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Originally Posted On: https://www.gq.com/story/sneakers-for-men

What are the best sneakers for men? Well, that depends on the kind of sneakers you’re looking for. Today’s sneaker landscape is a bit like the MCU: vast, far-ranging, chock full of unexpected cameos, and prone to incite confounding levels of scrutiny from millions of adults who should probably know better. (The characters might vary, but for sneaker fans with firsthand experience working the internecine dynamics of the aftermarket, there’s no shortage of villains.)

And much like Marvel’s multibillion-dollar baby, the already-expansive sneaker galaxy is only getting bigger. Today it encompasses everything from suede designer high-tops to trusty canvas lace-ups—along with the requisite training shoes, running shoes, and basketball shoes. Figuring out where to start can be as exhausting as binging a quartet of Avengers movies in one bleary-eyed go. So we did it for you.

Below, you’ll find a mercifully succinct outline of ever single sneaker style worth your time right now, all culled from the digital pages of our extensive sneaker coverage. Because no matter what the critics (or, uh, trend forecasters) say, the best sneakers for men remain some of the best men’s shoes, period. Sneakerheads, assemble!

The Best Sneakers Shopping Guide

• White Sneakers
• Black Sneakers
• Walking Shoes
• Running Shoes
• Nike Sneakers
• Adidas Sneakers
• Jordan Sneakers
• New Balance Sneakers
• Asics Sneakers
• Luxury Sneakers
• The Sneakers We Liked Most This Year

White Sneakers

More than mere wardrobe staples, white sneakers are the base of the menswear food pyramid, the pair of shoes you’ll likely reach for more than any other in your closet. Which explains why there are a mind-boggling amount of ’em available, from all-time classics to wild-style flexes. Over the years, we’ve surveyed hundreds of options, testing out the cream of the crop each step of the way. (Looking for the best white sneakers you can buy with only a hundred bucks? We’ve got you covered too.)

Black Sneakers

Black sneakers make a convincing argument for the dark side, the footwear equivalent of Emperor Palpatine whispering sweet nothings in a young Padawan’s ear. Turns out, black shoes are the perfect low-maintenance alternative for any serial puddle-swervers, and engaging in illegal activity isn’t a prerequisite to wearing ’em. (Most of the time.)

Running Shoes

If you’re considering hitting the the track or the trails this year, investing in a reliable pair of running shoes is a must. The right pair should offer cushioning, durability, and energy return in spades—in other words, the opportunity to feel like Eliud Kipchoge, whether you’re an amateur enthusiast looking for a new daily trainer or a hardcore half-marathoner in the market for a racer that’ll help you smash your last PB. From trail-ready runners to everyday beaters you can wear to jog around the neighborhood, there’s no better shoes to start your journey to Olympic (or near-Olympic) glory.

Jordan Sneakers

The industry has changed a lot since Nike introduced the Air Jordan 1 in ’84, but the company hasn’t stopped coming with the heat since. Today, Jordan Brand counts a roster of sneakerhead-approved styles to its name, but the AJ1 remains the its hero product, a perennial favorite of the biggest names in the design world and the ideal canvas for their wildest interpretations. Jordan Brand effectively birthed modern sneaker culture, and there’s still few labels as influential—and none with the same cachet.

Asics Sneakers

Asics is on an absolute hot streak right now. Under the direction of Kiko Kostadinov, the Gel-Kayano 14—a once-forgotten silhouette from the Japanese brand’s archives—has emerged as a sleeper contender for sneaker of the year, and its general release styles tend to sell out just as fast as its buzzy collaborations (a high bar to meet considering the brand has teamed up with everyone from Justin Saunders to Zack Bia). All of which means the brand is on the precipice of yanking a sizable chunk of sneakerhead attention away from the big cahunas at Adidas, Nike, and New Balance—not enough to eat into their market share, perhaps, but plenty to keep ’em on their toes.

Luxury Sneakers

Luxury sneakers used to be an oxymoron. No longer. Over the last decade, capital-D designer brands like Gucci and Balenciaga capitalized on the sneaker craze with gusto, churning out hit after hit like Lil Baby halfway through a long night in the studio. Today, every fashion house worth its weight in gratis champagne offers an extensive sneaker selection—some of ’em very good. (Though be warned: they tend to come with a correspondingly sky-high price tag).

The Sneakers We Liked Most This Year

In 2022, plenty of the elements that once defined the routine of normal life slowed to a halt, but the sneaker release cycle wasn’t one of them. Since the start of least year, there’s been a steady stream of briskly-selling kicks hitting the proverbial shelves every week, and more than a few of them are worth revisiting. From blockbuster collaborations courtesy of the biggest names in the business to classics-in-the-making via smaller footwear upstarts, there’s never been a better time to start building out your collection—or fill in the gaps with whatever you missed out on the first time around.