The best men’s white sneakers serve as blank canvases on which to paint your personal style, whether it leans toward streetwear, smart casual, preppy or something totally unique. That’s because the best white sneakers for men can be worn with just about anything, whether a pair of cuffed blue jeans or dressy wool pants. The key is finding the right white sneakers to suit the ‘fit.
The most popular white sneakers available today can trace their roots to athletic performance. Some styles we love today, at one point in time, were considered cutting-edge technology for tennis, running, basketball or skateboarding. Sports technology has advanced immeasurably since the 1970s, making these shoes less suitable for sports. However, the fashion world has adopted them as everyday footwear; some which have amassed cult followings behind them.
And while there’s a decent chance you already have a pair of white sneakers, it can’t hurt to add one (or two) more pairs into your rotation. That’s because there’s a white sneaker for every occasion, ranging from classic canvas styles and sporty leather sneakers. And if you’re worried about keeping your new kicks clean, we’ve even got a guide on how to clean white sneakers like a true sneakerhead.
Read on for our top picks for the best white sneakers for men. While many of these shoes are all white, we also included gum-sole sneakers and off-white sneakers. And don’t forget to cross-check this list with our guide to the most comfortable sneakers, as there’s a surprising amount of overlap.
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The Best White Sneakers for Men At a Glance
Adidas Stan Smith
The Stan Smith is one of the single most popular tennis shoes and one of the most iconic styles from Adidas. Modern tech has rendered this shoe useless for competitive tennis, but it remains at the top of the list for preferred men’s white sneakers. There is an all-white colorway available, but we like the pop of green on the heel that comes with these iconic kicks.
Common Projects Original Achilles Leather White Sneakers
The granddaddy of the minimal sneaker trend, the Common Projects Achilles has been going strong since its introduction in 2004. But totally not a “grandaddy shoe.” Overrated? A new classic? That’s for you to decide. But these crisp white shoes are unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
Nike Air Force 1 ’07
When the first version of this iconic sneaker, designed by Bruce Kilgore, dropped in 1982, it was the first basketball shoe to include Nike Air technology in the sole, making it one of the most comfortable shoes in the world. Forty years later, that’s still the case, a testament to Nike’s pioneering footwear design. We wouldn’t say that this is the most stylish white sneaker for sale in 2022, but its comfort and enduring popularity are undeniable.
Cariuma Off-White Gum Canvas
Cariuma is a relatively new entry into the sneaker space, and the brand strongly focuses on sustainability without compromising style or comfort.
The shoes are made from natural materials like organic cotton, natural rubber, and a cork insole, and any plastic used is made from recycled bottles. Of course, the shoes have to look good, too. Fortunately, they have a classic canvas and gum sole look that goes with anything.
Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas
The Chuck 70 is the updated version of the classic Converse All Star. It’s built to the standard of how the shoes were made in the ’70s, which translates to a thicker sole, a more substantial canvas, and upgraded hardware. They come in at a higher cost, but when SPY tried them, we felt they were worth the splurge. These are also one of our favorite off-white sneakers (not to be confused with our favorite Off-White sneakers).
Read More: Chuck 70 vs The Classic Chuck Taylor: Which Converse Sneaker is Best?
SALOMON XT-6 Advanced Rubber-Trimmed Mesh Sneakers
Outdoors-inspired shirts and hiking clothes have been having a big moment lately, catapulting niche, technical brands like Arc’Teryx and Salomon into the style stratosphere. And while many of Salomon’s sneakers look highly engineered, the XT-6 design has a streamlined mesh construction. Of course, they’re still built to keep up with every outdoor adventure.
New Balance x Aime Leon Dore 550 Sneakers
New Balance is best known for its love affair with gray, but it also makes some of the best white sneakers. For instance, their collab with contemporary designer Aime Leon Deon hits hard in cream white with calf leather highlights and suede panels. It’s a great option for anyone who loves retro-inspired running shoes from one of the oldest brands in running.
Reebok Men’s Club C 85 Shoes
The Club C 85 is as British as seeing Oasis at Glastonbury, even though Reebok is now owned by Adidas (a German company) and based in Boston (an American city). Still, it’s all about the vibe.
