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The Best White Sneakers to Wear All Summer Long

From sneaker icons, to more recent models and even new releases, these are the best white sneakers from over 20 great footwear brands.

Ben Bowers for Gear Patrol

By Evan Malachosky and Ben Bowers

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White sneakers are a classic spring and summer staple— for good reason. The colorway is rooted in early 20th-century athletics, and over the years, the practical justification hasn’t changed: white reflects the sun’s rays, keeping your feet cooler than sneakers with darker uppers. Another major plus is their versatility — white sneakers go with most casual clothes, regardless of the color.

There’s no shortage of great white sneakers on the market today. So, to help you find the perfect pair, we’ve poured over every major shoe company’s inventories (as well as some boutique brands) to curate the best pairs. Our selections include everything from classic canvas and leather white sneakers to white running shoes and more modern white athletic sneakers. 

Some are longstanding sneaker icons, while others are more modern or even new releases that caught our eye. Most are generally all-white or more yellowy shades of off-white, though we made a few exceptions for classics with minor color detailing. 

Why White? Won’t They Get Ruined?

Yes, like any white clothing item, white sneakers are more susceptible to staining than other colors. The question is how do you plan to respond when a brand new pair inevitably starts to show signs of wear?

Some people will always fall into the camp of wanting to keep white sneakers looking clean and crisp. While it requires focus, its not an impossible goal to achieve even if you wear your white sneakers regularly.

Others believe white sneakers supposed to get ruined — or, at the very least, show signs of regular wear. That’s not to say you should be wearing a pair of “cooked” Air Force Ones to work, but it’s reasonable to not stress over scuffs, scrapes or discoloration. Stains — like food drippings, coffee droplets or bolded boot marks from when you stepped into someone else’s path — should be treated as soon as possible though if you want a fighting chance of removing the discoloration.

For a complete rundown on cleaning a pair of white sneakers you love, check out our ultimate guide to cleaning your sneakers.

ADIDAS WHITE SNEAKERS

Adidas

Iconic Sneaker

Adidas Stan Smith

Though it’s technically existed for over 50 years, the Stan Smith has had a major resurgence in popularity over the last decade. It’s available in both all-white versions as well as mostly white versions with a pop of color, which honestly we prefer. It’s worth noting that in 2024 Adidas updated the shoe to feature only recycled polyester. Its also vegan.
Adidas

Iconic Sneaker

Adidas Samba

So it’s not technically all white, but it still counts in our book. The Samba Classic is the iteration with the extended tongue — the pair truly meant for indoor soccer. It has higher arches, a longer tongue and is easier to slip in and out of. The OG, on the other hand, has almost no arch support, much like the Chuck Taylor-All Star, and a much shorter tongue. There are slight differences in the outsoles, too, but not in tread or traction control. We prefer the more recent decon or deconstructed version given that it’s lighter weight and more forgiving. That said, it’s also much more expensive. Still, you can’t go wrong with any version.
Adidas

Iconic Sneaker

Adidas Gazelle

Like most of Adi’s classic shoes, the Gazelle was originally a soccer trainer in the 60s. Over time the shoe was embraced as more of a versatile lifestyle sneaker, especially due to its embrace by the hip-hop scene starting in the mid 80s. This version is a one-to-one reissue of the version originally created in 1991.
Adidas

OTHER STYLES WE LIKE

Adidas NMD_R1 Shoes

ALLBIRDS WHITE SNEAKERS

Allbirds

OTHER STYLES WE LIKE

Allbirds Men’s Couriers

Allbirds

OTHER STYLES WE LIKE

Allbirds Men’s Tree Flyer 2

ASiCS WHITE SNEAKERS

Asics

Other Styles We LIke

Asics Tiger Runner II

COMMON PROJECTS WHITE SNEAKERS

Common Projects

Iconic Sneaker

Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneaker

Common Projects didn’t invent the white leather sneaker or even this general style. However, the brand did help establish white leather sneakers as a high-end fashion statement and helped push sneakers as an acceptable form of footwear even in more formal settings.

