Master Casual Look (👟 Updated)

I like Nike and Adidas as much as the next guy, but when I want to add a touch of class and personality to my style, nothing beats a fresh pair of premium sneakers! 🤍👟

And the best thing is, you can do that without spending a fortune.

We’ve shortlisted the absolute best designer sneakers for every budget. Some of our favorites cost even less than $100.

These sneakers are versatile, stylish, and functional. At Luxe Digital, we think it’s money well spent.

In a rush? No problem! Here are the absolute best sneakers for men available right now:

Ready to see the full list? Here are our absolute favorite men’s sneakers of the year.

Oliver Cabell Low 1: All-white minimalism

Oliver Cabell is making a name for itself, consistently delivering high-quality premium sneakers with a simple minimalist design. This sublime pair of all-white sneakers is discrete and minimalist yet very stylish. Oliver Cabell handcrafts all its shoes using ethical factories and materials. 

Be sure to read our full Oliver Cabell review for more details about our hands-on (or could we say ‘feet on‘) experience with the Low 1. We also have a brand profile on the story behind Oliver Cabell.

Koio Capri: Smartly dressed up

We absolutely love the Koio Capri’s sneakers collection as our everyday sneakers. These simple yet elegant premium leather sneakers are perfect to match with jeans to dress up during the week or casually for the weekend. The perfect everyday sneakers for men, really.

We’ve picked the black onyx model here for its timeless and classic sneakers look, but the shoe is also available in rich brown leather, classic white, and many more color options.

Koio is a fast-growing online sneaker brand created by two passionate sneakerheads. The company designs its shoes in the USA and produces them in Italy.

Check our in-depth Koio Capri review to see them in more detail. You can also look at our Koio shoes comparison to see the rest of their lineup.

Axel Arigato Clean 90: Style with an edge

The Clean 90 is another favorite of mine. They’re slightly more expensive than Oliver Cabell and Koio, but they’re also a bit more comfortable to wear all day long, and they come in a wide range of styles and colors.

I particularly like the off-white version shown above with a gum sole, but you’ll find over 100 different designs here, including soft suede and sneakers with intricately embroidered birds.

Tempted? Check our hands-on Axel Arigato Clean 90 review to see if they’re right for you. We’ve reviewed a bunch of sneakers from the brand, so you can also read our Axel Arigato sneakers review to compare their other models.

Amberjack The Original: Undercover office sneaker

I know, this seems like an odd choice at first glance. But if you want the perfect shoe to wear in the office while still being comfortable? Look no further! Amberjack’s The Original is the comfortable office sneakers you’ve been searching for.

If you want more options, we have an entire guide on the best dress shoes for men. But you can trust our hands-on review of Amberjack’s The Original. They are super comfy and totally appropriate for the office.

The work sneakers are available in a variety of colors, including black, chestnut, and honey, so you can easily pair them with your favorite office attire.

We’ve also reviewed the other shoes from the brand here if you’re interested in the rest of their comfortable dress shoes.

Allbird Tree Runners: Naturally comfortable

I’ll be honest, I had serious doubts about the Tree Runners before trying them on. I thought the laces were too bulky and the design uninspired. But man, wait until you’ve tried them to judge them!

There’s something about the materials used by Allbirds to build these sneakers that make them feel super light on the feet and breathable. Allbirds really are some of the most comfortable shoes for standing all day, especially on hot summer months.

Added bonus? They’re machine washable and odor-resistant.
More info about the Tree Runners and the other sneakers from Allbird here.

Adidas Ultra Boost: Walking on clouds

When Adidas first introduced the Ultraboost, the sneaker received rave reviews online for its build quality and comfort. Put the sneakers on your feet, and you’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds!

The Adidas Ultraboost is excellent for running as well. Better yet: they’re made from recyclable materials, so they are friendly to our planet.

The Ultraboost is now available in a wide range of colors and styles. The breathable mesh top is particularly comfortable during the summer and keeps your feet cool. It’s also one of the few pairs of shoes on our list with true athletic capabilities. You can use them on the track, at the gym, or as your go-to pair on the weekend.

Pssst: you can snatch a brand new pair of Ultraboost at a discount if you purchase the previous version, the Ultraboost 5.0 DNA, from Adidas here.

