Slip-On Sneakers

 

When it comes to sneakers, the coming of spring often means you can bring out some of that prized footwear without fear of exposing it to the harsh elements. For the non-collector, warm weather can simply mean an even more casual take on a casual shoe. And there's no shoe more casual than the slip-on.

For many of us, a slip-on sneaker, almost by definition, means a shoe made by Vans. But you might be surprised to see the variety of brands out there creating stylish, wearable slip-ons--many of which look great with something other than shorts or jeans. It's hard to miss the influence of Vans on a lot of these shoes, but you'll find that several brands are forging into new territory and attempting to create their own classic slip-ons. We've put together a list of the best looking slip-ons currently available, and we'll leave it up to you as to who comes out on top.


Converse Chuck Taylor Slip-On by John Varvatos

The John Varvatos Chuck Taylor is reinvention of the classic shoe as a slip-on, here in navy, white, and olive. The shoe's silhouette was left the same, but a few seams were left open and frayed, and the red pops more conspicuously, notably through the clear outsole. Most significantly, the designer has done away with the laces (but not the eyelets) and made the shoe a slip-on. (More colors and sizes here)

 

 

Fifty 24SF Check Stripe Slip-On

 

The Check Stripe Slip-On from Fifty 24SF doesn't bother with breaking from the slip-on tradition created by Vans. Instead, the shoe uses the classic design as a template and pays a kind of homage to what may have been the most famous Vans slip-on with sets of tight black and white checks. But this shoe has its own character, and looks like an updated and more sophisticated rendition of the former shoe.

 

Puma El Rey Woven

 

 

A particularly stylized sneaker from a brand with a strong tradition of very understated lifestyle sneakers, the El Rey is a fresh link in Puma's recent evolution into the world of fashion. With the El Rey Woven, a basic canvas slip-on is turned into a detailed and slightly more formal shoe with the incorporation of a bold, contrasting strap that sets off the front portion of the upper, which features a woven material. (See also the original, pre-woven in Black/Red and Black/Grey)

 

Modern Amusement Future Slip-On

 

While most slip-ons in the classic deck shoe tradition are focused on the casual, this Modern Amusement Future Slip-On goes about as far as you'll ever see a slip on sneaker move toward a suit. The upper even appears to be made form suit material. This shoe was one of many winning collaborations between Modern Amusement and Sperry.

 

 

 

Alife The Everybody Slip Mini

 

 

Alife has a knack for making shoes with totally conventional silhouettes look totally unconventional. Take The Everybody Slip Mini, for example. The brand makes shoes with weird mixtues of conventional and loud--often plain ugly--and then dares you to wear them. Produced in limited editions and found on the feet of tastemakers, Alife shoes tend to succeed in ways you'd never think imaginable. And if you thought this shoe was loud, check out the alternate version.

 

 

 

Ben Sherman Sacramento III

 

The Sacramento III is a cool shoe from Ben Sherman that offers subtle fashion detail in the allusion to wing tips on the toe overlay (more sizes here). The canvas upper is complemented by this suede overlay, which matches a panel on the side, giving the shoe some depth and cutting the impact of the slightly loud pattern. (Also check out this shoe's precursor, the Sacramento II.)

 

 

 

Fifty 24SF All Over Print Slip-On

 

 

Another shoe from Fifty 24SF that doesn't stray too far from the template offered by Vans, the All Over Print Slip-On somehow manages to craft an identity of its own through a singularly unique pattern. The upper features a dense mix of monochromatic slogans and logos on a flat background,achieving a density of fonts that approximates a Hawaiian pattern. This shoe is going to feel right at home when summer rolls around.

 

 

 

Royal Elastics Icon Tex

 

A few years ago Royal Elastics quietly attempted to redefine the slip-on sneaker game with a design motif--an elasticated front panel where laces might otherwise be--that brought together lace-up silhouettes with slip-on convenience. This Icon Tex is a version of one of the brand's most classic shoes, reinvigorated with herringbone fabric on the upper that intermingles with leather.

 

 

 

Modern Amusement English Slip-On

 

 

Another collaboration between Modern Amusement and Sperry, this English Slip-On is classic Modern Amusement. With its bold mix of old man's plaid and young man's pink, this shoe embodies what may be the brand's most striking achievement: to present streetwear that is as equally at home on the beach as it is in a semi-formal setting.

 

 

 

Upper Playground Wood Grain

 

A basic idea that is both funny and stylish in execution, this Wood Grain Slip-On from Upper Playground is good for more than just a gag. The cotton canvas upper offers an appealing abstract pattern that reveals wood grain on close inspection.

By: cory o'malley