6 Key Men’s Sneaker Trends Every Guy Needs to Know This Spring

As a style editor, I spend more time than most thinking about shoes; it’s a blessing and a curse. When new men’s sneaker trends pop up, I get to see them early—and then spend untold hours obsessing over them until I finally buy in. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

With a new season unfolding ahead of us—and, therefore, a steady stream of spring sneaker trends hitting our feeds—I figured it’s high time for some group shopping therapy. Below, take a peek into my lineup for 2025, which features popular Adidas, buzzy Salomons, and a few welcome alternatives to the stark white sneakers you probably have on rotation. Let’s shop, shall we?

Our men’s sneaker-trends wish list

1. Gum soles

Adidas Sambas have been the sneaker of the moment for well over a year at this point, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. But it is evolving—pretty much every brand now offers a take on the silhouette, and the common denominator is the sporty, retro gum sole. At the men’s shows in both Milan and Paris last month, countless guests sported sneakers with earth-tone outsoles; you can get the same look with the picks below, most of which are under $100.

2. High-tech kicks

All the coolest athletic shoes of the moment, whether they’re at the gym or in the office, lean into techy, hiking-ready materials and shapes. Salomon’s ridiculously popular XT-6s, which have popped up on celebrities and style influencers alike, are a great bet right now, as are similarly futuristic styles from On, New Balance, and Nike. If you spend your weekends on the trail, meanwhile, Saucony and Nike have your back. Resist the urge to wear these kicks exclusively with your Lululemon ABCs; trousers and chinos are also fair game here.

3. Rich brown

In clothing, accessories, and shoes alike, chocolate brown is one of the trendiest shades of the year. (Just peep spring’s men’s looks at Dries Van Noten, Lemaire, and Gucci.) It looks especially luxurious in suede—and offers a respite from the bright white kicks most guys have been wearing for the past decade. The hue is easier than it seems to style; it looks good with black trousers, blue jeans, and white gym socks, no matter the setting.

4. Folded tongues

Spurred by the runaway success of the Adidas x Wales Bonner foldover Sambas, more brands than ever now offer similar styles that are a bit easier to find in stock. (Even Adidas has added folded tongues to its in-house shoes, demonstrating the huge demand for the silhouette.) Each of these pairs will make you look like a menswear influencer—and add some panache to your regular rotation of running shorts and baggy jeans.

5. Off-whites

Don’t get me wrong: There will always be a place in our capsule wardrobes for white. But as I mentioned above, I’ve noticed a decided shift among tastemakers away from clean, icy whites and toward ivory, beige, and ecru—shades that are a little more lived-in. You can style these pairs (from staples like Reebok and newcomers like Axel Arigato, a go-to for Tom Holland) exactly how you’d wear their brighter counterparts, just with less fear of scuffs or stains. Easy.

6. Skate shoes

The last time you wore sneakers with puffy tongues, bulky laces, and larger-than-life soles was probably 15 years ago. But now that brands like Louis Vuitton and Marni have released skate-inspired shoes—and there’s plenty of nostalgia for early-2010s style in the air—we’re back on board. (Pun intended.) I’ve spotted a few pairs at the first Fashion Month of 2025, and I suspect these slacker styles will only get more popular as the year goes on. Invest now and you’ll be ahead of the curve.