The Best White Sneakers
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By Kaitlyn Wells Updated August 19, 2022
A crisp, clean pair of kicks can elevate any look, from streetwear to evening wear. To find the best of the best, we considered 79 pairs of sneakers and wore 22 of them. Then a panel of four testers, wearing a range of sizes from a women’s 6 to a men’s 13, helped choose five perfect pairs for any style (and they all come in women’s and men’s sizes). We recommend an everyday pair with universal appeal; a nod to a classic, with track-shoe styling; a sleek, versatile leather sneaker that’s tough to break in but worth the effort; streetwear sneakers beloved for generations; and a clean, understated canvas shoe.
What we like
A timeless look
The refined, all-leather Greats The Royale sneakers are tough to break in, but they look so very good when worn.
Comfortable kicks
The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66’s are comfortable straight out of the box, with lightweight, flexible leather and a unique retro style.
Always understated
The Superga 2750 sneakers blend with any casual outfit, thanks to their textured canvas and rounded toe.
A streetwear staple
A storied classic, the Nike Air Force 1 has a chunky silhouette and a long history both on the court and on the street.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top) sneakers in white.
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers.
Greats The Royale white sneakers.
Nike Air Force 1 Lows, one of our picks for the best white sneakers
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White sneakers
Best classic white low-tops: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top). Photo: Rozette Rago
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top) sneakers in white.
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers.
Greats The Royale white sneakers.
Nike Air Force 1 Lows, one of our picks for the best white sneakers
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White sneakers
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The research
Best classic white low-tops: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top)
Sporty and stylish shoes: Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
A classic, minimalist all-leather shoe: Greats The Royale
A streetwear staple: Nike Air Force 1 Low
Best all-white canvas pair: Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White
Why you should trust us
How to find a good fit
Care and maintenance
How we picked and tested
The competition
Footnotes
Sources
Best classic white low-tops: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top)
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top) sneakers in white.
Photo: Rozette Rago
Our pick
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top, unisex)
Ubiquitous and stylish low-tops
Once seen as “alternative,” the Chuck Taylors are crisp and clean, and they go with everything from ratty jeans to a full suit. They’re affordable and easy to find. And they look good shiny and clean as well as worn-in and busted.
$60 from Converse
How to wear these: Wear your favorite midi dress, shorts, or trousers with a clean pair of All Star sneakers. A black leather or pleather jacket wouldn’t hurt either. Or lean in to the brand’s skater history, and pair them with ripped jeans and a baggy sweater.
Why they’re great: If you’re looking for white sneakers that go with everything, nothing beats the polished yet casual look of the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top). Everyone from Michelle Obama to Time 2020 Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao has been spotted in a pair of Chuck Taylors. They’re sleek, inexpensive, and tough enough to last you several years (with proper care). And they come in a wider range of sizes and colors than just about any shoe we tested. Plus, once they’re too wrecked to wear outside, you can use them at the gym.
The All Star kicks are a design classic for good reason. The low-tops have a polished silhouette, with a rubber sole and toe cap that keep them cleaner longer than all-canvas uppers. The uppers and rubber are bright white with some subtle red and blue piping, making them stand out. If you want a more monochrome look, try the all-white pair. The neutral aesthetic of either of these goes well with just about any style or outfit.
Closeup of the toes of the Converse Chuck Taylors.
Two people sitting on the floor wearing white low top chuck taylors.
The Converse Chuck Taylors have a distinctive rubber cap and red piping. Photo: Rozette Rago
Closeup of the toes of the Converse Chuck Taylors.
Two people sitting on the floor wearing white low top chuck taylors.
The thin insole provides little support, so it can be uncomfortable to wear Chuck Taylors for a day spent on your feet or for walking around a city. Yet orthopedic surgeon Lance Silverman, of Silverman Ankle & Foot, said lack of support isn’t a long-term issue. “I think Converse shoes are fine,” he said. “There’s this lore that a non-supportive shoe will hurt your feet, but cushioning weakens you.” In reality, your foot hits the ground harder when there’s cushioning and weakens your foot muscles, he said. So the thinner the shoe, the easier it is for your foot to do what it was designed to do and keep those muscles in shape. (And, of course, follow the advice of your doctor or physical therapist if you have any foot ailments.)
