The Best White Sneakers for Men, Tested by Style Editors

Originally released in 1979, the Nike Killshot has lived two lives. It was first designed as a tennis shoe, as the name suggests, and became popular within the sport through the 1980s. Then, in 2009, J.Crew struck a deal with Nike to revive the style as an exclusive lifestyle collaboration. Coming from two of the biggest names in menswear at the time, the Killshot 2—as it was dubbed—was an instant sensation.

The initial redesign was true to the original: all-white, a gum sole, and a navy-bordered swoosh. J.Crew offered it as the ideal sneaker to wear with suiting, along with pretty much everything else, and that role has stuck to this day.

J.Crew’s exclusive on the Killshot ran out a few years ago, and now the iconic white sneaker can be found at multiple retailers. However, Nike is the only source selling seven different color options, including in all white. You can pick your favorite color, find one that matches best with your wardrobe, or even collect the full set.

For pure versatility though, the original navy is matched only by the solid white. Since the original has become pretty well known, our style editors are partial to the white-on-white as a unique option that still looks great with everything.

Read more: Best Nike Shoes

Vans’ all-white slip-on sneakers were popular among the Southern California surfers who pioneered skateboarding during the late ‘70s. Legend has it that the brand’s founder liked how these kids were drawing their own designs on the all-white shoes, essentially using them as blank canvases, which inspired him to create the checkerboard motif slip-ons.

As iconic as those stylized sneakers are, the all-white version is far more functional for everyday wear. The completely clean front provided by a single panel of fabric maximizes the versatility aspect of white sneakers. It works with chinos, jeans, shorts, dress pants, and anything else you can wear on your legs.

The ease of slipping them on and off makes these sneakers a favorite among our style editors for commuting. Keep a pair of dress shoes in your bag or at your office, and wear your slip-on sneakers for your commute.

While Vans are still a favorite among skaters, these sneakers aren’t ideal for any other athletic activities. The thin sole provides ideal feel and flex for skating, but this doesn’t allow for the support and cushioning you want while working out.

You don’t have to be a runner to make good use of these white sneakers from On. The brand’s signature cloud-shaped sole puts a little bounce into every step, with a balance between cushion and support. It makes everything you do just a little bit easier by keeping you light on your feet.

Along with the two-tone white design, our style editors like these running shoes for every-day styling because of how low they sit in the ankle. The problem with most running shoes is that a bulky mid-length ankle, which provides the kind of support you want for running, can cause pants to drape awkwardly. Thinner material and a lower ankle make these On sneakers easy to wear with slimmer cut pants.

An easy tip to make this sneaker even more functional for everyday wear is to not thread the laces through the top eyelet. This allows the tongue to be loose enough to make the sneaker a slip-on.

Read more: Best On Running Shoes

The Boost sole from Adidas is one of the most popular sneaker innovations of all time. While the OG Ultraboost remains incredibly popular, the refined Pureboost 23 is a little more supportive and provides a sleeker silhouette. This is an excellent shoe for active weekend errands.

The all white version is also ideal for casual every-day wear, especially when worn with shorts or joggers. You can transition easily from weekend chores to the gym and back again. The all synthetic upper is easy to scrub clean with a towel and a little detergent. However, the boost sole is notoriously difficult to keep clean because the almost-invisible netting holding the foam together traps dust and small particles. The only effective tool that we’ve found to get trapped dirt out is an old toothbrush.

From our testing, we actually prefer the Pureboost over the more popular Ultraboost because it has more support in the heel and ankle, making it ideal for long city walks.

These days, a sharp leather sneaker with a minimalist design is almost as formal as traditional dress shoes. One of the finest examples out there is the Capri from Koio. The Italian shoemaker uses many of the manufacturing techniques that have been used to make dress shoes for generations. Every sneaker is assembled in Northern Italy using domestically-sourced leather from ethically-certified tanneries.

The Capri comes in a huge range of colors, many of which are earth tones that are easy to style. However, the all-white and the white with gum sole are the two most versatile styles. What sets this sneaker apart from most others out there is that pretty much every piece is stitched together, rather than glued as is standard practice. This level of construction, typically reserved for boots and dress shoes, creates longlasting durability. It also allows for repairs, if any seams come loose, a cobbler can stitch it back together.

Last but certainly not least, we found the Capri to be very comfortable right out of the box. The leather is supple, and the thick rubber sole has plenty of flex. That makes this white sneaker one of our favorite dress shoe alternatives for suiting and office attire.

Pushing the boundaries of running shoe technology when it was released, the New Balance 574 has transitioned into one of the most comfortable shoes to just live your life in. Running technology outpaced this burly suede sneaker long ago, but the contoured insole and Encap heel support still provide exceptional comfort.

The stitched suede and mesh upper and tough rubber outsole are much heavier than most modern running shoes, but also far more durable. That makes this a go-to shoe for the long haul. One of our style editors still rocks a pair of the 574 that he has had for nearly a decade now.

Brands like Todd Snyder and Aime Leon Dore have solidified New Balance “dad shoes” like the 574 as unimpeachably fashionable. This multi-tone white sneaker can plug effortlessly into any wardrobe. It works with jogger, jeans, chinos, and shorts. Despite all the fun new running shoes out there, our style editors just keep going back to classics like this for easy day-to-day style.

