How to choose men's sneakers: materials, comfort, and versatility
Sneakers have become a permanent part of the modern man’s wardrobe. They moved beyond the boundaries of sportswear long ago and today pair naturally with jeans, tailored trousers and everyday looks that can also be more refined.
For this reason, choosing men’s sneakers is not simply a matter of looking at shape or colour. Materials, construction, comfort and the quality of the finishes all make a real difference, especially when looking for a shoe that can be worn frequently and on different occasions.
1. Materials: It Is Not Just About Aesthetics
Material is one of the first elements to consider when choosing a sneaker. It does not only determine the way the shoe looks, but also affects its softness, its ability to adapt to the foot and the way it can be worn and styled.
Smooth leather, such as calfskin, generally creates a cleaner and more defined appearance, while suede and nubuck offer a softer, more tactile surface. Alongside leather, sneakers can also be made from canvas, fabrics and technical materials, particularly in styles with a stronger sportswear influence.
There is no single material that is better than all the others: much depends on the type of sneaker you are looking for. When choosing a leather shoe, however, the quality of the leather makes a tangible difference, both to the touch and in the way the shoe performs over time.
For Acanto’s first men’s collection, we selected leathers sourced from tanneries in Tuscany, Marche and Veneto. Vintage is available in suede, pebbled-effect printed nubuck and soft calfskin with a deer-effect finish, while for Oasi we selected suede and calfskin.
Different materials, chosen to complement the character and construction of each model.
2. Flexibility and Softness: Looking Beyond the Upper
A good sneaker should move naturally with the foot while walking, without feeling excessively rigid. The softness of the leather is important, but comfort depends on the shoe as a whole: thicknesses, linings, insoles, soles and construction method.
The choice of sole also plays an important role. Rubber makes it possible to combine durability, grip and flexibility, qualities that are particularly suitable for a shoe designed to be worn throughout the day.
Vintage and Oasi are both made using Strobel construction, a technique in which the upper is stitched to a soft insole before the outsole is applied. This creates a more flexible structure that follows the natural movement of the foot more easily.
Combined with soft leathers and a rubber sole, this construction has allowed us to focus on one of the qualities we consider essential in a sneaker: everyday comfort.
3. Versatility: One Sneaker, Different Occasions
One of the most interesting aspects of contemporary sneakers is their ability to adapt to different wardrobes and occasions. Their versatility is largely determined by silhouette, proportions, materials, colours and sole design.
A clean silhouette and balanced proportions generally make a sneaker easier to combine with less casual clothing. More substantial soles and clearly athletic details, on the other hand, tend to give the shoe a more relaxed character.
This is where Vintage and Oasi take two different directions.
Vintage
Vintage has a clean silhouette and a slightly more classic shape. It can be worn with denim and chinos, but also with more formal trousers and structured outfits when looking for a shoe that can make the overall look feel lighter without necessarily making it sporty.
Oasi
Oasi starts from a more casual inspiration. Its skate-inspired silhouette and cream-coloured sole define its more relaxed character, making it particularly suitable for denim, wide-leg trousers and informal outfits.
4. Made in Italy: Quality Is in the Details
When the design is essential, the quality of the craftsmanship becomes even more visible. The precision of the stitching, the clean way in which different materials are joined, the regularity of the edges and the way the upper meets the sole are all details that reveal how a sneaker has been made.
Vintage and Oasi are entirely Made in Italy and are created with the same attention Acanto brings to all its collections: from the selection of the leathers and construction through to the individual processes and final finishes.
For us, Made in Italy is therefore not simply an indication of origin, but a way of creating the product, where materials, technique and attention to detail must work consistently together.
Vintage or Oasi: Which One Should You Choose?
The choice depends primarily on your wardrobe and on how you intend to wear your sneakers.
Vintage is the more versatile option: essential in design, slightly more classic in its proportions and easy to wear in both casual settings and more refined contexts.
Oasi, on the other hand, has a more informal and contemporary identity, defined by its skate-inspired silhouette and cream-coloured sole.
Two different interpretations of men’s sneakers, built around the same principles: quality leathers, softness, flexibility, versatility and attention to craftsmanship.
Because a well-chosen sneaker should not simply complete an outfit. It should be a shoe that feels natural to wear, every day and in different ways.