A Canvas Sneaker Is The Most Useful Shoe You'll Wear All Spring

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WHEN IT COMES to style, the simplest solutions are often the most effective. That maxim is especially true when it comes to your summer shoes. These days, a lot of overhyped sneakers can be downright uncomfortable for your feet. If you're looking for a pair of warm weather shoes that are easy to maintain, and are easy on your feet, then you need a pair of classic canvas shoes.

After decades of styling guys at Men's Health, we've concluded that a flat rubber sole with a simple canvas upper will look great with any outfit. It doesn’t even seem to really matter what color either. Blue, gray, and white work for sure, but even a red, green, or orange will do the trick. Date night? Done. Walking the dog? Check. Adding a little edge to your summer suit? Nailed it.

Best Canvas Shoes

That said, there are some nuances to men's canvas shoes that you need to consider. First off, you can choose between laced and slip-on shoes. Both work equally well from a style perspective, but laceless shoes are really having a moment right now, given their easy-to-wear fit.

What to Consider

Laces

Most canvas shoes come with a traditional lace design, which is two separate panels on either side of the tongue. This leaves about a one inch gap covered by the laces, allowing for the shoe to open wide to get the foot in and out. The only drawback is that this lace style has to be tied every time. A split panel lace design has two panels that touch, held closed by a much shorter shoelace. This design can be laced loosely, allowing the shoe to function like a slip-on that can be tightened when needed.

Then there are slip on canvas sneakers that don’t have any laces. These are the easiest to wear and provide a sleeker silhouette but the drawback is that without laces, the shoe isn’t as secure.

Cushioning

Most canvas shoes don’t have a real midsole, so all of the cushioning comes from the insole. Look for an insole that has some type of padding in it, usually foam. Some shoes have an upgraded memory foam or EVA material that will adjust to your foot and provide enhanced support. Removable inserts are always helpful because you can replace them when they wear out or upgrade them with orthopedic inserts.

Outsole

A good outsole is required for sure footing. Most canvas shoes have a textured rubber outsole. Vulcanized rubber is harder and more durable. Gum rubber is softer, which provides more grip, but will also wear out faster. Regardless of what the outsole is made of, check for a good texture on the bottom that can handle wet spots.

How We Selected

To curate the best canvas shoes for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on and tested a variety of styles and brands. Some of the more popular options, like the Converse All Star and the Vans Slip On, have gotten years to testing from multiple contributors. Newer brands like Cariuma and Rothy's underwent weeks, or even months, of consistent wear to get an accurate assessment.

To get a feel for how these canvas sneakers for men really felt and how they held up, we vetted our options by taking notes of their fit, comfort, materials, construction, price point, versatility, and overall comfort such as support, cushioning, and breathability. We examined whether they fitted well and true to size, whether their footbed or soles could withstand hours of movement, and whether they could be worn for more than one occasion. Ahead, read on for our list of the best men's canvas shoes to buy right now.

SB Chron 2

Nike's Skateboard division, known as SB, is the under appreciated sibling of the footwear behemoth. The low-key designs coming from SB are just as stylish as anything from the basketball division. Take the SB Chron 2 for example, a no-frills canvas shoe that will do anything you ask of it without showing off. Our editors say it's a great canvas alternative to the leather Nike Killshot 2.

We have worn these under suits at the office, which means they're a reliable work uniform staple. There are seven solid color options available. The white with a gum sole or the all white are best for business casual, but the green and orange options are a lot of fun.

Read more: Best Nike Shoes for Men

Herringbone Moonstar Deck Shoe

This collaboration between Buck Mason and Japanese shoe manufacturer Moonstar is packed with little details that stand apart from common deck sneakers. To start with, the canvas upper is woven in herringbone pattern, creating a subtle texture that complements denim and chinos very well. Where this sneaker really stands out is with the sole. It is made from vulcanized natural rubber—which is a heat and pressure treatment that hardens the rubber for enhanced durability—it is then siped, which is a fancy way to say that grooves are cut into the sole for extra traction.

These shoes feel heftier when you first put them on, but in a reassuring way, like a heavy pair of denim. The canvas and outsole have plenty of flex right out of the box. A handy feature that I noticed is the textured canvas counter, which is a piece of fabric added to the inner heel that prevents your foot from slipping. One factor to keep in mind is that this canvas shoes runs a little big, so it is best to go down one size.

Baja Slip On

As if canvas shoes weren't lightweight and breathable enough, Seavees went and made a pair with linen for extra breathability. The Baja slip-ons are so breezy that you could easily get the impression that you left the house wearing only socks. When the dog days of summer come rolling around, these are the sneakers to get you through.

With a soft back, these canvas sneakers easily convert to mule-style slip-ons. Just step down on the back half of the upper, and it flattens out. This is ideal for places like the beach or pool when you want to just step right into your shoes on the go.

OCA Low

Cariuma went super green, using an organic cotton upper, cork insole, and natural rubber outside, proving that you can have timeless style that is friendly to the planet at an affordable price. If you don't like green, no problem. The OCA Low comes in 14 other colors to choose from. "These Cariuma kicks are not just shoes—they're the pampering and the style statement for your deserving self," said one tester in our review of the Cariuma OCA Low. Though one note, we did find that the cork insole showed some cracks after a year of walking in it.

Read more: Best Sustainable Shoes

Comet Plimsoll Sneakers

The Comet is Gola’s signature design. It is a vintage look that still plays well with just everything in your closet today. A cotton canvas upper features faux leather details that add a splash of color. To represent the proud heritage of this British brand, a Union Jack flag is stitched onto the tongue, under the company logo.

An easy every-day sneaker, the Comet goes well with just about everything, especially jeans. This is a great option to have on hand for when you don’t want to wear the same shoe you’ve seen a million times, but still want something simple that you don’t have to put much thought into. Call it a no-brainer sneak with a twist. Plus, the cotton canvas is easy to clean.

