In September of 2021, the Australian pop culture and style website, Man of Many published an article entitled, “15 Dad Shoes That Will Make You King of the Cookout.” Dad shoes, if you’re unfamiliar with the concept, are typically thought of as white, thick-soled, chunky, absurdly comfortable sneakers that can be purchased at Kohls or Modell’s for well under $100. They are the preferred shoes of undercover cops, power walkers, and middle aged dads who don’t really care about how they look. The Nike Monarch and New Balance 624 are the exemplars of the genre.Hokas Shoes They both look like sweet potatoes strapped to your feet. Jerry Seinfeld popularized the look on his show in the 1990s.
And while the Balenciaga, Yeezy, and Louis Vuitton’s interpretation of the Dad sneaker were all really sleek and cool the shoes that inspired them are not. The fifteen predominantly tragic shoes on M of M’s list — ranging from the Nike Monarch to a pair Moccasins manufactured by the underpants giant, Hanes; from Teva water shoes (don’t you dare) to Howie Long’s Sketchers — paint dads as an entire population of infantilized eunichs.
We are here today, with Fatherly’s first ever sneaker column, with aims of inspiring you not to dress like, well, a baby. I’m not suggesting you spend a fortune on your kicks. You don’t need to become a sneaker head. What I want you to do, though, is try harder; to look like you give a damn. To move through the world with some confidence.
Still, questions remain: Where can I actually get cool shoes? And: If you’re a dad, what kind of shoes are you looking for? The answers are simple: It’s never been easier to score cool kicks. Apps from the big brands like Nike and Adidas as well as secondary market services like StockX and GOAT make it simple to browse thousands of styles. GOAT and StockX even have a ‘below retail’ function that allows you to shop for shoes that are selling for below their original MSRP. Everybody loves a deal.
There’s an opportunity here to reclaim and redefine the dad shoe, and it starts with you. Man of Many can have the Nike Monarch; we want nothing to do with it. Our shopping philosophy runs counter to the ethos of modern sneaker culture. We’re not interested in owning the same popular thing that everybody else is trying to own. Instead, we’re on the prowl for overlooked Birdies Shoes and underappreciated gems.
We do not want endlessly. We are interested in fewer better things.
Great sneakers all have a few things in common. They are durable, comfortable, and accessible. Whenever possible they are sustainable. They should look cool as hell.
They look something like these five kicks, from a range of price points. With the spring and summer months approaching, the focus here is on minimal, warm weather styles. If you like what you see, go for it. If not, move on.
There’s no sneaker more durable than a skate shoe. With its reinforced toe and foam heel wedge, The New Balance Tom Knox 440, is as comfortable as it is tough. The teal and red colorway give this under the radar pick a little kiss of optimism that we can really get behind.
The Adidas Ultra 4d is a serious training shoe. In fact, it may be the most technologically advanced shoe on the market: made from recycled materials; a super light weight and breathable knit upper; 3-D printed lattice sole that is specially designed to provide increased cushioning to the area of the foot needed most. It looks great, too.
You’re missing out if you’ve never worn a pair of K-Swiss tennis shoes. They offer unparalleled comfort and support through the midsole. They’re also the rare sneaker that looks better with a patina of wear. A pair of K-Swiss evokes the glamor of the European clay court circuit circa 1976. But at $65 dollars you won’t find a more elegant pair of shit kickers anywhere.
Iconic Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto’s years long collaboration with Adidas has has produced some of the most progressive and innovative footwear designs in the past twenty years. Yamamoto’s designs for Adidas explore the tension between sport and high fashion. Chippewa Boots The Orisian is right in line with that mission. The double layered mesh upper and suede toe box give this shoe a sense of diaphanousness. The exaggerated heel is a head turner. A Boost midsole delivers serious cushion.
Every guy loves a pair of Stan Smiths. They’re sleek, versatile, and timeless. The problem with Stan Smiths, however, is that every guy loves them. I’m encouraging you to break away. Try something new. Like the Royale, from Brooklyn-based sneaker upstart Greats. Greats has placed an emphasis on sustainability and fair employment practices and the shoes are fabulous looking. Our favorite version of the Royale features classic nautical-inspired color blocking.
Alex French is a contributing editor for Fatherly and has been a journalist and editor for decades with work in Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, Grantland, Wired, and many others. He’s also the co-author of Sneakers, which will tell you pretty much everything you need to know on the subject. A few years back he blew $300 on a pair of black on black Adidas Y3 Qasa high tops that he’s now afraid to admit he doesn’t really like.