Whether it’s white, grey, or black – or maybe blue or green, if you’re feeling bold – the sneaker is the staple item of every man’s wardrobe. In a world where sneakerheads queue and resell the hottest sneakers at exorbitant prices, getting your hands on a stylish pair is easier said than done.
However, if you want to add a stylish touch to your look without breaking the bank then we’ve got the answer for you; affordable sneakers for men. There are a surprising number of retailers who create this classic shoe to a high standard but sell it at affordable prices. You just have to know what to look out for when shopping for cheap sneakers, as some can last years while others need to be thrown away after only a few wears.
What to look for with cheap sneakers for men:
- Genuine leather uppers – cheap sneakers won’t have an upper made of the finest leather, but some are made with lower-grades of real leather which is still durable and comfortable, and is much better quality than a fake plastic ‘leather’ upper.
- Canvas uppers – some sneakers use canvas rather than leather, which makes the shoe cheaper to produce, meaning the savings will be passed along to the consumer. However, canvas isn’t necessarily ‘worse’ than leather, in fact, it’s a great alternative. Camvas is a rather durable and sturdy material, and any sneaker made with it will last a long time.
- A direct to consumer brand – some brands have a ‘direct to consumer’ model. This simply means the brand manufactures its sneakers themselves and then sells them directly to consumers. This business model cuts out the middleman and allows brands to sell their products, some of which can be the highest of quality, at a much cheaper price.
- A brand that isn’t as well known – sometimes you don’t pay for quality, you pay for the name. Big, well-known brands are usually more expensive simply because there’s so much hype for their products that people are willing to pay more. If you’re looking for a cheap sneaker that’s still good quality, consider purchasing from a lesser-known brand as they’ll have good quality shoes without the markup price.
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If you’re looking for a pair of sneakers that are good quality but affordable, you’ve come to the right place. These are the best cheap sneakers for men available that are stylish and well-made despite being so lowly priced.
Cariuma
1/15
Price: From $79
Sizes: 5-13
Material: Organic cotton, natural rubber
Co-founders David and Fernando started Cariuma after feeling that major sneaker companies were producing uncomfortable sneakers that weren’t created in a sustainable way and were ridiculously overpriced. They set out to provide affordable stylish, comfy, consciously made sneakers, and let us tell you, Cariuma has certainly met those goals.
Cariuma’s cheap sneakers are handmade with premium natural materials, like canvas, and come in a huge variety of styles and colours.
Everlane
2/15
Price: From $65
Sizes: 7-13
Material: 100% Organic cotton
Everlane prides itself on exclusively partnering with ethical factories and using only the finest materials for their products; they call it “Radical Transparency”. Therefore, you get quality garments, footwear, and accessories that will last for years to come, with an added bonus of feeling good about supporting a company that strongly advocates for fair wages and working conditions.
Everlane’s Court Sneaker, available in multiple colours, is crafted with full-grain leather and sports a contemporary utility style. Alternatively, Everlane’s Forever Sneaker, also available in multiple colours, features a canvas upper and has a simple silhouette; perfect for everyday wear.
Allbirds
3/15
Price: From $105
Sizes: 8-14
Material: FSC-certified TENCEL™ Lyocell
New Zealand sneaker brand Allbirds has been something of a revolution for the sneaker industry. The company’s shoes make use of recycled materials, such as wool, to create shoes that look good, perform well, and in some instances, are even waterproof.
The Wool Runners could be considered Allbirds’ flagship sneaker, offering comfort by the bucketload, a handsome aesthetic, and an incredibly affordable price tag. Suitable for everyday wear, or even running, these cheap sneakers could be your new favourite pair.
Tropicfeel
4/15
Price: From $119
Sizes: 6-12.5
Material: Recycled nylon, recycled elastane
Created to fill a gap of versatility present within the men’s sneaker market, Tropicfeel is dedicated to creating travel gear that is lightweight and sustainable, and above all can be worn for almost any and every situation or adventure.
Tropicfeel has a huge selection of sneakers for men, available in multiple styles and colours. If you tend to travel or spend a lot of time in the great outdoors and you’re after cheap sneakers that’ll meet your comfort needs as well as fashion needs, Tropicfeel is the brand for you.
Oliver Cabell
5/15
Price: From $292
Sizes: 5-15
Material: Calfskin leather
You may be surprised that Oliver Cabell makes this list too. A footwear company long associated with luxury sneakers, Oliver Cabell offers premium goods for low prices. We certainly wouldn’t expect a brand that handcrafts its shoes in Italy to be so affordable, yet thanks to their direct to consumer business model, here we are.
The Low 1, which comes in multiple colours, is the pinnacle of Cabell’s catalogue and is the one we imagine most sneakerheads are going to want. Made from soft calfskin leather and with a sturdy yet lightweight Margom sole, they’re one of the best cheap sneakers available.
