Unlaced: Sizing Up Your Next Pair
There's no shortage of options, but only some suit your style. Let's narrow down which one’s for you.
A shoe can say a lot about a person. And if you’re anything like us, you gravitate towards particular silhouettes as an extension of who you are—not just a reflection of your mood. You might be a multi-hyphenate, or someone who stays in a lane.
Regardless, here's a look at some of our favorite flavors. These categories aren’t meant to box you in, we’re just here to break things down.
RETRO WONDER
These tried-and-true styles are ideal if your everyday inspo comes from the not-so-distant past. Whether you’re cutting your hair into a cropped Nia Long cut, making yet another ’90s R&B playlist or throwing on a throwback jersey, for the Retro Wonder it’s easy to stay on top of trends but classic is king.
Styles are often made of buffed leather with sleek silhouettes, perforation on the toes, a tonal midsole and a treaded rubber outsole. All of the essentials.
Air Max 1
Adidas Forum Hi
Air Force 1
Reebok Classic
SPORTY & SPICY
Slowing down isn’t an option here. Equal parts athletic and entrepreneurial, if you fall into this mix, you’re probably prone to picking up sneakers that are made to move in. No added features should get in the way of how fast or far you can go—or how on point you look while you’re chasing the bag.
To keep up the momentum, styles are often low-top with a slim silhouette, foam rubber midsoles, a little extra padding at the collar, and sleek, ribbed trim at the sides.
Nike Zoom Vomero
New Balance 990
Asics Gel Kayano OG
Hoka One One Rincon
FUTURISTIC FANTASTIC
There isn’t a sneaker drop that falls off your radar. Whether you’re at the front of the line on release day or hunting down a resale, you’re always setting sights on what’s next. Getting your hands on the newest drop is fine, but we also know it’s about curating a collection that’s unique to you.
The only common thread between each cop is that it’s out of the box. You won’t shy away from mixing cross-texture bodies with art deco-inspired midsoles and patchwork-style appliqués. Staying ahead of the curve is the most pressing prerequisite here.
Adidas Ozweego
Sacai Vaporwaffle
Yeezy 500
Stella McCartney Eclypse
CHUNKY GOODNESS
Bigger’s better. When you’re leveling up and have a little more on your plate, it’s not uncommon to want to opt for kicks that cover all of your bases. Heavy on comfort, but never sacrificing style. If your day-to-day casts a wide net, your sneakers need to follow suit. So a chunky shoe that’s not quite a dad sneaker but teeters on the edge is an easy way to work through your to-do list with a little more swag.
To give these sneakers a sturdier look, the midsole comes up higher and the outsole has some extra dimension to add to the typical tread.
Adidas Yung 1
Acne Manhattans
Nike Uptempo
Balenciaga Track
