Best Dad Shoes

Best Dad Shoes

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Casey Thaler, NASM-CPT, FNS
Latest posts by Casey Thaler, NASM-CPT, FNS (see all)

The best dad shoes – what a strange topic. Remember the 1990s, when your dad flaunted chunky white sneakers, with jeans?

Well those days are back. And this time, it’s not just dads – hipsters are also into the look.

After getting clued in to this trend, we spent hours testing different models, and aggregating online user reviews. Here are our top picks, for the best dad shoes (fanny pack sold separately).

Our Top Pick

Fila Strada Disruptor

Nothing screams 1990’s like a white Fila sneaker – and the Strada Disruptor is the king of kings. With thousands of positive online reviews, the perfect dad look, and extreme comfort – this is our top pick for the best dad shoe.

Other Great Picks

ASICS Gel-Kayano

Dads love ASICS – it’s a scientifically proven fact. This classic white pair will have your dad feeling all the right vibes – and you might even find yourself liking them too. A truly stylish look.

Nike Air Max 200

The Nike air bubble is another quintessential 90s trademark, and your dad will undoubtedly love these Air Max 200s. We have to confess – we kind of like them too. Classic, stylish, and hip – Nike does it again.

Reebok Aztrek

Reebok was huge in the 90s, and the Aztrek helps to bring back the glory days. Available in a multitude of colors, and reasonably priced – it’s another great dad pick.

Adidas Strutter

We can vividly recall our dad sporting these classic Adidas sneakers – and the fact is – he still does. Plain yet cool, white but stylish, these sneaks are the epitome of the phrase “it doesn’t need to be complicated”. Available in a variety of colors, and very reasonably priced, they are a true classic.

Champion 93 Eighteen

This classic street shoe is just “uncool” enough to be your dad’s favorite. Available in numerous colors, and with an accessible price age, Champion has a winner on their hands. You can even get away with wearing these if you’re not a dad – just be sure to pair them with a truly hip outfit.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 700

Kanye West had a hand in bringing back dad shoes, and these Yeezy Boosts are top-of-the-line. While they are definitely not a budget pick, they are high-quality. With a chunky sole and a running shoe top, these Yeezy’s are also extremely rare, making them a truly sough-after collector’s item.

New Balance 608

With over 4,000 stellar reviews, this classic cross trainer will have your dad feeling like he’s on cloud nine. The plain-yet-stylish look, and extreme comfort, means you wear these for running, just as easily as you can wear them to the grocery store. And we must confess – we kind of liked them too.

Puma Men’s Thunder

Puma makes some of our favorite sneakers, but your dad will really love this pair. With hundreds of great customer reviews, a fashionable look, and tremendous comfort – the Thunder is almost a perfect shoe. Highly recommended.

Nike M2K Tekno

This clunky and chunky Nike shoe can work in nearly any situation. Stylish as well as comfortable, your dad is going to love them. With over 20 different available color combinations, the M2K Tekno works with all of your favorite outfits, as well as at the gym. Definitely recommended.

What Are Dad Shoes?

Chunky and very retro, dad shoes are those 90s classic sneakers that should really be worn with your t-shirt tucked into your jeans. While the high-fashion world has adopted dad shoes, they are still distinctly related directly to your father’s favorite causal looks.

The most popular and common dad shoes are white, with bright highlights. They typically have a clunky sole, and a retro-yet-futuristic look. They are also not exactly what you would call ‘subtle’.

With even Kanye West getting into the trend, they are (somewhat improbably) now very trendy. You can even spend $500+ on dad shoes, if the mood strikes you.

But for most people, they’ll be very happy to rock the $50 pair they loved back in the 90s. We kind of dig these shoes too – but mostly for their comfort, not their (somewhat hideous) look.

Why Are Dad Shoes Popular?

While not exactly beautiful, dad shoes are extremely comfortable. They offer plenty of cushion, and feel just like a thick, warm blanket over your feet.

Dad shoes are also extremely versatile. You can wear them to run in, or just as easliy wear them to get food at the grocery store.

They are also available in a wide range of colors and styles, which means that you won’t easily get tired of them. Hipsters and dads both love them, which is a huge chunk of the American population, as well.

All of these factors combine to make dad shoes one of the biggest footwear-related trends of the last few years. Suffice to say – you’ve probably seen plenty of people wearing dad shoes out in the wild already.

What To Look For In Dad Shoes

If you are buying a pair of dad shoes, style and comfort are the two biggest factors to consider. We love the cushion and support of dad shoes, it’s like the footwear equivalent of a warm hug from an old friend.

There is also typically lots of soft cushioning on the bottom of dad shoes, which allowed us to feel nimble and spry when we walked or ran with them on. Celebrities who wear dad shoes (yes, really) often rock the full 1990s look – adding long tube socks and fanny packs.

We like to choose dad shoes that are white in appearance (duh), which allows us to wear them with a wider variety of outfits. But you can also go full early 90s (think Rayon) and opt for wild colors and designs for your dad shoes. The choice is ultimately yours.

