Here are seven of our favorites. Some sneakers we’ve loved for years. Some haven’t changed a bit since their debut. Others have gotten the upgrades they deserved: better materials, improved insoles, smarter outsoles, or a complete rebuild. They are all easy, casual pairs. These pairs come from the basketball court, the soccer field, and straight-up streetwear. They span the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, with one from the early 2000s. (Please, don’t fight us on the last one. It makes us feel old, too)
We’ve got low-tops from Puma, Vans, and Asics, plus some great walking shoes from New Balance. And a few are fresh takes on old loves, like Nike Shox or Converse, which just dropped a new pair that feels perfectly retro but benefits from modern tech shoutout to the much more comfortable midsole. Shop our seven favorites here.
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The Puma Club II Era are a low-top, minimalist sneakers that work great for everyday wear. They are not nearly as famous as the Puma Suede, but they’re aesthetically similar in that it’s minimal and easy to wear. This style is casual, low-key, and cheap. We love them as beater shoes for weekend—something to throw on without thinking too much. These don’t have the kind of arch or ankle support you’d want for long walks or heavy activity, but for easy-going wear, they’re solid.
Pros
- Cool suede colorways
- Subtle skate nod
Cons
- Not a ton of support
The Vans Authentics are, of course, classic skate shoes. It launched in tandem with Vans itself (in 1966, how retro). The canvas upper and waffle sole were the standouts then and they are the standouts now. Only, you don’t need to be a skater to wear them. Since the ’60s, the Authentic has had some upgrades, and we like this one in particular for its burnt-brownish textured suede upper in place of canvas. The style is old-school but the color makes them retro.
Pros
- Comfy inside
- Chunkier fit
Cons
- A bit heavy
The Asics EX-39s are, if you can believe it, old basketball shose. And no, we would not recommend you play basketball in these. Many things have changed since 1989 and athletic textiles are one we’re on board with. But we do like it for every day. These are still a low-top sneaker, but it’s a little less minimal than the Puma or the Vans. They feature a chunkier design, more akin to a New Balance 550. It’s never gotten too hypey, so we like them for something that feels super athletic, very retro, but slightly off-beat.
Pros
- Good walking support
- Breathable mesh
Cons
- Materials not as high-quality as other New Balances
The New Balance 408 V1s are classic walking sneakers with that unmistakable ’90s New Balance vibe: the runner-style shape, the mesh and leather upper, the slightly chunky silhouette. It’s not the brand’s most high-end model, but that’s the point. It’s lighter and more breathable than some of the bulkier retro runners, which makes it great for everyday wear. We especially love the little hits of shiny silver, which feel straight out of the ’90s. Affordable, comfortable, and retro done well.
Pros
- Great alternative to a Samba
- We like the gum sole
Cons
- Might feel too casual for some
The Adidas Handball Spezial have become our go-to stand-in for the Sambas. (Maybe even our current preferred shoe?) No shade to Sambas, but sometimes you just want to wear something not everyone in the office is wearing. The Spezial was designed in the ’70s as indoor handball (right there, in the name!) shoes. It shares that same low-profile shape as the Samba but has a slightly softer suede upper, a bit more structure, and some softer midsole support, which makes the whole wear feel sturdier. We especially love this super-light gray colorway. It’s an easy alternative to all-white sneakers, still low-key, relaxed, and wearable.
Pros
- Iconic design
- Excellent color upgrades
Cons
- Might pain some to call these retro
We can already feel the resistance for calling the Nike Shox a retro sneakers. After all, they launched in 2001. But that was nearly 25 years ago! And if that makes us feel old (it does), so be it (begrudgingly). The Shox have earned their retro status.
When Shox debuted, the sneakers were a huge innovation in the sneaker world. That springy column heel design looked and felt unlike anything else. Nike brought it back with a few sharp colorways, like this white-and-brown pair. You still get the signature Shox columns in the back but with an updated foam midsole and TPU TK heel counter. It’s the kind of old-school retro with modern technical and design upgrades combination we’re happy to welcome back.
Pros
- Great upgrades to the midsole and outsole
- Feel like an elevated version of a sneaker you already love
Cons
- Harder to get your hands on
Last but not least, we’ve got a new version of the Converse Chuck Taylors. We never thought we’d see the day. Just kidding. We’ve obviously seen plenty of new Chucks, but this hits different. The First String Chuck 70 feels made for people who grew up wearing Converse and are now, well, growing up a little. Maybe we’re not pairing them with band tees anymore. Maybe it’s cashmere sweaters now. But we still want our favorite sneakers in the mix. This pair stays true to the original but sits on a slightly higher, more structured sole, which we love.
It doesn’t feel as flat (or as 2007) as the flatter version you’d wear with skinny jeans. These look better with a wide trouser or some rigid denim, giving that very cool, lived-in feel. The off-white colorway is perfect, and the reinforced mudguard and toe cap make it feel like a more substantial shoe. For an old-school high-top, you can’t beat a Converse—and in our opinion, you can’t beat these Converse.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to sneakers, we do not mess around. We love our new sneakers and our old ones, and we love the new ones inspired by those old ones. You can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved, (some for actual decades) along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.
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