What’s cooler than cool? Usually, “ice cold” would be the correct response. But in relation to this article, the answer is, in fact, grey sneakers. But not just any grey sneakers, on the contrary, these are the ones that will help you get your Scandinavian minimalist freak on (save for the pairs from New Balance and Orlebar Brown).
So why the fuss over grey sneakers? We imagine many of you may overlook grey as a colour choice when sneaker shopping, but the in-between of white and black can act as a sleek alternative to white, black or even blue sneakers, grey sneakers can provide that extra bit of pop without drawing attention away from your actual garments. They also work better for white or light coloured pants. So if white sneakers aren’t to your personal taste and black and blue take away from your outfit, it’s time to give grey a go.
Our hit list of grey sneakers is versatile both in style and affordability, allowing you to wear them with anything from suits to casual wear to streetwear. With brands including Common Projects, Novesta and Grenson all making the cut, here are the best grey sneakers you need to own right now.
Allbirds
Allbirds is another favourite of ours here at DMARGE. The American-New Zealand shoemaker produces some particularly handsome sneakers that make use of sustainable materials, yet don't scrimp on quality.
The Wool Runners are the company's signature shoe, made from a ZQ Merino wool that naturally conforms to the shape of your feet so it feels like you're wearing gloves. The wool material also helps to wick moisture away from your feet
Oliver Cabell
Pretty much every list of best sneakers we curate here at DMARGE will feature Oliver Cabell. The American footwear brand just knows how to make a stylish and well-made pair of kicks, and not charge the earth for them. The Low 1 sneaker is as iconic as they come, but for something a little different, check out the Court.
Employing a traditionally 80s style silhouette , the Court look superb in grey. Hand stitched to the highest standard in Marche, Italy from full grain calfskin leather and a Margom Italian sole for durability, they're the perfect everyday or gym pair of sneakers.
Everlane
Everlane is an American brand that, like a couple of others on this list, utilises a direct-to-consumer approach to business. This means it's able to offer high-quality goods for much lower prices than you'd expect. It proves it too, with totally transparent pricing, but fortunately for you the consumer, it doesn't scrimp on quality.
The Court sneaker looks strikingly similar to Oliver Cabell's model, though is finished in a lighter shade of grey and rocks contrasting patches to add extra bit of flair. The sole is made from virtually 100 per cent recycled virgin plastic, while the full-grain leather for the upper is sourced from ethical tanneries.
Cariuma
Brazilian footwear brand Cariuma makes some of the most sustainable sneakers on the planet. For every pair of shoes bought, Cariuma will plant two trees and the majority of materials that go into their build are completely vegan.
The OCA is Cariuma's signature silhouette and one that will remain good-looking for years to come. The OCA Low can be had in either grey suede or canvas, with the former certainly giving off a more premium look. The suede used was sourced specifically for this sneaker and a leather/memory foam insole serves up insane comfort.
Novesta
Slovakian footwear brand Novesta offers some of the very best canvas sneakers on the market. Each pair is impeccably well-made and feature signature stylings such as a chunky, vulcanised sole.
The Star Master is the brand's flagship series and is available in a range of colours, including grey. They retain the minimalist styling of other pairs in Novesta's lineup and will be a perfect addition to any dark-denim look.
Veja
Veja is a French footwear brand that has seen a surge in popularity of late, due to its commitment to producing sustainably- and ethically-made sneakers. The fact they're incredibly good looking and come in multiple styles only adds to their appeal.
This wool knit pair, for example, was designed in collaboration with Rick Owens, and could just be one of the best looking running sneakers we've laid eyes on. With recycled materials being used throughout their DNA (you can see a full breakdown of its materials on the website), this running sneaker will have you sprinting your way past the competition in style.
Scarosso
Italian shoemaker Scarosso has been around since 2010. Chief among its reasons for success is the quality of shoes it produces, with everything handmade in Italy. Better still, Scarosso doesn't charge stupid amounts of money for the privilege, instead selling its wares at a mid-price tier that makes them more accessible to a wider audience.
Scarossos ticks off the main sneaker colours, including grey, in the Ugo Grigio Scamosciato (grey sude). Rocking a classic silhouette with a contrasting white rubber sole, Scarosso's grey pair are made from a high-quality leather suede that lend themselves to being dressed up or down.
GREATS
Brooklyn-based sneaker maker GREATS takes classic sneaker silhouettes and remodels them so that they can last you a lifetime and so that they can pair with whatever you already have in your wardrobe. The company also strives to be as sustainable as humanly possible and ensures every pair of sneakers is made in the most ethical factories.
