Men's sports lifestyle shoes - the best models and how to wear them

What are lifestyle sports shoes?

Sports lifestyle shoes are a category of footwear that combines sporty aesthetics with everyday functionality. These are shoes originally designed for sports, but mainly worn as casual urban footwear - from Nike Air Max to Adidas Ultraboost.

In recent years, lifestyle sports shoes have dominated men's fashion. They can be worn to work (in companies with a loose dress code), to meetings, on dates, and virtually anywhere except the most formal occasions.

In this guide, you will learn about the best models of lifestyle sports shoes, how to style them and which ones are worth adding to your wardrobe.

The best Nike lifestyle models

Nike Air Max 90

History: Designed in 1990, the iconic visible Air in the heel
Style: Retro running, chunky
What to wear with: Jeans, joggers, streetwear
Price: PLN 500-700
Why is it worth: Timeless design, very comfortable, hundreds of color variants

Nike Air Force 1

History: Original basketball shoes from 1982
Style: Chunky, classic, hip-hop icon
What to wear with: Everything from jeans to chinos, even smart casual suits
Price: PLN 450-600
Why is it worth: The most universal Nike, white AF1 is a must-have

Nike Dunk Low

History: Basketball shoes from the 1980s, later skate shoes
Style: Retro, colorful versions, hype beast culture
What to wear with: Streetwear, jeans, casual outfits
Price: PLN 500-800 (depending on color)
Why is it worth: Fashionable, various colors, less mass-produced than AF1

The best Adidas lifestyle models

Adidas Ultraboost

History: They revolutionized the industry in 2015 with Boost technology
Style: Sporty, technical, sleek
What to wear with: Jeans, joggers, sporty style, smart casual
Price: PLN 600-800
Why is it worth: The most comfortable shoes on the market, perfect for long days

Adidas Stan Smith

History: Tennis shoes from the 1970s, popularized by tennis player Stan Smith
Style: Minimalist, clean lines, white with green
What to wear with: Everything - the most universal Adidas
Price: PLN 350-450
Why is it worth: Timeless, elegant, perfect for smart casual

Adidas Samba / Gazelle

History: Football shoes (Samba) and casual shoes (Gazelle) from the 1960s-70s.
Style: Retro, terrace culture, minimalist
What to wear with: Jeans, chinos, casual style
Price: PLN 400-500
Why is it worth: Trend 2024, versatile, comfortable

The best New Balance lifestyle models

New Balance 550

History: '80s basketball shoes, brought back in 2020
Style: Retro chunky dad shoes vibes
What to wear with: Jeans, cargo pants, streetwear
Price: PLN 500-700
Why is it worth: Very fashionable, comfortable, various colors

New Balance 574 / 990

History: Classic running shoes, brand icons
Style: Dad shoes, retro running
What to wear with: Casual outfits, jeans, joggers
Price: PLN 400-800 (PLN 990 more expensive)
Why is it worth: Comfortable, durable, an American classic

Other brands worth considering

Asics Gel-Kayano / Gel-Nimbus

Style: Retro running, Y2K vibes, colorful
What to wear with: Streetwear, sporty style
Price: PLN 400-600
Why is it worth: Very comfortable, Y2K trend, original colors

Puma Suede Classic

History: An icon of the 1960s, worn by athletes and hip-hop artists
Style: Minimalist, suede, retro
What to wear with: Jeans, chinos, casual style
Price: PLN 300-400
Why is it worth: Affordable, classic, comfortable

Salomon XT-6

History: Trail shoes, popularized by high fashion
Style: Gorpcore, technical, outdoor
What to wear with: Cargo pants, technical wear, streetwear
Price: PLN 600-800
Why is it worth: Very fashionable, comfortable, unique

How to style lifestyle sports shoes?

With jeans

The most natural combination. Both slim, regular and baggy jeans look great with sports shoes. Roll up your pant legs to show off your shoes.

With joggers

Sporty, consistent look. Joggers with ankle cuffs accentuate the shoes. Perfect for athleisure.

With chinos

Smart casual - chinos + minimalist sports shoes (Stan Smith, white AF1, Ultraboost in subdued colors) look elegant and comfortable.

With cargo pants

Utilitarian, streetwear vibe. Chunky sneakers (Air Max, New Balance, Salomon) are perfect for cargo.

With shorts

In summer, sports shoes look good with jeans and fabric shorts. Wear no-show socks.

With suits (smart casual)

In less formal environments, you can wear minimalist white or black sneakers with a tailored suit. Avoid colorful models.

What sports lifestyle shoes are worth having?

Pair 1: White minimalist sneakers

Stan Smith, Air Force 1 Low (white), Common Projects Achilles Low. They match everything - from jeans to smart casual suits.

Pair 2: Chunky sneakers in a subdued color

Air Max 90 (grey/white), New Balance 550 (white/grey), Ultraboost (black/grey). Casual, comfortable, universal.

Pair 3 (optional): Colorful statement sneakers

Nike Dunk in bright colors, Asics Gel in Y2K colors. For the braver ones, as the focal point of the styling.

How to care for sports lifestyle shoes?

Clean regularly

White shoes get dirty quickly. Clean weekly with a soft brush and soapy water.

Crep Protect / Jason Markk

Professional sneaker cleaning kits. Effective and safe for various materials.

Impregnate before first use

The waterproof spray will protect against dirt.

Rotation

Don't wear the same shoes every day - give them time to dry.

Tree trees (optional)

For more expensive models (Ultraboost, premium sneakers) it is worth using ideals.

Summary

Sports lifestyle shoes are a combination of comfort, style and functionality. From classic Nike Air Force 1 to modern Adidas Ultraboost, there's something for everyone.

Build your wardrobe based on white minimalist sneakers, add a chunky model in a subdued color and, optionally, a colorful statement piece. This will give you versatility for any occasion.

Remember: sports shoes are not only fashion, but above all comfort. Choose models that will make you feel comfortable all day long.