The All Star sneakers may last you anywhere from a year or two to nearly a decade, depending on how well they’re cared for. When trekking untold miles across New York City every day, I tend to wear out these lightweight sneakers (9.2 ounces per shoe) in just over a year. Yet senior editor Jen Hunter, who lives in less-walkable Los Angeles, noted the rubber on her existing pair didn’t start peeling until year seven of light wear. Staff editor Joshua Lyon is a lifelong Converse lover: “I've been wearing these for decades, and only swap them out for new ones about every five years, once the heel wears down or they get too grody.”
At $60, these Chuck Taylors are cheaper than most pairs we tested. And because they are also sold in more than a dozen different colors and come in unisex/men’s 3 to 18 (women’s 5 to 20) (both in regular and wide widths), it’s easy to find a pair, or several, that will work for you.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Getting the sizing right on a pair of Chucks can be tricky—the standard-width versions of the shoe have a narrow toe box, which requires the shoe itself to be longer than most other brands in the same size. (Though both men’s and women’s styles also come in wide widths, which we didn’t test.) The brand recommends that you buy half a size smaller than you’d normally wear.
A number of Wirecutter staff members have mentioned that white Chucks get dirty very quickly—but opinions are divided on if the shoes look better a bit grubby, compared to fresh from the box.
Shoe sizes: unisex/men’s 3 to 18; women’s 5 to 20; also available in wide widths
Sizing advice: runs a half-size large (so size down)
Color options: more than a dozen color options; create your own design
Return window: 30 days
Sporty and stylish shoes: Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers.
Photo: Rozette Rago
Our pick
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Soft and comfortable
These slender shoes are super-soft and -flexible, and the suede accents offer a sporty flair. They’re some of the most comfortable shoes we found straight out of the box, with thinner leather than that of many other sneakers.
$100 from Onitsuka Tiger
$100 from Amazon
How to wear these: The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 shoes have a soft shape and minimal silhouette, so they pair nicely with slim pants—think leggings, skinny jeans, or a yellow-and-black jumpsuit (it worked for Bruce Lee in Game of Death).
Why they’re great: The Tiger sneakers stand out thanks to their rounded silhouette, refined details, and how comfortable they are right out of the box. These Japanese shoes debuted at the 1966 pre-trials for the Mexico Olympics, and they grew in popularity when they became the official shoe for the Japanese delegation to the games. (Japan won 11 gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals that year.) Today, the Mexico 66s are athletic sneakers—like the AF1s—that look good both on and off the field.
This shoe’s design has a little more visual flair than most others we recommend. They offer a subtle pop of color and texture—thin, gray suede accents with sawtooth edges (which is traditionally done to limit fraying and help the shoe last longer). And the monochromatic leather “tiger stripes” add some dimensionality, as well as a retro look that harks back to the 66’s training-shoes origins. Onitsuka has a large number of colorways, with styles coming and going frequently. The accent and stripe details come in several brighter colors, or you can get a true all-white version (which is notably more expensive). The slender silhouette and rounded toe box make these shoes more feminine-looking, or “softer,” than most of our picks—they lack the hard lines of the Greats The Royale shoes and the sharp angles on the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star pick.
Closeup of the toes of the Mexico 66 sneakers.
Back of the Mexico 66 sneakers.
The gray suede accents, sawtooth edging, gold logo, and heel tab all give the Mexico 66 sneakers a small amount of visual flair that differentiates them from other white sneakers. Photo: Rozette Rago
Closeup of the toes of the Mexico 66 sneakers.
Back of the Mexico 66 sneakers.
The Mexico 66s were the most comfortable leather shoes straight out of the box. They’re very lightweight (just under 8 ounces per shoe). And compared with other leather sneakers we tested, they were soft, comfortable, and pliable from the first wear. After a few minutes, they felt like they molded to the foot, and one tester said she forgot she had them on. Our testers said the Tigers never pinched or dug into their skin during testing, which is especially notable considering the stiff leather and difficult break-in we experienced with almost every other leather shoe we tried, even the Greats The Royale. Softer, thinner leather tends to be more delicate than the full-grain leather found on some other pairs, but so far, these sneakers have held up admirably. Wirecutter editor Ben Keogh owns a pair of Mexico 66s, and reports that both the uppers and soles remain in good shape after five years of light to moderate wear.
