Best sneakers for summer 2022: Our top picks for the season

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Summer may have past, but we feel there's still time to upgrade your wardrobe with some of the best sneakers for summer to catch the last of the warm weather.

With top brands like Nike, adidas, and Vans all contributing to the sneaker scene though, finding the right shoes to suit your style and the heat isn't always easy.

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Fortunately, we've compiled a list of our top picks from some of the most recent releases to make your search that bit easier.

Whether you're searching for some of the best Vans around, like these Joe Freshgoods Old Skools, or you're after a top pair of Air Jordans, like these "Heritage" 1s, then we've got you covered right here.

We've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding summer sneakers, so stick around to the end to help you come to an informed decision on your next footwear purchase.

That being said, if you're looking to refresh your rotation for the holiday season, then make sure you check out our list of the best sneakers for fall and winter as well.

Before that though, here's our list of the best sneakers for summer available now...

Best sneakers for summer

Nike Air Force 1 '07 "White Black"

Brand: Nike | Model: Air Force 1 '07 | Colour: White / Black | Material: Leather

When it comes to the ultimate sneakers for summer, we feel you'll struggle to find a more well-rounded option than some of the best Nike Air Force 1s around.

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Since the model's debut in 1982, the low-top silhouette has gone on to become a truly timeless classic that's still highly popular to this day.

For this summer though, we've picked out this white and black '07 colourway as we think it features one of the cleanest designs from some of Nike's more recent releases.

Not only that, but the simplistic colour scheme helps make them easy to style and match with your summer clothes, thus making them well worth considering for the warmer temperatures.

As an aside, check out Crep Protect and our guide to cleaning Air Force 1s right here if you're looking to keep your sneakers looking fresh.

Air Jordan 1 High Heritage

Brand: Nike | Model: Air Jordan 1 | Colour: White / University Red / Black | Material: Leather

The Air Jordan 1 "Heritage" colourway features a unique and bold new design based on the original Chicago colours seen on several of the best basketball shoes of all time.

What we like about this design, in particular, is that they flip the classic white, red, and black tones featured on some of the best Jordan 1 colourways around to create a much lighter aesthetic that makes them the perfect pick for summer.

All in all, we feel there's no better pair of Jordan sneakers that match the themes of summer than these high-top 1s.

adidas Ultraboost 22 "White"

Brand: adidas | Model: Ultraboost 22 | Colour: Cloud White | Material: Primeknit

As temperatures rise, owning a pair of lightweight, breathable sneakers is a must to ensure you remain comfortable in the heat.

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We feel the Ultraboost 22s tick this box, particularly this all-white pair that can be teamed with almost any outfit you desire.

On top of this, the sneakers feature adidas' Boost technology, which is notorious for being one of the most comfortable and supportive foam materials around.

It's also worth mentioning that the yarn from the uppers contains at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic and 50% recycled polyester, thus making them a great sustainable pick for summer.

adidas Superstar "Ambient Sky"

Brand: adidas | Model: Superstar | Colour: Cloud White / Ambient Sky | Material: Leather

If you're on the hunt for a slightly cheaper pair of sneakers for the summer, then we'd argue you can't go wrong with a pair of adidas Superstars.

These Ambient Sky Superstars, in particular, look to be a great pick for the warmer weather.

Their classic white leather base is combined with light blue details to match the clear blue skies the change in season brings.

You also get hints of gold with the Superstar branding across the lateral sides, thus rounding off the design for these timeless adidas sneakers.

BAPE x Reebok Club C 85

Brand: Reebok | Model: Club C 85 | Colour: White | Material: Leather

This BAPE collaboration with Reebok keeps most of the classic Club C style intact, but the Japanese brand adds a few subtle details of its own to take these sneakers to the next level.

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Along the lateral sides, you get the usual Reebok Club C style, while the medial sides feature BAPE's shooting star logo to match the BAPE branding on the heel and tongue tabs.

