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Our Greats The Royale pick has gotten a model update. The new version, The Royale 2.0 (men’s, women’s), has some slight aesthetic differences, and—according to the brand—better fit and comfort. We are testing it and will update this guide with our review. Shoe Casual Man
A crisp, clean pair of white sneakers can freshen up any look, from streetwear to evening wear. To find the best of the bunch, we considered 79 pairs and wore 22 of them. With help from a panel of four testers, we landed on four terrific, wide-ranging options: a pair of classic canvas low-tops; a clean, sophisticated full-grain leather pair that’s tough to break in but worth the effort; a pair of celebrated streetwear sneakers that have been beloved for decades; and a simple, understated canvas workhorse. All of our picks are comfortable, stylish, and available in women’s and men’s (or unisex) sizes.
We wanted low-top sneakers that would stand the test of time and appeal to a broad range of tastes.
We sought out shoes that fit well and felt great. We also preferred an easy break-in period (or none at all).
We looked for details such as uniform stitching and neat overlays, plus any special design touches.
All of the shoes we recommend are perennial models sold by major retailers, in women’s and men’s (or unisex) sizes.
These iconic sneakers go with everything and look just as cool when they’re squeaky clean as when they’re worn-in. Plus, they’re well priced and easy to find.
Nothing beats the effortlessly casual look of Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low-top) sneakers. Everyone from Michelle Obama to supermodel Gigi Hadid has been spotted rocking these canvas kicks. They’re cool, inexpensive, and tough enough to last several years. And they come in a wider range of sizes and colors than just about any shoe we tested.
Take your pick of outfits—Chuck Taylors work with your favorite midi dress, shorts, or even a full suit. Or lean into the brand’s skater history and pair these shoes with ripped jeans and a baggy sweater.
They’re eternally stylish. Chuck Taylor low-tops have a long, rounded silhouette, with a rubber sole and toe cap. The uppers are bright white with contrasting red and blue piping. (If you want a more monochrome look, try the all-white pair.) These shoes are as instantly recognizable as they are pleasing to the eye, landing squarely in the “can’t go wrong” category.
They’re a bargain. At around $60, Chuck Taylors are cheaper than most sneakers we tested. And they can last you anywhere from a year to nearly a decade, depending on how much mileage you rack up in them. One Wirecutter staffer who treks across New York City in them almost daily replaces his about annually. But senior editor Jennifer Hunter, who lives in less-walkable Los Angeles, says that the rubber on hers didn’t start peeling until year seven of light wear.
They don’t have a ton of cushioning. The insoles of these lightweight (9.2 ounces per shoe) sneakers are on the thinner side, and they don’t offer much support, so these shoes might not be the best choice for spending a full day on your feet. But according to orthopedic surgeon Lance Silverman of Silverman Ankle & Foot in Edina, Minnesota, thinner-soled, less-supportive shoes can actually be helpful in encouraging your foot to do what it was designed to do while walking and keep those muscles in shape. (Of course, you should follow the advice of a medical professional if you have any foot ailments.)
This sneaker, made with full-grain leather that has a lovely, subtle shine, feels elevated and refined. But it’s a beast to break in, and—weighing a full pound per shoe—it may be too heavy for some.
This sneaker, made with full-grain leather that has a lovely, subtle shine, feels elevated and refined. But it’s a beast to break in, and—weighing a full pound per shoe—it may be too heavy for some.
Note: As of January 2024, Greats is phasing out the original The Royale sneaker. The model is being replaced by The Royale 2.0 (men’s, women’s), which has some slight aesthetic differences, and—according to the company—improved fit and comfort. We are testing it and will update this guide with our review.
Robust yet refined, Greats’s The Royale (men’s and women’s) is a versatile and well-made pair of full-grain leather sneakers. These shoes fit nicely, too—after you survive the initial break-in period. (Ouch.)
These beautiful shoes can play nice with any casual outfit, but they can also hold their own with a pair of slacks, wide-legged pants, or a flowy dress.
They’re stylishly understated. The clean-lined Royale sneakers are quietly on point, with perfect stitching and full-grain leather that has a subtly glossy finish. Our panelists described them as “classy” and “really nice.” Some testers appreciated the contrasting tan interior—a small pop of color in a field of white—while others weren’t fans.
They’re tough to break in. Because these shoes are made from thick, stiff leather, they take a while to conform to your feet. The first time you put them on, you may wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into, but they will get comfortable eventually. It’s best to break them in slowly by wearing them for just a couple of hours at a time—and don’t forget socks.
The Royale pair is also the heaviest of our picks here, at 1 pound per shoe. (Even our more substantial-looking pick, the Nike Air Force 1, is a lighter 13.8 ounces.)
These were the only sneakers we tested that had different recommendations for men’s and women’s sizes: The men’s shoes run a half size larger than average shoes, and the women’s shoes run a half size smaller than average. The shoes are otherwise identical.