The fold-over pull tab makes slipping the Tigers on and off easier, especially with the laces still tied. (And though one of our testers didn’t like the look of the tabs, you can always tuck them in, instead of leaving them pointing up.) After about four months of wear, Wirecutter's Tim Barribeau said the gold writing on the pull tabs started to flake—we’re not surprised, considering how thin the lettering is. These shoes also have a perforated insole, which was a unique feature among all of the shoes we tested. Theoretically, the dozens of tiny holes could reduce direct pressure impact on your feet as you walk, but our panelists didn’t notice a difference.
The slimmer design is also great for anyone with slender feet who has difficulty finding a good fit: “Perfect for my narrow feet with a very flexible upper and sole,” said senior editor Jen Hunter, who wears a women’s 7½. “I would reach for these first out of all the shoes.”
The Mexico 66s are also available as slip-ons, which, though we didn’t test them, are equally stylish and may be a good option if you have trouble tying shoelaces.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Barribeau, one of our testers, said he’s worn Onitsuka Tiger shoes since 2012, and they’re one of his favorite brands, but they rarely go on sale. If you prefer a slender white sneaker that’s half the price, consider the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top).
Shoe sizes: unisex/men’s 4 to 14; women’s 5½ to 15½
Sizing advice: true to size
Color options: eight color options, including white/white, white/blue, and yellow/black
Return window: 60 days
A classic, minimalist all-leather shoe: Greats The Royale
Greats The Royale white sneakers.
Photo: Rozette Rago
Our pick
Greats The Royale (women’s)
A timeless all-leather sneaker
This pair’s refined lines elevate any wardrobe choice. And these shoes are equally fitting for a dinner date or a day at the office. The full-grain leather is long-lasting and has a lovely, subtle shine, but they’re hard to break in.
$180 $143 from Greats
Use promo code HOTLINE20
Greats The Royale (men’s)
Thick leather to last for years
These are just as durable as the women’s version, with the same sleek look, in men’s sizes.
$180 $143 from Greats
Use promo code HOTLINE20
How to wear these: To make the sneakers really pop, grab a pair of crisp dark jeans or wide-legged pants.
Why they’re great: The refined and robust Greats The Royale (men’s and women’s) sneakers are some of the most versatile pairs we looked at. They’re beautiful shoes that elevate any casual outfit, but they also don’t look out of place worn with slacks at the office. These sneakers are well made, constructed of durable full-grain leather, and fit nicely, after you break them in.
These shoes are everything we wanted in a firm-leather sneaker. They’re understated, and they feature a subtly glossy finish, perfect stitching, and clean lines that elevate them from casual to professional footwear. Our panelists described these white sneakers as “classy” and “really nice.” You can wear these with jeans just as easily as with a pair of slacks. And some panelists thought the tan contrasting color of the shoe’s inside was a nice stylistic touch—a small pop of color on an otherwise uniform field of white.
Though these are more expensive than any of our other recommendations, they’re affordable for this style of thick-leather sneaker, which can often run into the hundreds of dollars. And we think they’re an investment, since the high-quality materials and construction should hold up through years of heavy wearing.
Two people sit on the ground wearing The Royale white sneakers.
Closeup on the toe of the Greats The Royale sneaker.
The thick, white leather of the Royales makes them versatile and hard-wearing—but they’ll take a while to break in. Photo: Rozette Rago
Two people sit on the ground wearing The Royale white sneakers.
Closeup on the toe of the Greats The Royale sneaker.
Stylistically descended from the massively popular Common Projects Achilles sneakers, the Royales cost less than half the price of the Achilles. And they maintain a similar minimalist style, robust construction, and ability to be dressed up for just about any occasion.
Since these shoes are made from full-grain-leather, they require special care to reduce the look of worn-in lines. Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of Sneaker Con, said sizing down a bit is the easiest (albeit an uncomfortable) way to reduce creases over time because your foot bends less. If walking around in pain isn’t your style, keeping these shoes really clean will also reduce the look of any creases, where dirt can settle.
Our panelists were divided on how comfortable the Royales were because they’re so hard to break in. The leather is thicker than on the Italic Cadence Leather Sneakers we tested, so it takes longer for the Royales to conform to your foot. They’re also heavier than most shoes we tested, at 1 pound (16 ounces) per shoe, compared with the Italic shoe’s 14.4 ounces and the Air Force 1 shoe’s 13.8 ounces. It’s best to break them in slowly by wearing them for just a couple of hours at a time—and don’t forget socks. Our panelists will keep wearing their pairs and report back on how they feel over time.