CONVERSE WHITE SNEAKERS

Nordstrom

ICONIC SNEAKER

Converse Jack Purcell Low Top Leather Sneaker

Another sneaker with sporting roots, the Jack Purcell low is the eponymous signature shoe of badminton legend Jack Purcell. It looks quite a lot like the Chuck Taylor, but it predates the low-top iteration by over two decades. (Yes, the All-Star came out first, but it was only a high-top until 1957.)

Converse

ICONIC SNEAKER

Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas

No sneaker looks better beat up than the Chuck Taylor All Star. But, to ensure you get more than a year out of ’em, you should upgrade to the Chuck 70, a modern rendition of the iconic sneaker made with sturdier canvas uppers, an enhanced rubber outsole and a cushioned insole. These will wear nicely, even after they’ve earned their fair share of scuffs. (Note: I’ve been wearing the same pair for five years…)

ALL-STAR VS CHUCK 70

HOKA WHITE SNEAKERS

MERRELL WHITE SNEAKERS

Merrell

Other Styles We Like

Merrell Hydro Runner

Merrell

Other Styles We Like

Merrell Men’s Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX BL 1TRL

NEW BALANCE WHITE SNEAKERS

NIKE WHITE SNEAKERS

Nike

Iconic Sneaker

Air Force 1 ’07 Sneakers

The Air Force 1 is a grandfather to countless basketball shoes after its introduction in 1982. The legendary shoe has inspired knockoff after knockoff, inciting famous cease & desists as well as countless queues for exclusive collabs and limited-edition releases. But you can always count on the total white version to keep your fit fresh. It’ll never get sold out nor go out of style.

On WHITE SNEAKERS

REEBOK WHITE SNEAKERS

Zappos

Iconic Sneaker

Reebok Club C 85

First introduced in 1985 as a tennis shoe, the Club C follows in the steps of Reebok’s highly popular Revenge, but with a toned-down look. The Club C’s have experienced a resurgence in recent years as the popularity of vintage and throwback sneakers have grown (see: Converse Chuck 70, Nike Blazer Mid ’77). It’s taken on an almost IYKYK following and the classic shoe doesn’t pander to the hype machine, making it a verified icon that’s equally deft on the tennis court or the sidewalk.

Reebok

Other Styles We Like

Reebok Flexagon Force 4 Men’s Training Shoes

SALOMON WHITE SNEAKERS

High Snobiety

Modern Icon

XT-6 Advanced Sneakers

Salomon is one of the many brands that have benefitted from the “GORP” trend — when outdoors products are prized as high-end fashion. The brand’s sneakers are durable, designed for distant hikes and ultra-distance racing. The XT-6 Advanced, for example, comes with a cushioned insole for sticking landings on tough terrain, and abrasion resistant mesh and mud guards.

SAUCONY WHITE SNEAKERS

Saucony

Other Styles We Like

Saucony Jazz Court PU

SPERRY WHITE SNEAKERS

Sperry

OTHER STYLES WE LIKE

Sperry Unisex Classic CVO Sneaker

Sperry

OTHER STYLES WE LIKE

Sperry Striper II Canvas CVO Sneaker

VANS WHITE SNEAKERS

Vans

ICONIC SNEAKER

Vans Authentic Sneaker

Vans classic Authentic is ideal for the warmer months: It won’t break the bank, plus it’s easy to wash. This version of the Authentic sneaker has a white canvas upper and includes a vulcanized waffle rubber outsole, tonal metal eyelets and a woven logo tab.

Vans

Other Styles We Like

Vans Old Skool Canvas Shoe

MORE WHITE SNEAKER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

Veja

ICONIC FOOTWEAR

Veja V-10 Sneakers

Founded in France in 2005, Veja commits itself to producing fair-trade footwear that does not compromise on design. These sneakers, made in Brazil, have a white calfskin upper that’s complimented with an off-white rubber sole and a perforated leather toe-box.

Vasque

Other Styles We Like

Vasque RE:CONNECT – Now

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