11 comfortable sneakers you can wear in casual offices

Best overall: Adidas Samba OG

Adidas's Samba OG is a classic, as is this tonal Alumina/Light Brown colorway that works with jeans, khakis, and dress pants. The detailing on this streetwear staple is subtle: The brand's signature triple stripes and trefoil logo are there, but blend seamlessly with the rest of the shoe. Grey laces and a gum sole lend a nice contrast. These sneakers had me striding in style to the subway, the office, and home again.

The Samba OG runs true to size and has a broken-in feel, secure fit, and provides excellent support. Despite their light color, the sneakers haven't gotten too dirty during my commute, and any scuffs they've picked up along the way have come right off with a melamine sponge.

Best smart-casual: Cole Haan Men's GrandPro Luxe Mile Sneakers

Founded in 1928, Cole Haan is known for its classic dress shoes, but the brand also makes superior dress sneakers. Namely, the GrandPro Luxe Mile. This lightweight, brogue-inspired sneaker runs true to size and fits like a dream, with no pinching or cramming in the toebox and great arch support. Its foam heel is so soft and cushiony that it literally gave me a spring in my step.

After weeks of wear, the rich brown leather upper hasn't lost its sheen or gotten dirty, and any scuffs on the off-white sole wiped clean with a melamine sponge. Whether I'm wearing a sweater and jeans or a button-down with dress pants, the refined GrandPro Luxe Mile is an easy way to elevate my outfits. In fact, it's my new go-to for smart-casual occasions.

Best budget: Quince Italian Leather Everyday Sneaker

I'm a big fan of Quince, which has gained a huge following for its affordable clothing and home essentials. One of my favorite finds: The Italian Leather Everyday Sneaker in black. A fantastic choice for both casual and smart-casual offices, the shoe features a roomy toe box, an extra-padded insole for optimum arch support, and just a hint of shine.

This is the sneaker I like to pair with jeans and chinos, because it instantly makes both pants look more polished. I also appreciate that the black upper doesn't show dirt and that any streaks or specks on the white outsole can be swiped off with a melamine sponge.

The Everyday, which also comes in white and tan colorways, runs a little large, so I recommend going with a half size, especially since the sturdy leather becomes softer and more flexible as you break in the shoes.

Best splurge: Axel Arigato Dice T-Toe Sneaker

Consider these the Rolls-Royce of office sneakers. Inspired by '70s track shoes and '90s skate shoes, Axel Arigato's Dice T-Toe sneaker is slick enough to sport in the boardroom, whether you're wearing jeans and an untucked button-down or dress pants and a blazer.

Crafted from silky-smooth leather with stitched detailing and pale grey suede accents, the roomy Dice T-Toe runs has a thick rubber outsole that I initially worried would be too rigid. But looks can be deceiving. The sneaker, which runs true to size, provided enough flexibility to keep my feet happy throughout the workday.

I'm not going to lie, I watch where I walk when I wear these sneakers, because they're expensive and New York City streets aren't exactly spotless — especially after a snowstorm, when gray slush is everywhere. Axel Arigato understands that its footwear is an investment and sells a shoe cleaning kit that includes a gel solution, a brush, and wipes to help prolong the life of the materials and keep the sneakers looking brand new.

Best breathable: Allbirds Men's Canvas Piper

I won't name names, but I've experienced some bad canvas sneakers in the past. They may have looked stylishm but they lacked support and ultimately made my feet ache. Not so with Allbirds' Piper. It has a rubber outsole and a supportive insole that makes me feel like I'm walking on a cloud. My feet are cushioned and never get sore, and there's plenty of wiggle room in the toes.

The pampering Piper is crafted from breathable canvas, making it a superb office sneaker to wear with lightweight jeans or chinos in the warmer months of spring and summer. When the shoes get dirty, just toss them in the washing machine for easy cleaning (you'll need to remove the insoles and hand-wash those separately, though). Note that the Piper tends to run large, so the brand recommends sizing down.

Best for wide feet: Greats The Kingston

I typically have to experiment with different sneaker brands and sizes to find a good fit for my wide feet. After testing the Greats Kingston, I hereby proclaim that it rules. Made from velvety suede, the sneaker, which runs true to size, is designed with comfort in mind. The upper is soft and flexible, with elasticized laces that allow extra give while at the same time keeping the fit secure. My feet never felt squeezed in the sneakers, which also have flexible soles.

The Kingston's detailed stitching can lean toward the sporty side, but the subdued taupe color lends a sophisticated touch that works with both casual and smart-casual attire.

Best for jeans: Alex Mill Reproduction of Found German Military Trainers

These low-profile sneakers are inspired by the ones worn by German soldiers for indoor training in the 1970s. Made by Japanese brand Reproduction of Found, the buttery-soft leather sneakers pair well with different jean cuts and washes. While I didn't exercise in the German Military Trainers, they did get quite a workout: I wore them while standing for six hours straight (I was testing kitchen products), and my feet never felt tired. They were like a cozy pair of slippers — but really fancy ones. In fact, I got quite a few compliments on the sneakers from colleagues at the office.

