Non-ugly running shoes?

[Sir Jacket]

Anyone recommend any? Of a vintage, classic appearance or just anything that doesn't look like you've taken bad drugs. I went to look to replace an existing pair today and it hurt my eyes. Ideally not equally eye-wateringly expensive.

I usually hang out in the Outerwear forums, so hello.

 

[bn1966]

Could be a tough one...I have to wear monstrosities to work..managed to find a classic looking pair once in leather & suede that split first time I put them through their paces.

 

[Edgar Laurel]

This is a hard one....
Most of running shoes today tend to be grotesquely ugly

 

[bn1966]

In my Town many people wear them to get to the chip shop

 

[GHT]

Anyone recommend any? Of a vintage, classic appearance or just anything that doesn't look like you've taken bad drugs.

This might be helpful or it might be so unhelpful that it's a tease. About 20 years ago, I bought a stonking pair of running shoes in The States, but, and this is the tease, I can't remember where, nor have I seen them on the internet, but as I'm pathetic with internet searches, maybe they are there. These running shoes are technically a sandal, although they have the appearance of trainers. The dark patches are actually the sandals holes, the black and white lace is elasticated. If you like them, then happy searching.

 

[Edward]

I always fancied a pair of those ones that are like gloves for your feet. If only they did the in leather! Can't comment on their utility for running, though - not something I do.

 

[Blackadder]

New Balance classics.
http://www.asos.com/new-balance/new...alstyles=63&gridsize=3&gridrow=6&gridcolumn=2
http://www.asos.com/new-balance/new...alstyles=63&gridsize=3&gridrow=5&gridcolumn=3
http://www.newbalance.co.uk/men/sho...White#color=Black_with_Grey_and_White&width=D

Reebok
http://www.asos.com/reebok/reebok-c...alstyles=26&gridsize=3&gridrow=6&gridcolumn=3

Saucony
http://www.asos.com/saucony/saucony...alstyles=39&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=2

Brooks
http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/...110178_width=D&dwvar_110178_color=036#start=1

The Onisuka Tiger and Nike vintage series also look good but those are built more as walking shoes these days.
http://www.onitsukatiger.com/us/en-us/edr-78/p/0010236747.7458
http://www.asos.com/nike/nike-class...alstyles=27&gridsize=3&gridrow=6&gridcolumn=2
http://www.asos.com/nike/nike-air-p...styles=148&gridsize=3&gridrow=12&gridcolumn=3
http://www.asos.com/nike/nike-inter...styles=148&gridsize=3&gridrow=33&gridcolumn=2
http://www.asos.com/nike/nike-air-o...styles=148&gridsize=3&gridrow=43&gridcolumn=3

 

[HoosierDaddy]

http://www.jcpenney.com/fila-memory...0pjrh&h1Data=fila+mens+athletic+shoes+-+Shoes

http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1812810/skechers-relaxed-fit-levoy-shoes-men.jsp

 

[shadowrider]

I really like Nike Waffles. I got mine from JCrew:
https://www.jcrew.com/p/50307

Or you could go really old school and wear Converses. Though I don't recommend running in them, Rocky did so!

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thanks. This is great. I like the Brooks.

Generally avoid the Nike swoosh, as I don't think they need my help with advertising, but links appreciated.

Also like these German ones but not at that price.

 

[EmergencyIan]

Why not just look into picking up some plain solid colored Keds or Vans? I believe that they're both well made and inexpensive.

- Ian

 

[PeterGunnLives]

I like "heritage" brands for everything I do in life.

I wear Chuck Taylors or PF Flyers for just about all physical/athletic activities. I think casual shoes have become over-specialized (and uglier) in recent decades, but those two still have the classic look and classic functionality.

If I was going to look for more of a specialized shoe for running, with the "curved" type of sole but still maintaining a vintage look, I would probably go for Onitsuka Tiger. These, for instance:
http://www.onitsukatiger.com/us/en-us/mexico-66/p/0010228136.0490
http://www.onitsukatiger.com/us/en-us/mexico-66/p/0010247999.2571

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thank you. I should have mentioned that I am in the UK. These are very cool.

 

[Blackadder]

I own 2 pairs of the Mexico 66 and a few other Onitsuka. They are purely vintage style sneakers revived for looks these days. My experience is they do not last very long unless you buy the Made in Japan ones. The real running shoes by that company are now under the Asics label.

 

[coljay]

You could look at Vivobarefoot. Their Primus Lux, in leather, is pretty classy, and the Primus Lite is good in some colourways. Unlike some retro brands these are actually running shoes. I run in the Lite model all the time. UK based company.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thanks for ref!

 

[shadowrider]

I am a bit of a sneakerhead and just bought these:

Nike Air Max 90. Not really vintage though.

 

[Angus Forbes]

Samuel Hubbard markets what they call the "un-sneaker" in various styles, some of which look good in my estimation. Not literally a running shoe, but not too far off. You can replace the insert with your ortho if need be. I have a pair, and like them a lot -- light and comfortable.

 

[PeterGunnLives]

... My experience is they do not last very long unless you buy the Made in Japan ones. ...

That's unfortunate.

 

[Sir Jacket]

The Mexico 66s are the right look but seems my back would collapse after actually running in them for more than a few hundred metres.

Someone complimented me on my pair of these on the weekend but you can't run in them, either (apart from anything else, they're too expensive).

Curious how most modern sneakers are so hideous. And people collect them.

The search continues.