Image via Complex Original
Sure, we all love the look of high-end sneakers from labels like Common Projects, Lanvin, Saint Laurent, and their compatriots. But their prices aren’t exactly pocket change, starting around the $400 mark and moving upwards—sometimes stratospherically—from there. Luckily, there’s a whole other breed of brands in the game: smaller outfits that are making similarly luxe styles for the guy who’s got gold-serial-number taste but a bronze level budget. Here are ten of our favorite pairs, all with a price tag under $250.
Eytys
Buy it: Dover Street Market, $250
Eytys has only been at it since 2013, but their signature style, the Mother, has proved to be an instant classic. Which is entirely understandable. Pairing an understated upper that owes its style cues to the Vans Authentic (and pretty much every other plimsoll out there) with a slightly oversized sole, the Stockholm-based brand has created a sneaker that’s a little offbeat, a little more elevated, but still entirely approachable.
Axel Arigato
Buy it: Axel Arigato, $205
Call it Lanvin for the common man—this style takes ample “inspiration” from the Parisian fashion house. Appropriate, considering Axel Arigato’s design is also based in the city of lights (operations take place farther north, in Sweden). Made in Portugal, with a calf leather lining and a Margom cup-sole, it has the hallmarks of its pricier cousins, but thanks to Axel Arigato’s direct-to-consumer online model, comes in at a non-rent-busting $205.
Our Legacy
Buy it: East Dane, $240
Score another one for the Swedes. Our Legacy’s classic sneaker is true to its name, with a black upper, off-white sole, and a minimalist low-top shape that’s pretty much industry standard for this type of sneaker nowadays. They keep things interesting—but not distracting—with a wax finish for a little extra texture, and a reflective panel on the tongue for a little shine.
Filling Pieces
Buy it: Mr Porter, $240
By now, you might be noticing a northern European theme emerging. Well, it’s only getting stronger with this entry from Amsterdam-based Filling Pieces, priced at $240 and available exclusively at Mr Porter. Their Fuse takes a simple low-top silhouette and adds another layer of visual interest with all-over quilting and the brand’s signature elongated tongue shape. A little less traditional than some other contenders thus far, but still eminently wearable.
ETQ
Buy it: End Clothing, $215
One more from Amsterdam (which, okay, yes, it’s right there in the name). There are a lot of minimalist runners on the market, but ETQ’s version ranks among the best—and most value-conscious at $215. Clean lines get set off by perforated leather panels; white accents provide a bit of contrast from the fresh, just-barely-grey uppers; and the sleek shape means they’ll look at home with the rest of your outfit, even if you dress it up a bit. Versatility. Always a good thing.
Saturdays Surf NYC
Buy it: Totokaelo, $135
This list would be woefully incomplete without a pair of crisp, white, leather sneakers. Low-top, with no unnecessary adornments. And Saturdays has a pair that fit the bill perfectly. Simple, straightforward, and perfect for summer, they also just so happen to be the most affordable of the bunch at only $135. Which means you can beat them up all through the warmer months and get a fresh new pair for fall, when you’ll want to wear them just as often.
TCG
Buy it: Kith, $150
Speaking of minimal, monochromatic sneakers, here’s the all-white pair’s evil twin. Blacked-out and leather-lined, the Kennedy is great for those days when you want to flex your subtle street-goth tendencies (or when the weather’s bad and you don’t want mud and city sludge all over your white shoes). TCG—formerly known as Thorocraft—offers up their version for $150.
National Standard
Buy it: Menlook, $172
Time for some high-tops. With a side zip and styling that immediately calls to mind a certain pair of CPs—which, to be fair, call to mind a certain iconic pair of Nikes—the Edition 1 by National Standard has the feel of a pair of basketball sneakers, but the lines of something more refined. They’ve even got foil printing on them, though the French brand opted for silver instead of gold. Gotta change it up sometimes.
Epaulet
Buy it: Epaulet, $225
With a price point that sits comfortably in the middle ground between Margiela’s standard-bearer Replicas and the vintage ones that you can find at thrift stores across Europe, these “sport trainers” offer up all the GAT goodness you know and love at an accessible price. Plus, it’s pretty much impossible to argue with the classic white/grey/gum sole color combo. There’s a reason these things have persisted for decades.
Buddy
Buy it: Hypebeast, $154
And finally, a pair for the anti-lace crowd. Buddy is a Japanese brand that crafts all of their shoes on their home turf, complete with the attention to detail and high-end materials that you’ve come to associate with Japan-made goods. The German Shepherd clocks in at $154 and features a clean suede upper with a toe-cap and a pull-tab thrown into the mix for good measure. With their vintage inspired design, they’re a no-brainer for those lazy weekend days when you still want to keep your footwear on point.