers. It’s always best to wear sneakers because not only are they comfortable but they’re versatile, perfect for any activity that might be thrown at you on a whim! People like to constantly wear the same shoe and I get it, I also love wearing my beat-up Air Forces or Black Converse but here are some great choices, for both men and women, that will easily step up your sneaker game! (I am a huge proponent of wearing men’s shoes and believe that all shoes are unisex.)
1. Nike Blazer Mid ’77
I got my first pair of Blazer Mid’s in high school and I remember I wore them until there were holes in the sole. It wasn’t until earlier this summer that I saw a pair I liked and decided to purchase them again. I’m not a huge high top person but these honestly look so good with any outfit, there are many different colorways, and they’re even customizable on the Nike website so you can create your own version! I highly recommend this shoe, I love the squishy foam tongue and the overall vintage look.
2. Reebok Club C 85 Shoe
I have never owned a pair of Reeboks and wouldn’t have thought to until recently when I’ve seen people sporting this shoe. It comes in a few different colors, is unisex, and overall a great white slip-on sneaker; this is definitely the next pair of shoes I am purchasing. If you have Unidays (which if you are a college student and don’t have MyUnidays you must download it now), you can get 50% off any Reebok shoe which is a major discount!
3. Soludos Yin Yang Platform Sneaker
Soludos, despite passing the store in SoHo over 100 times, is a sneaker brand I have recently discovered. They have gorgeous and environmentally friendly shoes, like what more could you ask for? The Yin Yang Platforms stuck out to me because of the unique design. I love the mixture of the black and white because people always want either black or white sneakers because they go with everything so this is a great combo! The laces on the sneakers are made with recycled plastic bottles and the leather is soft, not stiff. This is such a great transitional sneaker for going into fall.
4. Veja V-10 Leather White Nautico Pekin
I have also never owned a pair of Veja’s but they have been on my radar. A lot of my roommates this past year had them and when I was abroad in the fall I saw them all over Europe because they’re a French brand. One thing that I like Veja’s is not only are they stylish, but they low-key have a professional look. Depending on the job, I definitely think some people could pull off wearing these for work for example, people who have jobs in education or retail could purchase one of their neutral colors.
5. Hoka Clifton Edge
I have been recommended Hoka’s a few times now by my athletic friends. They’re one of the best running shoes on the market, even having different styles depending on what type of terrain you’re running on. They are super light and designed to have a smooth impact when running. Instead of going the usual Nike or Adidas route, if you’re an active runner, your next purchase should be a pair of Hoka’s.
6. Superga 2750 COTU Classic
I have been wearing Superga’s since middle school and there was even a point in 8th grade where I had 10 different pairs that I wore until there was a huge hole in the back of every single heel (IYKYK). One thing about Superga is that they have been made into a girly shoe, I know girls with uniforms wear them a lot, but I LOVE when I see a guy with a low cut sneaker and no socks and Superga’s are the perfect shoe for that style. MEN, listen to me, a white linen shirt, medium washed denim jeans, and a pair of Superga’s is a PERFECT look!
7. P448 – John Powder
Similar to the infamous Golden Gooses, P448’s are described as “Luxury Italian Sneakers” but who wants to pay $500 for a pair of dirty Superga’s? P448’s are a splurge but good quality and a bunch of unique styles like GG but like I said, for a third of the price. I was introduced to the brand when my good friend didn’t want her pair anymore and gave them to me. Both their men and women’s styles are fabulous and definitely a shoe worth investing in.
8. Nike Air VaporMax 360
I have always been a fan of the VaporMax look but the 360s specifically have recently caught my eye. These also come in a few different colorways and are super comfortable. They are a chunkier shoe with the bubble sole but they are narrow which is something I always appreciate (narrow feet gang wya!) I think these are so hot and definitely underrated.
9. BrandBlack Los Angeles Saga
I first discovered these shoes when I was abroad. They have a unique chunky look that is flattering unlike a pair of e-girl fila’s (please don’t wear chunky fila’s, I promise you they will never look good.) The pair I saw looked like a cheaper version of Balenciaga Triple S’s so that was another draw for me. I have a hard foot to fit, a size 10 and super narrow, so not every shoe I like works for my foot and that was my experience with BrandBlack. I tried on the pair I was eyeing and my foot looked bigger than the Empire State Building but even though they didn’t work for me doesn’t mean they won’t work for my fellow tiny footed cuties.
10. APL TechLoomPro
Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) makes some of the best shoes for running and training. They have one of the largest varieties of styles and colors I’ve ever seen which makes APL’s for anyone and everyone! The TechLoom Pro’s are my personal favorite because of the knitwear style and the midsole cushioning. All of the shoes are unisex so you can buy either from the men or women’s section.
11. Nike React Element 55
Another exciting Nike shoe is the React Element 55, an awesome shoe for both lifestyle and running. Something I love about the whole React line is that they’re all super light and have an interesting style on the sole. I recommend this shoe because it is uniquely designed and perfect for multiple activities.
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