The Perfect Sneaker for Every Type of Dad

Father’s Day is the one day of the year where we get to celebrate the dads in our lives, so let’s walk a mile in their shoes and help them level up their sneaker game. Every dad is different, so the Air Jordan 3 World’s Best isn’t going to fit the style of every dad, just like every dad doesn’t want a tie or a Blackstone as a gift. There are so many different kinds of fathers out there and just as many kinds of kicks to fit their personalities. Fathers are such crucial pieces in our upbringing, and for many, where we get our first foray into sneakers and fashion. So, just in time for you to do some last minute shopping for Father’s Day, we’re helping you find the perfect pair for your pops.

The Cool Dad

The cool dad is timeless. He’s always been cool and he’ll always be cool. Effortless style and swag, just being himself. Being cool isn’t about the cost of the fit but about tapping into that childhood energy. The cool dad is always the dad that radiates a relatable energy. Maybe your dad is cool because he knows everything about Spider-Man or maybe he thinks Michael Jordan is the GOAT, too. You can never go wrong with these models for the cool dad in your life.

Air Jordan 1 Low

The Air Jordan 1 Low is quintessential cool dad vibes, especially in the summer months. The model comes in a variety of colorways and your dad will get all the aura points of the AJ 1 High without the sweat.

Air Force 1

Another Bruce Kilgore classic, the Air Force 1 never goes out of style. With a new SB model for the skaters that may also be more comfortable for his plantar fasciitis, and a model that takes it back to the days of Nelly, these are timeless cool dad kicks.

Salehe Crocs

Everybody needs a pair of clogs for comfort and quick access but cool dads take it up a notch with Salehe’s thumbprint inspired mules. Plus, he doesn’t want any “gibblets or whatever they’re called” anyway.

The Grill Dad

Also known as the yard dad, but you know he’s only keeping that yard manicured so he can get the burgers poppin’. If your dad always has a project going on around the house he needed your help with, then he probably fits this category. Just because your dad likes to grill doesn’t mean his kicks have to be cooked too! Get pops outta the non-slips and into some real drip.

Nike P-6000

The Nike P-6000 is like the spiritual successor of the Nike Maestro. It brings a Y2K aesthetic to the running silhouette but the bulky model isn’t quite sleek enough for the tech dad.

Nike Mind 001

Oh you thought the gym dads were gonna get the recovery mules? Hitting the gym has nothing on making sure the food has just the right amount of grill marks which can only come from hours of watchful maintenance. Plus the nodes on the outsole will help him focus on making sure your steak is actually medium rare for once.

The Tech Dad

Does your dad have the whole crib hooked up to his phone? Every light, degree of volume, hint of motion controlled by an app? Is the ‘other’ woman in your dad’s life besides your mom named Alexa? Ding ding ding, you have a tech dad. If you don’t love your dad enough to spend five figures on the self lacing Air Mags, maybe go with a techy, sporty look, which is really just the modern day idea of the Y2K-style sneaker we associate with the classic dad look.

Nike v5 RNR

The Nike v5 RNR is the ultimate 2000s-inspired sneaker. Debuting early last year, the RNR uses a modern makeup with classic elements for a chunky sneaker with a plethora of materials but still maintaining a lightweight build.

New Balance 1890

To be fair, New Balance has endless tech-y runners but why not highlight the model that literally has a colorway called Cyborg Tears? Bonus points if you give him the satisfaction of telling you the fun fact that Action Bronson is also a chef and you act amazed.

Saucony Guide 7

You could probably go with any number of mesh runners from this era but make sure it’s got some serious support. Just because he isn’t hiking the trail or running 5ks doesn’t mean he isn’t getting his steps in. Going back and forth from the couch to the fridge 50 times a day should count for something.

The Fitness Dad

Have a strong dad? The kind that won’t come out of his breathable running shirt? We know we can’t get him to switch out of his gym shoes but you can at least help him find a pair of kicks that balances fashion and function. Here are some of the top choices for your favorite fitness father.

Nike Vomero Plus

The superstacked shoe is all the rage these days. Built for running outdoors, the silhouette features a ton of colorways and collabs that add a fashionable flare. The shock absorbing midsole Air units will help mitigate some of the pain in that one knee that keeps locking up.

Adidas Evo SL

adidas has their own stacked runner for the Three Stripes dad in the super popular adidas EVO SL. The silhouette has even got a BAPE remix as of late so your pops can relive his Soulja Boy Bathing Apes era with a little more support.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 3

Saucony has a multitude of runners that could fit this spot like the Endorphin Pro 5 but the double-stacked foam midsole puts it in line with the latest running shoes. And you know a tech dad has to have all the updates. 

The New Dad

Giving a gift to a friend or sibling who just had a kid? New dads are going insane and their entire life is flashing before their eyes. Nothing is at it ever was. All their old hobbies are gone, and so is all of their free time. They don’t collect sneakers anymore, they just put something on as fast as possible and usually with no available hands.

Crocs

Inside, outside, in the kiddie pool, out in the mud, at a birthday party, back home to pass out. Crocs might not be the coolest looking shoe but they’re easily the most utilitarian for someone who doesn’t have time to worry about what they’re wearing. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to replace… and you can probably find a matching pair for the kid.

Birkenstocks

Birks are great because they’ll break in and get more comfortable over time, kind of like this new dad as he figures out this whole fathering thing. Bonus points if you cop him the waterproof EVA versions which are a third of the price and double as a great teething toy.

Vans

This new dad used to be cool, and probably had a whole Vans phase. Let him relive his glory days at the skate park or moshpit with some off the wall bangers, but maybe get the updated kinds with additional cushioning in the insole since he’s getting older now and suffering from back pain.

The Grandpa

The OG of OGs deserve their respect too. Gramps has been through every phase of sneaker history, making this no easy choice. Somedays, he might want to chill and enjoy his day but every once in a while he can turn back the clock for a brief period like All Might. Nowadays, he’s probably leaning more on the comfort-side than the freshness side but there are best of both world options for your favorite grandpa.

Asics Gel-1130 Mule

Business in the front, party in the back. The Asics Gel-1130 is the final evolution of the dad shoe. Cropping it for easy access will give Pop Pop the comfort and support of a sneaker without all the complications of bending over. We all know those grandfathers who refuse to put their foot into the entire shoe and instead crush the collar and heel counter into oblivion, this is the perfect pair for them.

Nike Golf Shoes

Golf shoes for grandpa are a must have, especially if he’s lucky enough to retire. I mean I guess you could get a pair for your dad if he likes to hit the links but a father having Father’s Day off kind of defeats the purpose, right? Grandpa on the other hand, he’s earned that rest.

APB Grandma’s Quilt Dunks

If you have an old-school romantic grandpa with grandma’s picture in his wallet, these are the Dunks for him. These quilt-inspired Dunks are sure to make his eyes light up like the first night he saw grandma at the malt shop all those years ago. Nothing makes grandpa happier than 1) grandma and 2) staying warm, but these Dunks might get the bronze medal.

Happy Father's Day!

Devin Robertson

Devin Robertson is a writer and sneakerhead from Memphis, TN. Outside of sneakers, he enjoys film, comics, and music.