Nike Air Force 1: The trusty staple

Nike is one of those failsafe, classic sneaker brands you need in your shoe rotation. The Nike Air Force 1 is quite simply the most popular men’s sneaker of the year.

On-trend with a retro yet timeless look and legitimate street credibility, the Nike Air Force 1 ’07 are great value too, selling for just $115. We love this particular all-white iteration with durably stitched overlays, clean finishes, and the perfect amount of flash to make you shine.

The Air Force 1 has defined shoe culture since the moment it stepped onto the court. And it continues to be a fashion staple thanks to clean lines, a strong midsole, and new and classic colorways in low, mid, and high-top styles.
You can also fully customize your own Air Force 1 design with the Nike By You program. Create your own sneaker by selecting the colors and materials for every component of the athletic shoe.

And if you’re looking for a classic sneaker look in another genre, check out the all-time best-selling Adidas Superstar collection. You’ll often time find them on sale for $55.

The sneakers that we considered

But didn’t make the cut.

We tested over 60 different pair of sneakers for this story. You can see all our shoes reviews here. Some are simply not worth your money, so we didn’t recommend them. That’s easy. But a lot of them are great shoes, just not quite good enough to be part of our recommended capsule wardrobe for men.

I still want to give them a chance to shine, though. While I don’t recommend them to everyone, they might just be the perfect sneakers for you!

Here’s the run down:

• Best luxury sneakers: Gucci Ace Sneakers.
  No list of designer sneakers would be completed without the Gucci Ace Sneakers. They were at the forefront of the luxury sneakers trend and pushed the whole industry to embrace the lifestyle movement. They’re pricey, though, so it’s hard to recommend them to everyone. However, if you have the budget, I think they’re a great pair!
• Best retro sneakers: Axel Arigato Area Lo
  I absolute love this pair! The brand nailed the retro bulky basketball sneaker look. They’re super comfortable too. Most of Luxe Digital’s readers seem to prefer low-top sneakers, so I haven’t kept them for our shortlist, but they’re my favorite option if you’re into mid-tops. Head over to my hands-on review of the Axel Arigato Area Lo if you’re after something chunkier with a vintage basketball vibe. We also reviewed the Axel Arigato Rush if you want something lighter and more modern.
• Best tech sneakers: On Running Cloud X
  I’ve owned two pairs of On Running Cloud X over the years and I absolutely love them. They’re lightweight and supportive, breathable and stylish. They would be the perfect sneakers only if they could last a little longer. The ones I got just didn’t last very long as my every day sneakers and quickly showed signs of aging. You can check my hands-on On Running review here. 
• Best trekking sneakers: Salomon XT-6
  I love the look and feel of the Salomon XT-6. The French shoe manufacturer has seen a massive increase in its sneaker sales since it became a high-fashion status symbol. Even Ralph Lauren and Rihanna started wearing these cool shoes! I think they’re a bit too edgy for this shortlist but definitely worth considering if you want people to notice what you’re wearing.
• Best dad sneakers: New Balance 2002R
  New Balance have grown on me recently. Their collab with Aimé Leon Dore really kicked things up a notch. I’ve your into the retro dad sneaker style, I think they’re great. The 2002R, in particular, are super comfortable for every day wear.
• Best premium sneakers: Common Project Achilles
  Common Project was arguably at the origin of the premium sneakers trend, so I had to include them here. I only owned one pair a few years ago, and while they looked great, I think they’re now overpriced. You can get similar design and equivalent built quality from Koio at a much more reasonable price. That being said, if you want to pay homage to the trend’s instigator, go for it!
• Best looking cheap sneakers: Nike Killshot 2
  I’m a fan of the Killshot 2’s retro look. This model has been around for a long time, and you can now easily snatch one up for less than $100 online. It’s a great option if you’re on a budget.
• Best high-top sneakers: Nike Air Jordan and Nike Dunk High
  These two legends had to be mentioned! I’m a fan of every Jordan sneakers (check our list of the most expensive Jordan’s of all time to see how far we can take things 🤪). And the Dunks have a rich history to be proud of, too (surprised? Check our Jordan 1 vs Dunk to see what I’m talking about). That being said, they’re a bit too bulky for the vibe we’re going for with this ranking.