The Best Neutral-Toned Sneakers Launching In 2023

As sneakerheads, building a collection that includes multiple colourways is a pretty common occurrence. It seems that these days, most silhouettes are available in every colour combo under the sun, and although some colour palettes are steeped in sneaker history, sometimes you just can’t beat a neutral-toned pair. The ultimate hack for styling multiple outfits, a pair of white and grey or white and beige kicks can provide the perfect base for those who dress from the feet up, or the perfect finishing touch to a tonal ensemble.

Luckily, there are some great neutral-hued kicks dropping this year, so whether you’re looking for the perfect everyday sneaker, a solution for slimming down your rotation or jumping on the “Vanilla” TikTok trend, our favourite sneaker brands have you well and truly covered. Scroll to see our top picks below, and don’t forget to set those release reminders to be the first to know when each pair is dropping!

First up, we’re kicking things off with the Air Jordan 1 Low Light “Steel Grey”. Set to arrive this spring, the low-top silhouette comes constructed from a mix of canvas and leather and sees light grey overlays work on top of a creamy “Sail”-toned base. An embroidered Swoosh sweeps across the pair’s sidewalls, and Jordan branding hits the tongue and heel tabs. Finished with a speckled sole unit, they’re a good option for anyone looking for a classic with a twist.

Jordan Brand is set to continue its AJ2 rollout with the Air Jordan 2 Craft, a neutral-hued pair that places a focus on using premium materials for its construction. A women’s-exclusive, the pair sees shades of “Sail”, “Sunset Haze”, “Muslin” and “Light Steel Grey” dress its uppers, while a pre-yellowed midsole adds the iconic silhouette’s vintage look and feel.

Neutral Dunks are always a winner in our books, but if you like variation within your shades of beige, then this colourway is the one for you. Starting with a white canvas upper, leather overlays wrap their way around the sneaker in varying tones of beige, tan and cream, while a white Swoosh, orange branding and a tonal gum sole finish off the look.

The Air Jordan 1 Elevate (or LV8D) is a silhouette that originally caused a stir within the sneaker scene, but as more colourways have emerged, the style seems to have finally found its footing. We think that it looks best in neutral colours, and paired with its minimalist branding hits the combination makes for a tasteful take on a classic. This colourway arrives in a “Black Toe” style, paying homage to Jordan’s history by way of the iconic colour-blocking style, while the heel, ankle flaps and outsole are dressed in a premium-looking tan hue.

“Mocha” colourways are always a favourite within the sneakerhead community, and it seems as if it’s finally the Dunk’s turn to receive the treatment. Dropping as a women’s-exclusive, this Dunk sees a “Sail” base come wrapped with brown overlays, mimicking that on the popular Jordan versions. Sporting a pre-yellowed midsole and all the Nike branding you’d expect to see on the Dunk, we reckon this will be a very popular pair, so be sure to set those release reminders nice and early!

The “Mocha” isn’t the only earth-toned Dunk dropping this season, as this “Hemp/Sail” colourway is also on the horizon. This pair flips the above’s colour blocking, with lighter tones dressing the overlays and a brown base taking over the majority of the upper. Tonal branding hits sit atop the heel and tongue tabs, and a two-tone midsole completes the look. Part of Nike’s Next Nature initiative, the pair is partly made from recycled materials - the perfect option for anyone looking to reduce their sneaker-induced carbon footprint this year.

Next up, you really can’t beat an Air Force 1, can you? The silhouette celebrated its 40th-anniversary last year, and the colourways just keep on coming. We’ve got our eye on this super-clean two-tone pair that makes a nice change to its bestselling “Triple White” colourway, and instead takes on grey overlays atop the white leather base. The style then comes finished with its signature chunky white sole for a classic touch.

Miss out on the “Mocha” Jordan 1? Nike has well and truly got you covered with this release. Returning to the fan-fave colour palette, the Beaverton brand has even updated this version of the AJ1 Low with a lighter-coloured Swoosh, nodding towards the iconic design detail seen on the Travis Scott collabs. To finish, Jordan branding hits the heel and tongue tab in beige-toned hues, and a two-toned midsole puts the perfect finishing touch to the neutral palette.

Finally, it’s not just Nike that has the neutral game on lock though. This New Balance 9060 is another sneaker that’s going straight to the top of our list, as it's a silhouette that we’ve been obsessed with since it launched last year. Blending the best bits from its 860 silhouette with its 99X series, the unique-looking runner boasts the ultimate in comfort, and this colour palette of creams, browns and olive will go with just about anything in our wardrobe: a win-win in our books. Hit the link to stay up to date with the launch details, as this style sells out fast!

Which pair will you be adding to your rotation this year? Let us know, and in the meantime check out the latest additions to Jordan's 2023 line-up.