These were the only shoes we tested that had different sizing instructions for men’s and women’s sizes—but other than the sizing advice, the shoes are identical. Greats says its men’s shoes run a half-size larger and the women’s shoes run a half-size smaller. Ordering based on the retailer’s recommendations worked out well for our testers.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: It’s hard to overstate that the Royales are extremely stiff out of the box. This is true of all leather shoes we tried in this style, but the first time you put these on, you may be wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into. But they do get comfortable with wear.
Unlike every other shoe we tested, these sneakers have a tan interior, which some panelists said detracted from their appeal (though many liked it).
The Royales are sold in both men’s and women’s sizes, but the women’s shoe is sold in a narrower range of sizes, from 6 to 10, while the men’s shoe extends from 7 to 17.
Ahead of our August 2022 update, we caught wind of some grumblings on Reddit about a decline in Greats’ quality following the company’s acquisition by Steve Madden in 2019. We haven’t officially tested a more recent pair yet—and the brand hasn’t returned our request for comment on the issue—but rest assured we will be comparing the current version with the original for our next big update.
Shoe sizes: men’s 7 to 17; women’s 6 to 10
Sizing advice: men’s sizes run large; women’s sizes run small
Color options: white, black, gray, navy; various limited editions
Return window: 30 days
A streetwear staple: Nike Air Force 1 Low
Nike Air Force 1 Lows, one of our picks for the best white sneakers
Photo: Rozette Rago
Our pick
Nike Air Force 1 Low (unisex/men’s)
A storied classic
A tried-and-true shoe with a chunky silhouette and a long history both on the court and on the street. Though large and heavy, they’re comfortable and a statement piece.
$110 from Nike
Nike Air Force 1 Low (women’s)
Hardtop to haute
These are the same as the men’s version, but in women’s sizes.
$110 from Nike
How to wear these: Pair these sneakers with a white or non-graphic T-shirt, dark jeans or joggers, and Nike socks. (Tip: Never mix athletic brands.)
Why they’re great: The crisp upper. The bright white. The striking lines. The Nike Air Force 1 Low demands that all eyes are on you. The chunky style is like an exclamation point to your sneaker game, showing your style without being too overstated. Their thick look can be divisive, but there’s no denying that when you wear a pair of these, you’ll immediately understand their decades-long appeal.
Ask any sneakerhead (someone who collects and trades popular sneakers) what they consider to be the best white sneaker, and we guarantee the Nike Air Force 1 Low will make the list. They were born on the basketball court, and their popularity off the hardtop catapulted them into the collective consciousness of sneaker culture. At first, our panelists—none of them diehard Nike fans—struggled with the shoe’s “large-and-in-charge” style, which features stocky soles, a thick toe box, and a chunky swoosh. But they couldn’t ignore the shoe’s appeal. “They’re your classic Nikes,” said Wirecutter’s Justin Krajeski. “A little thick, a little loud, but still, I love them.” After wearing the shoes for a number of months, Krajeski told us that they’re the ones he gets the most comments on when out on the town–they stick out in a good way.
Sliding into the AF1s is easy thanks to the firm-but-not-too-stiff synthetic leather and padded interior. We like that the shoes have enough structure that you can put them on hands-free, without having to force your foot in (and maybe creasing the uppers). Comparatively, the Chucks or Supergas are rather pliable, and they bend and flop too much to quickly slide on sans hands while rushing out the door. And although the AF1s are somewhat rigid, they’re not uncomfortably tight, even at first (unlike the longer break-in time for our true-leather pick, the Greats The Royale). The sturdy structure also means your Forces will stay looking fresh (when well-cared for) season after season. “They’ve held up well over the last couple years,” said one long-term tester. “They still look really good.”
The Nike kicks have a padded, low-cut foot collar that hugs your ankle at the opening to keep the shoes secure. During testing, our panelists worried that these heavy shoes (14 ounces per shoe) would slip off their feet, but the collar kept them in place, and it didn’t rub against their heels like many shoes we tested. AF1s also have a cushioned insole that made these one of the most pleasant pairs we tested—we felt as if we were walking on air (no pun intended). The foam insoles offer more support than we found with most of our picks—including the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top), Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White, and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66—which is nice for those days when your feet need a little extra TLC.