They’re spendy, but worth it. Though these shoes are the most expensive of our picks, they’re relatively well priced for this style of full-grain leather sneaker, which can often run into the hundreds of dollars. (The popular and similar-looking Common Projects Original Achilles Sneakers, which we did not test, cost more than double.) And we think the Royales are a good investment, since their high-quality materials and construction should hold up through years of regular wear.
They require some upkeep. Since these shoes are made from full-grain leather, they’re prone to developing creases. Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of the traveling sneaker convention Sneaker Con, told us that sizing down a bit is the simplest way to reduce creasing, because your foot bends less in a smaller shoe. Since that approach may not be practical or comfortable for many people, keeping your shoes really clean is another option that can help reduce the appearance of creases.
This tried-and-true sneaker has a storied history both on the court and on the street. Though this substantial leather shoe is chunkier and heavier than most, it’s comfortable—and it’s a statement piece.
This tried-and-true sneaker has a storied history both on the court and on the street. Though this substantial leather shoe is chunkier and heavier than most, it’s comfortable—and it’s a statement piece.
The chunky, confident profile. The ultra-bright leather. Ask any sneakerhead what they consider to be the best white sneakers, and we guarantee that the Nike Air Force 1 (low-top, men’s and women’s) will be on that list. These shoes command attention, without being over-the-top. The thick look can be divisive—it’s too robust for some people—but when you put these on, chances are, you’ll immediately understand their decades-long appeal.
Pair your Nike AF1s with a white T-shirt, dark jeans or joggers, and Nike socks. (Tip: Never mix athletic brands.)
They have tons of cred. The Nike Air Force 1 was born on the basketball court. A high-top version launched in 1982 and was quickly embraced by some of the NBA’s biggest players, including Moses Malone of the Philadelphia 76ers.1 One year later, Nike introduced the Nike Air Force 1 low-top.
The company nearly discontinued all AF1s in 1984, but sneaker enthusiasts, especially those in inner cities, demanded that Nike reissue the shoe.
Since then, the Air Force 1 has seen hundreds of collabs and variations while remaining true to its roots. “The white-on-white Air Force 1 is by far the best shoe that’s ever made,” said Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of the traveling sneaker convention Sneaker Con.
They’re big and bold. At first, our panelists—none of them die-hard Nike fans—struggled with the shoe’s large-and-in-charge style, which includes stocky soles, a thick toe box, and a pronounced swoosh. But they came around. “A little thick, a little loud, but I love them,” said one tester. He also told us that this is the pair he gets the most comments on—they stick out, in a good way.
The Air Force 1 also comes in a high-top version, the Nike Air Force 1 High ’07.
They’re cuddly on the inside. Sliding into a pair of AF1s is easy, thanks to the firm-but-not-too-stiff padded interior. We like that the shoes have enough structure for a person to put them on hands-free, without having to force one’s feet in and possibly causing creases.
Although the Air Force 1 is somewhat rigid, it’s not uncomfortably tight, even at first; it doesn’t require the same rough break-in time as our other full-grain leather pick, Greats’s The Royale.
The Air Force 1 has a cushioned insole that made it one of the most pleasant styles to wear in our tests—it felt as if we were walking on air (no pun intended). The foam insoles offer generous support, which is nice for those days when your feet need a little extra TLC.
These kicks have a padded, low-cut foot collar that hugs your ankles to keep the shoes secure, but some testers found the collar overly stiff. (“I’d never wear them if I were walking around an amusement park all day,” remarked one.)
Our panelists worried that, at 13.8 ounces each, these shoes would be too heavy and slip off their feet, but the collars kept the sneakers in place—and didn’t rub against their heels like the collars on many other shoes we tested.
And thanks to the Air Force 1’s sturdy structure, these shoes are likely to last (provided that they’re well-cared for) season after season. “They’ve held up well over the last couple years,” confirmed one Wirecutter staffer.
With subtly textured canvas uppers and an understated shape, these shoes pair well with a wide range of outfits. Plus, with their rounded, shorter toe box, they make your feet look more petite than some other canvas sneakers do.
As stylish as they are comfortable, the Superga 2750 Cotu Classic Sneakers are simple without being boring. These canvas sneakers are a go-to for everything from running errands to attending an art gallery opening. Enthused one tester: “They’re sporty but cute, practical, and universally attractive, regardless of what you’re wearing.”
These Superga shoes work well with a silk midi skirt or a maxi dress, light linen trousers, straight-leg jeans, or a preppy-casual look—think light cotton, pastel colors, and interesting patterns.
They’re especially versatile. In comparison with our other canvas pick, the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low-tops, these Superga shoes feel more delicate and restrained. Free of rubber toe caps and colored piping, they can easily coordinate with a wide variety of outfits.
Panelists also liked the textured canvas uppers, which give the shoes just enough pizzazz to stand out in a lineup of plain white sneakers. However, the nubby texture does make these shoes harder to clean than smooth canvas.
