Tag / best sneakers for men

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The GREATS Royale 2.0 Are Some of the Best Leather Sneakers for Men to Buy Now – Bet On It

If you’ve been keeping up with the thoughtfully curated pages of this Brooklyn style blog, perhaps you’ve noticed that we’re all about lacing up some of the best sneakers for summer these days. They’re a crucial component of any guy’s footwear rotation, ready for looks that are both casual & laidback as well slightly more crisp and business casual — if you secure the right pair of the best sneakers for men, that is.

And given my time in Brooklyn across the past dozen or so years, it’s only fitting that it’s a New York City brand (Brooklyn’s own GREATS!) that should catch your eye for the first time — or as a repeat customer.

Find out more and shop sneakers now at GREATS

The men’s and women’s sneaker and shoe company is one of the more buzzed-about affordable men’s sneaker brands across the past decade-plus, and a brand that’s doing things better than ever with the evolution of the GREATS Royale 2.0.

Of course, if you’ve kept up with the blog, you know GREATS has a knack for expertly crafting styles both on-trend and more classic, like the court sneaker style cues of the original GREATS Royale. And yet, better fabrication and construction makes all the difference, to the tune of more than 300,000-plus pairs of the GREATS Royale sold (yes, it’s true!).

The company even goes so far as to call one of its flagship models “the epitome of effortless cool,” and that’s a hard seniment to argue with — these are fresh and minimal while also proving eye-catching and stylish in their way, especially in a sleek shade of all-white premium leather.

And with handmade craftsmanship hailing from Portugal, it’s certainly worth noting that the GREATS Royale 2.0 are as much of a steal as the original style. But wait, there’s more! In fact, some pairs of the GREATS Royale 2.0 are marked down by as much as 40 percent right now at the company, these fresh kicks could change the way you get dressed this summer.

You can find the GREATS Royale 2.0 in 14 classic and limited-edition color combinations (try the Burnished Cuoio shade or Navy for a look that’s both dressy and on-trend), and each pair is outfitted with the same signature GREATS outsole plus tack stitching for contrast and durability.

Shop the GREATS Royale 2.0 and more now

The GREATS Royale 2.0 are also built with a leather-lined removable footbed designed to mold to your foot and offer support and cushioning over time — that’s critical no matter whether you wear your new favorite sneakers with stretch chino shorts and a pocket tee, or with a light blue chambray shirt and olive linen trousers for a high-low mash-up of business casual style.

The next time the occasion calls for you to lace up a pair of fresh kicks, you’ve got an ace up your sleeve with the GREATS Royale 2.0 — they’re back and better than ever.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These LUCA Canvas Sneakers from Huckberry are an Instant Summer Classic

Best canvas sneakers for men.

There’s certainly a wide world out there as you scour the market for the best men’s shoes and indeed, the best men’s sneakers to keep you light on your feet with style in mind this summer.

The more thought you put into your footwear rotation, from crisp leather loafers to light and breezy suede chukka boots and yes, the canvas sneakers shown above, the more you’ll be covered, literally, for just about any style scenario imaginable through the high heat of summer.

Of course, you can find just about anything you need at Huckberry as far as the best shoes for men are concerned, period, but let’s take a closer look at something easygoing, easy to wear and eternally stylish: Yes, the humble canvas sneaker puts in the hours, and this time, it’s got some new specs and a new design outlook via in-house footwear brand LUCA at Huckberry.

The brand looks to perfect smart casual footwear, blending gum rubber outsoles and sustainable suede and leather uppers with the likes of Chelsea boot, chukka boot and laidback sneaker construction, and the LUCA Canvas Sneakers are the latest entry to join your lineup of footwear so casually cool and stylish, you won’t even have to think twice about lacing ’em up.

Canvas sneakers boast more laidback style than ultra-crisp white leather sneakers, along with more durability — you can scuff ’em up just a touch without worry, and that goes for everything from boardwalk strolls to weekend coffee outings and dive bar beers once the blazing sun sets.

The LUCA Canvas Sneakers are crafted from organic cotton canvas, with a flexible yet sturdy rubber outsole and Strobel construction, encouraging what the brand calls “lighter and more flexible wear” — consider me impressed, and certainly looking to lace up a fresh pair of kicks from Huckberry and LUCA.

Better still is the fact that the design of the LUCA Canvas Sneakers is simple, clean and minimal. Pair up your new favorite canvas sneakers with everything from olive chino shorts and a grey polo to a camp-collar shirt and stretch chinos, or else go ultra-casual with a short-sleeve henley and classic light wash jeans.

