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.

5 Reasons Why Women Hate Nike Jordans

We had to do it, so get ready. Today we’re discussing one of our most, well, controversial topics. Believe us, we’ve got good reasons why these are sneakers that no man should own. Here are 5 Reasons Why Women Hate Jordans.

They make your legs and feet look really stubby – No matter what type of pants you wear with them, they’re just not flattering.
They make men look immature – The sportiness of these sneakers makes most men look like little boys, a phase you should have grown out of.
They show a lack of financial responsibility – Jordans are expensive and it leads to women wondering how much a man spent on them. We’re also probably wondering what other, more responsible places he probably should have spent that money on.
It’s hard to take you seriously – Similar to point #2, it’s hard to take a man seriously when they’re wearing Jordans. They’re just not something stylish men should wear.
Jordan fans are very passionate/obnoxious – We get it, you love Jordans, and most fans won’t shut up about them. But the truth is, we honestly don’t care.

All this being said…HAPPY APRIL FOOLS! Don’t worry, we actually don’t hate Jordans that much, just make sure you wear them with the right casual items and be aware of point #1 if you’re on the shorter/broader side.

Should Men Wear Black Sneakers?

In this week’s 2 Minute Tuesday, we’re talking black sneakers. Our viewer Ryan inquired about how to wear them properly and which ones are best, so, we’re here to help. Don’t forget to check out our black sneaker picks below!

Black Sneaker Tips

Keep the rest of your outfit minimal and simple – Black sneakers are quite heavy on the eye so you want things that are understated to wear with them.
Only wear with grey, white and black – Keep colors simple too, other brighter colors will clash and create a look that’s too aggressive.
Opt for white-soled black sneakers – As an alternative, white-soled black sneakers give you more versatility with what colors and styles you can wear since they are a bit lighter on the overall look.

Black Sneaker Picks

Designer:

Budget-Friendly:

How To Dress For The Gym With Steve Cook

There’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to dress for the gym. Sure, you’re there to get your sweat on but that doesn’t mean you should just wear a ratty old t-shirt and some sweats. Plus, you want to find functional items and fabrics that will wick moisture and provide performance benefits. For this video Ashley was joined by our friend and fitness guru, Steve Cook, to discuss how you should dress for the gym.

Performance Fabrics

Look for technical fabrics with performance benefits. There are many better options than an old cotton t-shirt and those heavy sweats can catch on things and restrict movement.

Watch Your Fit

Yes, there is such thing as too tight and nobody wants to see everything, so find a balance with your fit. Sleeveless is ok, but don’t be the guy in the tiny tank top showing excessive nipple. If you are going to be wearing base layers or tights, we recommend laying shorts and shirts over them.

Stick With Simple Colors

Keep it basic, stick to foundational colors like black, navy, grey, white. A pop of color or pattern is definitely welcome, so don’t be afraid to have some fun with your gym style. You also don’t need to feel the need to match everything from head to toe, have some variance in what you’re wearing.

Logos

As we’ve discussed before, keep your logos minimal and try not to mix different brand logos, especially if they’re large and noticeable.

Have Gym Wardrobe

It can be tempting to just wear your old t-shirts and shorts to the gym. But just because you’re working out and getting sweaty doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cultivate a well-put-together look. That being said, no need to overthink it. Keep it simple, functional, and easy-to-wear.

Gym Style Picks

Tops:

Bottoms:

Don’t forget to check out our companion video over on Steve’s channel!

Extra special thanks to Steve for joining us, for more, check out his channel and site:

Youtube

Instagram

Website

Worth It? Nike J.Crew Killshot 2

As I’ve mentioned before, solid white sneakers are a casual staple that no man should be without. Over the past few years the Nike for J.Crew Killshots have gotten very popular, so we wanted to discuss whether they’re actually worth the $100 price tag or not.

Pros

-Great, vintage/classic design.

-A versatile basic color scheme with blue, white and gray.

-I like the vintage look of the Nike logo back detail.

Cons

-The gum sole – I’m not a fan.

-Better looking alternatives available – they’re basically a white sneaker with a really weird colored sole that gets even worse as they get worn and dirty.

-Price is high relative to similar shoes.

Verdict

Nike Killshot 2’s are not worth it.

Better alternatives to the Nike J.Crew Killshot 2

Nike Tennis Classic In White

Onitsuka Tiger GSM

Reebok Classic MEMT

Reebok Classic Club C 85

Sneakers Every Man Should Own

I talk a lot about what a crucial part of your wardrobe sneakers are and they definitely shouldn’t be an afterthought. There are many great ones out there, but not all sneakers are created equal. Having a selection of classic, versatile styles will definitely take your casual wardrobe to the next level. With that, here are my picks for the sneakers that every man should own!

Canvas Sneakers

PF Flyers

These were also my top pick this year for shoes you need to own in 2018, and for good reason, they’re cheap, breathable, comfortable and have a unique take on the classic canvas sneaker.