ASOS Design
6/15
Price: From $29
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Textile
British clothing retailing giant ASOS has a global presence, allowing customers the world over to gain access to an unfathomably large collection of clothes and shoes. However, its own ASOS Design collection mimics many of the most popular styles but offers them at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you’re after leather, suede, canvas, plimsolls, slip-ons, or high-tops, ASOS Design has every style of cheap sneakers imaginable.
JAK
7/15
Price: From $182
Sizes: 36-48
Material: Calfskin leather
Portuguese brand JAK is one that perfectly blends the line between luxury and affordability. Its designs mimic those of some wallet-busting brands but still manage to utilise high-quality materials that belie their price.
The Royal is a prime example, serving up a classic low-cut design that makes use of Italian Nobuck suede leather for the upper, calfskin leather for the lining, and a stitched rubber sole. It’s a mystery how the brand has managed to price these cheap sneakers so low.
Steve Madden
8/15
Price: From $90
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
You may have thought with a reputable name like Steve Madden (which featured in Wolves of Wall Street) that sneakers to come from the company would be pricey, but it’s actually quite the opposite.
With a huge range of sneakers available in multiple styles and colours, most sport a chunky sole design with pops of bright colours. Steve Madden’s cheap sneakers will give you the deceiving look of some higher-end brands, but without the associated price tag.
Clarks
9/15
Price: From $120
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Clarks isn’t just a footwear brand for office types and school kids. The British-based company, best known for its dress shoes, also has a range of sneakers that certainly exceed our expectations.
Available in a multitude of handsome colours and for affordable prices, any pair of Clarks’ cheap sneakers will make a great addition to your wardrobe. And because they’re Clarks, you know you’re going to get top-notch quality.
Converse
10/15
Price: From $60
Sizes: 3-18
Material: Woven fabric
If you haven’t heard of, or you don’t recognise, Converse, then where the hell have you been? The American sportswear brand has transitioned from a basketball shoe manufacturer to one of the leading lifestyle footwear brands in the world.
Converse is an extremely popular choice of shoe among the younger crowd due to the brand’s cool yet simple sneaker designs. Available in multiple colours, and with either canvas or leather uppers, despite how popular the brand has become, Converse’s sneakers are still affordable.
Vans
11/15
Price: From $60
Sizes: 3.5-13
Material: Textile
What was once a shoe worn by skaters around the globe has since become a must-have fashion essential. Vans’ Old-Skool series can now be seen on the feet of what seems like every other person you come across. Their success has allowed Vans the freedom to experiment with new and interesting designs that all have a fashion and style focus.
The Old-Skool prove to be so popular for their low-rise cut, choice of colours, and hardwearing nature. They provide an instant style upheaval to any casual look for an extremely affordable price.
Onitsuka Tiger
12/15
Price: From $100
Sizes: 4-14
Material: Leather
Onitsuka Tiger is one of the oldest footwear companies to hail from Japan. Founded in 1949, the brand began life creating sneakers for use in various sports, including events at several Olympic Games. Their surge in popularity was helped no end by their appearance in Kill Bill on Uma Thurman’s feet.
Onitsuka Tiger’s most famous collection is the Mexico 66 which bear the ASICS stripes also found on ASICS sports footwear and, while more casual in their nature, are still good to wear for various sports events.
Novesta
13/15
Price: From $69
Sizes: 8-13
Material: Cotton
Slovakian brand Novesta is a frequent addition to our other best sneaker articles, and for good reason. What’s even better is that the prices charged for its excellent footwear allow it to comfortably make this list too. Novesta makes some of the finest canvas sneakers around; the uppers are stitched to signature rubber soles to create hard-wearing yet good-looking sneakers.
At least, that’s the design approach taken by the Star Master, Novesta’s flagship sneaker. Available in a wide range of conventional and slightly unusual colours, these cheap sneakers for men will make a perfect addition to any footwear collection.
Veja
14/15
Price: From $144
Sizes: 35-47
Material: Leather
VEJA, founded in 2004, is dedicated to producing environmentally-friendly sneakers, made with raw materials sourced from organic farming and ecological agriculture, without chemicals or polluting processes. Completely transparent about their entire process, VEJA has a great range of sneakers that are not only sustainable and stylish but extremely affordable.
VEJA takes the classic white sneaker style and injects it with fun pops of colour with the result being some of the best cheap sneakers on the market.
Kenneth Cole
15/15
Price: From $55
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Founded in 1982, Kenneth Cole is now one of the most recognised fashion companies in the world. Dedicated to producing high-quality clothing, footwear, and accessories, Kenneth Cole’s products are not only well-made but are also surprisingly affordable.
Kenneth Cole’s cheap sneakers are inspired by the modern needs of the urban man and feature versatile sophisticated aesthetics, premium materials, and comfort technology.