18 December 2024
LÁOLÚ X LØCI: Where Art Meets Sustainability in an Exclusive Collaboration
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Whether it’s the snowy heights of winter or the warmer climes of spring, a pair of white trainers remains a men’s wardrobe staple. Cared for well (and, no, we don’t mean wearing plastic bags over your feet on the Tube), they can freshen up any outfit with their bright, box-fresh glow. In fact, the state of your trusty white kicks is a good marker of a man’s sense of style. Which is why we’ll always endorse updating your go-tos when they begin to look a little worse for wear.
Pretty much every fashion and sportswear brand has tried its hand at the white trainer, but not all get it right. With a colour scheme that lets every feature of the shoe pop, there’s nowhere to hide with a white trainer, so every element needs to be on point. From minimalist trainers by Everlane to preppy takes on the tennis shoe by Gucci and the boldest, most futuristic Balenciaga silhouette, here are the white trainers that’ll shine brightest in your collection.
And if you aren’t just after white trainers, be sure to check out our weekly edit of the best new trainer releases for men and our guide to the most eco-friendly footwear brands around.
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Shop GQ's edit of the best white trainers…
1/26
New Balance 530
Behold: the ultimate Dad shoe. Made famous by notable wearers like Steve Jobs (as well as your ol' man), New Balance's prototypical dad sneaker remains the pinnacle of the genre. In a unisex silhouette, this sporty style is begging to be paired with rich blue denim and a graphic tee. £100. At amazon.co.uk & newbalance.co.uk
2/26
Grenson
Ultra-chic, these streamlined calf-leather kicks from Grenson will go with just about anything (even your back-to-work suit) and take your ’fit in the right direction. £225. At grenson.com
3/26
Adidas Samba
There’s no hiding the fact that hype surrounding the Samba has reached all-new heights. That said, however, it's never too late to get in on the trend, especially one as timeless as the Samba. Simply lace ‘em up, and slip ’em seamlessly into your daily rotation. £90. At amazon.co.uk & adidas.co.uk
4/26
Løci Classic
‘The Classic’ is one of Løci’s most popular shoes and there’s really no questioning why. Handmade in Portugal, each pair features vegan leather construction that’s actually made from non-food grade corn. While this all might sound a little corny (see what we did there?), it’s really not. It’s extremely sustainable and naturally water resistant. Down below, the ‘Classic’ rests on top of an organic rubber midsole to make things even more environmentally friendly. It’s also available in a bunch of different colourways and collaborations, just in case this one isn’t for you. £185. At lociwear.com
5/26
Represent Bully
Represent is certainly no stranger when it comes to sneakers, but its latest Bully model might just be one of its best yet. Inspired by retro skate shoes, it sports a ballistic nylon mesh upper with luxury leather and suede overlays throughout. The Mancunian streetwear label’s initial logo takes over the entire TPU exoskeleton, and a very, very chunky collar makes things very, very comfortable. £240. At representclo.com
6/26
New Balance 550
New Balance’s 550 is having a bit of a moment. Originally launched back in 1989 during the height of the basketball boom, this old-school sneaker is now more hyped than ever. Dipped in an all-white palette, it boasts a crisp leather construction complete with perforated details across the sides, just like the OG. Simple, clean, and looking mean. £120. At amazon.co.uk & newbalance.co.uk
7/26
Mizuno Wave Rider 10 Premium
Mizuno is coming back in a big way, and if you want to ride the wave early, then the ‘Wave Rider 10 Premium’ should definitely be on your radar. A true cult favourite, the traditionally retro design has been updated with some futuristic details throughout, including pull tabs across the tongue and heel and a fresh VS-1 midsole underfoot. £139. At endclothing.com
8/26
Adidas Ultraboost 1.0
The Ultraboost 1.0 is officially back, baby, and it’s better than ever before. Arriving in the classic ‘Triple White’ colour palette, it features the same ‘Primeknit’ construction but this time around it’s infused with recycled ocean plastic to make things a little kinder to the planet. Underfoot, the midsole is made from the German sportswear company’s ever-popular ‘Boost’ tech, and it’s lined with Continental rubber for added grip. Yep, the same Continental who makes tyres for Formula 1 racing cars. £160. At amazon.co.uk & adidas.co.uk
9/26
Air Jordan 1 Mid
