Hit The Scene With Cool Sneakers

If you want the scoop on one of the hottest trends to hit the men's footwear market, then you're in the right place. Sneakers seem to be running off the courts and onto the feet of most fashionable men today. But if you want to know which sneakers look best with your gym shorts and will deliver the best performance at the gym while you're pumping iron, then you'd better step off. The only thing you'll be exercising with the sneakers featured here is your fashion muscle.

Who would have thought sneakers could take on a life of their own? Running shoes -- from high tops to slip-ons -- are making a comeback like never before. Funny thing is, they never really left the building. The only thing that has changed is how you can wear them. Ready to sneak a peek?

retro rewind

One of the more prominent styles on today's running shoe scene is the plain white, old-school Nike, with nothing more than the swoosh logo as detailing... which doesn't mean it doesn't pack a lot of attitude. You've seen celebrities like Justin Timberlake wearing plain white sneakers with a black suit at the MTV Video Music Awards (if something else didn't distract you, that is...) and you've seen rappers wearing them with velour suits.

Truth is, these sneaks can take you from the gym to a night out on the town, as long as you know how to wear them. You can match them with blue jeans (preferably a lighter shade or dirty denim) or a khaki green pair of cargos. Do not wear them with black jeans, unless you want people to ask you "what's the deal with your white sneakers...?"

Nike takes advantage of its classic styles with another pair of shoes straight from the old school: the Air Safari. One of the company's most popular sneakers in the late '80s, the Air Safari makes a much-anticipated return that has us believing the hype. With a blend of khaki, brown and red, these running shoes have the color scheme to make them extremely versatile.

Not to be taken for simply "lifestyle" shoes, these sneakers can deliver high performance for many activities, while their heels' Air-Sole unit provides you with the comfort that'll make any fashion savvy guy want to walk in your shoes.

reaching new high tops

With all the high tops available today, there's more than enough to go around on the courts. But while you might associate high tops with basketball, you'll quickly realize that the ball has been passed on to sports like boxing and racing.

You'll knock out the competition with a pair of multi-colored Puma high tops inspired by the '60s boxing collection, underscoring the popularity of throwback styles. Not only does the height provide you with ankle support, the black and white combination makes them the perfect match for a night on the town. Imagine how good the ankle support will feel when you're on the dance floor with your favorite knockout...

Most sports and fashion apparel companies, from Puma and Adidas to Diesel, have a version of the "boxer style sneaker" and they have certainly proven their longevity in the ring.

For a more dangerous look, check out racecar driving boots, which go higher than boxer boots and usually have a Velcro flap at the top for extra support. Some are even covered with the traditional "ads" that you normally see on racecar drivers' apparel and cars, like Goodyear. These red and black Puma "racer" boots look great with a pair of jeans and even flat-front pants, and just think about the added warmth they provide during winter.

the laceless route

Speaking of adventure seekers, extreme sports apparel company Vans offers its own version of the slip-on sneaker. Also pretty retro and harking back to the '80s, these laceless sneakers are just as risqu as their skull pattern, but if you can pull them off, then slip them on.

I recommend you wear them with a pair of jeans for a weekend day of chilling out; they will be especially popular once the weather heats up. And if you take your skateboard out every now and then, you'll fit right in.

For another cool laceless sneaker, try out Puma's slip-ons. The mesh detailing on these puppies give them a lot of style, not to mention breathability. They look great with everything from track pants and jeans to chinos and 5-pocket pants, but I don't recommend them for actual sports activities due to the lack of support they provide.

sneak in some class

If you're looking for a pair of sneakers that can double up as "going out shoes," then Kenneth Cole and D&G might have the answer. Your best bet is a pair of black sneaker-style shoes like these by Kenneth Cole, which you can match with a pair of black pants or jeans for a night out or even a day at the office, if you work in a casual environment. The bonus? Your shoes will look super slick with a pair of black or gray flat-front pants and will be comfortable when you walk over to the nearest martini lounge.

some color will do it

If you simply want to inject some color into a rather bland look, don't be afraid to rely on your shoes to provide that dose of energy. Today's sneakers feature both muted and bright colors, which can get you noticed if worn correctly.

For example, these soccer-inspired Puma sneakers should not be worn with the same color sweater; wear them with a pair of jeans or track/sweat pants, with a white, navy, black, or gray top.

a whole new sport

Thanks to the variety of men's sneakers available today, it's clear that the term "running shoes" has taken on new meaning as lifestyle shoes. Between the retro styles, boxing and racing-inspired shoes (bowling is out, apparently), laceless features, and colors, sneakers now offer a sporty sophistication that can be taken to the gym, the office, and especially the street.
Article Suggested By: Nate Krisil, Vancouver, Canada