Top 5 Men’s Sneakers of 2019

You asked for it and we delivered! As you probably know by now, you can wear sneakers more places than ever these days and that means it’s even more important to give your sneaker purchases extra consideration. That said, this isn’t an excuse to just wear your gym shoes everywhere! Choosing the right pair of sneakers is more than just wearing athletic shoes with jeans or chinos, you’ve got to find the right balance of style and color and also consider the shoe shape.

With that, here are our picks for the Top 5 Men’s Sneakers of 2019 plus a few extra picks we really loved!

Nike Retro Sneaker

We love a good retro sneaker and this version from Nike is a new update on a classic silhouette. It’s got a suede and nylon upper and comes in some very cool bright colorways. A great casual shoe for chinos, jeans, or shorts.

 

Vans

You can never go wrong with a classic skate shoe vibe and this Vans sneaker is a total winner. It’s really well-priced and comes in two basic colorways that will go with everything in your closet.

 

Adidas Ultraboost

One of our absolute favorite running sneakers, this recently updated version of the Adidas Ultraboost is crazy comfortable and comes in a ton of great colorways. We love the bolder versions but the classic triple white, triple black, and grey are always stylish as well.

 

Wolverine High Top

This definitely isn’t a basketball sneaker. As we mentioned earlier, dressy and casual shoes are pretty interchangeable these days, and a nice leather high top can work with a variety of different looks. Wolverine is known for their boots and the leather is really excellent and the shoe is very comfortable. They also come in a sharp low-top version as well.

 

New Balance

Another great retro-inspired sneaker, this one mixes in technical materials and a sleek monochromatic colorway to give it a cool vibe that’s a great middle-ground between retro and modern. It’s definitely got an athletic vibe but it’s still sleek and sporty enough to work with denim, chinos, or shorts.

  

Koio Suede Sneaker

A suede version of a sleek minimal silhouette is a great way to add a bit of extra style and texture to your sneaker rotation. We were fans of their classic white leather sneaker from Koio and this suede version is excellent. We love the monochromatic design and the suede is very soft and high-quality. and there is a range of great earth tone colorways to choose from.

 

Nike Epic React

In a similar vein as the Adidas Ultraboost, the Nike Epic React is a super light and comfortable modern running sneaker that combines technical looks and a versatile silhouette. Like the Adidas, you can go with a simple monochromatic colorway or try a bolder color for extra personality.

 

Beckett Simonon

We reviewed these in a recent video and we absolutely loved them. The clean design, excellent price point, and high-quality leather make them one of our favorite sneakers this year for sure. A sure-fire go-to for casual or more dressy looks.

Nike React Element

Usually, we’re pretty picky about futuristic-looking shoes and tend to avoid streetwear trends, but this version from Nike features a really cool design but isn’t too chunky or odd-looking. It’s versatile enough to wear with denim or joggers and is very lightweight and comfortable. With a unique design like this, you can definitely lean into the bold colorways but also, you can never go wrong with a simple black and white combination.

Beckett Simonon Reid Sneaker Review – Are They Worth It?

By now you probably know how important it is to have a sharp white sneaker in your footwear rotation.  They’re probably the most versatile casual shoe you can own.  We’ve discussed other styles in the past, and in our latest edition of Worth It, we’re reviewing a new entrant in the minimal white sneaker game, the Reid from Beckett Simonon. 

We’ve been fan’s of their products in the past, namely their leather weekender bag, but how does this sneaker stack up? Tune in and find out if we think the Beckett Simonon Reid sneaker is worth it!

 

Pros

Great Design – We loved the clean, minimal design and sleek profile.  It has a nice shape and zero branding.

Good Materials and Construction – We really liked the high-quality full-grain leather and solid construction.

Multiple Colors – We tested the white version but there are a bunch of other versatile color options too.

Good Price – These are an outstanding value at $149.

 

Cons

While Dorian had a very small issue with the heel, Ashley had zero cons and we both really loved this shoe!

 

Verdict

Ashley and Dorian: Worth It!

We loved the design, quality, and comfort.  These are a great, very well-priced option in the leather sneaker market.

Shop The Beckett Simonon Reid Here

Top 3 Men’s Shoes For Summer

Warm weather and summer events make for special shoe demands, so you want to be prepared with the right summer footwear. You want shoes that are going to keep you cool and also look stylish with your summer looks. One caveat before we jump in though: while you may be tempted to wear flip flops all summer, don’t do it! Unless you’re headed to the pool or beach you should be wearing a proper shoe, so keep them in the closet unless there’s water present.

Don’t forget to check out all of our picks below!

 

 

 

Boat Shoes

A summer classic, these are great all around casual shoes. Stick with the classic style in leather and look for colors like brown, tan, navy, or grey. Despite what you may have seen, these aren’t meant to be dressed up though, only wear these with shorts and very casual chino outfits.

Boat Shoe Picks:

Sperry

L.L. Bean

Rancourt & Co.

 

Espadrilles

A stylish warm weather canvas shoe, espadrilles are very lightweight and breathable. These look great with everything from shorts to chinos and you can get them in solid colors or go for a fun pattern.