Koio Capri White Dress Sneakers
If your office isn’t casual enough for you to wear your Nike Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage high-tops or Adidas Ultra Boost running shoes, then a handsome white leather dress sneaker is the perfect alternative to stiff dress shoes. Koio is gaining more fans each year and it’s easy to see why. All of the brand’s sneakers are hand-made in Italy from Italian leather and feature clean lines and modern styling.
Maison Margiela Replica
Fact: the name “Replica” is exactly what it sounds like. These shoes are replicas of a generic style called a German army trainer, or GAT. Somehow, Margiela was able to make them couture.
Gum soles are popular right now, and some of the best white sneakers of 2023 feature this popular color combo. Made in Italy, Maison Margiela Replicas are designed in a low-top silhouette with calf leather and suede overlays. The style is iconic wherever seen and immediately recognizable.
Vans Classic Slip-On
Although the best white sneakers deserve to kept spotless, sometimes they just look better when they’re trashed. That’s the case for the Vans Classic Slip-On. A shoe that helped define skate culture, these shoes were arguably designed to be wrecked. When a pair of classic white Vans gets trashed, it develops character. Each scrape, stain, and scuff over time is another story to tell as these juggernauts of the skateboarding world remain stitched together by the hopes and dreams of the canvas of which they’re made.
Veja Esplar
Minimal, but not plain, best describes the ever-popular Veja Esplar sneakers. Made from rice waste and recycled rubber, these leather shoes have a round toe and a simple “V” logo with suede overlays. Minimal enough to not be distracting. Subtly intriguing enough to draw eyes.
Nike Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage
Choosing the best high-top white sneakers for men was easy. There wasn’t even a runner-up. If you’re the type of person used to simple silhouettes like Converse or Vans, Blazers are a low-key upgrade that won’t mean straying too far from your comfort zone. Wear them on the weekend with your favorite jeans and a t-shirt, or wear them to the office with chinos and a button-up.
Stepney Workers Club Dellow Leather Sneakers
Stepney Workers Club is beyond underrated. But if you’re already hip, then you know the East London unisex footwear label makes shoes and sneakers with vulcanized rubber soles for endless comfort and durability. Their assortment includes white sneakers with a timeless look and clean lines.
On Cloud 5
In the already crowded running shoe market, ON has managed to stand out despite its confusingly short name (it’s just ON). That’s because their stand-out CloudTec cushioning makes them ideal for all-day comfort, whether you’re running or just walking around. Seriously, if you’ve been searching for the most comfortable shoes for standing all day, you have to try On Cloud.
Thursday Boots Premier Low Top
Our favorite white sneakers of the moment come from none other than Thursday Boots Co., one of SPY’s favorite men’s boot brands. These aren’t just some of the best white sneakers for men of 2023, but some of the best sneakers, period. Most white leather sneakers for men cost two or three times as much, but these are affordable dress sneakers that don’t compromise on quality.
Puma Clyde Sneaker
Puma is a classic sneaker brand with an interesting history. It was founded by Rudi Dassler, brother of Adolf Dassler, the founder of Adidas. The brothers had a falling out and launched their two companies in the same town. Though Adidas has overtaken Puma, the latter brand is still a great source for classic sneakers, like the basic (in a good way) Clyde sneakers.
How To Clean White Sneakers
Keeping your white shoes clean is quite an easy task. First: if you’re going to buy white sneakers, do your best to keep them from getting dirty at all costs. If it’s too late to stain-guard your new Nikes, don’t worry, there are ways to get your sneakers looking fresh again.
Jason Markk Repel Spray
Exhibit A — Jason Markk Repel Spray. The brand takes the cake as our favorite sneaker-protecting spray, which is super easy to apply and is safe for all materials, from natural materials like suede and leather to synthetic fabrics and blends. Once the water-based spray is absorbed, it will repel water and stains from settling onto your shoes in the first place. And when the spray runs out, there are convenient refills available. Also, don’t worry, it won’t alter the color of your new white kicks.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original, Cleaning Pads
You probably already have this product in your home, but in case you don’t we’re going to put this on your radar. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original Cleaning Pads is one of our favorite hacks for cleaning white sneakers in a flash. It’s great for making crayons on walls disappear, faucets become gleamingly bright after a quick swipe, and cemented bathtub grime swirls quickly down the drain. It’s not considered magical for no reason.