Image via Complex
There’s fast, then there’s summer vacation fast. With back-to-school season approaching soon, we’re met once more with questions like, “What’s my class schedule again?” “Do I want to bring my backpack on the first day of school?” and probably above all, “What’s my first day fit going to look like?” Whatever attire you choose to wear on day one may or may not be relevant in the long run, but the most important detail of that outfit has to be the shoes. Why? Because it’s the piece you could be wearing more often than the rest. But with so many footwear options on the market, you may be wondering to yourself which one is the right one for you.
Of course, you can’t talk about back-to-school shoes without mentioning the classics like Air Force 1s, Air Jordan 1s, and Vans. With that said, there are alternatives you may find better suited to your needs. Are you looking for a day-to-day sneaker that can be tossed on without thinking about it? Perhaps some comfortable sneakers that’ll get you the most bang for your buck? Or are you searching for multipurpose footwear that’ll be as active as you are on campus? From lightweight runners to chunky skate sneakers, here’s the best shoes you can buy for the upcoming school year.
New Balance 990v3 Core
Price: $185
Buy it now: New Balance
The New Balance 990v3 is the third rendition in New Balance’s popular 990 series. Standout collaborations from JJJJound to Bodega brought the shoe new levels of attention last year (and a spot on our Best Sneakers of 2021 with Joe Freshgoods’ “Outside Clothes” pair). The 990v3, originally released in 2012, has become a staple within the sneaker community and now can be for your school wardrobe too. While the aforementioned pairs are great, one can’t go wrong with the fundamental gray and white pair for daily use. They’re a neutral shoe that features soft pigskin suede, multilayered mesh paneling across the upper for breathability and a lightweight feel on feet, and Encap cushioning for all day comfort. If this is your first pair of 990v3s and you are hesitant, rest assured that this is a quality shoe that you’ll get your money’s worth.
Adidas Adimatic
Price: $110
Buy it now: Adidas
Adidas has dug into their sneaker archive again and brought back the Adidas Adimatic, a skateboarding shoe the brand released in 1996. This sneaker falls in line with the trend of puffy skate shoes reminiscent from the early 2000s like the Nike SB Dunk Low and Osiris D3 2001. Alongside the shape of this silhouette, what distinguishes this shoe is the oversized branding seen on the sides and back of the shoe, plus the fat laces which adds to its Y2K nostalgia. A zigzag rubber midsole subtly adds more personality to this shoe and is completed with a gum outsole, which will help make the bottom of your shoes look less dirty if that matters to you. These are yet to be a shoe you see everywhere, so if you are one for wearing sneakers that are unique, this should be a fun pair to sport during the academic school year.
Nike SB Dunk Low
Price: $170
Buy it now: StockX
We are now approaching three years since the massive resurgence of Nike SB Dunks. From wildcard collaborations with brands like Polaroid, to reviving the brand’s collection of unofficial The Simpsons-inspired sneakers with the “Bart Simpson” SB Dunk Lows, the Swoosh has still found ways to keep the line interesting in 2022. If you choose to grab a pair of SB Dunks for the school year, be confident that it’ll be a shoe that’ll stand out for its tendency of creative themes and because they’re built with better technology than a regular Nike Dunk. For that reason, they’re also more comfortable than a standard Dunk with a Zoom Air unit encapsulated in the midsole, allowing for a better wearing experience throughout the day. For all the colorways and concepts Nike has brought to the SB Dunk, these are a shoo-in for back-to-school footwear contenders.
Adidas Gazelle
Price: $100
Buy it now: Adidas
Amidst the Three Stripes’ recent collaboration with luxury brand Gucci and retro Adidas soccer shoes becoming commonplace on the Instagram explore page and TikTok, it is clear that flat-soled Adidas have risen in prominence. While there is a debate about whether high-profile collabs hurt or enliven a shoe’s legacy, it’s safe to say that they at least give shine on models that may get lost in the sea of countless sneaker designs. The Gucci x Adidas Gazelle was that reminder of how good an inline Adidas Gazelle is. They’re composed of a nubuck upper with Three Stripes branding on the sides, a rubber outsole, and a synthetic leather sock liner. Its simple design and variety of colorways make these a clean shoe that will accent your fit rather than divert it. Or if you just want to show up to class in a relaxed vibe, these will do the trick. A reliable candidate for everyday school activities, the Adidas Gazelle is an understated, but not to be overlooked sneaker.
Asics Gel Kayano 14
Price: $139
Buy it now: SNS
Since the Kiko Kostadinov Studios-assisted UBS-1 pairs that were released in 2020, the Asics Gel Kayano 14 has been a shoe that has gained momentum within fashion enthusiasts, runners, and sneakerheads similarly. They’re a running shoe from 2008 constructed of predominantly mesh with synthetic overlays, which is a good thing if breathability is an element you look for in sneakers. Lately, Asics has been exploring the upper’s design by making pairs in muted pastel or futuristic color schemes with metallic details allowing there to be options for what best suits you. This “Cream/Pure Silver” pair meets that subdued yet avant-garde aesthetic well and is adaptable enough to wear on an everyday basis. Whichever pair you opt for, know that they’ll be equipped with Asics Gel technology for proper support while you’re on your feet. If you’re looking for a runner with some pizzazz that’ll get you from point A to point B comfortably, give the Gel Kayano 14 a shot.
