Composed by Vice Staff
Expanding your closet’s color palette is fun, but there’s something to be said (aesthetically and financially) on investing in pieces that match all your clothes. (Hot pink Crocs platform can only pair well with as many, with or without Crocodile Adjacent Truck Nuts.) It’s no secret that the very foundation of the craziest wardrobes is ultimately a suite of sensible neutral colorways – think white, tan, tan, gray, black, brown and in navy blue. If you are a regular in these regions, you know that we are ready for just about anything when it comes to building our wardrobes, but even we can appreciate a good neutral, and that doubles when we buy sneakers.
Matching sneakers are a wardrobe essential, so we’ve compiled a list of the best neutral sneakers to buy, so you can choose one of these kicks and know you can pair them with your bolo tie, cornand sweaters for cozy wood. Whether you need a versatile sneaker or something a little more streamlined for brunch with friends, we’ve found all the options you need to create your look from the bottom up, literally.
Hoka Clifton 8
If you don’t already know what we think of hoka, you have been living under a rock. in addition to being a snapping running shoe First introduced in 2014, this style comes in a range of muted colors that pair well with trousers and other workwear to add a touch of athleisure to a business casual fit. We love them in the classic creamy white eggnog, which only underscores the fact that most Hoka models look (and feel) like marshmallows for your feet. It has neutral stability, balanced cushioning, breathable mesh and comes in different widths in case you need a wider toe box.
$140 at hoka
$140 at hoka
New Balance Core 990v5
New balance may be the go-to shoe brand for dad-style followers, but we think a demographic that constantly suffers from sore feet and nagging back issues knows where to find sneakers that strike the right balance between comfort and utility. . This “v5” iteration of New Balance’s signature silhouette will wow your friends with its 2019 style update, Ortholite insert and firm, supportive midsole. They are available in narrow, standard, wide and extra wide cuts.
New balance
Men’s 990v5 Core
$184 at New Balance
New Balance
Women’s Core 990v5
$184.99 at New Balance
Nike Air Force 1
This retro basketball sneaker that has become a street staple is one you don’t have to be Nelly enjoy. Originally launched in 1982, the Air Force 1 remains one of the Nikethanks in large part to its simple (but still sporty) silhouette and suite of colorway options. That said, there are no superior monochromatic options in all-white or all-black. While a pair of Air Force 1s are sure to get plenty of play since one of the aforementioned colorways will fit into any fit, it’s equally important to know when to pull off your pair and move on to the next. ; no matter how universally appealing the Air Force 1 is, no one likes a pair of soaring Forces. Keep them fresh.
$110 at Nike
$110 at Nike
Asics GEL-Lyte III
Retro sneaker styles are all the rage, and this Asics model designed in the early 90s fills that retro style void for us, while being comfortable and matching your everyday outfit. Tech men may have mastered wearing sneakers with jeans, but it’s not the Mark Zuckerberg vibe we’re after, it’s the swaggier side of normcore. This sneaker has the look that will match everything from your F/W2022 Chore Coat to your bootleg Cocteau Twins long sleevesand its gel-heel technology cushions the heel to help improve shock absorption for long-lasting comfort while walking all day.
$130 at ASICS
Vans Authentic
They are classics for a reason. Built with skateboarding roots and simple styling, this Vans the canvas silhouette and material have remained timeless since they first hit the streets in 1966. Incorporating Vans’ signature rubber waffle outsole, the Authentic (originally known as the #44 Deck Shoe) manages to sit comfortably in a variety of different vibrations; Whether you’re someone with a summer house in Connecticut or a skater prone to jumping fences and skating in pools, this sneaker fits the bill. Our favorite neutral shade in these suckers? Brown.
$60 at Vans
Adidas Samba
You must admire the eternal appeal of the Adidas Samba. (We love him so so so we wrote an entire article on its well-deserved revival.) The timeless silhouette has a classic leather upper body, lightweight rubber outsole, oblong tongue and low profile. You don’t need to follow the English Premier League or justify their place in your sneaker rotation with stories about your “glory days” playing club football in college – the Samba is a true icon of style.
$75 at Adidas
$100$90 at Adidas
Veja Campo
Like many luxury sneaker companies, Veja has its own candle version of Adidas‘ iconic Stan Smith. In other words, you’ll add the minimalist appeal of the OG tennis shoe, with the smug feeling of superiority knowing your kicks cost a lot more than the regular Stan Smith. Hey, Veja is a French shoe brand, so you can at least seem to know automatically fashion.
$180 at Nordström
Veja
Campo sneakers for women
$165 at Nordström
Oh my God, shoes.
Rec Room staff independently curated all items featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations and great deals? Subscribe to our newsletter.