The “Dad” sneaker might have been appropriated by those mostly under the age of 25, but not every Dad is in favor of the ’90s athleisure look for their feet. With Father’s Day approaching, we’ve teamed up with luxury retailer SSENSE to put together some gift inspo in the form of sneakers and shoes for every type of dad, from the more formal-minded to the all-out chunky sneaker lover.
SSENSE’s summer sale is currently live with discounts of up to 70 percent, meaning that the timing is perfect to cop a shoe-shaped gift.
So your Dad is the traditional type? Someone for whom the thought of turning up to the office in a pair of Nike sneakers is the stuff of nightmares? Then something formal is in order. A classic loafer or derby will always go down well in such cases, and our picks above come courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo, Paul Smith, and Dr. Martens — which offers a modern tasseled loafer for under $100.
If you’re Dad is anything like much of the world’s population, he may have taken up running during quarantine times. A good sneaker is an absolute must when it comes to this form of workout, and it’s a practical gift that pops and his feet will thank you for in months to come. An adidas Ultraboost 20 or Nike Pegasus are safe options when talking solid runners, but if you’re looking to surprise them with something unconventional, then the Random Identities x Li-Ning is a wild workout piece. It’s also on sale for an absolute steal right now.
Maybe he’s blissfully unaware of the trend or he’s going for it ironically. Either way, the “Dad” sneaker in its ugly but proud form is still an aesthetic being adopted by people of all ages, from teens to actual fathers. Our three options, which are going for around $50, are all ’90s-vibe sneakers that are just screaming to be matched up with a pair of blue jeans by your Dad.
Not every sneaker for Dad has to be a Dad sneaker, though. There are plenty of brands with footwear options that denounce the athleisure aesthetic that continues to be prevalent. If you’re looking for that middle ground between formal and sportswear, then shoes like the ones above from Acne Studios, Maison Margiela, and Fear of God are all great choices.
Our designated Selects section features products that we love and want to share with you. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.
