Back to School Shoes 2022: The Best Sneakers to Buy This Year

Image via Complex

Price: $185

Buy it now: New Balance

The New Balance 990v3 is the third rendition in New Balance’s popular 990 series. Standout collaborations from JJJJound to Bodega brought the shoe new levels of attention last year (and a spot on our Best Sneakers of 2021 with Joe Freshgoods’ “Outside Clothes” pair). The 990v3, originally released in 2012, has become a staple within the sneaker community and now can be for your school wardrobe too. While the aforementioned pairs are great, one can’t go wrong with the fundamental gray and white pair for daily use. They’re a neutral shoe that features soft pigskin suede, multilayered mesh paneling across the upper for breathability and a lightweight feel on feet, and Encap cushioning for all day comfort. If this is your first pair of 990v3s and you are hesitant, rest assured that this is a quality shoe that you’ll get your money’s worth.

Price: $110

Buy it now: Adidas

Adidas has dug into their sneaker archive again and brought back the Adidas Adimatic, a skateboarding shoe the brand released in 1996. This sneaker falls in line with the trend of puffy skate shoes reminiscent from the early 2000s like the Nike SB Dunk Low and Osiris D3 2001. Alongside the shape of this silhouette, what distinguishes this shoe is the oversized branding seen on the sides and back of the shoe, plus the fat laces which adds to its Y2K nostalgia. A zigzag rubber midsole subtly adds more personality to this shoe and is completed with a gum outsole, which will help make the bottom of your shoes look less dirty if that matters to you. These are yet to be a shoe you see everywhere, so if you are one for wearing sneakers that are unique, this should be a fun pair to sport during the academic school year.

Price: $170

Buy it now: StockX

We are now approaching three years since the massive resurgence of Nike SB Dunks. From wildcard collaborations with brands like Polaroid, to reviving the brand’s collection of unofficial The Simpsons-inspired sneakers with the “Bart Simpson” SB Dunk Lows, the Swoosh has still found ways to keep the line interesting in 2022. If you choose to grab a pair of SB Dunks for the school year, be confident that it’ll be a shoe that’ll stand out for its tendency of creative themes and because they’re built with better technology than a regular Nike Dunk. For that reason, they’re also more comfortable than a standard Dunk with a Zoom Air unit encapsulated in the midsole, allowing for a better wearing experience throughout the day. For all the colorways and concepts Nike has brought to the SB Dunk, these are a shoo-in for back-to-school footwear contenders. 

Price: $100

Buy it now: Adidas

Amidst the Three Stripes’ recent collaboration with luxury brand Gucci and retro Adidas soccer shoes becoming commonplace on the Instagram explore page and TikTok, it is clear that flat-soled Adidas have risen in prominence. While there is a debate about whether high-profile collabs hurt or enliven a shoe’s legacy, it’s safe to say that they at least give shine on models that may get lost in the sea of countless sneaker designs. The Gucci x Adidas Gazelle was that reminder of how good an inline Adidas Gazelle is. They’re composed of a nubuck upper with Three Stripes branding on the sides, a rubber outsole, and a synthetic leather sock liner. Its simple design and variety of colorways make these a clean shoe that will accent your fit rather than divert it. Or if you just want to show up to class in a relaxed vibe, these will do the trick. A reliable candidate for everyday school activities, the Adidas Gazelle is an understated, but not to be overlooked sneaker.

Price: $139

Buy it now: SNS

Since the Kiko Kostadinov Studios-assisted UBS-1 pairs that were released in 2020, the Asics Gel Kayano 14 has been a shoe that has gained momentum within fashion enthusiasts, runners, and sneakerheads similarly. They’re a running shoe from 2008 constructed of predominantly mesh with synthetic overlays, which is a good thing if breathability is an element you look for in sneakers. Lately, Asics has been exploring the upper’s design by making pairs in muted pastel or futuristic color schemes with metallic details allowing there to be options for what best suits you. This “Cream/Pure Silver” pair meets that subdued yet avant-garde aesthetic well and is adaptable enough to wear on an everyday basis. Whichever pair you opt for, know that they’ll be equipped with Asics Gel technology for proper support while you’re on your feet. If you’re looking for a runner with some pizzazz that’ll get you from point A to point B comfortably, give the Gel Kayano 14 a shot.

Price: $85

Buy it now: Reebok

All-white sneakers are an easy-to-wear shoe for almost any school outfit you can think of. Add a vintage touch to it and you have an easier to wear shoe for its worn-in look granting more freedom to walk around and not worry about scuffing them. We get that dirty Air Force 1s are a look for many people, but there are other shoes that can look good cooked too. One of them is the Reebok Club C, particularly this 85 Vintage version dressed in a monotone chalk colorway. It is worth noting the supple leather these shoes are made of, making the break-in time almost nonexistent. The terry cloth sock liner adds to the coziness of the upper and the tried-and-true EVA foam midsole makes for substantial cushioning. Coming at a fair $85 retail price, this is a shoe that you can beat and will still look better with character or easily replace if you’d want a fresh pair down the line.

Price: $140

Buy it now: New Balance

Originally released in 2010, the New Balance 2002 has become a prominent model within New Balance’s catalog today for sneaker connoisseurs. They were rereleased in 2020 as the 2002R with an updated tooling borrowed from the New Balance 860v2 and gained popularity with collaboration pairs by Salehe Bembury and South Korean streetwear brand Thisisneverthat. The model would continue to win people over last year with the inline release of the “Refined Future” pack (or “Protection Pack” as some people would call it), and now here we are in 2022 with more releases for larger audiences to try them out. This “Rain Cloud/Prism Purple” pair is a slight twist on the classic gray suede running shoes the brand is known for, with hints of pink and purple seen across the upper and midsole (reminiscent of the rare United Arrows x New Balance 997.5 from 2009). Premium suede and mesh materials are utilized on the upper with Abzorb and N-ergy technology used on the midsole and outsole for shock absorption, stability, and comfort. Like the 990v3, this is another shoe New Balance has to offer you that blends style with all-day comfort seamlessly. 

Price: $75

Buy it now: Converse

You most likely know what footwear you’re bound to see students wear on the first day: Nike Air Force 1 Lows, Crocs, Vans Old Skools, maybe a wild Fila Disruptor, and guaranteed, Converse Chuck Taylors. This is no knock on those shoes as they are mostly validated picks, but it is worth noting the models that don’t get as much recognition as the essentials. For Converse, that would be the One Star. They did have a moment around 2017 when Tyler, the Creator partnered with the brand to create his Golf Le Fleur x Converse One Stars. In 2022, this model seems to hold its own weight, with Converse presenting the One Star Pro Suede. This variant of the One Star is skate-oriented but can still be worn regularly with upgraded features like better durability and impact protection. While not differing radically from the conventional Chuck Taylors, these are a fine alternative for those who want the style of Chucks but not wear something one sees as often.