What Celebrities Wear Dad Shoes?

Far from your dad wearing his favorite pair of Nikes in the 90s, celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Jaden Smith now sport dad shoes when they go out. Other celebrities like Chance The Rapper, Kanye West, and Bella Hadid all regularly sport dad shoes as well.

Just like the grunge dress trend of the early 90s, it’s now chic to wear cheaper shoes. But we like dad shoes not only because some of our favorite celebrities wear them – but also because they are super comfortable.

What Brands Make Dad Shoes?

Your favorite sneaker companies already make dad shoes. Adidas, Nike, Puma, Reebok – they practically invented the dad shoe. Interestingly, high-end companies like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga have now gotten into the game.

Is it worth spending $700 to get dad shoes? That’s for you to decide. It is more than a little humorous to see current fashion icons sporting your dad’s favorite shoes from the early 90s – but we can’t argue with how comfortable they are.

What Do I Wear With Dad Shoes?

There are numerous options of what you can wear with dad shoes, but we generally like to keep things simple. Try wearing a basic pair of jeans with your dad shoes, and maybe pairing it with a hoodie (or long sleeve t-shirt).

You don’t want to be too flashy and clash (as your shoes will already be pretty loud) – so dad shoes generally work best with solids and classics. Of course, we also sometimes wear ours to the gym, so there are really no rules on exactly what you can wear with dad shoes.

How Much Should I Spend On Dad Shoes?

When it comes to footwear, budget is always important to consider. For dad shoes, you can spend as little as $40 – or as much as $700. Ultimately, this comes down to what you are looking to get.

Do you want a functional pair of shoes to wear – or are you a high-end collector? Is budget an issue? There is no right answer when it comes to how much you should spend – only you can work out what factors are important to you, and proceed from there.

Are All Dad Shoes Cross Trainers?

While there are many different types of dad shoes out there, the majority of them are cross trainers. These are a specific type of sneaker, which work for a number of different sports.

This is better than buying a number of different shoes, one for each sport. Not only is having one pair of cross-trainers far more economical – it’s much more convenient.

Cross trainers provide both support and stability, across a wide variety of activities. Weight lifting, running, cycling – they can really do it all.

However, it should be noted that if you are a serious athlete in one sport, you’ll likely also want to buy a pair of sport-specific shoes as well. Competing at the highest levels requires extreme specialization in footwear, and cross trainers can’t quite take you all the way there.

How Are Dad Shoes Constructed?

As previously mentioned, the majority of dad shoes are actually cross trainers. These shoes are differently constructed than other sneakers (like running shoes).

Dad shoes typically have a low heel-to-toe drop, a reinforced upper, a firm midsole, and an extended outsole. The clunky look of the shoe is largely due to the extra cushioning dad shoes provide.

Remember, they weren’t originally called dad shoes – but rather cross trainers. Cross trainers provide a specific and unique set of benefits that are not possible with other types of footwear – like running shoes.

For example, you shouldn’t really use your running shoes at the gym. Instead, it would be better to opt for dad shoes (or just standard cross trainers), as they will provide much more support.

You’ll be able to run, jump, and maneuver swiftly – all while still looking stylish. The firm midsole of dad shoes helps to provide stability during your workout, and they also have enhanced lateral support.

What To Look For In Dad Shoes

Breathability is another important factor to look for in dad shoes, as you never want your feet to overheat while exercising. If you’re wearing the shoes for a fashion statement however, you won’t need to be as concerned with breathability.

Flexibility is another key aspect of dad shoes, as you want to make sure your sneakers are flexible enough for any activity you undertake. While running shoes are great for moving in a straight line, they don’t allow for much easy lateral movement.

Dad shoes (or cross trainers) allow for much more flexibility, and can help support you as you do CrossFit, weightlifting, and any other intense activities you choose to do. When choosing a pair of sneakers, you will also want to make sure you are able to comfortably run with your natural gait, while still having plenty of support for any sideways movements.

Durability is another key factor to look for when it comes to shoes, as you want to make sure you buy a pair that lasts. Dad shoes are no different.

All of our picks can take a pounding in the gym, on the pavement, or anywhere else you may take them. Dad shoes are notorious for being very durable, as well as comfortable – even though they may not be the most traditionally beautiful shoes.

The Best Dad Shoes

There you have it – our picks for the best dad shoes. These trendy sneakers can been seen on celebrities as far ranging as Bella Hadid to Thom Yorke. Even Celine Dion has gotten in on the action.

While they may be a throwback to 1990s casual wear, dad shoes are also now seen at high-end fashion shows. You can get a perfect pair of dad shoes for $50 – or spend up to $700.

Whether you just want a durable cross trainer for the gym, or want to look hip and fashionable – dad shoes, surprisingly – may be the answer. They’re not just for dads anymore – anyone can rock these iconic shoes now.

The 1990s are definitely back, and anyone can dive into the retro trend. The world of sneakers is certainly not limited to just dad shoes though – make sure you take a look at our many other picks, in the fashion category.

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