White sneakers are an icon of men’s fashion. Tracing their roots back to the 1900s in sports like basketball, tennis, and running, today’s styles have been designed to work with a wide range of outfits. And they happen to be an optimal choice for all-day (and all-night) comfort.
Men’s white sneakers are like the Clark Kent of every wardrobe—unassuming yet downright heroic. These ultra-adaptable kicks effortlessly toe the line between low-key and showstopper, and help take a lot of the guesswork out of getting dressed.
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Best White Sneakers at a Glance
With so many good white sneakers to choose from, it can be overwhelming when trying to whittle them down to a single pair. The good news is that there are few wrong answers when it comes to picking a pair of white sneakers. If you’re still stuck, consider our five favorite styles right now to get the gears turning (and then if curious expand to our other selections—you can’t have just one pair of white sneakers, right?):
- Best White Sneakers Overall: Greats Royale 2.0
- Best White Running Shoes: Brooks Ghost Max
- Best White Sneakers Under $50: Bruno Marc Casual Dress Sneakers
- Best Casual White Sneakers: Cariuma OCA Low
- Best White Sneakers for Walking: Kizik Athens Slip-On Sneakers
- Best White Sneakers for Work: Cole Haan GrandPro Tennis
The Best Men’s White Sneakers of 2024
Lululemon’s Cityverse Sneaker, riffing on a German army trainer (GAT) style, is a great white sneaker to wear with shorts. It’s slightly bulkier than an Adidas Samba but smaller than a Nike Air Max. We’ve found that it’s supremely comfortable, and we liken that to its thick sole, squishy insert, and soft mixed-media upper. It’s a white sneaker that screams “summer” and one that you can feel confident in making your daily go-to.
On a recent trip to New York City, where walking is the expectation, we noticed that Brooks seemed to be the sneaker brand of choice for hundreds of commuters with whom we crossed paths. We saw dozens wearing the Ghost Max, which is a plusher, more shock-absorbing version of the brand’s flagship Ghost running shoe, and, unsurprisingly, those folks were the fastest walkers.
That’s why the Brooks Ghost Max is one of today’s best white sneakers. Not only is it super comfortable, thanks to its rocker bottom that promotes forward motion and its ultra-cushy foam midsole, but also because it’s good-looking enough for people in one of the most fashionable cities in the world to wear every day.
White slip-on shoes are a near-mandatory style for summer, but for those not into stark white kicks, the Lae’ahi from Olukai is the one you need. Olukai breaks up the blank canvas with a simple island-inspired surf stripe and red accents that we liken to the fins of a surfboard.
Summer vibes are laid-back, and the Lae’ahi couldn’t be a better fit. This white sneaker was designed to be worn barefoot and even has a collapsable heel that turns it into a backless shoe. It’s also been fitted with a grippy rubber sole for better traction on wet surfaces, be it a boardwalk or a pool deck. Whether they’re your beach, boat, or board shoes, they’re bound to be a summer staple.
The Cariuma OCA Low’s star is rising steadily, catching a ride on A-listers like Ashton Kutcher, Jon Hamm, and Pete Davidson. It’s such a simple style, so what’s the big deal?
Responsible manufacturing is sexy. This low-top, off-white canvas sneaker from the eco-conscious Brazilian brand does good for the planet as well as a shoe lineup. But they’re also super comfortable thanks to a hybrid cork and memory foam insole. Each pair of the vegan-material sneakers sold means two trees get planted across Brazil and to date, they’ve surpassed two million and couldn’t be more transparent about the process. Do your part—get the shoes.
Although Hoka sneakers can be seen on everyone from soccer moms to club bouncers, many runners have adopted them as their primary pair. It’s because these running/lifestyle sneakers are lightweight, bouncy, and comfortable, regardless of how they’re used, and that’s particularly true for the Arahi.
The new Hoka Arahi 7 is one of the best white running sneakers for those with overpronation. This style uses the brand’s J-Frame outsole technology to combat the natural inward roll of overpronation without disrupting the runner’s natural gate. And, true to the brand’s aesthetic, there’s nothing orthopedic to see here.
Norda is one of the fastest-emerging footwear brands in the adventure scene and it’s all because of its gritty trail running shoes. And while a white trail running shoe seems counterintuitive, the brand would disagree—if anything, it helps discover exactly how durable they are.
The 001 Shoe from Norda is made with a Dyneema fabric upper, which is a material commonly used in windsurfing, inflatable equipment, and tents because of its molecular fortitude. In a trail running shoe, that means you can scratch it and scrape it up as much as possible and it’ll still prevail. Underneath is a well-treaded Vibram sole that’s toothy and angular enough to scale any incline. It’s expensive, but plan on having it for well over 1,000 miles.
