While the sneaker game has become something of a raffle-stalking cop-fest in recent years, we’re here to tell you that your summer footwear choices don’t really need to be that stressful. Yes, a pair of Travis Scott Low OG Jordans would be nice, but there are some sneakers that don’t cost the Earth, are classics, and are eminently gettable. Better still, they’ll navigate you smartly through everything that the season has to offer, from weddings abroad to weekend hikes, lazy brunches, to Eid holiday city breaks. We’re really not overstating this: these are the only summer sneakers you will ever need.
Best for… a summer wedding
Making a strong case for the ultimate white sneaker, the Common Projects Achilles Low might have a higher price point than Adidas Stan Smiths, but what you lose in savings you make up in not wearing the same shoe as your mum. The perfect shoe to relax your summer wedding outfit, this shoe is, quite simply, a minimalist masterpiece.
Buy Common Projects, Achilles Low, here
Best for… being stylishly comfortable
If your summer has hiking in it but you’re a little style-averse to the classic walking shoe silhouette, then we give you the Asics Gel-Kayano 14. Released last year in collab with the Montreal design studio JJJJound, you can wear them with anything, and the famous Gel cushioning means that they’re never less than comfortable as heck.
Buy Asics Gel-Kayano 14, here
Best for… embracing the weather
A summer shoe requires something that will let your feet breathe a little, and while the Yeezy Slide aesthetic is still out there, we’re feeling something a little more traditional for the sake of longevity. Birkenstock has been going since 1774, and the Arizona Birko-Flor silhouette offers nothing if not temperature-appropriate style chops.
Buy Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor, here
Best for… weekend breaks
A sports shoe that dropped in 1966 and became a cultural icon. The first ever Adidas shoe to be made with suede, while the Gazelle became a shoe beloved of football casuals throughout the ’80s, it’s enjoying another moment in the sun right now. Perfect for a city break or even just a weekend trip to the mall, just pick your colourway (blue is a classic) and get moving.
Buy Adidas Gazelle, here
Best for… pretty much anything
The details of a sneaker drop in 1922—the year Converse took salesman and semi-pro baller Chuck Taylor’s advice and created a basketball shoe—are understandably sketchy. But they’ve proved one of the most popular shoes in the world ever since. The good news is you can still pick these up with ease. The even better news is they look good with everything, while doing anything.
Buy Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, here