If you’re a normal person, it might be time to start thinking about bringing out the white sneakers for spring. If you’re a weirdo like me, you never took them off all winter! Regardless, spring and summer are ideal white sneaker seasons. They are a versatile option that goes perfectly with lightweight spring layers. They also translate well into summer when temperatures rise and layers come off. There are a few things to consider–namely materials, design, and cost–when selecting white sneakers. So, here are a few white sneakers at every price point you should consider!
I’m going to start with my overall favorite and most worn pair. Then, I will get into a few options by price point and talk about each.
Koio Capri
If you’ve followed me on any platform for any amount of time, you’ve seen me wear the Koio Capri. The style is minimal and timeless. They are reasonably comfortable. They come in at a digestible price point. And they are highly regarded in terms of quality. I initially learned about Koio from this Youtube video from Rose Anvil. In the video, he cut both the Koio Capri and the Common Projects Achilles in half. While the Achilles was $200 more, he identified the leather quality and shoe construction was better in the Koio Capri.
I bought my first pair of Koio’s 2 years ago at their store in SoHo NYC. They have weathered quite well, even with near constant wear since. I do clean them sometimes with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but not a ton and they still look great. The Common Projects Achilles is still the elite white sneaker in terms of aesthetics, in my opinion. No one seems to have been able to perfectly replicate the sleek design that the Achilles has mastered. But, the Koio is a worthy alternative for almost half the price. Definitely worth it for me at the moment!
White Sneakers Under $100
Vans Authentic
I think the Vans Authentic is going to make a big resurgence this year. It’s an awesome, minimal sneaker. I think the piping around the outside is an awesome detail. They’re fairly comfortable and definitely affordable. The canvas upper is especially comfortable during the warmer months. I recommend a “premium” version like these from J. Crew. They have a slightly wider outsole that makes the shoe look a LOT better. It’s definitely worth the extra $20 in my opinion.
Nike Killshot 2
I’ve given plenty of airtime to the Nike Killshot 2 as the best sneaker for under $100. It’s a great shoe with surprising leather quality and comfort for only $90. The vintage styling with the block letters on the heel and gum sole is awesome. There are a bunch of color options, but no surprise the navy blue is my favorite. I’ve gotten so much great feedback from followers on these as well. I don’t think you can go wrong!
Reebok Club C
The Reebok Club C is another shoe that makes my short list for best sneakers under $100. This is more of an off-white than a true white. But, it might be the most versatile shoe on the list as well. It can easily be dressed up or down. The leather is, again, surprisingly supple. And, this shoe is comfortable. I wore it for multiple days for thousands of steps in Europe with no issues. For $90, you can’t go wrong with the Club C!
Stan Smith
If you wanted to get into the “minimal sneaker” style like the Common Projects Achilles but don’t want to pay the price, the Adidas Stan Smith is probably your best bet. While I don’t recommend these for the quality, they do achieve a sort of similar look. They are much bulkier in the toe box than the Achilles. They also have three stripes on the side of the shoe. From my experience, they also don’t age as well as some of the other sneakers. But, some people swear by the Stan Smith so your mileage may vary!
White Sneakers Under $200
Thursday Boots Premier Low Top
Getting into the under $200 range opens things up a bit! The Thursday Boots Premier Low Top is probably the best minimal sneaker option under $150, coming in at $129. It has premium features like Italian Nappa Leather. There are two strikes against the sneaker in my opinion. The first is the general shape. It just lacks that sleek look that the Achilles and Koio’s share. It might only be noticeable to the trained eye, but it’s just a bit boxier. Secondly, I don’t prefer the contrasting silver eyelets for the laces. They did fix the eyelets on their new Encore model, but that one does come in $6 more at $135!
Veja Campo
The Veja Campo is one of the most versatile shoes on this list. Thanks to the wider toe box, it’s slightly more comfortable than the Koio Capri. The pebble grain leather is really nice, and gives them a stylish but definitively casual look. Because of the shape, you can dress the Vejas up a bit if you want to. But, the contrasting logo on the shoes lends to a sporty look as well. I really find the Campo comfortable mostly because the toe box is slightly wider than most of the shoes on this list. I feel like it’s probably somewhere between standard and wide – although they don’t actually offer them in a wide fit. The biggest downside to the Campo is the outsole. It just feels a bit thin – you can definitely feel the ground while you are walking. But, if you wanted a slightly elevated “smart” sneaker that isn’t all white, this would be high on my list of recommendations.
Greats Royale
The Greats Royale was the first “Common Projects Alternative” I purchased. They served me really well for a TON of wear over the years. In my experience, the quality is awesome. While not the softest most luxurious leather, it is extremely durable. The look is passable for a minimal white sneaker, although they did add some side paneling and stitching on the newest model. Again, the Royale misses a bit on the shape. It is taller and chunkier than the Common Projects and Koios. It just leads to a definitively more casual look. If that is your thing, it definitely works! The only other downside with the Greats, for me, is the comfort. They’re just OK. To me, it feels like a shoe where the sole never quite breaks in. It’s firm, and I admittedly really like a softer sole. Again, might work well for you. But not quite perfect for me! But, the Royale is another great option at just under $200.
White Sneakers at $200 or More
The only shoe I own in the $200+ range is the Koio Capri. But, in the name of a well-rounded list, I have included a couple of shoes I have heard good things about.
Oliver Cabell Low 1
The Oliver Cabell Low 1 is “an iconic low-top silhouette coupled with buttery Italian calfskin leather, ultra soft, abrasion-resistant lining, and custom EVA insert outsoles.” My favorite part about the Low 1 is the variety. They offer both minimal style sneakers, as well as distressed sneakers more like a budget Golden Goose. It’s a sharp-looking shoe, and could be a great option!
Axel Arigato Clean 90
The Axel Arigato Clean 90 is “made from smooth leather and stamped with a subtle gold-tone logo. The robust rubber soles are cushioned for maximum comfort.” Whether it’s the gold logo or the unique shape, something about this sneaker is really eye-catching. It’s a sharp-looking sneaker with a wider toe box and unique outsole. If you want a more interesting minimal white sneaker, this could be your new go-to.
Goodman Edge Lo-Top Sneaker
As far as a Common Projects alternative, the Goodman Edge Lo-Top Sneaker seems to have a fantastic shape. The toe is sleek and sharp. The entire shoe looks wildly similar. I have heard great things about the quality. This is definitely on the list of shoes I would personally like to try. It does have a contrasting top eyelet, and a tab on the back as unique features. For $228, it seems to be great value.
This is certainly not an all-encompassing list when it comes to white sneakers at every price point. There are so many good sneakers out there. There are new ones popping up all the time. But hopefully, it is a helpful starting point if you are in the market.
I always love learning about new shoes and brands. If you have any favorites I left off the list, let me know in the comments, or shoot me a DM on Instagram!
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