The Best Sneakers You Can Actually Buy Right Now, No Hype or Raffles Necessary

Sometimes the best sneakers aren’t the ones you have to jump through hoops to get. They’re the pairs that are sitting on the shelves at your local store right now, or maybe even the ones that have been online for a few months and are now discounted. Some might call them bricks, but don’t be so quick to dismiss these oft-overlooked styles. There’s more out there than the nearly impossible-to-cop collabs and the limited releases that flip for triple their retail price.

You already know about shoes like the timeless white-on-white Nike Air Force 1 and the Converse Chuck Taylor, so there’s no need to go back over those. This is about the sneakers you may have already breezed past on Instagram, maybe even a model you’re used to seeing other people wear day-to-day but had never considered for your own closet. Whether you need something utilitarian that can be worn daily or a pair with a little more pizazz, we’ve chosen something for everyone here.

Buy it now: $130

As someone who rarely wears all-white sneakers, any configuration of black/white Nike Air Presto is basically my version of a white-on-white Nike Air Force 1. It’s similarly versatile, but much more comfortable, doesn’t look like crap after a single wear, and is far less common to see. Sure, the Presto carries an inherent danger factor—the forgiving nature of the upper has led to me rolling my ankle countless times on minimally invasive obstacles like pebbles or sidewalk cracks. But the overall comfort is worth the risk, and there’s no shoe I’d rather wear if I’m going to be on my feet for a long day of walking. It might not be able to be dressed up quite as much as a pair of white Forces, but I’d argue there are much better options when actually dressing up anyway. Collaborative versions like the Acronym and Off-White pairs were well done, but never actually improved on the original, which makes GR pairs like this feel like a steal. — Zac Dubasik

Buy it now: $195

The Asics Gel-Kayano is the brand’s oldest (and arguably best) running shoe line. It’s been around since 1993, and each year the brand gives the sneaker an upgrade. A little lighter material here, more targeted cushioning there, a sleeker design. The Gel-Kayano 28 is all of those things. I could’ve gone with the even more standard black or grey pairs (which are both great), but this platinum version has just the right amount of pop without being overly flashy. The grey upper with the touch of iridescent details makes for the best Gel-Kayano 28 colorway. My favorite thing about them is even though they’re one of Asics’ top-of-the-line performance shoes, they are tame enough that you can still wear them casually without looking goofy. They can blend with all kinds of different styles, it just depends on how you want to wear them. Give them a try and you might find yourself wondering why you waited so long. — Riley Jones

Buy it now: $105

I’ve been singing this shoe’s praises for the better part of a year now. I even tried to convince the guys to include it on the Best New Sneakers of 2020 list, and since I couldn’t convince them then, it is finally time for me to throw a few words at you about the Saucony Grid Azura 2000. This new lightweight runner comes equipped with a comfy and sleek upper atop a nice cushioned sole unit perfect for just about any occasion. Personally, I think the hero of this model is the jagged tooth-like pattern featured on its midfoot, lending to a bevy of different designs and color combos. Inspired by the brand’s retro aesthetic, and tagged with the line “Party Like it’s 1999,” the Grid Azura was originally intended to release at the turn of the century 21 years ago, but was shelved until it finally made its debut last spring in collaboration with Bodega. Now, with a number of colorways (both bold and neutral), the reasonably priced Grid Azura appears to be here to stay. — Ben Felderstein

Buy it now: $80

The Nike Air Force 1 has long been the go-to choice for white-on-white staple footwear, and with good reason, but there are other options. Reebok’s Workout Plus is a classic in the same category, an immortal shoe from the 1980s that has transcended its original sport intentions to become an enduring icon. It’s not quite as white, usually coming with a bit of blue, but still incredibly clean. It’s less explicit than an Air Force 1, the branding being pretty minimal and only showing up in text on the side window and the tongue. It’s also less expensive, meaning that if you’re the kind of sicko who can only get a couple wears out of a pair of crispy whites, running through these will be slightly more economical. The gum bottom versions of the white and black colorways are also acceptable, and the triple-black is only recommended for Reebok experts. — Brendan Dunne

Buy it now: $185

I think I’ve written about this shoe several times and worn it more than I can remember. The New Balance 990v5 is a damn good shoe, but so is nearly any grey New Balance sneaker with a thick sole. You can wear them with everything. They look good crispy, they look good cooked. They’re worn by dope boys and suburban dads. It’s a democratic shoe, if ever there was one. But it still elicits status: Either on the streets, or an air of old money. Or just someone who wants something reliable and wants to cut through the bullshit. To the untrained eye, all New Balance sneakers look the same, especially the 990v3s, 990v4s, and 990v5s, but there are noticeable differences between the three shoes. The v3 has a diamond-esque pattern on the tongue, the v4 doesn’t, and the v5 is much more streamlined than the previous two shoes. Is the v5 my favorite out of the bunch? I think I like the v4 the most. But I’ve worn the v5 a ton over the past year and a half. They were the perfect quarantine sneakers. Kept them by the door and tossed them on when I’d make a run to the store without thinking about it. Or I’d wear them for a walk around the neighborhood. Either way, you can buy them right now, and they’re good. — Matt Welty

Buy it now: $108.97

Nike Air is an advancement in footwear technology that has led to numerous classics over the years, such as the Air Max 1, Air Max 90, and Air Max 95. The status of shoes like these three is already cemented, but there are plenty of cult classics that were rolled out throughout the ‘90s as well. The Air Structure OG (Air Structure Triax 91) is a perfect example. When it was announced they were returning this year, I knew I had to pick up a pair. I wasn’t around when this sneaker debuted in the early ‘90s, but one of my good friends in high school had a 2008 pair he would rock frequently. I was always drawn to the mismatched blue and infrared Swooshes. The shoe feels similar to the “Infrared” Air Max 90 in that it can still be worn with virtually anything despite its vibrant details. The upper is still mostly white and black. As good as this shoe is, it seems to have flown under the radar amid a sea of much more hyped-up collabs. Tons of boutiques still have them stocked in plenty of sizes. Nike even has them on sale for around $100 right now. If you want a great everyday shoe that stands out a bit more than the usual white Air Force 1 or grey New Balance, this is a great candidate. — Mike DeStefano