As with other Huckberry summer style essentials, you needn’t overthink how to wear the LUCA Canvas Sneakers — they’re as essential and yet laidback as it gets, as ready for a summer BBQ as a coastal road trip. A pair of stylish men’s shoes like the LUCA Canvas Sneakers are to be treasured and yet worn often, through all of your favorite seasonal pursuits. Lace these up accordingly, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Amberjack Is Crafting Some of the Best Men’s Sneakers with Plenty of Comfort

As we so often say here at The Style Guide, a guy’s footwear rotation needs options, and the more comfortable and yet stylish, the better. In the same way your prized leather dress shoes fit the bill for the 9-to-5 grind and leather lace-up boots put in the work in the fall and winter — from the distillery to a rock concert and back — you should keep a pair of the best leather sneakers for men close at hand as the weather warms up.

It’s simple enough on the surface, but that balance of comfort and style can be tricky, at times — leave it to Amberjack to deliver a fresh pair of stylish men’s sneakers with all the support and rebound you need.

That brings us to the Amberjack Atlas Sneakers, a recent introduction from the dress shoe brand that notes it makes the “world’s most comfortable dress shoes.” How do these sneakers stack up in the brand’s quickly growing lineup? Let’s take a look and find out.

Learn more now and shop at Amberjack

For weddings, for press trips and for formal work events, in my experience, I’ve found that Amberjack does indeed live up to that promise, using athletic sneaker technology blended into dress that look much more like dress shoes than hybrid dress shoe-sneakers (although Amberjack also makes a sizable number of those types of shoes, too).

The same goes for the brand’s handsome, stylish men’s chukka boots, but as the thermostat climbs, lightweight sneakers are optimal for pairing with light wash jeans, chino shorts and a bit of everything in between. The Amberjack Atlas Sneakers carry on that same modern legacy of comfort and style, using a natural full-grain leather upper paired with a breathable FLEXKNIT lining, solving another problem sometimes common among men’s leather sneakers.

The same technical specs as other Amberjack men’s shoes, like a heat-activated insole and an athletic-inspired outsole, lend rebound and support to the Amberjack Atlas Sneakers, which also come in visually appealing Walnut Suede, plus Black or Navy Nubuck, in addition to the crisp white, full-grain leather upper shown above.

For maximum versatility as you rock your Amberjack Atlas Sneakers, the best move might be a clean white pair, whether paired with olive chinos and a dark navy polo or with a pocket tee and stretch chino shorts.

Through it all, I’d wager you can count on the Amberjack Atlas Sneakers to deliver the company’s signature fusion of athletic-minded support and classic-meets-modern good looks. As Amberjack notes, the company designed these shoes to “feel even better than they look,” and if you ask me, that’s an enticing prospect for spring and summer style moves aplenty. Lace ’em up and get ready to feel as much comfort and support as style, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Astorflex Surflex Cupsole Shoes – An Easygoing Spring and Summer Footwear Move

Sometimes, the easiest style solutions are right in front of your face — or your feet, in the case of the best sneakers for men. There are times where sleek loafers suffice, there are times when trail-ready hiking sandals are the way to go, and there are opportunities where white leather sneakers are going to deliver in fine form. Of course, you can find all of ’em at Huckberry, which is what brings us here today.

Shop your new favorite sneakers and gear at Huckberry

And then there are those in-between times when the style solution as far as the best men’s sneakers are concerned is to go with something more easygoing — a slip-on sneaker that has elements of most of the sneakers mentioned above, with the casual ease to pair with a camp collar shirt and stretch chino shorts, or else a crisp, breezy polo and linen trousers.

And thanks to my good friends at Huckberry, your new casual footwear style solution awaits — the hybrid Astorflex Suriflex Cupsole Slip-On Sneakers, with BBQ-ready style and the comfort to take you into and through the weekend. Ideally, you’ve heard of the family-owned footwear producers at Astorflex over the years reading this blog, with a focus on sustainably sourced rubber and aged suede and leather for supple style and comfort — these stylish men’s slip-on sneakers certainly fit their billing, at least in my experience.

The key with the Astorflex Suriflex Cupsole Slip-On Sneakers (which come in two shades of handsome suede and an eye-catching Nubuck option) is the cupsole sneaker outsole and memory foam footbed, one covered in leather for comfort right out of the box.

The crepe cup sole delivers support, rebound and comfort, and these fresh kicks are handmade in northern Italy for the ultimate in stylish, responsible construction. They’re also unlined for added comfort from the moment you first slide into ’em (which I would imagine to be right when you unbox ’em from my good friends at Huckberry!).

Best men's slip-on sneakers.

