The 10 Best Dad Shoes To Stay On Trend in 2022

Whilst picking up a pair of 'dad shoes' isn't everyones idea of a great cop, we definitely see the appeal. Since 2017 there has been an increase in popularity for chunky shoes which prioritise comfort over style. In the past few years the hype surrounding chunky, ugly dad shoes has risen even greater, with global brands such as Nike, adidas, and even luxury fashion house Balenciaga joining the trend.

If you're looking to keep on top of this trend, today we're looking at the best dad shoes for 2022.

So when we say dad shoes, what kinda shoes are we talking about? When you think about the shoes a typical suburban dad would wear while mowing the lawn or while barbecuing, what kinda shoes come to mind? It's probably a chunky shoe, with a thick sole and which prioritises comfort over style. While this may be the case, the term 'dad shoe' has come to be used as a term for any shoe which is on the chunkier side and which may not have a modern style to it. Think the Balenciaga Triple S or of course the New Balance 990.

But, how exactly have dad shoes become a staple in the streetwear scene?

Dad shoes rose in popularity in 2017/2018 as part of the growing trend of retro and vintage styles. If you look at the silhouettes which are classed as 'Dad shoes', many of them are actually older models from the 80s or 90s. Fashion often comes full circle so its not uncommon for the clothes your dad used to wear to come back into style.

So now you know what dad shoes are and why they're so popular, what are the best dad shoes to buy? In this definitive guide to the best dad shoes, we break down our favourite picks from this normcore trend. You don't have to worry about breaking the bank either; most of these are pocket-friendly!

There's no denying that the Nike Air Monarchs are the ultimate dad trainers. The upper features a premium leather housing supported by mesh slabs, giving these early 2000s cross-training shoes high durability and an extremely lightweight feel. Underfoot, a full-length Phylon foam and the Beaverton brand's signature Air cushioning technology ensures that your feet are comfortable no matter how long you wear these.

The Nike Air Monarch IV is also super affordable and is available in multiple colourways online and most possibly at your select sportswear shop. This silhouette was also the basis for a collaboration between Nike and designer Martine Rose.

The Nike Air Max 96 II's busy panelling and distinct branding details are what gives the 90s runner its dad-like shoe feel. The Sergio Lozano-designed trainers remained dormant until they received a revamp as the Air Max 96 XX in 2016, which borrowed the AM95's midsole unit. Today, the Air Max 96 II still sports the same chunky look and delivers all-day comfort.

A couple of the notable colourways are the Nike Air Max 96 II OG "Mystic Teal" and the Nike Air Max 96 II "Golden Rod". Its reflective 3M tooling and bold Swoosh branding logos further emphasise the icon's retro appeal.

The adidas Ozweego was released all the way back in 1996 as a pair of lightweight runners, featuring the brand's signature adiPRENE sole cushioning tech. The adidas Ozweegos remained lowkey throughout the years. Although in 2017, when the ugly dad shoe trend hit the market, it gained insane recognition from the public that helped cement a permanent position in today's list of must-have shoes for sneakerheads.

Another derivative of the adidas Ozweego is the Raf Simons collaboration. But, it almost seems like they are not related to each other as Raf's interpretation portrayed a completely new look—somewhat more distinctively unique that emphasises the dad shoe concept.

In 2018, Ye introduced the Yeezy 500 trainers, which people deemed ugly at first due to the chunky profile featuring elliptical slabs of mesh slabs and suede overlays. However, its comfort levels and lightweight feel impressed the masses, eventually acknowledging them as a shoedrobe staple. The Yeezy 500 "Desert Rat", now called "Blush", is the silhouette's debut colourway.

The adidas Yeezy 500 fits quite snug, so we recommend that you opt for half a size up. Don't forget to read our size guide to know how the Yeezy 500s fit.