Even though, for review consistency, we tested only low-top sneakers, the AF1s also come in the Nike Air Force 1 High—the original basketball version. The high-tops are a classic that hark back to the shoe’s 1982 beginnings, when they were quickly endorsed by some of the NBA’s biggest players—like Moses Malone of the Philly 76ers—for their style and internal Air cushioning design.1 A year later, Nike introduced the AF1 Low. Nike says it nearly discontinued all AF1s in 1984. But sneaker enthusiasts, especially those in inner cities, demanded that Nike reissue the shoe. And since then, the Air Force 1 has seen hundreds of collaborations and variations. Yet the AF1 always remains true to its roots with its iconic, chunky look.
Two people sitting on the ground wearing Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers.
Nike Air Force 1 and Converse Chuck Taylors side by side.
The thick sole and sporty shape give this pair a chunkier feel. Photo: Rozette Rago
Two people sitting on the ground wearing Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers.
Nike Air Force 1 and Converse Chuck Taylors side by side.
“At the end of the day, the shoe you want to go after is the white-on-white Air Force 1,” said Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of Sneaker Con. “It’s by far the best shoe that’s ever made.” A lot of people agree. Google’s collective ratings record more than 59,000 reviews and average 4.8 stars. (Adidas Stan Smith Shoes, another streetwear staple, have over 15,000 reviews and average 4.7 stars.) These heavy-hitters are sold in both regular and wide widths; the Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers are the only other pick to offer wide widths.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers have a bulky style that can’t be ignored. All of our panelists tended to prefer slimmer shoe styles and found the Nike AF1 low-tops too chunky for everyday wear. If you prefer footwear on the slender side, opt for our picks from Converse, Superga, or Onitsuka Tiger instead.
Not everyone loved the AF1’s more structured collar. “They’re a little stiff on the top,” said one tester, adding, “I’d never wear them if I were walking around an amusement park all day.”
These shoes were more likely to be sold out than any pair we tested—we had to wait for a restock to order some to try for this piece. But if the AF1s are sold out in your size, you can try looking across the aisle from women’s to men’s (and vice versa), since the shoes are unisex. (Our shoe-size conversion chart in this guide can help.)
Shoe sizes: unisex/men’s 6 to 18; women’s 5 to 12; also available in wide widths
Sizing advice: true to size
Color options: White, black and numerous other colors; various collaborations; create your own design
Return window: 60 days
Best all-white canvas pair: Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White sneakers
Photo: Rozette Rago
Our pick
Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White
A textured canvas sneaker
These canvas shoes have an understated shape and a subtle texture. They pair well with almost any outfit, and their rounder toe box can make your feet look more petite, compared with other canvas pairs we like.
$50* from Amazon
$52 from Zappos
*At the time of publishing, the price was $65.
How to wear these: These work well with a silk midi skirt or a maxi dress, or with light linen trousers. Or go Connecticut-casual for your next outing—think light cotton, pastel colors, and interesting patterns.
Why they’re great: The Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White sneakers are a minimalist pair with a textured flair, making them great for everyday wear. Unlike our other canvas pick, the Chuck Taylors, the Cotus don’t have the rubber toe cap or colored piping, so they feel more delicate and restrained, and they can easily blend in with any look.
Both stylish and comfortable, they’re go-to sneakers for everything from running errands to attending an art gallery opening. The pliable canvas uppers allow you to walk comfortably without any break-in time. And the uppers have clean lines, as well as long, subtle seaming that looks classic and wraps around the foot in a flattering way. Our testers said the shoes felt comfortable, despite the relatively thin soles, and they said their feet didn’t hurt after a long day. “I love these shoes,” said Alex Vaughn, product lead of Wirecutter’s Reader Growth team. “I wouldn’t pick them specifically for a day with lots and lots of walking, but I have not encountered problems with rubbing, blisters, or discomfort when I have ended up in them for very long days.”
Panelists were also fans of Superga’s textured canvas uppers, which give the shoes just enough pizzazz to stand out in a lineup of plain white sneakers. “I’m totally obsessed with them,” said Krajeski, who wears an EU 45. (He usually wears a US men’s 11 but gave the fit of the EU 45/men’s 11½ five stars.) “I think it looks sporty but cute, practical, and universally attractive—regardless of what you’re wearing.”
The texture of the uppers makes these shoes harder to clean, compared with other canvas pairs. To remove dirt and grime, fashion blogger La Carmina wipes any white sneaker with an old toothbrush and warm, soapy water, but she doesn’t fret if they look less than perfect. “It’s not worth babying the shoes,” she said. “Shoes are meant to be worn. I don’t worry about keeping them in pristine condition.”