The GrandPro Tennis was one of the dress sneaker styles that set the business casual world on fire. Its launch was significant—it introduced an affordable alternative to the Common Projects Achilles at the height of its popularity in the mid-to-late 2010s. Today, the GrandPro Tennis is still one of the best white sneakers for men who want a lightweight, clean shoe to wear to work.
This ultra-lightweight tennis sneaker is made with a leather upper and Cole Haan’s GrandOS sole technology, adding flexibility and cushioning to the sub-nine-ounce shoe. It’s a popular all-white sneaker for men who need something sporty to wear with dress pants, full suits, or smart-casual outfits in the spring and summer. If there’s one single downside, it might be the risk of loving how comfortable it is and buying several other pairs—a situation that’s all too common.
The Greats Royale 2.0 pays homage to its predecessor which sparked a decade of excellence, putting this brand on the map. Greats exploded out of Brooklyn as a solution for guys seeking premium quality sneakers without designer-label price gouging. Since then, the brand has bolstered its focus on responsible manufacturing without sacrificing quality—the Royale 2.0 is proof.
Crafted in Portugal, the 2.0 brings subtle but interesting additions, like a tack stitch, a mixed-media quarter panel, and gold foil branding on the tongue and heel. The new line features nine colorways, including the all-white leather—a nod to one of the brand’s best sneakers ever.
One of the best white sneakers for summer, the Hey Dude Wally is climbing the ranks of the most coveted slip-on shoes for men. They’ve been encroaching on the Vans Slip-On and Sperry A/O territory for a few years and don’t seem to be slowing down—but, why?
The appeal is threefold. These white sneakers are some of the lightest you’ll find at just six ounces. They’re also washable and travel-friendly with removable, cushioned insoles. But the primary draw is that they’re flexible enough to move with a foot and can even bend in half without breaking.
Nike’s reign over basketball began with the Blazer in the late ’70s. A high-performance shoe at the time, it stood out in a sea of low-top sneakers because of its amazing ankle support and durable vulcanized rubber sole. Though the brand eventually designed better models to play in, like the Air Force 1 and the Air Jordan, the Blazer—much like the preceding Chuck Taylor—was adopted into mainstream style.
Today’s model is very close to the original and is still one of the most popular white sneakers for men since it came back on the radar in 2020. It features the same mid-top shaft, Swoosh, and exposed sponge detail as the ones George “Ice Man” Gervin wore when he debuted them in the NBA. Nike has taken extra measures with materials and construction to ensure they meet modern comfort and quality expectations, making these still one of the best white high-top sneakers you can get.
Move over Stan, there’s a new ace in town. The Roger Centre Court from On is the hot new white tennis sneaker for men. Like the legendary Adidas Stan Smith sneaker, it’s a simple silhouette, but The Roger offers more unique details like perforations, a contrasting heel trim, and a better sole.
Swiss footwear brand On is best known for its unique trail and running shoes, but the company has expanded into casual wear, too. These tennis sneakers, designed in partnership with Roger Federer, fuse courtside style with high-tech comfort.
Bruno Marc shoes, including this classic white sneaker for men, are some of the most purchased on Amazon. They’re wickedly affordable and cover all the bases a guy might need to refresh his wardrobe basics. This sneaker features a slip-resistant rubber sole, moderate midsole cushioning, and an extra pair of laces in the box.
The brand also highlights the non-leather, polyurethane-based upper. In terms of cleaning white sneakers, this material makes them a little bit easier to keep white.
The Beckett Simonon Morgen is the best white GAT sneaker around today. What’s GAT, you say? German army trainers, or GATs, trace their roots back to the 1936 Olympics when track star Jesse Owens wore a shoe very similar in design. The style was popularized sometime between the ‘70s and ‘80s when the German army began to use the shoes for training. More recently, it was the designer label Maison Margiela that made The Replica.
Beckett Simonon’s version, however, is a fraction of the cost because it cuts out the middleman. These made-to-order shoes are handcrafted in Bogota, Colombia, from Italian Vachetta leather, and are leather-lined for custom molding over time. Beckett Simonon is among the brands doing direct-to-consumer the best, and it shows in the quality of shoes just like this pair.
The Vans Era walked so the Sperry Striper II could run. One of the best white canvas sneakers for men right now, the Striper II is among the ultimate no-sock sneakers of the summer months.
Wildly preppy, this waxed canvas shoe offers a deconstructed feel with the malleable upper and thin rubber sole. It’s the type of shoe you you’ll end up living in during summer adventures, whether those are down on the dock or bopping around the city. We like to imagine this as the type of shoe the Outer Banks kids would wear—if they wore shoes.
