Fresh kicks: The best white trainers for men
Step out in style this season with a pair of pristine white trainers
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
I can count on one hand all the different styles of shoes I witnessed my dad wearing as I was growing up. Admittedly, while he isn’t quite a maven of menswear, he certainly knows how to dress, but what springs to mind most frequently – other than steel-toed work boots, golf shoes and sandals with socks (no judgment) – is his proclivity for dress shoes no matter the occasion. It was with shock, then, that I recently received a call from him, asking for my advice on which pair of men’s white trainers he should buy this season.
Once relegated to evenings and weekends in favour of loafers, brogues and Oxfords, the white trainer has become a hero item in men’s wardrobes over the last few years, breaking down the barriers of office-appropriate dressing and entering firmly into the smart/casual lexicon of menswear. This has only been accelerated by the pandemic as remote working upended any established notion of at-work attire and ushered in an era of casual as king.
And why not? Comfortable and chic, the white trainer truly does make a perfect finishing touch to almost any outfit. Whether you’re pairing yours with a classic jeans and white tee combo, or dressing down a suit, it’s hard to get it wrong. So with that, why not give it a try? From stand-out styles by sneakerhead heroes like Nike and Adidas to low-key takes by classic cobblers, these are the best white trainers for men this season.
Adidas Samba OG trainers
While a bit overdone, Adidas Sambas don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. This classic retro-style is wrapped in leather with a rubber outsole and features collegiate forest green stripes for a pop of colour. Wear with shorts, linen trousers, chinos and denim this summer and beyond.
Omni Matta Leather Sneakers
Nail off-duty style with Omni’s’ Matta trainers. A timeless rounded silhouette crafted from supple white leather and featuring wavy top-stiched panels, lace up and wear from the office to the pub. Versatile and crisp, they’ll pair perfectly with your favourite denim and smart tailoring alike.
Burberry leather Terrace trainers
Burberry has amped up this pair of white trainers with supple calf leather, suede panels and the signature Burberry check trim. With a low-top profile and raised monogram lettering, you’ll be putting your best foot forward whenever you step out in these.
Common Projects Achilles trainers
Epitomising the notion of stealth minimalism, Common Projects’ pristine Achilles sneakers are the ideal everyday white trainer. Entirely white, save for a gold foil serial number embossed on the side, these simple sneakers really do prove that less is more.
Barbour Stannington Leather Trainers
Not to be pigeon-holed entirely into wax and quilted jackets, Barbour also stretches its collection to shoes, and these low-top trainers are as slick as you’d expect. Cut from soft white leather with a contrasting navy trim, the simple style is understated and will pair just as well with a suit in the city as with jeans and a tee in the countryside (just mind the mud).
Golden Goose Super-Star Sneakers
Renowned for its skateboarding-inspired trainers with signature star emblems and a distinctive distressed edge, Golden Goose delivers contemporary styles that are laidback and cool. Pair these Super Stars, crafted from leather and supple suede, with shorts and jeans alike for effortless but well-earned street-cred.
Christian Louboutin Rantulow Full-Grain Leather Sneakers
Louboutin’s trainers are crisp in colour, clean-cut in silhouette and complete with those iconic red soles, naturally. Perfect for both dressing down smart tailoring or wearing with jeans and a T-shirt, the full-grain leather pair are versatile, refined and a must-have for the modern gent.
Veja V-90 low-top trainers
Over the last few years, B Corp-certified trainer brand Veja has become as much a part of the London experience as overpriced pints and oat flat whites. Crafted from Amazonian rubber and bovine leather sourced from southern Brazil and Uruguay, the brand’s classic white V-90s with a pop of bright colour are a true staple of inner-city dressing.
New Balance 991 V1 Sneakers
A favourite of Gen Zs and ultra-hip lefties across the capital, New Balance has eschewed its reputation as a tried and true dad brand, ushering in a new era of ugly-chic dressing. While these classic 991 V1 crocodile-embossed trainers are perhaps more cream than white, we couldn’t not include them – you’re guaranteed to spot them everywhere from bottomless brunch to the beach club this summer.
Nike Air Max Moto 2K
The OG when it comes to cult sneakers, Nike rarely misses the mark. These Air Max Moto’s are bouncy and cool, crafted from a mix of synthetic leather and textiles and designed with the iconic Max Air cushioning. Complete with metallic accents for a contemporary, playful edge, this modern trainer may look like it’s for running but will in fact look good wherever you may stride.
Read more: The best men's sunglasses for spring, summer and beyond
