sneaker tips Archives - Ashley Weston

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

Oliver Cabell Low 1 Sneaker Review – Are They 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 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:

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.