We all love high-tops like Air Jordans, but the heat of summer is no time for bulky footwear. In the warmer months, low-tops made of breathable materials such as canvas are your best bet.
To ease your transition into a more summery rotation, we've tapped some members of team Highsnobiety from our Berlin, London, and NYC offices for their insider tips.
Our favorite summer sneakers this year include beater-friendly shoes such as Converse's Chucks, trail-friendly footwear from Salomon, classic silhouette's including adidas' Superstar, and luxury sneaker offerings by the likes of Bottega Veneta.
Without further ado, we'll let the HS gang take it from here to give you the lowdown on their favorite summer sneakers of 2019.
Salomon XA-Comp ADV
XA-Comp ADV
Salomon
"I've recently been spending nearly as much time in the outdoors as I do in the city, and Salomon's ADV series of trail runners offers the best of both worlds. The XA-Comp has all the tech needed to stand up to proper trail use and a focus on aesthetics that fits with style today. The nylon mesh upper on these is super-breathable and the synthetic overlays brush right off if you're going deep on the trails, so you don't have to worry about getting too dusted — especially in all black. A perfect summer shoe for splitting time between the bricks and the sticks, or staying put in either place." Pete Williams, editor-in-chief, Highsnobiety magazine
Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit
Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit
Nike
"Would you believe these were actually designed by Bruce Kilgore, the same guy who created the Air Force 1? The Nike Sock Dart is just as comfortable as it looks, and the latest versions feature a knitted upper paired with Nike's Free sole. It truly feels like you’re wearing nothing at all (*Ned Flanders voice*). A perfect summer shoe, hands down." Chris Danforth, footwear editor
Converse Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas Low Top
Chuck 70 Vintage Canvas Low
Nike
"This Converse classic is the perfect companion for hot summer days. Paired with some simple thin socks and shorts or fluffy pants, this staple looks clean and easy yet elevated. No junky leather sneaker finds its way onto my feet when it's hot." Herbert Hofmann, creative director
3x1 x Nike Air Force 1 "Stonewash Blue"
Air Force 1 "Stonewash Blue"
3x1 x Nike
"I was going to go with the classic all-white Air Force 1 but decided to switch it up — a little — with the 3x1 selvedge denim collaboration. The Air Force 1 has such a clean and classic shape, looks great with pants and shorts alike, but the creasing is out of control. That’s where the denim comes in, as the sneakers will look better as they age and get beat up." Fabian Gorsler, footwear staff writer
Bottega Veneta Speedster
Speedster Sneaker
Bottega Veneta
"These Bottega Veneta Speedster sneakers in calf leather and mesh are the perfect example of a luxury fashion brand embracing a streetwear staple without straying too far from its high-end roots. The sneaker, the first designed under Bottega Veneta's new creative director and Celine alumnus Daniel Lee, looks best paired with simple black cropped trousers and a white T-shirt. You can't go wrong with this one, despite the high price tag." Christopher Morency, editor-at-large
Converse Chuck 70 Low Top
Chuck 70 Low Top
Converse
"A classic shoe and perfect for the summer. You can dress it up or dress it down. These go with every type of pants and, most importantly, they don't make your feet hot. I like to rock them with shorts and some all-white Nike crew socks." Viktor Kaćunić, affiliate partnerships executive
adidas Superstar
Superstar
adidas
"Despite being a Nike guy, my go-to summer shoe is the OG adidas Superstar 80s, the shoe that got me into sneakers with the 2008 "Made in France" release. It's easy to clean and maintain, and although it's made of leather, the recent silhouette comes equipped with antimicrobial insoles, so no more damp socks, and those perforations on the side allow for some level of ventilation. I usually replace the stock white shoelaces with some black nylon ones to match the stripes." Sanzhar Toxanbayev, editorial assistant
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