The best leather sneakers for men

For 50 years the Adidas Superstar has been just that: a superstar. They've been worn by legendary basketball stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, had a hip-hop song dedicated to them — "My Adidas" by Run-D.M.C. — and have graced the feet of countless style icons of the music, fashion, and art worlds.

While they've again become super popular over the last few years, many people are rocking the white version with contrasting stripes (black and red being the two most popular) or the black with white stripes. We recommend the white on white or black on black. These two colorways are a bit more subdued, which is what you want if you're looking for versatility in your sneakers. The Superstar will get you from a casual office setting straight to the club. If you're ready to go full-on rockstar, pair a slim fitting suit with one of the bright solid colors, like the vibrant Shock Mint.

The Superstar features a full-grain leather upper — a much higher quality leather than many other similarly priced sneakers — and has a distinctive rubber-shell toe. Customers love the sneakers for their comfort, versatility, and durability. The biggest complaints we've read seem to be about sizing, with recommendations for getting a half-size smaller than you'd regularly wear. Some customers also complained about the initial stiffness of the leather before the sneakers have been broken in.

Adidas is getting high marks for sustainability, including how the company treats its employees, and its pledge to only use recycled plastics in all its shoes and clothing by 2024.

Pros: A classic sneaker at a fair price from a company that's taking sustainability seriously

Cons: Some customers said the sneakers run large and that the leather is too stiff before being broken in

M. Gemi is another direct-to-consumer footwear brand that's disrupting the luxury market. The company was launched in 2015 with the idea of creating "postluxury" shoes. It has kept the quality and artistry of the luxury market without the price tag and limited access, according to the company.

The Lucente has a leaner silhouette, tonal stitching, and less ornamentation than the other sneakers on the list, making it perfect for pairing with a suit or for just elevating a super-casual weekend look, like joggers, T-shirt or henley, and a black bomber jacket.

While M. Gemi makes a stunning version in white, I love the Lucente in a monochrome light gray for its subtlety and ability to easily pair with whatever color combinations and level of formality my outfit of the day happen to be.

The Lucente is crafted by hand in Italy in small family-owned workshops. The upper is made from calf leather with the same type of leather in a light tan lining the inside. The upper is hand-stitched (rather than glued) to a matte rubber tonal sole made by Margom, a highly respected Italian company known for its product quality and performance.

These sneakers are exceptional — soft leather, beautiful design, and great attention to detail — and really comfortable right out of the box; I didn't find any need for a break-in period. While they are expensive, compared with other high-end brands they're a great deal for what you get. They only come in European whole sizes; the website has a sizing chart to help you figure out your size. For half-sizes, the company recommends getting the next full-size down. I typically wear a 9.5 US and got the Lucente in size 42, which fits perfectly. A few customers reported that the sneakers were on the narrow side. M. Gemi offers complimentary shipping and returns in case you have any sizing issues.

Pros: A superbly made minimalist Italian sneaker perfect for dressing up

Cons: Costly, but well worth the price, only come in full European sizes, some customers found them to be rather narrow

Going through airport security sucks and honestly, so does the process of taking on an off sneakers. Kizik, a brand that started out on Kickstarter, has solved this problem: Its shoes are designed to get in and out of, hands-free, thanks in part to a titanium wire in the heel that compresses when you slide your foot in and bounces back into place afterward. They've become the only shoes I bother to take when traveling by plane. I've also found myself wearing them regularly because of the ease of getting into them and how comfortable they are.

Kizik's New York Sneaker is made from full-grain Italian leather like the other high-end sneakers on the list but also has a patented technology called F.A.S.T., or Foot Activated Shoe Technology. Besides the aforementioned titanium wire, the sneaker opens up when you slide your foot in, then instantly readjusts for a secure fit. You can also customize the fit using Velcro strips located on either side of the tongue to create a high or low arch and adjust the width and position of the tongue.

They're versatile enough to wear with a suit or jeans and a T-shirt. They come in five colorways, from chocolate brown with a white outsole to a black-on-black version. These sneakers are also available in wide "EE" sizes.

The New York has a unique look with perforations at the heel and three straps across the front mimicking laces, so it has more of a sneaker vibe rather than that of a slip-on. They're a bit on the chunky side. I'm really hard on footwear and as I mentioned, I've been giving my New York sneakers a lot of use. Because of this, I've had to keep up with cleaning and shining them to make sure they look their best. So yes, you can be lazy when slipping them on but if you're tough on shoes like I am, you can't be lazy with maintaining them. They cost less than many of the sneakers on our list and are worth the price for the high-quality materials and built-in tech.

Pros: Easy to get on and off, high-quality materials, adjustable

Cons: Some may not love the chunkier look, require a modicum of TLC to stay looking their best

If you happen to work for a company that hasn't gotten the memo on the relaxing of dress codes or if you have an event that requires a bit more formality where sneakers are a no-go, the Cole Haan Zerøgrand Wingtip Oxford is a perfect choice. It's a hybrid dress shoe-sneaker. The Zerøgrand line is Cole Haan's bestseller, selling millions since they launched in 2014.

While many of the sneakers on the list have a minimalist feel, the Zerøgrand Wingtip Oxford is the opposite with striking broughing and a dramatic rubber outsole. These shoes are a mashup of a classic dress shoe and modern sneaker technology. It's office appropriate and still comfortable for all-day wear.

The first thing I noticed when I unboxed them was how incredibly light they were — lighter than any of the more traditional sneakers on this list. These Zerøgrands are the most comfortable oxfords I've ever worn. They have a responsive EVA foam midsole (like a running shoe would have) and great flexibility due in part to the outsole's deep grooves. They also have a natural storm welt to keep out moisture.

The Wingtip Oxford comes in five colorways, including a striking dark blue. They're available in wide widths, and I found they fit true to size.

Pros: Incredibly light and comfortable, dressy enough for stricter office dress codes and more formal occasions, available in wider widths

Cons: Some customers say they run too narrow

• ECCO Soft 7 Lace-Up Sneaker: ECCO is a Danish shoe company known for stylish and super comfortable shoes. The ECCO Soft 7 Lace-Up Sneaker is sophisticated, comfortable, and comes in a range of colorways. The upper is made from full-grain leather and is partially lined in leather. Here's why they didn't quite make it: Some customers felt these sneakers didn't provide the same level of foot support as the company's other shoe styles. They retail for between $99 and $159, a price point that's close to the Giants Royale. Finally, the ECCO label is in a prominent area of the shoe in a different color making it very visible, which I felt made it less dressy, and therefore less versatile than the choices that made the list.
• Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Leather Ox: The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Leather Ox is another classic. The original is made of canvas but Converse upped the game with a leather version. The Chuck Taylors have a clean, stripped-down look, and a lower profile than the Adidas Superstars. Like the Superstars, we recommend the monochrome white or black if you're planning on dressing these up. They almost made the cut for the budget selection but the Adidas Superstar, although costing slightly more, still wins on quality and style.