--- title: "The 16 Best Sneakers for Men in 2026: From Everyday to High-Performance" description: "Shop the best men's sneakers of 2026: New Balance 990v6, Salomon XT-6, Axel Arigato, Adidas Handball Spezial, Nike Pegasus, and Hoka Cliftons." author: "Listful" published: "2026-07-02T16:03:37.067Z" updated: "2026-07-24T15:00:14.313Z" canonical: "https://www.listful.com/guides/article/best-mens-sneakers" source: "Listful" --- # The 16 Best Sneakers for Men in 2026: From Everyday to High-Performance He won't ask for these, but he will wear them every single day. ## Sneakers he will literally wear a hole into Sneakers have been a statement since Nike dropped the Air Jordan in 1984 and now finding the right shoe that represents you and your style is a challenge. Whether he's a clean-white-leather guy, a gorpcore-trail-shoe guy, or somewhere in the middle, these 16 cover every version of him. You might end up wanting a matching pair too. ## Reader favorites The six items Listful readers saved most from this guide. 1. Zane Sneaker by Axel Arigato — $330.00 2. Nike Air Max Plus OG by Nike — $190.00 3. Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 by ASICS — $169.95 4. Adidas Adizero EVO SL by Adidas — $150.00 5. New Balance 9060 by New Balance — $160.00 6. New Balance Made in USA 990v6 by New Balance — $199.99 ## SECTION 01. Everyday Essentials Clean, minimalist, white-adjacent sneakers that literally go with every outfit. ### Zane Sneaker - **Brand:** Axel Arigato - **Price:** $330.00 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/zane-sneaker-mens/9020224?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FBrands%2FAxel+Arigato&color=44444GHSJK The Scandinavian brand you might not have heard of but A$AP Rocky and half of Copenhagen can't stop wearing. They're clean leather with a chunky sole and no logo screaming at you. They work perfectly with tailored trousers or dark jeans. ### Reebok Club C 85 Vintage - **Brand:** Reebok - **Price:** $62.59 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Vintage-Sneakers-Top-Chalk-Paperwhite/dp/B07DPL8P9Z/ After dropping in 1985, these shoes haven't lost their cool. They have a broken-in feel straight out of the box due to their slightly off-white and terrycloth lining. And, they look even better with a few scuffs on them. ### Nike Killshot 2 Leather - **Brand:** Nike - **Price:** $100.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/nike-killshot-2-sneaker-men/8950579 These are the kind of Nikes JFK Jr. would've worn. The smooth leather and suede toe cap is a classic look but the Nike swoosh is the thing that keeps it from looking pretentious. If you're in your Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy era, make sure he matches you. ### Stan Smith - **Brand:** Adidas - **Price:** $100.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/adidas-stan-smith-sneaker-men/3725428 No, Stan Smith didn't design these. Adidas needed a face for their newest shoe in the '70s and chose him. Decades later, the Stan Smiths are still the cleanest white sneaker in the room but have a nice pop of color with the green heel tab. They're perfect for watching a tennis match or wearing to the office. ## SECTION 02. Retro & Heritage Classics Shoes that were cool in 1979 and still are today. ### New Balance Made in USA 990v6 - **Brand:** New Balance - **Price:** $199.99 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/new-balance-gender-inclusive-made-in-usa-990v6-sneaker/7743366 Every tech bro in San Francisco and every off-duty editor in New York own a pair of these. Steve Jobs wore a pair to just about every meeting. Perfect for the aspiring tech bro guru. ### Adidas Handball Spezial - **Brand:** adidas - **Price:** $120.