Sneaker trends this year are not new. It’s just a revival and resurgence past styles. Fashion is cyclical.

Trends in menswear seem to change with the seasons. It’s not surprising that the sneaker culture is also changing quickly.

This article will focus on the top-selling sneakers for men in 2022. It will include the good, bad and the ugly. To stay informed on the latest kicks, I like the Huckberry Sneaker Shop and the Mr. Porter Sneaker Store.

Let’s get into it.

What’s the newest trend in sneakers?

What are the most fashionable men’s shoes in this new decade? This comprehensive article features 8 men’s shoe trends.

The Best Casual Sneakers for Men (The Good)

These are my top picks for casual sneakers for men. We will show you many more styles of sneaker that you can wear and give you examples of what to avoid. Let’s start with the minimalist men’s sneakers.

1. MINIMALIST SNEAKERS

Two words. Common Projects (in retro-gray or, my favorite, suede). For a while, the all-white trainer has been a hot item. A minimalist sneaker movement has emerged from the wildly successful shoes. The Lione, Ascot x Charlie is a premium and clean sneaker that’s also more affordable.

The classic, minimalist sneakers are a popular choice. They can be dressed up or down with high-end tailoring or casual jeans. White sneakers are a must-have in every man’s closet.

If you are looking for a pair, the Greats Royale and classic Vans, or Grand Crosscourt II, are all popular options that are affordable. Cariuma is another brand that’s on the rise, and was established in 2018. It’s a fashionable and trendy brand for men and women.

SHOP MINIMALIST SNEAKERS:

• Adidas Originals Continental Vulc – $65
• Adidas Continental 80 Shoes – $60
• Converse Chuck 70 Low Top Sneakers – $80
• H&M Premium White Sneaker, $69.99
• Cariuma Triple-White Premium Leather – $139
• Koio Capri Triple White Low Tops, $268
• M.Gemi Uomo Sneaker from The Palestra – $228
• Veja Esplar leather sneakers – $140 (Amazon)
• Ascot x Charlie Essentials Collection – $324
• Common Projects Original Achilles Low $335+
• Common Projects White BBall Leather Sneakers – $470

Solid white leather sneakers are a staple in menswear. They’re a smart casual choice that will be around for quite some time.

Brown suede, in addition to being white, is another classic and versatile choice. Koio Capri, made in Italy is my current favorite minimalist sneaker to wear. You can even find minimalist high-tops in suede, such as the Primo Roccia. You can also opt for all-white or beige canvas sneakers, also known as skate shoes, for a more casual look.

White sneakers have a drawback. They get easily dirty, so I wouldn’t recommend them for use in wet weather or places with grimy conditions.

2. RETURN TO THE CLASSICS

The classics, also known as essential shoes for men, are timeless and can’t be beat. While most of the shoe trends discussed in this article will change over time, it is these timeless classics that will last. Vans, Converse and Nike have been making classic silhouettes for decades.

This is one of my all-time favorite kicks. The Internationalist. Here are two popular options, Tailwind and Daybreak. Black and white sneakers like the Converse One Star or Vans Old Skool, are great for casual wear. A pair of casual lace-up running sneakers works well with light or dark jeans, as well as sweatpants. The classic Adidas Stan Smith is also a tried-and-true option.

SHOP “THE CLASSICS” SNEAKERS:

• Adidas Stan Smith Shoes – $95
• Vans for J.Crew Canvas Sneakers – $60
• Nike Killshot OG – $90
• Cariuma IBI Off White Knit – $98
• Allbirds Dasher runners – $125-$145
• Nike Internationalist Low by You Sneaker – $110
• Nike SB Charge Canvas Sneaker – $112

Nike is my favourite brand for timeless silhouettes. I love their Nike Internationalist Low. It’s stylish and sleek, with a variety of colors that allow for maximum versatility. The Nike Killshot 2 with gumsole is another great option.

No matter what your case may be, a pair of slip-on suede sneakers or casual lace up sneaks will keep you cool and comfortable.

3. TECH RUNNERS

The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 sneakers, which are self-lacing sneakers, was a major breakthrough in sneaker technology. They retail for $750. This is Back to the Future stuff.

According to Nike, “The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 is the first fully-functioning athletic shoe that electronically adjusts to the contours of your foot via adaptive lacing technology–providing a personal, customized fit that makes it feel like an extension of your body.”

This kind of technology is what makes the sneaker trend more than a trend. It’s a model that will shape the footwear industry for years to come.

Tech runner silhouettes can be dressed casually, such as these Brunello Cucinelli leather-trimmed and stretch-knit sneakers. Huckberry also has athletic sneakers that are more for trainers, such as these Brunello Cucinelli leather-trimmed, stretch-knit sneakers.

On-Running commands 6.6% market share in performance shoes in America, while Brooks Running continues to eat market share from Nike, Adidas, and others.

SHOP TECH RUNNER SHOES:

• Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 3 – $65
• Nike Free Metcon 4 Training Shoe – $120
• Nike Zoom Runners – $120+
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Road Running Shoe – $130
• Brooks Brooks Adrenaline GTS22 – $130
• Nike Epic React Flyknit2 Running Shoe – $150 (Sale Price: $1119.97)
• APL Athletic Propulsion Labs Techloom Running Sneakers – $165+
• Visvim FKT Runner in Suede and Leather, Nylon – $1,065
• Moncler Emilien Leather-Trimmed Stretch-Knit Sneakers – $495
• John Elliot Edition One Runner – $448
• Tom Ford Jago Neoprene and Suede Sneakers – $990

The Nike Adapt BB, which was released Feb. 14, 2019, is the successor to the HyperAdapt. It has a lower price of $350 and a sleeker silhouette. Imagine lacing up your sneakers using an app. Now you can.

