Online Shopping Picks: Upgrade Your Footwear with the Best Leather Sneakers to Buy Now

There are sneakers and then there are sneakers. The kind of stylish men’s sneakers that make you pause, perhaps do a double-take and then pull out your credit card. That’s what we’re talking about today on The Style Guide. We’re taking it up a notch from past Online Shopping Picks entries and getting a little bit more specific, too. Now, we talked earlier this year about the best men’s sneakers to buy for spring and summer, and today builds off that focus in a whole new way.

Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers

This pair right here … well, the Rambler Hi from Todd Snyder and P.F. Flyers could become a favorite. Read on to learn more.

Yes indeed, the right pair of leather sneakers offers something a little extra when compared to a pair of standard canvas sneakers, which are decidedly more casual. Equal parts durable and rugged, stylish leather sneakers can team with everything from light wash denim and a pocket tee during the last few weeks of summer to your favorite henley and a classic cardigan come fall. What’s more, I think you’ll find that the below picks hit the sweet spot in terms of style that can transition from August into September, October and heck … November. That’s particularly the case if we’re talking stylish leather high-top sneakers. So, shop on for your new favorite pair of leather sneakers, and feel free to follow me on Twitter for #menswear musings aplenty.

#1. Rancourt Carson Low in Natural Chromexcel — $300

Rancourt 7 Co.

A beautiful pair of leather sneakers that’ll only get better with age.

Let’s get this straight right off the bat — the kind of leather sneakers you’re looking for definitely bring a little something extra to the table. That something extra, that “Wow” factor … the handsome, stylish and investment-level Carson Low from Rancourt & Co. certainly has that extra something. Featuring made-in-Maine craftsmanship and beautiful Horween leather, the Carson Low is an absurdly beautiful pair of sneakers, practically begging to be worn right now with a slim white polo shirt and then worn later on this fall with a Todd Snyder crewneck sweater.

#2. GREATS The Royale in Blanco — $169

Before we get too carried away with brown Horween leather sneakers, let’s get back to the basics — and by the basics, I mean perhaps the most affordable pair of premium white leather sneakers on the market.  GREATS continues to make waves in the men’s sneaker market for mixing excellent quality with simple silhouettes — and the Royale in Blanco is certainly a silhouette that’s lifted the brand to new heights. Buy these classic leather sneakers now to wear with slim tan chinos and a navy polo, keep ’em handy to wear with a denim jacket and a rugged henley when you feel an early fall breeze.


#3.  GREATS Royale Vintage in Nero — $179

Let’s go with another pair of stylish GREATS sneakers, this time with some subtle updates to the brand’s tried-and-true Royale silhouette. The Royale Vintage updates that same silhouette with detailing like a back heel tab crafted from nubuck — and the cream Margom sole is a nice deparature from the Royale in Blanco, too. In short, the Royale Vintage is just different enough to justify the slightly higher price tag — and that means you should give it a shot alongside dark denim and a grey Oxford the next time you need to dress to work remotely.


#4. Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneaker in Saddle Leather OR White Leather — $160 ($110 When Signing Up for Bespoke Post)

Ahh, yes. The lauded Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi — a past entry in our Style Pick of the Week series, and just as worthy of inclusion in today’s list of prime #menswear picks. The essential Rambler Hi might be the perfect leather high-top sneaker. It blends a durable, classic construction with two quality options — either the Saddle Leather Rambler or the White Leather Rambler are solid picks. Plus, you get the sort of style that really can carry over seamlessly into the fall; wear these on a weekend coffee date or a stroll through your favorite park.

#5.  GREATS Royale in Perforated Sand — $179

One more pair of essential GREATS sneakers for your shopping list, ehh? It’s a treat to see how GREATS takes a silhouette like the Royale and continues to update it. In this case, the Royale in Perforated Sand blends a transitional color with perforated leather detailing — a touch that means these are fit to wear into October and November as the leaves start to fall. Pair them up with your favorite pair of dark blue denim and a classic chambray shirt — oh, and sidle up to the bar and get us another round, will ya?

#6.  Nisolo Diego Low — $129

A handsomely crafted pair of sneakers made with top-notch attention to detail.

For those of us who like a sneaker that’s got the quality and craftsmanship of a pair of essential leather boots, there’s the Nisolo Diego Low. Made with the same attention to detail as the brand’s handsome leather loafers and Oxfords, the Diego Low has a rugged-yet-sporty vibe that’s tough to come by these days — the Vibram sole and vegetable-tanned leather on the Diego Low are but two quality components of these kicks. They’re perfect for teaming with a rugged field jacket and slim black denim this fall — trust me on that.