Helpfully, the Chestnut Nubuck leather option of the Astorflex Suriflex Cupsole Slip-On Sneakers will start to develop its own patina over time, something I always appreciate when it comes to the best sneakers for the men. And the earthy suede varieties of the Astorflex Suriflex Cupsole Slip-On Sneakers should pair as reliably with olive chinos as with light wash jeans and a lightweight pocket tee. Expert, versatile summer style that hits the right marks awaits: All you need to do is embrace the style solution that is easygoing-yet-highly-wearable slip-on sneakers.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Amp Up Your Sneaker Game This Year with these Fresh Todd Snyder x New Balance 574 Kicks

Todd Snyder x New Balance sneakers.

For as much as we talk about winter style must-haves for men like the best leather boots on the market, it’s important to build out your footwear rotation with some variety and diversity, especially as far as fresh sneakers for men are concerned (weather permitting in your neck of the woods, of course). How do we feel about some fashionable new sneakers for a new year, ehh? Particularly from one of the country’s best menswear designers? Read on for more, my friends.

Shop men’s sneakers and more here

And as we’ve talked about lately on this Brooklyn menswear blog, the new year is as great a time as any to cop some stylish men’s sneakers (“cop” is streetwear parlance for “buy,” of course — how do you do, fellow kids??).

At any rate, even if you’re not a massive sneakerhead, there’s likely not a designer you can trust more to get the style and silhouette just right — as in just right — than the award-winning designer Todd Snyder, folks.

In the same way that the designer can go slightly rugged-yet-refined with one of the best Western shirts for men, for instance, he can also take the classically casual style of New Balance sneakers and amp it up a notch in luxe suede.

And while the casually cool, utterly classic Todd Snyder x New Balance 574 Sneakers aren’t up for grabs at the ongoing Todd Snyder Winter Sale (more on that later this week, folks), these fresh kicks — there’s that word again, fresh! — are certainly the right way to go, at least if the weather holds out and you can rock ’em with rolled chinos or light wash jeans in equal measure.

The Todd Snyder x New Balance 574 Sneakers, billed by Todd Snyder and co. as”the most “New Balance” sneaker to ever come out of New Balance,” the style is iconic in its own right, as wearable with an Oxford shirt and cardigan (plus olive chinos, based on the hue you select) as with a laidback henley and indigo blue jeans.

Shop men’s sneakers and more at Todd Snyder

With a crisp nubuck suede upper and a comfortable, supportive EVA foam midsole and heel, you’re stepping out in easygoing style made to last all day (especially if you want to ease back into office life in more laidback fashion). If a sleek, sneaker-focused style update sounds like what your rotation needs to start the year, step into the Todd Snyder x New Balance 574 Sneakers, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The GREATS Reign Sneakers are Some of the Best White Sneakers to Buy This Summer

Just when you thought you had your rotation of the best white sneakers for men all sorted out, another option enters the fray to convince you that yes, your search for a pair of the best sneakers for men isn’t quite finished. At least, that’s the case in my experience as we continue to consider all manner of stylish men’s summer footwear here on this Brooklyn style blog.

From boat shoes to suede chukka boots to, yes, the GREATS Reign Sneakers seen above, a guy’s footwear assortment needs just enough variety and versatility all summer long.

Find out more now at GREATS

Of course, this you well know if you keep up with the pages of this site. And if you’ve grown tired of wearing canvas sneakers — at least from time to time — and want a pair of fresh kicks with a dash more refinement (yes, refinement!) and crisp looks, then allow me to introduce you (or reintroduce you) to Brooklyn-based GREATS.

The online upstart is a longtime footwear favorite of mine when it comes to crafting the best sneakers for men at fair prices using ultra-premium materials. GREATS branding on the heel of most pairs of GREATS men’s sneakers finishes them off in eye-catching yet subtle fashion, for good measure.

The brand has made waves over the years for making what you might call designer sneakers, yet at supremely low prices compared to more expensive luxury sneaker brands (lookin’ at you, Common Projects). My GREATS reviews over the years have also found that the brand prizes comfort as much as style, another benefit to adding a sharp pair like the GREATS Reign Sneakers to your style rotation.

They share much in common with the iconic and better-known GREATS Royale and GREATS Royale 2.0 Sneakers, which take a classic court sneaker design and elevate it with materials like a premium Italian leather upper and lining, plus a natural rubber margom outsole for rebound and cushioning.

Find out more and shop sneakers at GREATS

The GREATS Reign Sneakers are handcrafted in Portugal and finished with details like a luxe, soft leather lining — the kind that molds to your foot over time and features anti-microbial properties, to boot. Waxed cotton laces give the stylish white leather sneakers for men an added dash of elegance, at least slightly.