Today’s sneakers feature built-in waterproofing and ripstop fabric. These shoes aren’t just for athletes or runners. These sneakers are perfect for completing the athleisure look with their slim silhouettes and knitted tops.

Technology enabled and enhanced sneakers for men are still in their infancy, thanks to brands like Adidas and Nike.

4. SUEDED OUT OF SILHOUETTES

We have the next sneaker trend for 2022 if you take all the above-mentioned sneaker trends and add some suede.

Who said suede wasn’t fashionable? These are neutral and versatile suede colors that can be paired with a variety of ‘pops’ of color. You can choose a light olive or navy blue this season. These neutral colors are still attractive, but they have more visual appeal than plain brown.

SHOP SUEDE SHOES:

• Tom Ford Cambridge Suede Sneakers – $890
• Golden Goose Ballstar Distressed leather &. Suede Sneaks – $530
• Christian Louboutin Louis Jr Orlato – Grosgrain-Trimmed Suede, $749
• Visvim Off White FKT Suede Runner – $1065
• Fear of God Suede Trimmed Nubuck Sneakers – $595
• Loro Piana Weekend Suede-Trimmed Shell Sneakers, $795

You can go bolder with a darker olive. It is not as dark as a forest green. You can also go bolder with casual sneakers in ochre or burnt orange. These sneakers are more interesting than brown suede or plain black, but they can also be worn as a casual pair.

Suede adds texture to simple, yet elegant outfits. I prefer suede on my sneakers, especially when it is mixed with leather and a nice gumsole.

The Worst Coolest Men’s Shoes

We’ve already discussed the best sneaker trends in 2022. Now it’s time to discuss the bad. Although these aren’t the most stylish shoes, they’re not terrible.

These sneakers have been the “coolest” shoes for men in the last couple years. They will only continue to gain popularity as we move into 2022 and beyond.

5. CHUNKY SOLE SNEAKERS

They were only a matter time before they resurfaced in the sneaker world. These sneakers have been trending among fashion influencers and sneakerheads all year and will continue to gain popularity in 2022. A shoe like this isn’t durable and will likely fade sooner than we think.

The minimalist sneaker trend is being reacted to with the maximalist bulky, chunky sneakers. Also known as dad trainers, ugly sneakers or dad trainers, these sneakers are chunky and bulky. This trend is being embraced by brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Nike and New Balance. These aren’t pretty, with some of the worst brands introducing outrageous colors to make these brick-like silhouettes seem obnoxious.

There are some bright spots despite all the problems with this trend. If you want to try the bulky sole sneaker trend with your shoe, opt for a shoe that has a slim silhouette and solid or neutral color. This will tone down the bulky sole and help to ground the overall look.

The Everlane Court Sneaker is a great example of the dad trainer, chunky sole trend. The shoe was launched to great fanfare in April 2019. The shoe is a chunky-soled sneaker that can be worn by most men. They sent me a pair of early pairs before the launch, and I have been wearing them since then. The full review and comparison can be found at Greats vs Everlane. Everlane has also released a new sneaker, the Court. It’s less bulky than the original Tread.

Fashionable Shoes for Men (The Ugly)

Fashion is a cyclical beast. New trends are created on a seasonal basis. We used to wear skinny jeans before the rise of wide-leg trousers. We have come a long way thanks to years of Vans and Common Projects.

These are the fashionable sneakers for men in late-2019. These aren’t trends I would want to be caught in. These sneakers are not trendy and I would avoid them at all cost.

6. UGLY TRAINERS

These shoes are absolutely disgusting. These sneakers live up to their name. They have a bulky sole and are embellished with unneeded embellishments, Ed Hardy-esque paint drips, hand drawn art, and bold logos.

Avoid the dad sneaker trend of 2022. These sneaker-crazy fashion dudes (hypebeasters), will be wearing a small number of these ugly sneakers, but you won’t be looking back 10 years later wondering what I wore.

7. BOLD LOGO SLEEPERS

I don’t like logos too prominently placed on products. It’s not unusual for high fashion to plaster their brand name across their shoes with big logos. It’s a status symbol, I suppose. These shoes are considered the most fashionable men’s shoes.

This trend is best worn with New Balances or Veja sneakers. They are 10x cheaper than Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, and it’s a classic. Rhude and Golden Goose have some great options, including the super casual, skateboard-inspired style sneakers.

8. A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING SHOE TREND

Let’s close this list of the latest shoe trends in 2022. This trend takes the best of all and combines them into one sneaker trend that works.

A sleek, smooth leather, suede and mesh upper in neutral colors is combined with a slimmed-down chunky sole to create a shoe that is both stylish and distinctive. For example, take this Tom Ford Jago Neoprene Mesh and Nylon Sneaker. Or Loro Piana’s 360 Flex Walk Sneaker. These sneakers are quite expensive, but they look amazing, IMO.

Sometimes it’s worth throwing some crap at the wall to see if it sticks. Mixing and matching textures is a great way to create visually appealing outfits. You can do the same with fashionable sneakers.

Wrapping THINGS UP

Here it is, men’s sneakers trends 2022. The good, the bad, and the ugly. This article should have provided some insight into what is hot right now and what you could do with it moving forward into 2022.