They’re comfier than you might think. The canvas uppers are pliable, and these shoes don’t require any break-in time. Our testers found them comfy, despite the relatively thin soles. “I love these shoes,” said Alex Vaughn, senior product manager of Wirecutter’s reader growth team. “I wouldn’t pick them specifically for a day with lots and lots of walking, but I haven’t encountered problems with rubbing, blisters, or discomfort when I have ended up in them for very long days.”
They’re flattering. These shoes’ clean lines and long, subtle seaming wrap around the foot in a complimentary way. Some panelists who weren’t huge fans of the elongated Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low-tops preferred this shorter Superga style, which makes the foot look more petite. Indeed, a size EU 39½ (US women’s 8½) Superga 2750 Cotu sneaker is nearly half an inch shorter than a US women’s 8 Chuck Taylor.
They offer a lot of bang for the buck. These sneakers are well made, with superb stitching and tidy metal eyelets. A pair should last a year or two with normal wear. (Superga recommends cleaning them in the washing machine only according to specific instructions.) Cory Hartmann, an enterprise productivity manager for The New York Times, says he replaces his Superga pair—which he subjects to a rigorous dog-walking schedule—about annually, once the treads start to wear through.
For this guide, to understand more about sneaker culture, I spoke with Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of the traveling sneaker convention Sneaker Con, and Gabby Rosenthal, co-host and co-producer of The Kicks N’ Shit Show podcast.
I learned about unique ways to style white sneakers from La Carmina, an alternative fashion blogger who specializes in subculture styles. And I interviewed Dr. Lance M. Silverman, an orthopedic surgeon and owner of Silverman Ankle & Foot, about shoe comfort and fit.
To find the finest white sneakers, I scoured forums, social feeds, blogs, customer reviews, and sneaker podcasts. Limiting the pool to low-tops, I researched 79 pairs of shoes in men’s, women’s, and unisex sizes, in materials ranging from recycled plastic bottles to leather.
I considered aesthetics, size ranges, availability, third-party reviews, price, and the selection of color options other than white (which we didn’t require, but was nice to have). We cut those shoes that didn’t measure up, settling on some 22 pairs.
For the initial round of testing, I ordered the shoes in my regular size (women’s 8½ or men’s/unisex 7) or followed the manufacturer’s guidelines. I wore each pair for a few hours and noted the overall quality, fit, and comfort. I dismissed any shoes that fit poorly, were uncomfortable, had sloppy stitching, or were visibly damaged. After that round, only eight pairs remained in the running.
A panel of three people, who normally wear a women’s size 8, men’s 11, and men’s 13, tested the finalists. The objective, per our experts: Find sneakers that feel and look good from the moment you put them on.
Our testers wore each pair of shoes for a day, grading the sneakers’ fit, comfort, and overall performance. Though a single day may not seem adequate to truly assess a pair of white kicks, it’s more than enough time to decide whether you want to keep a pair of shoes or return them.
Where applicable throughout this guide, we’ve also included the feedback of Wirecutter staffers and testers who have worn these picks for far longer.
The Bensimon Lace-Up Tennis Shoes were thin and uncomfortable, and their flexible soles had us worried that they would wear out too quickly.
We weren’t wild about the appearance of the Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas sneakers, which have glossy off-white midsoles and pure-white uppers. But they offer substantially more support than our regular Chuck Taylor All Star pick, so if you don’t mind the look and you want more padding, you might consider them.
We disliked the canvas quality of Everlane’s The Forever Sneaker, and we thought the toe box was too tight.
Both the Keds Women’s Champion Originals Sneaker and the Vans Canvas Old Skool had soles that were too snug, so testers’ feet hung over the sides and stretched out the canvas.
The Vans Slip-On Shoe was uncomfortably tight and felt scratchy.
The Adidas Stan Smith Shoes are a favorite among sneakerheads, but none of our testers were able to find a good fit or even wear them for a full day. They were tight around the bridges and arches, and the long tongues and rough leather interiors rubbed some panelists’ feet raw, even with socks.
The Adidas Superstar Shoes were uncomfortable and too tight, even when we sized up.
Though well-priced, the Italic Cadence Leather Sneakers had rough stitching and a bulbous collar, and they were especially hard to break in—as were the (far pricier) Koio Capri Triple White sneakers.
The uppers and heels of the Nike Killshot 2 Leather sneakers were uncomfortably thick, and our testers disliked the suede accents.
The Adidas ZX 2K Boost Shoes were too gym-looking for our taste, and the tongues were abrasive.
The edges of the vegan-leather tongues on the Veja V-10 sneakers weren’t burnished, which made them uncomfortable.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
La Carmina, fashion blogger, email interview, October 26, 2020
Gabby Rosenthal, co-host and co-producer, The Kicks N’ Shit Show, phone interview, October 29, 2020
Lance M. Silverman, MD, FAAOS, Silverman Ankle & Foot, phone interview, October 29, 2020
Alan Vinogradov, co-founder, Sneaker Con, phone interview, November 5, 2020
Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She's never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.
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