No sneaker collection is complete without a pair of Jordans, and this ‘Triple White’ pair is one of the cleanest colourways that you can get. Giving Michael Jordan’s flagship shoe a mid-top makeover, it’s crafted from a full leather construction and decorated with a Nike Swoosh across the sidewalls. You honestly don’t want to miss out on these Js. As Bella Hadid so eloquently puts it, “If he comes through in these, homeboy is gonna, like, get it." £129.95. At nike.com
10/26
Salomon Acs Pro
If you’re a big gorpcore fan then the Acs Pro by Salomon should definitely be in your rotation. Believe it or not, this particular silhouette actually debuted back in the early ‘00s, but it has now been redesigned and revamped with the latest technologies including the Agile Chassis System and a robust Kurim structure. While all of these might just sound like random buzzwords, believe us when we say that they actually work extremely well. £175. At endclothing.com
11/26
Converse All Star Hi Trainers
If there's any one single trainer silhouette that absolutely every shoe trunk contains, it is surely the Converse All Stars. A veritable icon of footwear, the simple canvas shoe has certainly left its infamous diamond-debossed footprint on the fashion industry. If you've never owned them, or you're simply looking for a route back to the style, now's your time to invest. £60. At schuh.co.uk
12/26
Nike Air Max 97
Ask any sneakerhead what the most iconic Nike trainer from the ‘90s was, and there’s a big chance that they’d bring up the Air Max 97. Designed by Christian Tresser, the sleek and streamlined aesthetic actually pays homage to Japanese bullet trains, while the layered texture nods to ripples of water. All of this then sits on top of a full length Air midsole, easily making these one of the comfiest kicks ever. £174.95. At nike.com
13/26
Everlane ReLeather Court Trainers
Just a pair of white, basketball-inspired sneakers? Look again. Everlane's super-sustainable pair wipe the court's linoleum floor with its competitors thanks to its innovative ‘ReLeather’ construction. What's that exactly? Glad you asked: it's an innovative, long-lasting material stitched from recycled leather scraps that doesn't require dyeing, and minimises water use and waste. Put simply, it's a win for your wardrobe, and a win for the world. £122 £73. everlane.com
14/26
Converse Star Player 76
Riffing on the brand's own infamous iconography, Converse's Star Player 76 trainers reimagine their own archives. Utilising the label's most emblematic motifs - note the star, the arrow, the striped sole - these low-tops make a subtle style move, all the while keeping things low-key. A win-win for casualwear. £65. At schuh.co.uk
15/26
Nike Air Max Pulse
Even though Nike’s Air Max Pulse is relatively new, it’s already destined to be a future classic. Pulling inspiration from the London music scene, it was officially revealed during this year’s Air Max Day event and has already become one of the most hype silhouettes out there. Crafted from a traditional mesh and leather construction, it’s detailed with vacuum-sealed accents throughout for a classic-meets-contemporary aesthetic that’s pretty hard to ignore. You’ll also find an all-new Air Max midsole here that’s been redesigned from the ground up. £145. At nike.com
16/26
Vagabond Paul 2.0
Classic, clean, and preppy, Vagabond's Paul is perfect for the guy who likes to dress down smart ensembles with a casual touch. Base business up top with its sleek style and comfort beneath, which is guaranteed by padded cuffs and plush leather insoles. £120. At vagabond.com
17/26
Dior Oblique Galaxy Trainers
Dior's been taking stylish strides in the sneaker world for a minute. If you still haven't managed to bag its grailed Air Jordan collab (us neither), then the less rare Galaxy sneaker is a decent consolation prize. Sewn with the house's savoir-faire for luxury leather goods, these calfskin kicks have a robust, refined feel that finishes your outfits with finesse. £890. At dior.com
18/26
Pangaia
Pangaia’s grape leather sneakers are the most ethically constructed on the market right now. The body is made by repurposing discarded grape skins, seeds and stalks into lightweight leather, while the sole comes from natural rubber originating from industrial waste. Big sustainable score, and thanks to the simple lace-up design, a big style score, too. £100. At thepangaia.com
19/26
Axel Arigato Dice Lo
Panda white trainers are hard to beat: they go with everything, hide scuffs for an ever-fresh look, and frankly, are cool AF. Axel Arigato's Dice Lo pair proves all these points, with a low top construction of contrasting leather and nubuck ensuring long-lasting style. And if colourful touches are more up your street, there's no shortage of those to choose from – 15 colourways of white and damn near every hue on the spectrum see to t