Since the Superga shoes lack the rubber toe of the Converse Chuck Taylors, they look a bit more understated. Some of our panelists weren’t huge fans of the elongated style of the Converse pair, and so were drawn to the shorter Supergas, which make the foot look more petite. For example, size EU 39½ (US women’s 8½) Superga sneakers are nearly half an inch shorter than a US women’s 8 Converse, but they still don’t feel tight, despite being smaller.
Two people sit on the ground wearing superga sneakers.
Closeup on the front of the Superga sneakers.
The Supergas are high-quality shoes. They’re light and comfortable, and the cut can make your feet look more petite than some of the competition. Photo: Rozette Rago
Two people sit on the ground wearing superga sneakers.
Closeup on the front of the Superga sneakers.
The Superga Cotus feature superb stitching and metal eyelets. The quality is on a par with that of our Converse pick, and it is better than that of the Keds Women’s Champion Originals we tried (which had thin, scratchy canvas uppers). We think the Surpergas will last a year or two with normal wear, and our long-term testing bears this out. Cory Hartmann, a New York Times senior systems analyst, said he replaces his Supergas—which get plenty of daily wear, thanks to a rigorous dog-walking schedule—roughly every year, adding that with vigorous use, the tread starts to get worn through. These white sneakers are sold in a wide range of sizes, comparable to those of most of our picks, from EU 35½ to 48 (roughly US men’s 4 to 13½).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: As with our Converse pick, with the Supergas there’s not much of an insole for adding bounce to your step. (Though the orthopedic surgeon we interviewed said a thinner insole is better for your foot muscles.)
The Superga Cotus have a crepe sole that is thin and comfortable, but it’s a style of construction that’s notoriously slippery on wet surfaces—so be careful with these in the rain. At 12.8 ounces per shoe (compared with the 9.2-ounce Converse shoe), the Supergas have some weight to them, which you may like if you prefer a bit more heft to a shoe. Still, the difference is pretty negligible—you probably won’t notice it.
Shoe sizes: unisex EU 35½ to 48
Sizing advice: true to size
Color options: eight colors to choose from, including white, gray, sage, and hot pink
Return window: 30 days
Why you should trust us
For this guide I spoke with Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of Sneaker Con, and Gabby Rosenthal, co-host and co-producer of The Kicks N' Shit Show podcast, to learn more about sneaker culture. I learned about unique ways to style white shoes from La Carmina, an alternative fashion blogger who specializes in subculture styles. And I spoke with Dr. Lance M. Silverman, an orthopedic surgeon and owner of Silverman Ankle & Foot, about the importance of finding the right fit.
I also assembled a panel of three testers, plus myself, who wore a mix of unisex, men’s, and women’s shoe sizes, ranging from a women’s 6 to unisex/men’s 13. All of our testers also had their own style and comfort needs.
How to find a good fit
Finding the perfect fit isn’t as easy as selecting your usual shoe size from a drop-down menu. Before you add any pair of white sneakers to your shopping cart, read the product description carefully. Some shoe manufacturers instruct wearers to size down or up in the fine print, while others just run half a size larger without warning. We’ve had good luck using retailers like Zappos.com, which crowdsources data from reviewers to indicate whether the manufacturer’s sizing information is accurate.
Three different white sneakers lined up.
Fit can vary widely, even among shoes of the same size, so it may take a bit of searching to find your perfect size in your preferred style. Seen here from left to right: Nike AFI, Greats The Royale, and Converse Chuck Taylor All Star. Photo: Rozette Rago
Half of the manufacturers we tested shoes from sell them in European or UK sizes, and it takes a little math to figure out the corresponding US sizes. And among US unisex or men’s shoes, the comparable women’s size lists at one or one and a half sizes larger. (For example, a men’s 6½ is usually—but not always—a women’s 8.) And not every brand includes conversion charts, either. “The sizing is a little tricky,” said Gabby Rosenthal of The Kicks N' Shit Show. She said she normally wears a size women’s 8½, but needs a men’s 6½ in Adidas, even though its shoe conversion is one size, not two sizes. “The conversion isn’t always apples to apples.” Be especially aware of the returns and exchanges policy before you buy, so that you can easily swap to find the right size—again, we like Zappos.com for its easy exchanges.
It’s a common misconception that shoes require a break-in period.