Reebok Club C
Price: $85
Buy it now: Reebok
All-white sneakers are an easy-to-wear shoe for almost any school outfit you can think of. Add a vintage touch to it and you have an easier to wear shoe for its worn-in look granting more freedom to walk around and not worry about scuffing them. We get that dirty Air Force 1s are a look for many people, but there are other shoes that can look good cooked too. One of them is the Reebok Club C, particularly this 85 Vintage version dressed in a monotone chalk colorway. It is worth noting the supple leather these shoes are made of, making the break-in time almost nonexistent. The terry cloth sock liner adds to the coziness of the upper and the tried-and-true EVA foam midsole makes for substantial cushioning. Coming at a fair $85 retail price, this is a shoe that you can beat and will still look better with character or easily replace if you’d want a fresh pair down the line.
New Balance 2002R
Price: $140
Buy it now: New Balance
Originally released in 2010, the New Balance 2002 has become a prominent model within New Balance’s catalog today for sneaker connoisseurs. They were rereleased in 2020 as the 2002R with an updated tooling borrowed from the New Balance 860v2 and gained popularity with collaboration pairs by Salehe Bembury and South Korean streetwear brand Thisisneverthat. The model would continue to win people over last year with the inline release of the “Refined Future” pack (or “Protection Pack” as some people would call it), and now here we are in 2022 with more releases for larger audiences to try them out. This “Rain Cloud/Prism Purple” pair is a slight twist on the classic gray suede running shoes the brand is known for, with hints of pink and purple seen across the upper and midsole (reminiscent of the rare United Arrows x New Balance 997.5 from 2009). Premium suede and mesh materials are utilized on the upper with Abzorb and N-ergy technology used on the midsole and outsole for shock absorption, stability, and comfort. Like the 990v3, this is another shoe New Balance has to offer you that blends style with all-day comfort seamlessly.
Nike Cortez
Price: $183
Buy it now: StockX
When discussing enduring Nike silhouettes, the Nike Cortez is deserving of a top spot in that conversation. It’s a clean and plain shoe with few definitive features like a pronounced Swoosh and jagged herringbone traction pattern that transcends the sneaker sphere into a shoe that appeals to the masses. This year marks the shoe’s 50th anniversary, explaining why we have gotten special interpretations of this shoe from Union LA and Sacai. However, sans collabs, it’s the regular black-and-white or white-and-varsity red colorways (AKA the “Forrest Gumps”) that could easily be your go to shoe for the year. Its minimal style allows for it to be dressed up or down and while it may not be the loudest in the classroom, it still commands respect. Although the Cortez is a premier shoe within Nike’s lineage, they don’t really seem to be the shoe many people are rushing to style with fits like they do with Air Jordan 1s or 4s now, so if you want to slightly switch it up on your peers, we recommend these.
Converse One Star
Price: $75
Buy it now: Converse
You most likely know what footwear you’re bound to see students wear on the first day: Nike Air Force 1 Lows, Crocs, Vans Old Skools, maybe a wild Fila Disruptor, and guaranteed, Converse Chuck Taylors. This is no knock on those shoes as they are mostly validated picks, but it is worth noting the models that don’t get as much recognition as the essentials. For Converse, that would be the One Star. They did have a moment around 2017 when Tyler, the Creator partnered with the brand to create his Golf Le Fleur x Converse One Stars. In 2022, this model seems to hold its own weight, with Converse presenting the One Star Pro Suede. This variant of the One Star is skate-oriented but can still be worn regularly with upgraded features like better durability and impact protection. While not differing radically from the conventional Chuck Taylors, these are a fine alternative for those who want the style of Chucks but not wear something one sees as often.
Nike Air Trainer 1
Price: $127
Buy it now: GOAT
This year, Nike has been giving the world’s first cross-training shoe, the Nike Air Trainer 1, a special treatment on its 35th anniversary. We’ve seen collaborations from Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack label give a shrouded spin to this shoe, a reworked utilitarian SP version released numerous times, and a few original styles rereleasing, including the “Chlorophyll” colorway. When this shoe debuted in 1987, Tinker Hatfield designed them with a purpose of being a shoe for athletes to do various workouts with only one sneaker. Now, that concept can be applied into the context of casual use since these look good with shorts, jeans, and sweats as well. The colorways this shoe comes in make for easy styling with various outfits too. Whether you’re running, weightlifting, or in the library studying for your latest exam, believe that this will be a good shoe to get you through the days, weeks, and months ahead. At the accessible price they go for on the aftermarket, it’s hard to ask for much more.