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10 Best Sneakers Under $100
If anyone wants to know where all my money goes, just look in my master closet. And in my bedroom. And in the spare bedroom. And the spare closet. And no, it’s not my wardrobe – It’s my sneaker collection.
I have a problem and it just keeps growing. I love a random collaboration or a hard-to-get pair. But sometimes, those sneakers are so expensive and so rare, I reserve them for special occasions/outfits. Great basics can sometimes be hard to find, but we have rounded up the 10 best sneakers under $100 that not only speak to your style but are also classics in their own right.
You can’t go wrong with any of the kicks listed below. Happy Shopping!
Best Buy
1. New Balance 574
I don’t know about you but the first pair of sneakers that I remember saving up my money for was the New Balance 574. Up until that point, my mother had only allowed me to wear white Keds in a narrow fit and I HATED them. As I walked out of the mall clutching the box of brand new black kicks with clean white lines (in a standard fit, mind you) I felt like I was on top of the world – the maker of my own fashion destiny. Finally.
Today, this sneaker stays true to its stylish 80s heritage with a few modern upgrades, such as ENCAP midsole cushioning that combines lightweight foam with a durable polyurethane rim to ensure these kicks look as good as they feel. They still have the classic suede and mesh uppers and a lace-up closure for a secure fit and are available in multiple colorways.
2. Veja Esplar Canvas Trainer
From its inception in 2005, Veja is a company that refuses to choose between design and social responsibility. The white organic cotton canvas Esplar trainers are named after the Brazilian NGO that the company has been working with since the beginning and is meant to reflect the company’s commitment to protecting the country’s environment and worker’s rights. They have a grey recycled-rubber V-logo patch, a faux-leather heel panel, and sit on a cream rubber sole.
3. adidas Multix
Adidas has raised the curve for sports technology and streetwear style. Their famous three-stripes design is recognized all over the world and the Multix sneaker is no exception. This shoe is made of breathable mesh caged in welded overlays and a synthetic sole in contrasting colors and textures.
Available in three colorways and a lace-up style to ensure a better fit, the Adidas Multix uses runner technology mixed with street style looks that will never go out of style.
4. Converse Chuck 70 Canvas Trainer
To get the full history of Converse and the specifics of the Chuck 70 trainers, head over to the article on Chuck 70s vs All Stars on this very website (that may or may not have been written by yours truly). But, if you’re here solely to find a new pair of kicks under $100, let me break this one down for you: this ivory-white pair of trainers is a take on the original 60s and 70s basketball shoes first introduced by the Converse company.
Made of canvas with an enforced toe cap, cushioned footbed, vulcanized sole, and red foxing tape (fun fact: foxing tape secures the joint where the upper and sole meet) and then finished off with a black logo on the heel, this sneaker looks good with everything from shorts to pants to casual to dressy.
5. adidas Gazelle Sneaker
Although this sneaker has been around for eons, they are currently experiencing a resurgence. This version of the Gazelle honors the 1991 version with the same materials, textures, colors, and proportions. The nubuck upper features the brand’s iconic 3-stripes, heel tab, and debossed Trefoil logo on the back and tongue.
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6. Vans Skate Old Skool
Even though it’s been completely redesigned for modern skateboarding, the Vans Skate Old Skool is a classic worn by skateboarders and street style wearers alike. The updated version features foxing tape and sturdy suede and canvas uppers that gives us the same look we are used to but better performance benefits that skateboarders need and require.
Coming in neutral as well as fashion color combinations guarantees there’s a colorway for everyone. If you’re purchasing these for skateboarding purposes, just make sure you look for the new checkerboard flag on the side to guarantee you’re getting the best that Vans has to offer in sports performance.
7. Nike Challenger OG
A nearly identical remake of the OG running shoe that offered runners a distinct look in the 70s, the Nike Challenger OG marries soft suedes, shimmering fabric, and breathable mesh to make a classic new again.
Padding around the ankle combines with its sleek, springy midsole for extra comfort. Featuring a low-profile leather and textile upper, lace-up front, iconic Nike swoosh on the sides, and finished with a grippy rubber outsole and multiple colorways, this is a sneaker you will have for years to come.
8. Reebok Club C85
These tennis-inspired shoes from the archives of Reebok have a simple style that pairs with anything. These kicks have a low-cut profile, a soft leather upper, a comfortable molded sockliner, lightweight EVA midsole cushioning, and features the Reebok archive logo and window box.
Available in a variety of colors and soles, the simplicity of this classic means not having to say a word and letting your sneakers do the talking.
9. adidas Stan Smith
For over 50 years, Adidas Stan Smith Shoes have held their place as a sneaker icon. This pair shows off a fresh redesign as part of adidas’ commitment to using only recycled polyester by 2024. With a vegan upper and an outsole made from rubber waste, they still have their classic style, but with the planet in mind.
This product is also made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials. The Stan Smith will always be a classic, but now it is more sustainable. And honestly, shouldn’t style and sustainability go hand-in-hand?
10. Nike Air Force 1 ‘07
I own a lot of sneakers (read my bio – it’s kind of my “thing”) and the one that I own the most of is the Nike Air Force 1. With ever-changing colorways and collaborations, this sneaker is always in style.
Originally designed for performance hoops, the Nike Air cushioning and foam midsole keeps your foot padded for all-day comfort, while the stitched leather overlays on the upper adds vintage style with modern durability and support. If this is your first foray into this style, start with the white/white/white to add instant street cred to your look. Your feet will thank you.
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