Since they're not exactly cheap, there are a few things to note about the trainers: They run a little narrow, but you won't need to go up a size. My feet are a bit wide, but the supple leather didn't make them feel cramped or confined. You should also know that the low profile will expose some of your sock (or bare foot), so if you want a sneaker with more coverage, these might not be for you. And though they don't scuff easily, the trainers will inevitably get dirty over time. Use a damp cloth with mild soap to remove marks from the leather and a suede brush to remove dirt from the suede.

Best for khakis: Koio Monza Suede Sneakers

Handcrafted in Italy, Koio's Monza sneaker is made from luxe suede with leather accents, including the brand's double K logo in a tonal color. The Monza's outsole is firm and supportive, with just enough flexibility to keep my feet comfortable as I trekked up and down subway stairs on my way to work. Its waxed laces took some getting used to and need to be tied very securely so they won't come loose.

The handsome Monza comes in a range of eye-catching neutrals that will kick any pair of khakis up a notch, but I prefer the deep green Birch colorway because it looks smart. While the outsole did have some dirt and scuffing after a few weeks of wear, a melamine sponge made them disappear. The Monza runs true to size and only comes in full sizes; the brand recommends sizing down if you are a half-size, or contacting a member of the team for guidance on your best fit.

Best sporty: Nike Killshot 2 Leather

Nike's sporty Killshot 2 comes in many color variations, but this tonal brown version is ideal for both casual and smart-casual office settings. The retro-inspired sneaker has a leather-and-suede upper featuring Nike's iconic swoosh, and a grooved rubber sole that kept me from slipping on New York's icy streets as I commuted to the office this winter. I haven't noticed any dirt on the sneakers, but Nike recommends using a cloth dipped in a mild cleaning solution of warm water and mild dish soap to blot them clean.

The Killshot 2 runs true to size, and while some Nike shoes chafed my Achilles tendon in the past, I experienced no irritation with this pair. I've worn the Killshot 2 with jeans and chinos, and have gotten a number of compliments on the shoes from people on the street. The very first day I wore them, a passerby said, "Cool shoes, man! Love the colorway!" And if a New Yorker is yelling compliments at you, that says a lot about the sneakers.

Best everyday: Veja Campo

Yes, you can wear most office sneakers on this list seven days a week, but none will look as sleek as Veja's Campo. Made from sustainable materials, the leather-and-suede shoes have an understated design with simple detailing: just the brand's V logo. I like the White Matcha colorway, which has a mint green V that adds a bit of flair, but you might try White Almond for something a little more subtle.

The Campo runs true to size and felt great on my feet as I walked several New York City blocks to the office. Besides being comfortable and supportive, the shoes are super versatile. I can wear the sneakers with any style of pants throughout the workweek, then pair them with joggers for kicking around on the weekend. The sneakers have experienced some minor scuffing, which I've wiped away with a damp cloth. Veja also recommends treating the leather with a waterproof spray and protective balm to keep the footwear in top form.

Best suede: Allen Edmonds Barnes Lace-Up

Let's get this out of the way: These shoes are expensive. But if you want a supremely made suede sneaker that's exceptionally comfortable, the Allen Edmonds Barnes Lace-Up is worth the investment. A spin on the classic court shoe, the sneaker has a roomy fit and a rubber cup sole that's cushioning and durable, so I know I'll get a lot of mileage out of this footwear.

The Barnes runs true to size and has a classic style to suit any office's dress code. It comes in three colorways, including bone and grey, but I prefer the dark, chocolatey Polo Brown, which looks striking paired with my grey chinos and dark blue jeans. The brown color also does a good job of disguising dirt, which can be easily removed with a suede brush.

What to consider when shopping

Your safest bet when shopping for men's office sneakers is to stick to neutrals like white, off-white/cream, navy, charcoal, and subtle tans. "Earth tones and muted neutrals are your friends because they play well with chinos, denim, and suiting alike," says men's personal stylist Turner Allen. "Black can work too, but only if the silhouette is understated. Avoid sneakers with too much shine or a bulky silhouette."

Single-color sneakers are the sharpest choice, but a design or stripe can work if the contrast is low. "Think tonal panels, subtle textural changes, or an accent so quiet it disappears from six feet away," says Massi. A touch of character, like a gum sole or subtle texture, is totally fine as long as it doesn't dominate, adds Allen. "Think restrained design," he says, "not loud branding or race-car aesthetics."

Another rule of thumb is to match the sneaker's energy to the fabric of the pants. "Dressier pants want a dressier shoe and vice versa," says Allen. "Retro-inspired sneakers or subtle paneling can look great with jeans without feeling sloppy," he says. "For chinos, lean toward sleeker silhouettes: low-profile, minimal uppers, and clean lines. The slimmer the pants, the cleaner the sneaker should be."

Still not sure how to choose the best men's office sneaker for your workplace? Remember this tip from Stitch Fix stylist Cheri Timm Hendricks: "A crisp white leather sneaker looks great with dark denim, and it also elevates chinos or tailored trousers."