Kizik is about to revolutionize the way people think about footwear. This brand is saying farewell to bending over when putting shoes on—all of its styles are hands-free, meaning they go on your foot by walking or stepping into them without the use of hands whatsoever. With this new tech, which provides even easier access than slip-on shoes, Kizik has also inadvertently become a monumental solution for a very common problem that is often not addressed—independence.
Not only are these the best white sneakers for people with wide feet, but they’re also the best option for differently-abled people who might struggle when putting on regular shoes. The fact that no hands are required to put these on gives back autonomy to folks who suffer from things like Parkinson’s disease, diabetic swelling, or even back injuries, and who may have had to rely on somebody helping them to get into their shoes.
The Brazilian-made Veja Campo is a top seller for the premium sneaker brand and has exploded on social media, popping up on stars like Ben Affleck and Eddie Redmayne. But the brand isn’t just trendy—it’s trying to put sustainability first during production.
These white sneakers are made with the brand’s ChromeFree leather, which doesn’t use any chrome, heavy metals, or harmful acids during the tanning process. It also has a semi-recycled insole, outsole, and lining. The brand limits the amount of water used during manufacturing, and the water it does use is completely recyclable. Pay special attention to the sizing: Veja uses European sizing for its sneakers and recommends ordering down if between sizes.
Yes, they’ve been a thing for a long time, but these are still a really cool-looking off-white sneaker for men. The long-standing partnership between Commes des Garcons and Converse elevated the retired basketball shoe to a whole new level in the world of men’s style.
The off-white canvas looks so good underneath the red of the CDG heart logo and complements broken-in, distressed outfits—real hip stuff. Some have even gone as far as to pair them with black suits and t-shirts, and that also looks incredible. Make the style your own; they look great on guys more than they don’t.
Owning a pair of Vans Slip-Ons is practically a rite of passage when growing up, but they’re not just for high schoolers, as Jeff Spicoli would have you think. Vans makes one of the best three-season white slip-on sneakers for men that are the perfect option to wear with a pair of slim jeans in the fall or spring and with shorts in the summer.
The construction has remained unchanged for a long time—a simple canvas upper, a vulcanized rubber waffle sole, and a rubber strip that traces the perimeter. Despite that, Vans Slip-Ons are some of the most customized white sneakers, ever. Not only does the brand offer fun prints, like the iconic checkerboard, but the plain white can also serve as a blank canvas to doodle or paint on at home.
For a brand that has made a lot of noise in the world of trends, Cariuma is first and foremost a skate brand. The Vallely is a solid pair of white skate shoes with a fully stitched outsole and double-stitched toe for durability and longevity. The rubber sole adds traction for a smooth kick-push, but what’s new here (at least since the early ‘00s), is the cork and memory foam insole. Many of us could have used that when we were 15.
Nobody will say it outright, but skateboarding shoes are in the process of surging (again) in fashion. Those who grew up with names like Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, and Mike Vallely, for whom this shoe is named, will scoff at the thought of posers wearing their beloved shoes. That means it’s time to break out the old board and skate Cariumas to separate yourself from the noobs.
The Charlie sneaker is a newer member of the Greats lineup and offers a higher-end take on the vintage soccer shoe style that’s become more Williamsburg than Wembley. This white shoe is a sleeker alternative to the ultra-trendy Adidas Samba (which looks better in black anyway) and sports some of the fine details that make Greats shoes as good as the name suggests.
These white sneakers are made in Italy but don’t come with a designer price tag—a business practice that put the brand on the map. The upper and lining are constructed with premium Italian leather and the contrasting sole is natural rubber. Subtle branding covers the tongue and heel, adding a finishing touch to this luxurious-looking sneaker. Consider a larger size because they run a bit small.
The Adidas Stan Smith taught the master class on how to be one of the best white sneakers for men. This old-school tennis shoe is one of the most memorable, repeatedly purchased sneakers because it rarely looks bad with the average getup and is pretty easy to clean. It comes in all white with options for color accents on the heel and tongue.
Despite how simple the shoes look, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes complexity in the sourcing and manufacturing processes that aim to cut back on raw materials and waste. Most of the Stan Smith sneakers of today are made with a minimum of 20 percent recycled materials, with a goal of not using any virgin polyester in 2024—a step in the right direction.
One of the best-selling sneakers from On, the Cloud 5 is flying high amid a rise in popularity around this brand. One of two newer names in running that took off in 2021, On seems to be here to stay with its hybrid performance/lifestyle footwear.
Many white running sneakers look terrible, but the Cloud 5 has enough going on in the lifestyle department to make it not look like medical footwear. It’s a solid pick as a work-from-home shoe that provides comfort during a nice long walk from laptop to lunch.
Preserving a sneaker’s out-of-the-box glow isn’t easy. If keeping your sneaks clean gives you anxiety, then grab this pair from Rothy’s. This machine-washable sneaker offers the same convenience as a pair of Allbirds but has a much more substantial sole for guys who walk hard.