Read more: Best New Balance Shoes

Perhaps the most famous skate sneaker ever created, the Chuck Taylor All Star is also one of the most versatile shoes in the world. The design is so well established that it has been worn with pretty much everything at one point or another, so there is no way to go wrong. Picking the parchment white color makes this icon even easier to style. The creamy texture blends seamlessly with any colored pant and anchors even the boldest fits.

The Chuck 70 is a beefed up version of the classic, and is still true to the specs used in the ‘70s. This means a thicker canvas, heavier rubber sole, and stronger midsole. It also comes with an Ortholite cushioned insole, providing arch support that you don’t get with the standard issue Chucks. All these improvements come at a $30 price hike, but we think it is totally worth the cost. After wearing both versions for years, the Chuck 70 lasts substantially longer and is noticeably more comfortable.

Another benefit that we found with the parchment color Chuck 70 is that it is easy to clean. Pretty much any dirt and scuff rubs right off of the sole and the off-white color cleans up better than pure white. The tough 12 oz canvas can handle a good scrubbing when it gets really dirty. Of course, there is a certain character that beat-up and dingy Chucks take on. So maybe you don’t want to keep them so clean.

Hoka designed the Transport as a hiking shoe, tough enough to handle rough terrain, but we love this white sneaker for conquering the mean city streets. The compression molded EVA midsole provides ample cushioning, while the grippy outsole can get you through rain day walks. If you live in a walkable city or town, this is a sneaker that can handle any weather and will keep your feet comfortable all day long.

The cushion, support, and grip make the Transport an excellent active sneaker as well. While the smooth white color, accented with a gum outsole, works with both casual and relaxed office attire. Making this sneaker perfect for those active weekend errands, or providing a little extra boost for catching the subway just in time.

During testing, our style editors found that these were one of the easiest white sneakers to keep clean. Since it was designed for hiking, the water resistant fabric of the upper easily wipes clean with a wet cloth. You just need to get to any muck and mud before it sets in.

Read more: Best Hoka Running Shoes

Everyone could use a simple canvas low-top sneaker. Cariuma makes one of our favorite options, and it is produced using eco-friendly materials. The upper and lining are made from organic cotton, and the insole is made of biodegradable cork and mamona oil foam, a plant-based alternative to petroleum. Plant based does not mean flimsy, as this sneaker is sturdy and reliable. Not to mention, extremely comfortable, thanks to the cushioned insole.

The OCA Low comes in a few dozen different colors and material options, including an all white leather and a two-tone white suede. As if that weren’t enough variety to choose from, you can also add on different color laces at check out. However, we recommend sticking to the solid white canvas for pure versatility.

A classic white canvas sneaker like this gets better with age. Our style editors recommend letting it collect some scuffs and stains to add character. Consider it a type of patina, like wearing in a pair of jeans or leather jacket.

Read more: Cariuma Oca Low Review

Whether you’re training for a 10K or hustling to get your weekend to-do list done, you’ll be happy to have the Novablast 4 on your feet. It is low-key one of the most popular running shoes on the market, thanks to a very friendly price. From our testing, it stands toe-to-toe with far more expensive running shoes for support and comfort.

“I love how well cushioned this shoe is, which makes it a great option for me when I take on easy effort miles or recovery runs, but can also carry me through longer runs,” says MH Fitness and Commerce Editor Talene Appleton, NASM, in her testing of the best running shoes.

There is some gray detailing, but from our testing, it was not enough to disqualify it as a true white sneaker. Since the detailing is all on the side and back, and the toe is the area that is most exposed. You can rock the Novablast with any type of casual attire, from your gym clothes to your beach outfit. Being super lightweight makes it ideal for travel.

Read more: Best Asics Running Shoes

Minimal Detail: What amount of colored detailing separates white sneakers from not-white sneakers? The answer is tricky and depends on where the colored detailing is located, but generally speaking, you want at least 80% of the overall sneaker to be white. Functionally, it comes down to placement and amount of colors. Avoid more than one other color, two at the most. Keep the toe area white because that is the most visible area, look for detailing on the back and sides.

Comfortable Support: With the biggest benefit of white sneakers for men being versatility and overall wearability, comfort should be a big consideration. Having a shoe that goes with any outfit but is not comfortable to wear for long really cancels out the versatility. Look for sneakers with supportive midsoles and cushioned insoles. Fortunately, every option on this list is super comfortable.

Easy to Clean: If you fall into the “keep ‘em clean” camp, then having white sneakers that freshen up well is crucial. Leather sneakers clean off the easiest, as long as you don’t let the stains set in. Just wipe off any dirt, dust, and spills with a wet cloth as soon as possible. For fabric sneakers, synthetic fibers tend to not hold stains as much as cotton or wool. Which means that any small stains can be cleaned off with a brush or wet cloth with a little detergent added. While most fabric sneakers are technically machine washable, it is always best to clean footwear by hard to avoid misshaping.

Brad Lanphear is a style pro with more than a decade of experience testing and styling men’s shoes, including white sneakers. For this story, he and Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan tested over 30 white sneakers and evaluated their comfort, fit, and just how great they looked. They also consulted with MH fashion director Ted Stafford for his product recommendations, and combed through hundreds of five-star reviews from e-commerce sites they trust. Lanphear also scanned through countless Reddit threads like r/malefashionadvice, for unbiased opinions on the most best white sneakers to shop now.