Live in a colder climate? Love Basketball? Want to be Casey Neistat? Whatever your reason, high tops can be a great addition to your wardrobe. Whilst they might seem like a summer staple, white sneakers can add contrast to both dark winter days and outfits as well as providing more practicality and durability to their low-top alternatives.
As you’d expect, white sneakers can not only come in a variety of silhouette styles but in a variety of materials too, such as a leather upper, suede upper or canvas upper, and the material you choose can potentially have an effect on when and where you can wear them.
But that segues nicely onto vegan leather, a material that some luxury sneaker manufacturers are making a conscious effort to use in their white sneakers. Vegan leather by its very nature isn’t real leather but is synthetic. Don’t let that make you think it’s of a poorer quality though, as it most certainly isn’t. However, the one disadvantage it does have over real leather is that it isn’t as breathable, so you’re more likely to end up with sweaty feet. But hey, at least you’ll have a planet to live on.
Now you’re clued up on the styles and materials, it’s time for you to learn how to style your white sneakers with a variety of outfits, from casual ensemble jeans and t-shirts to a suit. You can find out how to wear white sneakers here.
Allbirds
American-New Zealand shoemaker, Allbirds is one of the most ethical producers of footwear on the planet. They're committed to using as many renewable materials as possible. The company has a pair of shoes in all the main categories, including runners and waterproof, and even handsome white sneakers in the form of the Wool Pipers.
FitFlop
Flitflop sneakers are light, stretchy, breathable engineered multi-knit shoes. These are fresh and breezy, while keeping the timeless tennis-shoe shape. They're also very comfortable with ultra-light, flexible, all-day-cushioning Anatomicush™ midsoles.
Oliver Cabell
We’re big fans of Oliver Cabell; why? It’s because they make incredibly high-quality white leather sneakers (and other leather sneakers) without the insane markup. Founder Scott Gabrielson believes in cutting out the middleman and doing away with the hefty profit. Instead, you have sneakers as good as the luxury brands but for a lot less.
Cariuma
Brazilian footwear brand Cariuma is hell bent on making the planet a better place through its comprehensive range of sustainably-made canvas upper sneakers. Materials that go into the production of each pair are either ethically-sourced or recycled, with nearly half the range being completely vegan-friendly.
The OCA Low in off-white rock a classically casual low-top silhouette but employ lightweight cushioning to remain comfortable for all-day wear.
Casca
Some folk are going as far to say these are the most comfortable shoes they've ever owned. Casca are a direct to consumer brand that uses a very unique Smartfit technology to ensure your white sneakers fit perfectly. They're also well priced and look great. That's a big win.
OBRA
OBRA is the new kid on the block making very cool and sustainable white sneakers for men that are a great price point. Check out their 240s if you're looking for a clean pair of kicks.
Everlane
Everlane is a clothing company that is committed to providing men with all the essentials they could need, but ones made by sustainable and ethical means, and with totally transparent pricing. The company reveals how much it spends producing each item, so you can see how much it differs to the asking price. The Court sneaker are made from 100 per cent full-grain leather, which is sourced from a gold-certified tannery, while the sole is made from predominantly recycled rubber. Factor in a good-looking silhouette and you may have just found your next pair of best white sneakers.
On Running
The tennis shoe! When dedicated sportswear brands venture into lifestyle territory, the results can often be exemplary. Swiss running shoe specialist On Running has once again collaborated with tennis legend Roger Federer to create The Advantage.
Designed as an everyday sneaker but benefitting from On's CloudTech rubber sole and Speedboard technologies to provide exceptional comfort and stability. They also look damn cool too, no matter which colour you opt for, although the white leather ones are oh so cool.
Casca
If you're someone who struggles to find white sneakers that fit perfectly, you may be interested to learn about Casca. The American footwear brand was founded to help bring proper-fitting shoes to the masses, and shoes that can comfortably tackle a variety of situations at that.
The Avro Knit is, as the name suggests, made from a knitted fabric for the upper section. This bends and conforms to your feet and gives them air to breathe. The default insole is thicker and more cushioned than what you're likely to find on other pairs but if you want truly custom shoes, you can scan your feet and send the dimensions to Casca, who will 3D-print a pair of insoles to ensure you get the optimum fit; best white sneakers alert.
Koio
Koio is an American footwear brand that has a distinctively European style. The two "sneakerhead" founders started the company to create sneakers they would feel comfortable wearing both to work and to after-work drinks. All pairs are handmade in Italy in a factory that was carefully selected from a broad range, as it best-matched with Koio's style and vision.
Koio has two main styles of sneaker, a court and a low-top, and it's the latter we've selected. The Capri sneaker employs a visually similar low-top design to others on this list, being incredibly minimal in its design approach. It's available in a multitude of colours, but the all-white is a particular favourite. It's made from full-grain calf leather, with yet more of the buttery-soft stuff found inside. A Margom sole adds durability and cushioning, making these leather sneakers suitable for all-day wear.
Von Routte
Von-Röutte is an independent label founded by Brazilian born and Sydney based couple Gus & Marina. Combining a background in graphic design and natural sciences, they aim to create a pair of shoes that are understated and easy-to-wear.
Vessi
Canadian footwear brand Vessi can be regarded as being the first to bring fully waterproof knitted shoes to the masses. Having only been founded in 2017, it's a wonder such a product didn't already exist, but noticing a gap in the market, Vessi took the plunge to great success. All pairs of Vessi sneakers are completely waterproof, yet are also suitably stylish, pairing perfectly well with your casual looks. They're made using vegan materials, and different models offer differing levels of foam cushioning to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
Scarosso
Like us, you’ve probably seen Scarosso advertised on Instagram. After some research, we discovered Scarosso is making some of the best looking sneakers (and footwear) on the market. With Scarosso you’re getting Made In Italy quality with timeless and elegant style. Did we mention the very competitive price point too? Get around it for a pair of one of the best white sneakers.