The Royale Eco Canvas is based on the company's Royale silhouette (one which will look incredibly familiar to others on this list) but is made from 100% repurposed canvas twill, along with a heap of other recycled materials, including algae foam for padding.
Koio
Koio is an American footwear label you may not have heard of before. If that's the case then we're here to tell you that you really should get to know it. Its sneakers and boots are handmade in Italy, in the Marche region no less, where it sources its materials and moulds them into stylish sneakers by hand.
Practically every colour you can think of is taken care of, including grey in this pair of Capri sneakers in Perla. They're made from a combination of full-grain calf leather and calf suede to provide a supremely luxurious sneaker that is completely minimal, but completely worth your money.
Aurélian
Aurélian was founded in 2015 by two Dutch brothers who wanted to create a footwear brand that offered high-end luxury without the high-end price tag, achieved by way of a direct-to-consumer model. The company calls its concept "Smart Luxury".
The Cambridge sneaker is every bit as luxurious as Aurélian boasts, being made from an ultra-soft leather and calves leather being used on the inside, along with an extra padded insole for cushioned strides.
Axel Arigato
Axel Arigato is a Swedish footwear brand that more than lives up to the stereotype of Scandinavian minimalism. When the company started business proceedings in 2014, it released a new product each week to raise its brand profile. It certainly worked, as today it's a brand that more than holds its own in the convoluted world of luxury sneakers.
The Top Cap sneaker is one of Axel's signature designs, rocking a gorgeous low-cut silhouette with a contrasting matte leather patch on the toe. Paired with a pair of dark denim jeans that finished at the ankle or some well-fitting chinos, these Axel Arigato sneakers will pop and raise your style credentials tenfold.
JAK
Lisbon-based footwear brand JAK is still relatively new to the footwear game, having been founded in 2014. The aim with every pair of sneakers it produces is to be well-made from quality materials – they're handcrafted in Portugal, no less – and to rock silhouettes that people will want to own.
This pair of Atom sneakers do all that, being made from an Italian suede with a rubber cup sole. The low-top design, coupled with suede makes them malleable, so will caress your feet with the utmost comfort.
New Balance
American sportswear company New Balance is another such brand that has its fingers and toes in both the professional sports and lifestyle industries. With the company also being founded to supply comfortable insoles, it's fair to say its decades of knowledge allows it to produce some of the finest footwear available today.
New Balance's lifestyle sneaker collection relies heavily on retro styling, which we love. Take this pair of 990s, which reimagine the same look as their ancestor, released in 1982. Made from a combination of suede and mesh for comfort and breathability, they're well-suited to everyday wearing and the gym.
Uniform Standard
Uniform Standard hails from East London, UK, but goes about its business in a very above-standard way. The company uses recycled materials as much as possible in its shoes, and employs real people to hand stitch them in Portugal.
The Series 6 sneaker rock a low-top design and are made from a combination of genuine Italian suede and nubuck, ethically sourced, of course. More leather can be found on the inside, along with fully recycled insole boards, and even the box they come in is 100 per cent recycled. And all that for less than $200.
Orlebar Brown
Yes, you read that right, British swimwear brand Orlebar Brown makes sneakers. And functional ones at that too.
The Larson is the company's flagship sneaker and, true to the company's swimming roots, is a "shoe you can swim in". An ultra-lightweight build, elasticated back band to keep them in place and an open-mesh weave mean they can comfortably be submerged in water. No more sand in your socks, sign us up!
North 89
North 89 sneakers combine the best of both worlds when it comes to design and manufacturing. All its shoes are designed in Stockholm, so draw heavily on Scandi minimalistic design, but are made in Portugal, a mecca for high-quality luxury sneakers.
The No-2 Plaster sneaker employs a highly breathable design with a generous portion of a cotton mesh material. It's incredibly lightweight, which when combined with a memory foam insole (with antibacterial properties) will make it feel like you're walking on clouds.
Common Projects
Obviously Common Projects had to feature on this list too, being the name most-closely associated with the rise of the luxury minimalist sneaker movement.
The low top design of the Achilles may be one mimicked by numerous brands, but none of those have the extra-special touch you get from a pair of CPs. Chief among those is the use of incredibly high-quality leathers for the upper, stitched directly onto the sole for the ultimate in durability and craftsmanship.
Adidas
Adidas is a true king in the footwear arena, being seen on the feet of millions of people. Both its Originals and Performance ranges have proved to be incredibly popular, although we'd always lean towards the former for stylish upgrades to our outfits.
Case in point is this pair of Campus suede sneakers in grey. An iconic pair to come from the German marque, the Campus use pigskin suede for the upper, paired with a rubber outsole. The company's OrthoLite Sockliner is a welcome addition to hug your foot in comfort.