To help you make sense of the differences, we’ve included a common shoe-size chart below. Use this as a starting point, and consider reading third-party reviews for their sizing recommendations, too.
Shoe-size chart
US MEN US WOMEN UK EU
3 4½ 2½ 35
3½ 5 3 35½
4 5½ 3½ 36
4½ 6 4 37
5 6½ 4½ 37½
5½ 7 5 38
6 7½ 5½ 38½
6½ 8 5½ 39
7 8½ 6 40
7½ 9 6½ 40½
8 9½ 7 41
8½ 10 7½ 42
9 10½ 8 42½
9½ 11 8½ 43
10 11½ 9 44
10½ 12 9½ 44½
11 12½ 10 45
11½ 13 10½ 46
12 13½ 11 46½
12½ 14 11½ 47
13 14½ 12 47½
13½ 15 12½ 48
14 15½ 13 49
14½ 16 13½ 49½
15 16½ 14 50
16 17½ 15 51½
17 18½ 16 53
18 19½ 17 54½
19 20½ 18 56
As for “men’s” versus “women’s” shoes, well, there’s no special design requirement in everyday sneakers for someone assigned male or female at birth (though it’s debatably a different situation for dedicated running shoes). “It’s part of the game,” added Dr. Lance Silverman of Silverman Ankle & Foot. Shoe sizes aren’t consistent among men’s and women’s sizes because “some people are prideful at having larger feet, and some people are prideful at having smaller feet.” Anyone can wear any gendered shoe, he said, as long as their foot feels comfortable in it.
Additionally, it’s a common misconception that shoes require a break-in period. “If there’s a pressure spot it’s not going to change,” said Silverman, an orthopedic surgeon who sub-specializes in ankle and foot disorders. “If you want comfortable shoes, they should not hurt from the moment you put them on.” He added that some all-leather shoes, like the Greats we recommend, may need a break-in period to soften up the leather, but that they should still feel comfortable when you first slip them on.
All shoes should give you a half-inch of clearance between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. And a square or round toe box gives your toes more breathing room than a pointed one. Some of our picks, including the Royales and the Nike AF1s, have bigger toe boxes that felt more comfortable to people with wider feet, compared with the narrower toe box on the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes. Though you shouldn’t have to break in most shoes, including the majority of our picks, it is possible to modify a shoe for your foot. Silverman said that if you have wide feet, you can always purchase a larger-size shoe and add padded inserts to the heel and tongue to keep it secure. (This is also a common tip for wearing uncomfortable high heels.)
Care and maintenance
For canvas sneakers, like the Chucks and Supergas, we recommend scrubbing the shoes with an old toothbrush and diluted dish soap. Superga recommends washing its Cotu shoes in the washing machine following specific instructions. We’ve had mixed luck with the Chuck Taylors in the washer (one editor put an ancient pair in to tumble and the insoles disintegrated, but they were nearly a decade old). But many throw them in the machine with no problem. Here are more-detailed directions on cleaning canvas shoes. The Crep Protect Wipes or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can work for spot-treating, especially for the rubber toe cap of the Converse.
For faux-leather and leather shoes like the Greats, the Onitsukas, and the Nike AF1s, the Crep Protect line of sneaker-care products is a great solution. “I like that worn-in look, but I like them really clean,” added Gabby Rosenthal of The Kicks N' Shit Show. She likes using the Crep Protect Wipes and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to keep her leather sneakers looking brand new. Although these products won’t repair leather creases, they will clean up unsightly scuff marks and smudges that may draw attention. You can also use the toothbrush-and-diluted-dish-soap trick, but apply a light touch, since some leather may become water stained when saturated.
How we picked and tested
5 shoes, from pairs of sneakers we recommend.
Photo: Rozette Rago
To find the finest white sneakers, I scoured forums, social feeds, blogs, customer reviews, sneaker podcasts, and best-seller listings. Limiting the pool to just low-tops, for consistency’s sake, I found 79 pairs of shoes in men’s, women’s, and unisex sizes, in materials ranging from recycled plastic bottles to leather. I reviewed each pair’s style, size ranges, retailer availability, third-party reviews, price, and color options other than white (which we didn’t require, but was nice). Shoes that didn’t measure up to those criteria were cut, leaving us some 22 pairs, which we categorized as fabric, all-leather, and leather-like shoes.