The Yeezy Boost 700 is adidas and Kanye West's answer to the dad shoe trend. It launched in 2017 with the "Wave Runner" as its inaugural colourway and featured a grey-tinted leather base layered with mesh underlays. A chunky white Boost midsole houses the upper underneath for a comfortable ride, with a built-in OrthoLite inner sole for additional comfort. Since then, the YZY 700s received a few modifications: the Yeezy Boost 700 V2, Yeezy 700 V3, and the Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN, all with new construction while keeping the '90s-inspired look.

Do the adidas Yeezy Boost 700s run true to size? They fit slightly snug, but you should be okay with your original size; otherwise, you can also choose to go 0.5 size up.

The Balenciaga Triple S that we saw on the luxury brand's runway in 2017 hit the streets and turned heads everywhere. The appeal towards chunky dad shoes continued as Balenciaga brought forth more colourways of the silhouette. The base is made usually with mesh material and leather overlays, housed by a triple-stacked midsole unit underfoot that gave the shoe its "Triple Sole" title.

Unlike the other dad-like shoes mentioned in this guide, the Balenciaga Triple does not come in half sizes. We recommend that you go half a size down in these trainers. The Balenciaga Track Runner is another dad shoe alternative from the high-end brand.

New Balance's iconic 99X has been long-considered a dadcore shoe, specifically the New Balance 990v5 — the model's fifth iteration. The suede-and-mesh-woven shoe belongs to the Boston brand's Made in US line and is typically known for featuring New Balance's signature greyscale colourway. Underfoot, an ENCAP midsole unit ensures that maximum comfort is present at all times. Late Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously wore the New Balance 992, an icon of the dad shoe and normcore trend.

The New Balance 990 comfortably fits true to size as suggest in our NB 990 size guide, but you can also consider going half size up if you have wide feet. Either way, the New Balance 99X trainers are popular in the streetwear scene today, with lots of covetable collaborations.

German-bred brand PUMA joined the chunky shoe trend by welcoming the PUMA Thunder Spectra to its roster. The retro design featured various layered materials that contributed to its chunky look: premium leather, supple suede, and breathable mesh. The initial colour of the Thunder Spectra is black, with vibrant red and yellow accents delivering a pop of contrast. When it comes to styling, we highly recommend you avoid wearing skinny jeans or joggers with them as they won't pleasingly look good together.

If you don't like the PUMA Thunder Spectras, you can also opt for the PUMA RS-X. They also fit true to size like the Spectras!

Reebok's Aztrek is an all-terrain shoe, which launched in 1993 under the Bolton-founded sports label. And for many years now, footwear labels have not stopped digging into their archives to reintroduce models for the future generation while maintaining their retro appeal. The Aztrek was one of the models that ticked the boxes of what dad trainers should look like: sporty vibe, eye-catchy colour-blocking, and familiar branding details.

In terms of comfort, many sneakerheads agree that the Reebok shoes are known for returning your strides with maximum cushioning. Not only do they look good with wide track pants or summer shorts, but they also won't make you feel any discomfort.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano V stepped foot into the sneaker landscape in 1999 as a pair of running shoes. Although it doesn't have a chunky construction like the previously mentioned trainers, the Japanese sports brand continue to deliver the Gel Kayano V model with its original features that fit right into today's footwear appeal of retro aesthetic. The iconic tiger stripe motif on the side accompanied by familiar Asics branding details complete these shoes dad-like design.

Today, ASICS are must-have sneakers for Ronnie Fieg, founder and designer of New York-based fashion and footwear retailer KITH. The duo has reworked the collection a few times, also the GEL LYTE III.

Trends in fashion do come and go, but it seems that the dad shoe trend is here to stay. If you're looking for a pair of dad shoes to buy today - whether that's for you or your dad - the Nike Air Monarch would be the best option. Want something more trendy? Opt for the Yeezy 500 or 700! What about the most comfortable dad shoes? The New Balance 990v5 is your answer.

Regardless of which pair you pick, we do not doubt that you'll make the right decision today. If you want to stay ahead of the latest news in sneakers, make sure you check back here at The Sole Supplier as we'll be the first to notify you of everything you need to know!