Vans Classic or Converse All Star

If the PF Flyers aren’t up your alley or you want something other than white, consider one of these super classic, never-go-wrong sneakers. They’re cheap and look awesome with pretty much everything. I love them in white, navy, gray or even black.

Leather Sneakers

Stan Smith or Common Projects Achilles

I’ve talked about white leather sneakers a ton; I love how they’re clean, classic and add a little extra polish to a casual outfit. If you’re not a fan of white, definitely get the gray or blue versions of these.

Running Shoes

New Balance Retro Sneaker

Like I mentioned in my top shoe video, these New Balance retro running sneaker are affordable, look great, and are very comfortable. I love the woven upper, as it makes them extra breathable and very comfortable-just like wearing socks.

Adidas P.O.D. S3.1 or Ultra Boosts

Ultra boost soles are like walking on marshmallows, they’re the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn. Plus these are cool and unique without being crazy loud like other running shoes can be. If you want something less flashy, the classic Ultra Boosts are the way to go.

High Top Sneakers

Converse All-Stars

I like the all-white over all-black because the all black is really heavy-looking on your feet. If you want black, I’d actually suggest getting a version by John Varvatos, they’re a well-designed take on the classic Converse-style high top.

Nike SF Air Force 1

For those of you who really like a sporty high top sneaker, here’s one of my favorites that I’ve styled on a couple of my clients. I like the black and white colorway of these but the all-white ones look great too. I love the clean silhouette and the dual zippers at the heel make these shoes super easy to get on and off.

So those are my top picks for sneakers every man should own, hopefully you’ve got a few of them lined up in your closet!

Top 4 Sneakers For 2017

I want to talk about the Top 4 sneakers for 2017. These are 4 sneakers I highly recommend if you’re looking to put together an intentional sneaker collection that’ll cover you for some of the different aspects of your life. For example, working out, traveling, or just needing an everyday, lifestyle sneaker.

4. Nike Flyknit Racer

This is a great athletic sneaker because it weighs practically nothing and the woven upper makes it very breathable. Also, these are a great lifestyle sneaker that you can wear with your casual clothes because the design is so minimal and it has a very sleek silhouette.

$150 – Nike Flyknit Racer (in Black/White or Black/Anthracite/Black)

3. Converse All Star & Jack Purcell

These are classics and super easy to wear year-round. Leather or canvas options are great – and always default to low-tops because they’re easier to wear than high-tops.

$80 – Converse Jack Purcell Tumbled Leather Low Top (in white and black)
$65 – Converse Jack Purcell Canvas Low Top (in white, navy, and black)
$65 – Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Leather Low Top (in white and black)
$50 – Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top (in white, navy, and black)

2. Adidas UltraBoost

I love the minimal design of the UltraBoost. The knit upper makes it very breathable too. You can treat these as your everyday sneakers or make them your running/workout shoes because they’re super comfortable.

$180 – Adidas UltraBoost

1. Adidas Stan Smith

This one will be on my list every year until something better can replace it.

These are a great lifestyle, everyday tennis shoe. Also, they’re not expensive and relatively easy to keep clean if you give them a wipe down every week or two and don’t go hiking in them. Remember, women look at your shoes for an indication of what type of man you are. Clean white shoes = this dude’s got his shit together.

$75 – Adidas Stan Smith Shoes (with either the green or navy logo)

Notably absent in my list are basketball sneakers because those are for a very specific group of men out there who either play basketball or are crazy sneakerheads. Some guys can pull them off really well, while others end up looking immature and silly in them.

POTW: What to Wear When Going To The Gym or Airport

I’ve been getting a lot of questions and emails from you about what to wear when going to the gym or airport so you’re still stylish, yet comfortable.

Thus, my POTW are John Elliott’s grey sweatpants because they’re the only item you need to add to your closet in order to create this sharp outfit below. You should already have three out of the four items if you’ve been following my Men’s Wardrobe Essentials Series for any length of time.

Here’s why this outfit is great:

Sweatpants

I love John Elliott’s clothes because he always does such a great job with creating high quality basics and these sweatpants are no exception. The construction and fabric choices are a cut above the rest, so if you’re able to swing it, I highly recommend these.

$190 – John Elliot Grey Escobar Lounge Pants (also in black)
$40 – Topman Grey Peached Skinny Joggers

T-Shirt

You already should own a navy, black, and/or white t-shirt. These colors are perfect for the gym because they won’t show your sweat prominently like a grey tee will. Also, they look great with this outfit outside of the gym as well.

$80 – John Elliott Mercer T-Shirt
$30 – Armani Exchange Pima Crew

Jackets

Next, you should also already have a bomber jacket, whether it be navy or black, in your closet because as I’ve said before, bombers look great on every man, regardless of your age or body type. You can easily switch out the bomber for a zip-up hoodie if you want, but I wouldn’t change a single thing in this outfit.

$610 – Ami Navy Twill Bomber Jacket
$80 – Zara Technical Bomber Jacket

Shoes

And finally, add some white tennis shoes or athletic sneakers from your closet to complete the look.

$120 – Nike Roshe Flyknit
$75 – Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers