The time it takes for me to choose a pair of sneakers every day, although I don’t work with anyone and my sneakers aren’t even seen, is ridiculous. I love my shoes. I have the benefit of having gone through my brand phases with adidas and Nike. I even have my favorite Jordans, but as I get older my tastes have changed and I’ve become more experimental while my peers are rocking Monarchs and Skechers. I know comfort is king, and that most of my peers have been married and have passed their collections down to their sons, but I’ve started an entirely new collection. In my options are handmade COMUNITYmade sneakers, Karhu and Clarks. I will also hit the world with some Brandblack, Red Ball Jets and Zen Running Club. My closet has serious diversity. Since I’ve aged up my wardrobe, I’m rocking burnt orange New Balance 1300 Made in the USA today, I thought I could create a list of kicks that I don’t have yet, but I’m contemplating buying.
1. Fila Suede Tennis 88 Strawberry Ice
Maybe it’s the binging of Snowfall that has me feeling Fila right now. Maybe it’s the soft suede strawberry flavor of this shoe? Real men wear pink right? Whatever it is, this Fila Suede is a mature approach to a very fashionable pair.
2. CLAE MALONE LITE LIMITED EDITION
CLAE remains a staple on any list for a guy looking to elevate the wardrobe from high school and college fresh, to professional but still fly fresh. This pair actually ships with a set of matching tennis balls.
3. New Balance Made in the USA 992 Todd Snyder
This Todd Snyder version of the 992 is unfortunately sold out, but it doesn’t matter. I’m dropping it here, because the boring and mundane grey NB is lifted with just a touch of tan leather hits throughout the upper. You’ll probably have to pay a hefty fee in resale to find a pair, which I don’t recommend when there are so many options here to rock with.
4. ASICS Gel Lyte III Glacier Grey/Piedmont Grey
There is always a time for the Gel Lyte. The split tongue design is comfortable and the classic running trainer, with a premium suede build, shows the young sneaker fans that it doesn’t have to be hyped or a collab to be fresh.
5. Timberland Euro Trekker Black/Wheat Mesh
A Timberland, Air Max 95 and Reebok Question walk into a surgeon’s room… This isn’t an easy sneaker to pull off. If you have the right denim, then you can possibly pull this together. Why am I dropping it here? This is definitely a pair that fits into my rotation as I’m beginning to do a lot of walking and we all get to do a few date nights where we can put in a mile or two.
6. Filling Pieces Crease Runner – Yellow
This is without a doubt the most experimental pair on the list. While it has a retro trainer vibe, the modern design element of an extended waffle sole at the midfoot is a distinct head turning look made more outstanding by the flecks of color in the rubber. The use of corduroy on the upper obviously gives it a Fall season aura, but if you want to really smack those around you in the face with style, this may be the dopest drop on this list. Unfortunately for me they don’t make a size 13.
7. Puma Porsche Motorsports Legacy Suede
The best priced option on this list is surprisingly the most expensive legacy brand collab. Puma does motorsport sneakers for Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. This classic Suede rings up at only 80 bucks. It’s a simple, clean look with a couple of dope hidden details. A Porsche Targa keychain hangs at the side with a pop of turquoise and racing stripes up the heel. On the footbed is a picture of the classic Targa. You may not own the car, but your feet can cruise in subtle style.
8. Diadora Mi Basket Row Cut Choco Breakfast
I said the FP was the most experimental pair, but I might have to replace that with the Chocolate Breakfast from Diadora. Then again, it’s not experimental. It does have the most interesting color blocking. There are other new colors of this model that could have made the list, but the chocolate, peanut butter and strawberry milk suede feels like a Saturday morning meal. The brand made a mistake trying to get back into the market by entering Foot Locker stores with collabs like the Rocky hangtag series featuring Clubber Lang and Apollo Creed, but this model makes up for that error. Diadora is a boutique brand, not a mainstream sneaker shop brand.
9. Birkenstock Lugano Mink
My daughter is a track and field athlete. She recently strained her foot due to overuse. The same issue she has, many men have who work in warehouses or stand on their feet each day. I know guys are always nervous about showing their toes, but this is one of those moments where your significant other should cater to you and send you out for a pedicure and foot massage and then get you a pair of these Lugano Sandals. I bring up my daughter because the foot bed of the Lugano is soft and supportive. The cork and EVA cushioning forms to your feet creating a cradle that supports and helps your feet to recover. They also look beautiful.
10. Nike Free Crater Trail Moc N7
The N7 collection from Nike celebrates Native American culture. This sneaker has an obvious reference as a Moc, but that’s where the obvious ends. The shoe features premium materials and a unique woven construction with contrasting colors. The recycled midsole and outsole combination is a bonus, but this is a pair that will generate dialogue in any setting. When you tell the story of the Seventh-Generation celebration of indigenous people, the shoes will take on a more important meaning.