GrandPrø Rally Canvas T-Toe Sneaker

Sure, you can wear certain classic canvas shoes with formalwear these days. If you’re looking for a truly elevated option though, check out the GrandPro Rally from Cole Haan. It is a true hybrid design that pulls elements from tennis shoes, derby shoes, and soccer sneakers. All of those parts come together to create the closest thing to a canvas dress shoe that you’ll find.

To be fair, this sneaker cheats a bit by adding suede details to the canvas upper, but we’ll allow it. The solid dark gray color works with any level of suiting except black tie. It's an ideal sneaker for more elevated dress codes, like slacks and a blazer, or a suit with no tie.

Read more: Most Comfortable Dress Shoe

Wata II

Veja has been around for a while now, but only recently popped up as a hot shoe brand. The Brazilian company sticks to classic designs and is dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact by using locally sourced materials. Another way of doing that is to make sneakers that last a long time, since the fewer sneakers you have to buy, they less ends up in the trash.

The Wata II comes in a high top or low top and typically uses an organic cotton canvas. However, this nylon rip-stop version has the added benefit of being water resistant. With a classic American high top look, you don't have to let a little spring rain get in the way of a good outfit.

Royal Plus Lace Up

A few generations ago, this was a cutting edge tennis shoe. With a padded collar, grippy outsole, and toe-to-ankle lacing, it provides ample comfort for every-day wear and can even handle casual tennis, pickleball, or racket ball. The white background with minimal detailing works year round with every type of casual attire.

Two features that stand out on this canvas sneaker are how low it sits on the ankle and far down the laces go. These two features actually go hand-in-hand because a lower ankle makes a less secure fit, so the ability to pull the laces tighter makes up for that. A lower profile sneaker looks better with shorts, so this is a great summer shoe.

The RS01 Sneaker

Rothy's had a simple goal: pack as much comfort as possible into a understated shoe. Mission accomplished. The RS01 may look like a simple canvas shoe, but it wears like a top flight skating sneaker mixed with a memory foam pillow. These are perfect business casual work sneakers, especially if your business keeps you on your feet all day.

After a few months of testing, it is hard to think of a flat sole sneaker that can match the comfort of this one. The ultra cushy collar is both soft and supportive on the ankle, while the arch support is as good as you can get in a canvas sneaker. Foot sweat was never an issue thanks to the loose knit upper.

Read more: Best Shoes for Standing All Day in

Vagabond Sidewalk Surfer ST Hemp

Sanuk designed this canvas sneaker with the simplest possible construction, making it as affordable and easy to produce as possible. Raw edges and a moc toe give it a handmade look that pairs well with relaxed summer fits. The wide toe box is designed to let you toes splay out naturally as you walk. Hemp canvas is far more durable than cotton, so the upper can take a beating and keep on kicking.

This beach culture classic functions like a sandal-sneaker hybrid. It goes from the water to night life with effortless transition. Pair it with some swim trunks and a short sleeve linen button down for the perfect summer vacation look.

Classic Slip-On™ Core Classics

Few sneakers have a history as rich as the Vans slip-on. Introduced in the late 70s, it quickly became a favorite in the Southern California skateboarding scene. From there, it was adopted by everyone from preps to punks, and became a favorite of the menswear boom of the ‘00s and has even seen action with casual suiting over the past decade.

Based on our years of wearing these, the Vans slip-on really shines as a warm weather shoe. There are countless color options available out there, but the simple solid white, blue, and black are absolutely the most versatile choices.

Converse Chuck 70 High Top Parchment

It's hard to imagine playing basketball in a pair of Chucks, even though that's what they were invented for. However, it is easy to imagine doing absolutely anything else in a pair of high tops or low tops. Converse Chuck Tailor All Stars are probably the most iconic sneakers ever made, so they belong in any wardrobe.

The 70s version has a heavier rubber sole and thicker canvas upper, providing extra durability to the same timeless look. This sneaker pairs perfectly with denim. If you like to show off your jeans, this is the sneaker to do it with.

Read more: Best Skate Shoes for Men

Converse Jack Purcell Canvas in White

Fun Fact: Jack Purcell was the world's greatest badminton player in 1922. Back then, the sport was popular enough to get you a signature shoe deal. Purcell may not be as legendary as Jordan, but his legacy lives on in one of the most stylish white canvas sneakers out there.

This sleek canvas shoe has taken on the role of the slightly more elevated alternative to Converse's more iconic Chuck Taylor. In that way, it is great summer sneaker for casual and semi-formal attire. It looks just as good with shorts and a polo, as it does with a blazer and oxford shirt.

Read more: Best White Sneakers

The Tread-Bare Sneaker

Starting with a blank canvas, Everlane added some subtle detailing to these ultra lightweight sneakers. Most canvas sneakers are designed to blend in, but this one certainly stands out. A contrast heel panel, stitched arch design, and hashed laces add fun details that can match a wide range of looks. If you like to wear monotone outfits or keep your summer look simple, this is a great shoe to add a splash of color to them.

Helio Cotton-Canvas Espadrilles

TL;DR: Authentic espadrille construction upgraded with a soft leather interior and a gripped rubber outsole. Brazilian brand Frescobol Carioca designed this canvas sneaker for smart casual summer attire, whether you’re on the beach or not. Think: linen pants and a knit polo, or a navy seersucker suit with a plain white T-shirt underneath. It is the summer footwear version of “quiet luxury.”

By staying true to the original espadrille design and using authentic braided jute rope for the midsole, this canvas sneaker has plenty of cushion without using foam or other artificial materials. The upper is also stitched directly into the center of the jute midsole, which creates a strong bond.

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