Camper
For stylish footwear that also serves a genuine purpose, point your attention to Camper. The Spanish brand has a unique look for most of its footwear, and it uses various technologies to offer supreme comfort.
The Runner weighs just 500 grams a pair, taking a classic silhouette and completely modernising it. OrthoLite insoles provide all-day comfort and a leather outer makes for easy cleaning.
Clarks
You'd be forgiven for thinking British-based footwear company Clarks couldn't hang with the cool kids, but you'd be dead wrong. Yes, it may be known for being the back-to-school king for kids, and the brand of choice for those in their retirement, but Clarks has shifted its focus to the trendier gentleman with the Un Costa Lace white sneaker. Adopting as classic a look as you can get, the Un Costa Lace offer the ultimate in footwear comfort and because they're made by Clarks, you can rest assured these white leather sneakers will last you an incredibly long time.
Grenson
British shoemaker, Grenson is a brand you should immediately think of when you consider luxury footwear. Known worldwide for its iconic leather boots, the brand also has an exceedingly good sneaker collection. Pairs are made from both suede and leather, with only the finest cuts used in their construction to make them incredibly comfortable, breathable and a pair of white sneakers for men you can be proud to wear.
Suitsupply
Yep, suit maker extraordinaire, Suitsupply is also in the game of sneakers. The Dutch company is famed for its impeccable fits when it comes to suits, not to mention value for money, and it's apparent that same methodology has been carried over to its footwear collection.
These off-white unlined sneakers will, by the very fact they're unlined, be incredibly comfortable right from the get-go, with no real 'break-in' period needed. The off-white colouring provides a stylish alternative to a sea of bright white sneakers, yet their minimalist design means they'll pair with absolutely anything.
RM Williams
Australian national treasure RM Williams may be best known for its iconic leather Chelsea boots, but the brand has taken its knowledge of leather and applied it to sneakers too. Sneakers adopt classic silhouettes, offering exceptional padding for all-day comfort, along with some of the finest quality leather around.
Aurélien
Aurélien claims their products are made in the same factories as the most well-known designer labels. And we don’t doubt this. Their sneaker range is heavily inspired by some of the top luxury brand designs and it shows. Thankfully, you’re not going to have the hefty price tag when you purchase a pair of Aurélien sneakers. They’re what you call ‘Smart Luxury’.
Veja
The sneakers everyone is wearing that have the V on the side. Veja is a French brand that claims ecological and fair trade conditions and to work with cooperatives of small producers and social associations in Brazil and France. They’re great value for money and come in a range of colours and styles although you can't go wrong with the best white sneakers.
Loake
British shoemaker Loake is one with esteemed heritage. Setting up shop in the Northamptonshire over 125 years ago, the company continues to produce footwear that exceeds our ideas of luxury. Loake's white sneakers are made from premium calf-leather for breathability and comfort and employ a Goodyear welt for incredibly durability.
GREATS
Born in Brooklyn, GREATS designs classically inspired sneakers for men and women using luxury high-quality materials and construction. Still headquartered in Williamsburg, GREATS make men’s sneakers with a luxury feel but with a slight design difference to the other brands.
Jak
Founded in 2014 by Isabel and José Maria, JAK is a bootstrapped, independent brand, based in Lisbon, Portugal. What we love most about Jak is the design. They take your classic sneaker designs and add a slight twist. This ensures you’re not getting the same kicks as everyone else. Being based in Portugal means top-quality and great price. Almost the best price from what we’ve seen.
Axel Arigato
Axel Arigato burst onto the scene in 2014. The brainchild of Swedes, Max Svärdh and Albin Johansson, the original collections were known for sneakers with colourful birds on them. Today they make all shapes and sizes of men’s sneakers. They’re made in Portugal and are top quality. Bang for buck, you can’t go wrong with Axel Arigato.
Common Projects
One of the true pioneers of the clean, minimalist white sneaker movement is Common Projects. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in New York City, the luxury footwear brand uses some of the finest quality leather materials around to create supremely comfortable and long-lasting sneakers.
While we would normally recommend a low-top pair (and we still would) this mid-top pair of the Achilles silhouette retains the same good looks as its lower-top sibling, complete with the gold numbers printed on the heel that relate to the size, style and colour, with a mid-style height still being capable of being paired with a suit or jeans. When it comes to buying the best white sneakers, you can't go wrong with Common Projects.
Adidas Stan Smith
While we would rather point your attention toward more premium pairs of white sneakers, there's no denying the sheer popularity of the Adidas Stan Smith. We imagine most guys have had a pair of the Stan Smith in their collection at some point, thanks to the vast range of subtle colourings available. The modern-day interpretation of the 1971 classic utilises Adidas' OrthoLite sockliner, is used to treat your foot to a comfortable bed, while the leather upper with iconic branding on the tongue is one you'll want to keep dirt-free.
Nike
Another brand which is hugely popular when it comes to white sneakers, is, of course, Nike. Their Nike Air Force 1 was originally designed as a basketball shoe, but that lightweight cushioning made it a popular everyday shoe. Today, you can't walk down the street without seeing someone wearing a pair of these babies, and we can't blame them. The Air Force 1 is a comfortable, good looking sneaker; if you like to jump on trends these are the best white sneakers for you.
Converse
Classic is the only word to describe Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. For a lightweight, canvas shoe available in both low and high top, and in a multitude of colours and patterns (although the Chuck Taylor All Star in white is the must-have) these sneakers will have you reliving your high school days.