Espadrille Picks:

Soludos

Diegos

Castaner

 

Suede Driving Mocs

A great casual shoe with a little more polish, you can wear driving mocs with everything from shorts to chinos and a blazer. I recommend these in suede over leather because in the warmer months leather can just look a bit to heavy and formal. Two rules about drivers I always see guys break: never wear them with a suit (too casual), and always wear them without socks or with no-show socks.

Suede Driving Moc Picks:

Tod’s 1

Tod’s 2

M. Gemi

Budget-Friendly

Dorian’s Outfit

Floral Shirt

Oliver Cabell Low 1 Sneaker Review – Are They Worth It?

By now you probably know how important it is to have a sharp white sneaker in your footwear rotation.  They’re probably the most versatile casual shoe you can own.  We’ve discussed other styles in the past, and in our latest edition of Worth It, we’re reviewing a new entrant in the minimal white sneaker game, the Low 1 from Oliver Cabell.  Tune in and find out if we think these white sneakers are worth it!

Pros:

Great Design – We loved the clean, minimal design and sleek profile.  It has a nice shape that’s reminiscent of another one of our favorites, the Adidas Stan Smith, but with a bit slimmer profile.

Good Materials and Construction – We really liked the high-quality leather and solid construction.

Multiple Colors – We tested the white version but there are a bunch of other versatile color options too.

Good Price – While not cheap at $178, they do compare well to pricier options.

Cons:

Squeaking – Our main issue with the shoes, and it was a big one, is that they are incredibly squeaky.  We tried two different sizes and unfortunately couldn’t figure out what the issue was, but it was very distracting.

Verdict:

Ashley and Dorian: Not Worth It

While we loved the design and quality, ultimately the squeaking was so pronounced that we just couldn’t get on board.

Shop The Oliver Cabell Low 1 Here

5 Men’s Shoe Styles Women Love

By now you know how important a strong shoe rotation is to your overall wardrobe.  As we talked about in our previous video, Shoes Women Hate, your footwear is a big part of what women notice about your right off the bat. Outside of choosing the right style, it’s important to keep in mind that you also need to wear the right shoe for the right occasion, too formal or too casual a shoe with the wrong outfit can throw off your entire look.

In this video, we’re going to flip the coin and run down the key styles that women will really notice.  From sneakers to dress shoes, here are 5 shoe styles women love.

5 Shoe Styles Women Love

1. Casual Leather Sneakers – Classic and versatile, they go with almost every casual outfit. Just make sure to keep them clean! White, Gray, Tan, Black.

  1. Penny Loafers – Another classic, they elevate every casual outfit with a little bit of polish. Wear them with denim, chinos, and even dressier business casual outfits.

  2. Chelsea Boots – These boots are super sleek and sexy, a perfect fashion-forward item to give your wardrobe a little bit of edge. Leather or suede works.

  3. Classic Lace Up Dress Shoes – When you’re dressed to the nines the wrong shoe can absolutely ruin how awesome your suit looks. Stick to a clean, classic oxford in dark brown, it looks powerful and professional. Don’t forget to keep them shined.

  4. Lace Up Boots – A nice boot looks amazing with denim or chinos and is a great way to add a bit of ruggedness to your wardrobe.

5 Men’s Shoe Styles Women Hate

It’s a fact that one of the first things a woman notices about you is your shoes.  So obviously it’s important to make sure your shoe game is on point. We always talk about how important it is to regularly clear out old and out of style items, and shoes are no different.  Shoes are a key part of your overall look, and a few wrong choices or out of date items can easily ruin an otherwise great look. 

Here are Ashley’s picks for 5 Men’s Shoe Styles That Women Hate!

5 Shoe Styles Women Hate

  1. Square toed dress shoes
    Out of date and out of style, get rid of them right now. Get yourself a proper pair of dress shoes instead.

4. White loafers or loafers with contrasting stitching
Your loafers should always have same-color stitching and white loafers are another out of date style nobody should wear. Try our Loafer Guide for better options.

3. Chunky basketball/gym sneakers
The gym or basketball court is fine but outside of that, these shouldn’t be worn with casual clothing. White sneakers or dress sneakers are a much better look.

2. Rubber flip flops
Unless you’re at the beach or pool these aren’t a good look.

1.Slides
Keep them to the bathroom or inside the house, nobody should see these!

Greats vs Koio vs Common Projects – Which is Best?

We’ve talked about how important white sneakers are to your casual wardrobe.  In our latest video, we compared 3 of our favorite white sneakers, Greats, Koio, and Common Projects, to find out which ones we liked best.  They all have their pros and cons so tune in to the video to see which ones we liked best! Don’t forget to check out the special offer below from our friends at Koio.

Common Projects

Pros:

  • Clean, minimal design
  • High-quality leather

Cons:

  • High price

Koio

(Use code ASHLEY at checkout for a free pair of shoe trees with purchase!)

Pros:

  • Clean, minimal design
  • High-quality leather
  • Suede accent adds a unique touch
  • Good value

Cons:

  • Moderately high price

Greats

  • Classic design
  • Lowest price

Cons:

  • Poor value
  • Comfort / inside seam issues