For the initial round of testing, I ordered the shoes in my regular size (women’s 8½ or men’s/unisex 7) and followed manufacturer sizing instructions, as needed. I wore each pair of shoes for a few hours and noted the overall quality, fit, and comfort. I dismissed shoes that had a combination of sloppy stitching, cracked leather, poor fit, or were uncomfortable to wear. That left us with eight pairs of shoes for panel testing: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top), Rothy's The Lace Up, and Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White fabric shoes, and Adidas Stan Smith Shoes, Greats The Royale, Italic Cadence Leather Sneakers, Nike Air Force 1 Low, and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 all-leather sneakers.
A panel of three people, who normally wear a women’s 8, a men’s 11, and a men’s 13, tested the remaining white sneakers. As recommended by retailer sizing guides, our panelists tried out sizes ranging from a women’s 6 to a men’s/unisex 13. We approached panel testing as our experts suggested: Shoes should feel good and look good the moment you put them on. Our testers wore each pair of shoes for a day and noted their overall performance, fit, and how comfortable they were to wear. Though a day may not be enough time to truly appreciate a pair of white kicks, it’s more than enough time for someone to decide whether they want to keep their shoes or return them.
The competition
Fabric sneakers
Rothy’s The Sneaker slip-on pair and Vans Slip-On shoes are uncomfortably tight, and they were scratchy.
We didn’t like the quality of the canvas in Everlane’s The Forever Sneaker, and we thought the fit in the toe box was too tight.
The Bensimon Lace Tennis Shoes are the thinnest pair we tested, and we found them uncomfortable. Also, their flexible soles had us worried they would wear out too quickly.
We didn't like the duo-tone white of the Converse Chuck 70, which pairs glossy off-white midsoles (in “Egret”) with pure white uppers. They do have substantially more support than the regular Chuck Taylors, so if you’re not concerned with getting a “true” white pair, and you want something with a bit more padding, they may be a good option for you.
Both the Keds Women’s Champion Originals and Vans Canvas Old Skool shoes have soles that are too small, which meant testers’s feet hung over the sides and stretched out the canvas.
All-leather sneakers
The Adidas Stan Smith Shoes are a fan favorite among sneakerheads, but none of our testers were able to wear these for an entire day. It was difficult for our panelists to find a good fit, and the sneakers were tight around their bridges and arches. Also, the long tongue and rough leather inside rubbed some panelists’s feet raw, even when they wore socks.
The Adidas Superstar Shoes were too tight, even when we sized up, and they were uncomfortable.
The Italic Cadence Leather Sneakers are sold only in whole sizes, so it’s harder to find a good fit, and they are harder to break in than the Royales. The Italic Cadence’s design is also chunky, like that of the AF1s, but executed poorly, with rough stitching and a bulbous shoe collar. “They look like church shoes,” said one panelist.
The all-leather Koio Capri Triple White sneakers were harder to break in than the Royales and nearly twice the price, at $248 a pair.
The uppers and back of the Nike Killshot 2 Leather (no longer available) were uncomfortably thick, and our testers didn’t like the suede accents.
We liked the idea of a Velcro shoe for those who don’t have the hand dexterity to tie laces, but the stitching on the Veja Esplar Leather 3-Lock White was sloppy, the shoes were hard to break in, and they’re sold only in whole sizes.
Leather-like sneakers
The Adidas ZX 2K BOOST Shoes were too chunky and athletic-looking for our taste, and the tongue was abrasive.
The pleather pieces of the Old Navy Women’s Faux-Leather Sneakers (no longer available) didn’t line up (pointing to quality issues), the velvet coating on the outsoles made the shoes slippery, and the tongue was abrasive.
The Veja V-10 Vegan White (no longer available) shoes are sold only in whole sizes, and the edges of the vegan leather tongue aren’t burnished, which made the shoes uncomfortable to wear.
Footnotes
Let’s not forget that the GOAT Michael Jordan endorsed Nike in 1984, and introduced his own shoe, the Air Jordan, in 1985, which helped bolster Nike’s image. Jump back.
Sources
La Carmina, fashion blogger, email interview, October 26, 2020
Gabby Rosenthal, co-host and co-producer, The Kicks N' Shit Show, phone interview, October 29, 2020
Lance M. Silverman, MD, FAAOS, Silverman Ankle & Foot, phone interview, October 29, 2020
Alan Vinogradov, co-founder, Sneaker Con, phone interview, November 5, 2020
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