Another pair of GREATS for your consideration: Sleek, lightweight sneakers to wear this summer.

I’ve worn GREATS sneakers for years, and if I were you, I’d take the GREATS Reign Sneakers for a spin with everything from rolled light wash denim and a printed short-sleeve buttondown to olive chinos and a blue chambray shirt on casual Friday.

The GREATS Reign Sneakers are among an indispensable crop of dressed-up or dressed-down white leather sneakers to add to your rotation, and not a moment too soon as we keep rolling through the high heat of summer.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Frye Leather Sneakers are a Refined Set of Summer Sneakers for All Occasions

Best leather sneakers for men.

It seems that anything goes these days in the menswear world — well, not just anything, but there are more options out there for stylish guys than ever before, and that certainly includes the availability and wearability of the best sneakers for men across the board.

Think of it this way: While dressy occasions were once only the domain of, well, dress shoes and perhaps loafers in the summer months, there are options aplenty for the guy who wants an elevated pair of sneakers he can wear with business casual looks, and Frye (Northeast-based footwear purveyors for well over a century) certainly delivers.

Learn more and shop men’s shoes now at Frye

Yes, that’s correct, my friends: When done the right way, a pair of leather sneakers like the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers can get the job done with chinos and a lightweight blazer as readily as they can pair with linen lounge shorts and a breezy short-sleeve polo. Let’s dive in further, shall we?

Best known for rugged lace-up boots for spring (as well as stylish shoes for fall and winter), the brand’s sneakers are worth a closer look — particularly given the fact that they blend form and dressy appeal with comfort.

The Frye Astor Leather Sneakers use a classic court sneaker design, swapping out canvas for rich tumbled leather in handsome shades like Caramel seen above. The leather itself should patina nicely over time, but these fashionable men’s leather sneakers also come in shades like crisp White — the ultimate pair of leather dress sneakers, if you will, especially when worn with olive chinos and a white Oxford shirt, for example.

With a sturdy contrasting rubber outsole and a leather lining that should mold nicely to your foot over time, the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers blend luxury with an accessible price (try $148 on for size right now, ehh?). Other pairs of the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers, especially sleek Black atop a white outsole, are on sale for as low as $99 as well — not bad at all for sneakers you can (repeat after me!) dress up or dress down.

When your casual canvas sneakers aren’t quite the right move and when you want the comfort of sneakers at the office blended with the casually cool look of the right pair of lace-up kicks, I’d suggest — wholeheartedly — that you give the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers a shot this season.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Step Into Your New Favorite Summer Sneakers with the Henry Runner from York Athletics

The right pair of sneakers for men has to be able to check at least a few key boxes — ideally more than that, be it comfort, durability, support, effortless style (something we’ve been talking a lot about here lately on the blog) or a combination of all of the above.

Call it the jackpot if you’re able to check each of those boxes, all the while getting a discount on a pair of stylish men’s sneakers you can start wearing right away, yes? And so it goes with the York Athletics Henry Runners, on sale right now through one of your favorite online retailers for men, Bespoke Post — they’re on sale, they’re in season, they’re endlessly wearable and they’re going to prove perfect for all your summer travel plans ahead.

Find out more now at Bespoke Post
Best lightweight sneakers for men.

The York Athletics Henry Runners are billed by Bespoke Post as a “handsome lightweight cross-trainer,” and they’ve got retro good looks to match — a helpful blend of form and function, so to speak. With its New England roots and its blend of old-school heritage and modern technology, York Atheltics is the perfect brand to give your footwear rotation a shot in the arm — all for under $100 right now through Bespoke Post.

York Athletics Mfg. Henry Runners review.

The York Athletics Henry Runners use a soft jersey knit upper set atop a rubber outsole and a springy EVA foam base, while a polyurethane foam lining also delivers support and rebound. Better still is the fact that the supremely comfortable, workout-ready York Athletics Henry Runners turn into more of a lifestyle sneaker, thanks to the vintage runner-style design and the back leather pull tab.

Shop men’s footwear and more at Bespoke Post

The York Athletics Henry Runners seem to be the total package, and they’re certainly wearable with stretch chino shorts and a jersey polo as well as lounge shorts and a pocket tee, or even light wash jeans and a classic short-sleeve henley. The York Athletics Henry Runners bridge the gap between style and performance, a rarity for sneakers under $80 (as they so happen to be right now).

The liner wicks away moisture, EVA exterior technology provides superb rebound and support, and the entire package is fit for summer travel or backyard BBQs. Find your pair now while they’re still in stock at Bespoke Post.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: These Vans Authentic Sneakers are a ’70s-Inspired Summer Must-Have

Best canvas sneakers for men.