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/handball-spezial-sneaker-men/8421111 This shoe was originally made for East German handball players in the '70s. Now they're on the feet of every well-dressed person in London, Paris, and New York (the fashion bro's natural habitat). They offer a slightly leaner and chicer look than the Sambas that everyone is wearing. ### Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble - **Brand:** Nike - **Price:** $190.00 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/air-max-95-big-bubble-sneaker-men/8620191 If he keeps reminiscing on the '90s and how great his childhood was… these are for him. The Big Bubble and retro colors match the nostalgia that he's looking for. ### New Balance 550 Retro Basketball - **Brand:** New Balance - **Price:** $79.99 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/new-balance-bb550-mens/B550PB1.html This shoe took over TikTok in 2021 and still hasn't left. It was originally a 1989 on-court basketball shoe that people forgot about until it was rereleased and suddenly everyone needed a pair. It looks incredible with wide-leg trousers or casual jeans. ## SECTION 03. High-Fashion & Statement Picks Elevated, premium, or bold sneakers for dressing up or making a style statement. ### Salomon XT-6 Trail Sneaker - **Brand:** Salomon - **Price:** $185.00 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/salomon-gender-inclusive-xt-6-sneaker/8589402 Salomons are the essential gorpcore shoes for every outdoor lover. But, they're also for the fashion man in your life. These shoes have taken over the streets of New York and are even showing up in street style photos from Fashion Week. They look like they're engineered in a lab but are perfect for mountaineering or walking the runway. ### Nike Air Max Plus OG - **Brand:** Nike - **Price:** $190.00 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/model/nike-air-max-plus-mens/78300.html This is one of those IYKYK shoes. The wavy ribs and gradient mesh create the perfect streetwear look. They're bold, a little aggressive, and not for everyone. Which is the point when you buy them. You're asking to stand out. ### Nike Zoom Vomero 5 - **Brand:** Nike - **Price:** $170.00 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/~/M3486002.html?view=pdp These shoes nail that celebrity off-duty airport look. A$AP Rocky and Dua Lipa both wear them for that reason too. Still in heavy rotation in fashion circles, but most people haven't discovered them yet. ### New Balance 9060 - **Brand:** New Balance - **Price:** $160.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/new-balance-9060-mens/U90601TS.html New Balance took their most underrated archive silhouettes and combined them with that tech feel that people are obsessed with. The multiple textures and exaggerated pod midsole make these feel straight from the future. Pair with baggy sweatpants to nail that "I just threw this on and still look stylish" look. ## SECTION 04. Performance, Running & Gym Perfect for his high-mileage runs and lifting sessions. ### Adidas Adizero EVO SL - **Brand:** Adidas - **Price:** $150.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/~/JH6206.html The Adizero line is what Adidas gives their elite marathon runners. The Lightstrike Pro foam makes it feel lightweight and the EVO SL strips out the carbon plate so he can train in these every day. ### Nike Pegasus 42 - **Brand:** Nike - **Price:** $145.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.footlocker.com/product/~/7210100.html This has been Nike's most trusted running shoe since the '80s. It's not the flashiest but is definitely the most talked-about in the running world. It has a wide enough toe box and reliable cushioning that makes all the difference on twelve milers. ### Hoka Clifton 10 - **Brand:** HOKA - **Price:** $124.00 - **Category:** Mid - **Link:** https://www.nordstrom.com/s/hoka-clifton-10-running-shoe-wide-width-available-men/7936035 Hokas were a niche ultra-runner cult shoe that went mainstream about two years ago. Now every nurse, teacher, and even Reese Witherspoon are wearing them. The thick foam stack and sole helps your foot roll through each stride. His joints will thank him later. ### Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 - **Brand:** ASICS - **Price:** $169.95 - **Category:** Splurge - **Link:** https://www.amazon.com/ASICS-Mens-Gel-Nimbus-Running-Shoes/dp/B0FGV4FVCL The Nimbus sounds like it's straight out of "Harry Potter" and it works like magic when the mileage is high and the legs are tired. Runners reach for these on their long, slow days as they're almost comically cushioned. ## Shoe game good enough to be a point guard. Whether he has a basketball game or needs to find the perfect casual-but-classy pair for work, we've got you covered. Save the ones that feel right or share the list with him. Or don't and just tell him when the box shows up.