The 12 Best Retro Sneakers You Can Buy Today

The Puma Club II Era is a low-top, minimalist sneaker that works great for everyday wear. It’s not nearly as famous as the Puma Suede, but it is aesthetically similar in that it’s minimal and easy to wear. This style is casual, low-key, and, at under $60, quite affordable. We love them as beater shoes for the weekend—something to throw on without thinking too much. These don’t have the kind of arch or ankle support you’d want for long walks or heavy activity, but for easygoing wear, they’re a solid pick.Features at a GlanceColorsWhite/black, dark brownSizes6.5-14MaterialsLeather, suede, foam, rubberTaking it back a few decades earlier to the ’70s, Nike has a new version of its classic Waffle Racer. While these were meant to be running shoes when they originally released nearly 50 years ago, they’re now meant to be casual lifestyle sneakers you can wear daily. While there have been some modern upgrades (like fresh colorways and the addition of a comfortable foam midsole), the main component of the shoe remains: the waffle sole. The shoe is designed so you get a peek of the waffle sole up front, which we think looks pretty cool.Features at a GlanceColors5Sizes6-15MaterialsSuede, foam, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhile the famous three-stripe Adidas logo makes us think of ’90s Britpop (thanks to Oasis), the brand was actually most prominent in the ’60s and ’70s when it was one of the (if not the) most iconic athletic brands in the world. That’s why Adidas keeps bringing back styles from the era, like the Italia 70s sneakers with a distinctly vintage-sporty look. It’s a timeless design you can pair with track pants, jeans, or even khakis, and you’ll look effortlessly cool whenever you wear them.Features at a GlanceColors6Sizes4-14MaterialsLeather, synthetic, rubberThe Tiger Runner IIs are technically inspired by old jogging shoes from the ’80s, but, like with Nike’s Waffle Racers, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend going for a run in these. We do, however, love these for everyday situations like going for a walk or running errands. They’re still a nice low-top sneaker, but just a touch more athletic looking than the Pumas, thanks to that cushioned sole. These have never gotten too hypey, so we like them for something that feels athletic and very retro but slightly offbeat.Features at a GlanceColors12Sizes4-14MaterialsFaux leather, mesh, EVA cushioning, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe New Balance 408 V1s are classic walking sneakers with that unmistakable ’90s New Balance vibe: the runner-style shape, the mesh and leather upper, the slightly chunky silhouette. It’s not the brand’s most high-end model, but that’s the point. It’s lighter and more breathable than some of the bulkier retro runners, which makes it great for everyday wear. We especially love the little hints of shiny silver, which feel straight out of the ’90s. Affordable, comfortable, and retro done well.Features at a GlanceColors11Sizes4-12MaterialsMesh, EVA, rubberThe Vans Authentics are, of course, classic skate shoes. They launched in tandem with Vans itself (in 1966, how retro). The canvas upper and waffle sole were the standouts then, and they are the standouts now. Only, you don’t need to be a skater to wear them. Since the ’60s, the Authentic has had some upgrades, and we like this one in particular for its burnt-brownish textured suede upper in place of canvas. The style is old-school, but the color makes them retro. Colors25Sizes6.5-13MaterialsSuede or canvas, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowBuck Mason and Moonstar have teamed up to create the perfect boat shoe upgrade. With a heavily vintage-inspired look based on the original 1940s deck shoe, these ones are made in Kurume, Japan, with high-quality herringbone canvas on a natural rubber sole that’s vulcanized and siped for an extra-good grip. You won’t slip around, whether you’re on a boat or a city street.Features at a GlanceColorsBlack, navy, whiteSizes5-12MaterialsCotton canvas, rubberWe can already feel the resistance to calling the Nike Shox a retro sneaker. After all, it launched in 2001. But that was 25 years ago! And if that makes us feel old (it does), so be it (begrudgingly). The Shox have earned their retro status.When Shox debuted, the sneakers were a huge innovation in the sneaker world. That springy column heel design looked and felt unlike anything else. Nike brought it back with a few sharp colorways. You still get the signature Shox columns in the back but with an updated foam midsole and TPU TK heel counter. It’s the kind of old-school retro with modern technical and design upgrades combination we’re happy to welcome back. Features at a GlanceColors13Sizes7.5-14MaterialsMesh, leather, synthetic, foam, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWe’re suckers for fun retro color combos, and British sportswear brand Gola does that better than anyone when it comes to sneakers. The unique color palettes show up in styles like the classic Apollo sneaker seen here, a ’70s-inspired heritage jogger with a gorgeous suede upper—this moss green and yellow colorway is giving major retro vibes, and we also love these sun gold and black ones. Note that these run slightly small, so the brand recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes.Features at a GlanceColors6Sizes7-13MaterialsSuede, EVA, rubberVersatile and universally beloved, the Mexico 66 was actually released in 2002 but based on the second-generation Limber Up model released in 1961. It’s since been updated a few times and released in dozens (hundreds? thousands??) of colorways, including this freaky metallic silver.Features at a GlanceColorsSilver/white, silver/black, gold/whiteSizes4.5-11.5MaterialsCalf leather, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowYou know ’em, love (or hate) ’em, and damn you just can’t escape ’em. Your search for German Army Trainers usually starts and ends with the Margiela GATs. They give you that classic menswear look, of course, but the draw of the Margiela edition is the quality. These will hold up better than vintage pairs or Quince pairs.ColorsWhite, blackSizesEU39-46MaterialsSuede, leather, rubberLast but not least, we’ve got a new version of the Converse Chuck Taylors. We never thought we’d see the day. Just kidding. We’ve obviously seen plenty of new Chucks, but this hits different. The First String Chuck 70 feels made for people who grew up wearing Converse and are now, well, growing up a little. Maybe we’re not pairing them with band tees anymore. Maybe it’s cashmere sweaters now. But we still want our favorite sneakers in the mix. This pair stays true to the original but sits on a slightly higher, more structured sole, which we love.It doesn’t feel as flat (or as 2007) as the flatter version you’d wear with skinny jeans. These look better with a wide trouser or some rigid denim, giving that very cool, lived-in feel. The off-white colorway is perfect, and the reinforced mudguard and toe cap make it feel like a more substantial shoe. For an old-school high-top, you can’t beat a Converse—and in our opinion, you can’t beat these Converse.Colors6Sizes6.5-12MaterialsLeather, CX foam, vibram rubber