The footwear startup’s RS01 sneaker is knit with sustainable threads made from repurposed plastic water bottles. They’re sturdy but flexible, so they don’t require any break-in. They also boast a terry-lined tongue and contoured footbed for next-level comfort.
Those who are ready to graduate from Vans Slip-Ons (it’s okay if you aren’t) into something nicer will love the Koio Garda. This is a great slip-on for guys who dress for summertime freshness and pairs well with textured shorts, light-wash denim, and any kind of linen pants.
Koio’s kicks are made by hand in Italy using Leather Working Group-certified sustainable leather. The brand’s easy-wearing Garda slip-ons ride on a durable rubber sole, and they feature elasticated panels for flexibility and an OrthoLite insole for comfort. The brand even claims the stitching is tight enough to resist water.
Finally, a pair of grown-up-looking Air Force 1s. Not to knock the legend, but it’s kind of nice not seeing the Cole Haan GrandPro all over the feet of middle school children. Instead, Cole Haan’s basketball-inspired sneaker posts up in the world of business casualwear with smoother lines and subtle details.
The GrandPro Crossover features plenty of cushion and shock absorbency thanks to a proprietary insole material and an athletic EVA outsole. That makes them dependable office sneakers for long days walking around for work.
What’s sure to be the brand’s next core staple, the Vans UltraRange Exo is rising as one of the best men’s sneakers overall. It’s been a while since Vans has put out a game changer after completely defining skateboarding footwear, but the UltraRange Exo is something special.
Available in white with black or all-white, among over 20 other colorways, this is a sneaker for urban adventurers. With a reverse-waffle sole for traction, a generously wide toe box, and a rubberized toe bumper, these shoes provide long-lasting comfort over any type of terrain.
Guys seeking a more substantial white sneaker for travel should consider the Ace Marks Kody. Impressively designed to lay flat in a carry-on suitcase, the Kody is the solution to conserving packing space when traveling light while also looking cool.
Made from Vento leather and ultralight rubber, this white sneaker could be the only pair needed for an entire weekend of work or play. It’s available in five colors total and looks great with men’s khaki pants, jeans, and even shorts.
How to Wear Men’s White Sneakers
At Men’s Journal, we love a good pair of white sneakers because they’re so versatile. But for those used to wearing black sneakers or dress shoes, it might be hard to visualize the look. These are MJ’s top tips for rocking white sneakers like a pro, how to pair them with outfits, and why they crush it with a suit.
With Casual Outfits: White sneakers are the ultimate wingman for any casual getup, whether that’s your favorite jeans and a basic T-shirt, chinos and a button-down shirt, or even some breezy shorts and a summer polo. Just remember: Keep the rest of your outfit simple (no crazy patterns, unless you’re at Coachella), and let your sneakers be the main character.
With Athleisure: Living a more comfortable life these days? White sneakers are a no-brainer with a pair of men’s joggers or sweats. They perfectly complement the athletic aesthetic and provide a clean, crisp contrast that elevates the entire outfit.
With a Suit: We wear sneakers with suits now—it’s a thing, but it begs closer attention to detail. Opt for a modern, slim-cut suit and keep the color palette muted: solid navy, gray, or even a subtle pattern in those colors can work. Pair that suit with your white sneakers to add a dash of panache and a laid-back, more casual vibe to the entire ensemble (though it’ll be too casual for, say, a black-tie wedding). You’ll be turning heads for all the right reasons.
Remember, wearing white sneakers correctly means embracing their easy-breezy versatility to allow them to shine. Whether you’re dressing them up with a suit or keeping it casual with jeans and a tee, these shoes can be the pièce de résistance in any outfit. Far from mundane, the best men’s white sneakers feature a wide variety of styles and variations. The hardest part is choosing the right one for you. To help with that decision, MJ has targeted the 27 best white kicks from iconic brands like Vans and Cole Haan as well as fresh looks from rising brands like Cariuma and Hey Dude.
All that’s left to do is lace up (or slip on) with confidence.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been working around men’s shoes for nearly 20 years during my time as a youthful salesperson, a social media influencer, and a men’s style editor. I’ve seen shoe trends come and go (thank you for everything, Etnies) and have enjoyed watching brands like Cole Haan, Off-White, and Allbirds redefine the way workplaces, societies, and manufacturers think about sneakers.
From my earliest days as a shoe dog in suburban Massachusetts up to today, I’ve owned hundreds of sneakers—many of them white—and have a special understanding of how various shapes affect comfort, which materials are best-looking in white, which are the easiest to keep clean, and which look best when dirty and beat up. Many of my all-time favorites are listed here, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Nobody was ever happier after limiting themselves to one pair of shoes.