The Best Affordable Sneakers For Every Style
Collecting sneakers is a time-honored street-culture past time but that doesn’t change the fact that it's often an expensive hobby, especially when looking at the outrageous resale prices affixed to some sneakers on the secondhand market. Some folks used to say that cool sneakers aren’t cheap and cheap sneakers aren’t cool. But that’s not necessarily true.
Not everyone can afford to pay upwards of $200 for the newest sneaker releases, especially when a spate of stylish shoes are dropping on a weekly basis. It's simply not necessary, because there's a consistent flow of top-tier sneakers releasing at affordable price points.
That is why we’ve put together the definitive guide to (relatively) cheap sneakers that we believe deserve a place in every rotation. Big-name brands such as Nike, New Balance, and adidas offer some very solid options but we've also dug up some more unusual options.
Nike Dunk Low Retro SE in Leather & Suede
The Nike Dunk Low Retro SE is a reasonably priced sneaker that leans into its ’80s basketball DNA with a premium twist by way of buttery leather and soft suede. Its classic color-blocking gains texture and that forever-grippy cupsole offers a solid stylistic counterpoiint.
This Nike Dunk Low is the uniform for people who crave timeless shapes in appreciable materials that also feel quite nice.
Salomon XT-Whisper Sneakers in Silver & Beige
Salomon’s XT-Whisper trades shouty trail vibes for something sleeker while still being on the more affordable price range of the outdoor brand.
The XT-Whisper sneaker, with its also proves performance can be elegant, and elegance does not have to break the bank.
Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4 Heritage Sneakers in Off-White & Beige
Saucony’s ProGrid Triumph 4 Heritage is dad-runner royalty done right. Off-white mesh, beige overlays, and chrome-y details throw back to the 2007 original.
If you like your retro runners with credible tech, this Saucony pair absolutely clears. No notes.
Nike Air Force 1 '07 in White
The Nike Air Force 1 ’07 is the white tee of sneakers. simple, clean, and endlessly wearable.
Ubiquitous, yes. Affordable, yes. Replaceable, never.
New Balance 530 in Shadow Grey
The New Balance 530 is one of the world's favorite normcore sneakers because it’s secretly a comfort beast, a reasonably cheap sneaker that packs a lot of style.
PUMA Speedcat OG Sneakers in Black-Mauve Mist
PUMA's sleek Speedcat, rescued from the archives, is a flat and cheap sneaker alternative to the ubiquitous chunky sneakers that were once ubiquitous in the market.
adidas Samba OG Shoes in Navy
adidas' world-famous Samba is one of the cheapest sneakers on this list also one of the most famous. Arguably, the Samba is the best $100 you can spend on anything fashion-related. Nothing else at this price does quite this much.
Vans Super Lowpro Shoe in Navy
Vans’ Super Lowpro takes the brand’s laid-back skatewear DNA and skims it down to ballerina-flat territory.
It’s the perfect affordable summer sneaker, versatile enough for any style or outfit but retro-cool enough to stand out.
New Balance 740
The New Balance 740 is a vintage high-top with a puffed tongue and substantial padding that give it just a bit of distinction.
The 740 scratches that retro footwear itch without going costume, delivering NB comfort in a classic basketball package.
adidas Tokyo Shoes in Silver
If you appreciate the Samba’s vibe but want something even cleaner, the adidas Tokyo feels like the next rung up. Quietly approachable, quietly excellent, and quietly not very expensive.
ASICS GEL-NUNOBIKI in Beige
You don't get to see many affordable sneakers that have layered mesh and suede, sculpted lines, and a cushioned sole stacked with ASICS' GEL cushioning but the ASICS GEL-NUNOBIKI has them all.
Channeling late-’90s dad shoe energy, this affordable sneaker is exactly a great alternative if you’ve been craving something different from the usual suspects.
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