It’s always nice, at times, within your rotation of menswear essentials to really dial things back, keeping things subtle, stylish and often classic. That goes for easy-wearing essentials like the pocket tee or the chino short, or even an Oxford cloth buttondown — as we always say here on this Brooklyn style blog, the classics are the classics for a reason. It’s even more helpful you can find a full assortment of those classics at a site like Huckberry, one of the best online shops for men.

Shop essential summer gear at Huckberry

Take a pair of canvas sneakers, particularly pairs of Vans men’s sneakers: The silhouette and design is timeless, the inspiration often harkens back decades, and the good looks are paramount to casually cool, easygoing summer style. That’s a lot of boxes checked in short order, right? When you want to lace up a pair without thinking about it, when you want easygoing style to a T, Vans canvas sneakers tend to come in mighty handy.

And a pair like the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers get plenty of the details right in a way that’s both old-school and modern, drawing on the 1970s and classic skate shoes for current-day inspiration. They’re based on Vans Style 44, used by pioneering skateboarders for their traction and grip.

And the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers still retain that traction and grip to this day, with a waffle gum pattern that keeps you on your feet and your board. The Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers also feature a thick and durable yet breathable duck canvas upper, the kind that can take a beating and look even better all summer long.

A leather collar lining ensures a comfortable fit even with no-show socks, while tech-minded details like an improved Sola Foam All-Day-Comfort insole deliver rebound and crucial comfort.

Of course, they wouldn’t be a pair of Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers without a rubberized heel logo and contrast stitching across the upper. And in matters of style points, yessir, the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers deliver laidback good looks, whether paired with chino shorts and a knit polo shirt or a short-sleeve henley and lightweight linen drawstring shorts.

For retro-minded style you can count on — at a highly affordable price, no less — the iconic and newly revamped Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers fit the bill quite nicely as far as summer style sneaker additions are concenred.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Huckberry and Danner Just Debuted the Perfect Hiking Sneakers for Spring & Summer

When the time comes to gear up for your next summer adventure — a camping trip, a boating excursion, a cabin weekend where the biggest ‘to-do’ is hauling the cooler down to the river — you need the right gear, no? In fact, one might say the best spring and summer men’s gear should be a cut above the rest: Built not merely to meet a challenge, but to go above and beyond.

That’s certainly true when it comes to the footwear you lace up to hit the trail (or go far afield), and Huckberry x Danner is here just in time to power every excursion on your to-do list this season.

After all, it seems excursions far afield, away from the city and into the country, are often made all the better if you’re packing and wearing the right sturdy boots (or some of the best hiking sneakers) for the terrain on the horizon.

Learn more now & shop at Huckberry

The latest Huckberry x Danner collection — another drop in a long-running series of collaborations on rugged footwear dating back years — is powered by the Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker, a pair of hybrid footwear designed to blend in the durability of a hiking boot with the lightweight mobility of a sneaker.

The spirit of adventure, of course, is built right into what Huckberry rightfully calls “one of the lightest and toughest performance hiking sneakers we’ve ever tested,” and that’s certainly saying something, given the fact that the Americana retailer has a penchant for truly tough-as-nails gear.

In addition to an exclusive, suitably dusty and rugged Coyote colorway, the Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker is built with a highly durable, abrasion-resistant and lightweight Perspair® upper, which rests atop Danner’s customary Ortholite insole for supreme comfort and rebound.

Huckberry x Danner review.

The Perspair® upper also means these are breathable and yet quick-drying, bolstered by a flexible Ariaprene® gusset for more freedom of movement crossing rocky streams and navigating hilly trails. The Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker is overbuilt in the best way, assuredly able to compete with pairs of the best hiking boots for men.

Vibram’s N45 Outsole gives the Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker a ton of grip without overdoing it in terms of lug width, and these stylish-yet-functional hiking sneakers also rest atop another highly flexible touch, a TPU rock plate for more control (I’d call this a touch akin to four-way wheel drive on rocky roads, at least in my experience testing the best hiking sneakers from comparable brands like KEEN).

Huckberry x Danner Hiking Sneakers review.

I also appreciate the fact that these dependable hiking sneakers lace up with easily flexible speed lacing for plenty of wearability and a customizable fit. It’s like I always say, especially when it comes to Huckberry gear launches like the Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker: If it seems like these two tried-and-true adventure brands thought of everything, well, that’s because… they did. Don’t pack for your next outdoor summer trip without the Huckberry x Danner N45 Low Hiking Sneaker in your bag.