Honorable Mention: JAK Royal in Taupe — $102.98

JAK sneakers

A clean and simple set of kicks for wearing with versatile high-low style combos.

You didn’t think we’d leave out a pair of sneakers that run just over $100, did you? The JAK Royal in Taupe is a recent addition to the Huckberry offering of stylish men’s sneakers. What’s more, it’s an absolutely great set of kicks for a great price. Handcrafted in Portugal, the  JAK Royal in Taupe blends comfortable Vibram construction with flat wax cotton laces — these are certainly sneakers to wear with a blazer or an upgraded T-shirt this summer and into fall.

Well, we’re really just scratching the surface when it comes to stylish leather sneakers that you can wear now and into the fall. Consider this list a good starting point — the right pair of leathr sneakers should blend quality, craftmanship and serious style. I personally think the Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi is a heck of a pair of sneakers to wear now with rolled denim, and wear later with a thick cardigan.

If you’re more of a low-top sneakers guy, then the JAK Royal in Taupe could be the right pick for you — or maybe even the Carson Low from Rancourt & Co., a pair that’s as handsome and rugged as anything you’ll find on the market. We’d be remiss not to mention the work being done by GREATS , too. Notably, the Royale in Perforated Sand and the uniquely detailed Royale Vintage are winners in my book for their blend of crisp details and versatile style. What’s your favorite pair from this list? Drop a note in the comments — oh, and get back to shopping!

Thanks so much for reading,

-Beau

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers

Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers

Handsome, well-made and easily wearable — even in the summer. That’s today’s Style Pick.

We’re going into somewhat uncharted territory today as we consider the stellar Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers. That is, unlike your typical pair of classic summer sneakers — white canvas sneakers or leather slip-ons, for instance — we’re recommending high-top leather sneakers in summer today at The Style Guide. So, bear with me — we’re in this together, and you’re going to like the stellar quality and excellent style the Rambler Hi delivers. Trust me. You really get the best of both worlds — the rugged-refined, heritage-inspired menswear design of New York City’s Todd Snyder, plus the classic silhouette and terrific quality of the P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi.

It’s among a series of items from classic brands that Mr. Snyder has revamped –including the Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch — these are welcome #menswear collabs, indeed. And the recently released Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers are the underrated summer shoes you didn’t know you needed — certainly, they’re among the best sneakers for men. Yes, that’s right — I’m a fan of these, and I think you should be, too.  And what better place to go to get them than a veritable one-stop shop for all your favorite men’s gear? That’d be Bespoke Post. If you’re not familiar, best acquaint yourself now, because it’s the place to go to get the Rambler Hi … and plenty more. Back to the task at hand, though. Why are we reaching for stylish high-top sneakers in summer? For starters, these are crisp, classic and easy to wear — no matter the season. They’re not heavy leather boots, that much is true. And the quality on the Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers? Well, the kicks are certainly up to snuff.

Todd Snyder

Subtle branding touches from both Todd Snyder and P.F. Flyers make this pair more than your average set of kicks.

It starts with the recognizable silhouette and tough P.F. Flyers construction — a brand trademark that’s going to make these comfortable to wear for hours, whether you’re dressing for a summer music festival or schlepping a cooler to your next weekend barbecue.  The exterior of the Rambler Hi is applause-worthy, too — made from premium Cheveux leather, these kicks aren’t a standard pair of athletic sneakers or canvas sneakers. That gives them a slightly dressy, refined edge — feel free to pair them with high-low style combos, like American-made light wash denim and an unstructured blazer, plus a chambray shirt. That versatility means you can also dress them down — as in, throwing on your favorite pair of slim chinos and a classic grey pocket tee.

Nautica

Subtle design touches make a difference when it comes to the Rambler Hi, too.  In this instance, flat waxed cotton laces lend a premium look and feel, at the same time providing some welcome contrast to the rich leather upper. Again, it’s the little details that make the difference in matters of style, and those details should certainly extend to your new favorite sneakers. Can you feel me? And even subtler co-branded details make these special. The Todd Snyder heel tab logo is a touch you won’t find on other P.F. Flyers sneakers — yet another factor that makes the Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Rambler Hi Sneakers a special pair of kicks. With all that being said … are you on-board with stylish high-top sneakers in the summer months? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to check in with me on Twitter. I’ll write back, I promise!

For now — enjoy the rest of the weekend!

-Beau