The most interesting design detail though is the exposed blue and red stitching which contrasts, but also complements, the white leather superbly.

Overall, we feel these collaborative Reebok's are an excellent choice if you're looking for a pair of white sneakers for summer.

Billie Eilish x Nike Air Force 1 High

Brand: Nike | Model: Air Force 1 | Colour: Mushroom | Material: Suede

Following her collaboration with Jordan last year, Billie Eilish has continued her partnership with Nike, this time to release these amazing Air Force 1 Highs.

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The Mushroom tone that dresses the entirety of the sneakers is the perfect colour to match the warm summer climate.

With the signature five straps across the laces as well, these high-tops AF1s look to be the perfect sneaker collaboration to rock in summer.

sacai x Nike VaporWaffle

Brand: sacai x Nike | Model: VaporWaffle | Colour: Sail / White | Material: Nylon and Suede

If you're looking to stand out this summer, then these highly anticipated sacai x Nike VaporWaffle's should do the trick.

We'd recommend the white and sail colourway in particular as it should be light and easy to wear with almost all of your summer outfits.

Picking up a pair may be a little tricky now, so if they're unavailable at Nike, check out the resale market on StockX.

Supreme x Nike Zoom Flight 95

Brand: Supreme x Nike | Model: Zoom Flight 95 | Colour: Blue / White | Material: Synthetic and Suede

The Supreme x Nike Zoom Flights look to be a great pick for your summer rotation, particularly in the light blue tone pictured above.

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Featuring a bandana-style paisley pattern across the overlays, these sneakers perfectly fit into some of the commonly associated aspects of summer such as bright blue skies and outdoor festivals.

Picking up a pair for retail may be a little tricky now given the immense popularity of Supreme; however, you should still be able to grab a pair through the resale market at StockX.

Joe Freshgoods x Vans Old Skool "Honeymoon Stage Red"

Brand: Vans | Model: Old Skool | Colour: White / Red | Material: Canvas

When it comes to Vans, these Joe Freshgoods Old Skools look to be perfectly primed for the warmer weather.

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The red and white variation, in particular, is one of our favourites from the collection as it features a bright colour scheme and a classic checkerboard pattern.

The sneakers also come with Joe Freshgoods initials along the sides as well as vulcanised rubber outsoles topped with yellow stripes to round off this classic skate design ready for summer.

Frequently asked questions about sneakers for summer

With so many options to choose from, you may have a number of questions about selecting the perfect sneakers for summer.

Don't worry though, because we've answered some of the most common queries right here.

Can you wear black sneakers in summer?

A lot of people tend to avoid wearing black sneakers in summer due to the shade absorbing heat; however, choosing a black pair of shoes can help you stand out from the crowd in the sun.

However, we'd recommend opting for a lighter, more casual pair of black sneakers, like some of the best Converse around, if you were to choose them this summer.

Ultimately though, the choice comes down to personal preference as there are no restrictions on what you can wear in the warmer weather.

Can you wear leather sneakers in summer?

Similar to black shoes, leather sneakers can sometimes be overlooked in summer due to their heavy-duty reputation.

Once again though, we think leather shoes actually make for a great pick, especially if you're looking to avoid the lightweight knitted trainer style.

Of course, a pair of Flyknit Nike's or Primeknit Ultraboost's are lighter and more breathable; however, they can also limit your clothing options.

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The choice is yours though, which ultimately comes down to your personal style.

How can you clean your summer sneakers?

This is a tricky one to answer as it will depend on the material of your shoes.

For leather sneakers, we'd recommend brushing off any loose debris before rubbing clean with a cloth dampened using warm water and mild soap.

A similar method can be used for fabric and canvas shoes; however, they may take a little longer to dry.

For suede sneakers though, you'll need to use a suede rubber, like this Kiwi Suede Eraser, to remove any stubborn stains.

To find out more, check out our guide to cleaning leather, suede, and canvas shoes right here.

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