12 Best Business Casual Sneakers for Men: For Comfortable Office Style

Is there anywhere left that you can’t wear a pair of sneakers? Well, yes. Weddings, funerals, and your grandma’s birthday, for starters (she’s 90 years old, for crying out loud. Put on a tie). Beyond that, the rules can get a little hazier – especially when it comes to the workplace.

These days, all but the most formal of offices have embraced a business-casual approach to dressing (if you’re not sure what that looks like, do take a look at our guide to the subject). How well sneakers fit into the best business casual shoes spectrum depends on two things: the vibe of the office, and the kind of sneaker. Assuming you’re confident on the first part, we’re here to help with the second.

Shape is really key here: anything too bulky or blocky will stand out for all the wrong reasons. It’s generally wise to opt for plimsoll styles instead of runners, and low-tops rather than high. They’ll look smarter, will swap in for a shoe more smoothly, and are less likely to break the lines of the tastefully chosen chinos or rip-free, straight-leg jeans you’ll be wearing with them.

Beyond that, avoid the bells and whistles: save flashy logos, colourful patches, and jacked-up soles for the weekend. Instead, allow the subtler details to shine through: unexpected materials and smart trims in elegant, subdued colours. While leather sneakers are a safe bet, they’re not the only option – clean, unmarked styles in canvas, suede or nylon will look just as smart. Here are our favorites.

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Best Overall: Reproduction of Found German Military Trainer

Of all the shapes most likely to gel well with an office look, the most dependable is the Germany Army Trainer style. Originally designed for the German military in the 1970s, the look of the sneaker soon found favor with civilians, and has pretty much remained in style for the last forty years. Actually, there are vanishingly few sneaker models that have stuck around for as long, and the reason is pretty simple: they’re distinctive, long-lasting, and not obtrusive.

GAT sneakers have been reproduced at every price point, but this iteration, by the Japanese label Reproduction of Found—newly stocked at Alex Mill—is hard to beat for capturing the fuss-free essence of the original style. Wear them with tailored trousers, wear them with jeans – hey, if your office is relaxed enough, wear them with shorts (though, be warned: shorts at work remains a heated debate).

Best Affordable: Adidas Samba OG Sneakers

Three years after critics speculated that it was about to hit its peak, the Adidas Samba hasn’t gone anywhere – in fact, it’s proven to be the indomitable sneaker style of the decade. And for good reason: thanks to its 70s-meets-90s aesthetic and understated design, it’s hard to find anything that it doesn’t look good with, from turned-up jeans to unstructured suits. Let sneaker nerds complain that these are oversaturated. They’re here to stay.