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
Iconic Sneaker
Adidas Stan Smith
Iconic Sneaker
Adidas Samba
Iconic Sneaker
Adidas Gazelle
OTHER STYLES WE LIKE
Adidas NMD_R1 Shoes
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$130 (30% off)