Court shoes, in my opinion, will always mean tennis shoes. The brand I associate with court shoes the most is adidas. Their classic Rod Laver and Stan Smith models remain staples in the brands Originals footwear. The Stan Smith is so iconic, other brands have mimicked the colorway of white and green so much that even if those other brands cost twice as much, to the every day person it still looks like a Stan Smith. This list will feature shoes that bear a resemblance to the Stan Smith and other court styles. Some of these shoes will have histories rooted in other sports, but the goal is to capture the simple, timeless feel, while offering an alternative.
Brand: Karhu
Style: Trampas Olympic Pack
Feature: Ships with a pair of matching Made in Italy socks. I own the goldenrod color of the Trampas and it has been my go to for the last two months. The shoe looks incredible. The suede is soft, the leather lining hugs your foot, and while it doesn’t have the greatest cushioning (it’s a retro model), I changed the insole and I can wear it for hours.
Price: $150.00
Source: TRAMPAS – BLUE / WHITE
Brand: Fila
Style: 110 Year Collection Tennis 88
Feature: Fila has been working hard to overcome their bargain perception. The Tennis 88 is a well constructed option and this model celebrates the brands legacy. This isn’t exactly a Stan Smith replacement, but it definitely takes care of the Rod Laver option.
Price: $75.00
Source: Men’s 110 Year Collection Tennis 88 – Sneakers & Lifestyle | Fila
Brand: CLAE
Style: BRADLEY VEGAN White/Olive-Light Gum
Feature: You can see the immediate reference here. What you can’t see are the benefits. The shoe is a sustainable option and the gum outsole gives this pair the clean, elevated look that takes your style from basic to date night cool. That textured heel tab in olive vs the bright green of the Stan Smith is everything.
Price: $150.00
Source: BRADLEY VEGAN – CLAE
Brand: Alma Mater
Style: OMNI 1887 TAN GLOVE LEATHER
Feature: Sneaker industry veteran, Eric Sarin founded this company and one of the biggest fans of the brand is Alex Rodriguez. If you’re a baseball fan, the brand has sneakers that celebrate the sport with handcrafted, luxury alternatives to your basic sneaker release. While it’s not really appropriate for old heads and more mature sneaker lovers to rock shoes with the hangtag, I’m making an exception with this one. The shoe is not yet available, but you can pre-order the model if you’re interested.
Price: $208.00
Source: OMNI 1887 Tan Glove Leather (Pre-Sale) – Alma Mater Footwear
Brand: COMUNITYmade
Style: Westsider Nude/COMUNITY Green-White
Feature: The brand has a newer 2.0 option with a Vibram outsole, but I’m still a fan of the original Westsider. I own the Sky colorway and when I’m not wearing my Trampas, this is still my go to option. The premium tumbled leather and leather laces make this model a step above the Stan Smith. It isn’t very cushioned, but I wear them for extended hours and I have never had a single issue with comfort. The suede green pull tab feels excellent and limits the need for a break in. I do have to wear no show socks with it because the leather makes my feet sweat.
Price: $180.00
Source: Men’s Westsider – Comfortable Premium Sneakers Handcrafted Locally, Giving Locally – COMUNITYmade
Brand: Timberland
Style: Timberland TrueCloud EK+
Feature: Not exactly a tennis sneaker, but it is an eco-friendly option and it reminds me 100% of another of my favorite sneakers the Merrell Gridway. Like the Gridway, this features a hidden laces design with a pop of leather on the Timberland lace tag. If you’re an Allbirds fan, you can’t say that you don’t have a different option made of wool. The shoe isn’t going to turn heads, but it will definitely look good with a business casual suit. Add the fact that it features TrueCloud cushioning, it might be one of the most comfortable options on the list.
Price: $100.00
Source: TIMBERLAND | Men’s TrueCloud™ EK+ Sneakers
Brand: On Running
Style: The Roger Center Court
Feature: On Running is an intriguing company. They are preparing to go public and I think that’s a mistake. The brand had a really strong spike in sales on the running side, but that doesn’t translate into popularity required to satisfy shareholders. On Running is going to have to transition from performance to lifestyle to really handle the process of hitting more demographics. This shoe, designed with tennis legend Roger Federer who had some serious sneaker culture drops with Nike, is an unknown item. I’ve never tried it, but it’s a part of a three shoe collection of off court options for RF. The shoe is not right priced by any means. It rings up at the same price as a Jordan retro. While runners are willing to pay for their performance, a company moving from private to public needs a better pricepoint. How can I say that when I have several premium options here on this list? Those shoes are handmade with premium materials. It is a vegan leather and is sustainable, but so is the CLAE Bradley which is 40 dollars cheaper.
Price: $189.99
Source: THE ROGER: tennis-inspired sneaker by On & Roger Federer (on-running.com)
Brand: Clark’s
Style: TorMatch in Dark Tan Suede
Feature: The Tormatch is a nod to tennis heritage from first glance. In the past, adidas made Horween leather versions of their Stan Smith and Superstar sneakers, but those didn’t really capture the masses because the price was at the premium end and it’s hard to move a product from the low end of the price scale to 150 dollars, but that might not have been the problem. adidas was too early with their Horween Stan Smith.As an entire demographic of sneaker fans age up, more brands are available and a shoe like that Horween leather Stan Smith would be right on time, but it wouldn’t stand up against this Tormatch. The Tormatch is made responsibly and with sustainability in mind, but it’s the crepe sole and buttery smooth suede that creates an eye-catching, stylish option. Once again, I don’t recommend rocking the hangtags, but in this case let em hang.
Price: $130.00
Source: Tormatch Dark Tan Suede – Mens Original – @Clarks Shoes Official | Clarks (clarksusa.com)
Brand: Filling Pieces
Style: Low Plain Court in Suede Grey
Feature: The standard all white look is basic, but moving into the fall and winter months requires a deviation from all white. This monochromatic court shoe from FP is going to be a part of your daily wear whether you wear denim or a tailored look. The contoured midsole sets this look apart from the rest of the shoes on the list. The shoe is made in Portugal hence the elevated price. Shoes that are made in China tend to have a lower cost, but in many instances the amount of work it takes for the shoe to arrive and the conditions of manufacturing are problematic for some. Filling Pieces makes some of the best looking sneakers on the market.
Price: $241.00
Source: Low Plain Court Suede Grey – Filling Pieces
Brand: K-Swiss
Style: Classic VN in Posy Green/White
Feature: No list for tennis shoes would be complete without K-Swiss. The company is under new leadership and taking a more serious approach to the performance aspects of their heritage. I wanted to avoid the classic all white and deliver a more fall ready option and at only 70 dollars, those who aren’t quite ready to make the jump to a more sustainable option, but they do want to have a nice sneaker that can be dressed up some, this color and version of the timeless tennis classic is an excellent option. The gum outsole gives a definite lift in style.
Price: $70.00
Source: CLASSIC VN – K-Swiss US (kswiss.com)