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Slip-on sneakers are as ubiquitous in the pages of GQ as silk knit ties or your favorite male celebrity jumping in a suit. And it’s with good reason: the easy-on, easy-off kicks can we be worn with everything from swim trunks to white jeans and, for the more adventurous types and Frank Ocean, a suit. They're the ideal sneaker style for warm weather getaways and weekend coffee runs; all-purpose shoes that somehow look better the more beat-up they get. Now look closely at those slip-on kicks in GQ and you'll notice a pattern (two actually): they usually have a checkerboard design and they're almost always made by Vans. Since 1977 (back when they were called "style #98") Vans slip-on sneakers have been beloved by skaters and stoners, prepsters and posers (basically everyone) and the SoCal company's checkerboard version might just be the best slip-on sneaker ever made. And right now, the "OG Classic" version of the sneaker is the one you should spend your money on.
The Vans OG Classic Slip-On LX is the more perfect version of the style, but the truth is it's rarely in stock. When they do re-stock, it's at seemingly random times, and they're gone hours later. Point is, if you really want a pair of the OGs, it's best to create Google alert for them. (Pairs on Grailed are pretty easy to come by and hardly ever go for over $100, but still.) Meanwhile, the standard issue version of the Vans slip-ons are the ones that are always available to buy (and still always look great).
1. They're the first—and the best: The more limited OG LX version comes with a few subtle, but important, differences that make it an even better slip-on than its contemporary counterpart. The vamp is longer (which means the tongue comes up slightly higher on your foot), the toe box is narrower, and the black line around the sidewall is now white. The effect is that your toe looks longer and slimmer, which always reads more polished and dressier when it comes to footwear.
2. They're the lazy man's dream shoe: Brands are spending a lot of effort to figure out how to get rid of laces on sneakers in 2017. Adidas keeps churning out sock-like sneakers and after 30+ years of promises, Nike is actually making self-lacing running shoes. Those innovations are impressive, but Vans mastered the whole laceless design thing 40 years ago. And the OG Classic's lace-free silhouette isn't just easy to wear, it's also a solution for common style dilemmas like easily getting through airport security and packing for a vacation where there's no dress code.
3. The pattern will get you noticed for the right reasons: While it's not trademarked, the checkerboard pattern on Vans' slip-ons is practically synonymous with the brand. The graphic check design also happens to be trending hard in 2017. It's one of the few bold patterns out there that can be both a neutral base (anything pairs well with black-and-white) and the highlight of an outfit, which is the hallmark of any great piece.
4. They're your summer wedding secret weapon: Frank Ocean wore his checkerboard slip-on Vans with a navy blue suit to the White House, and you can do the same to any dressed-up occasion you have coming up—especially when wedding season hits. These dressier versions of the iconic sneaker are more fun than your basic dress shoe and a hell of a lot more comfortable. Unless the dress code calls for black tie, consider these your best bet.
Bottega Veneta brought its knack for crafting beautiful leathergoods—and its signature 'Intrecciato' woven leather technique—to an uber-upscale version of a slip-on sneaker. These sneakers are made of a premium Italian suede (as opposed to Vans' hardy canvas) that we wouldn't suggest wearing poolside, on grass, or anywhere outside, really (though they're still aces for zipping through airport security). And for that reason, despite how expensive they look and, well, are, these pricey versions couldn't topple our top pick. That said, if you're a man who likes the finer things in life and has the bank account to support it, buy these in every color they come in.
The Wooster, named after street style god Nick Wooster, is the slip-on sneaker for the man for whom even a tasteful checkboard pattern hits OTT territory. Created by Greats, the company that's Warby Parker-izing the sneaker game, these minimalist kicks are a great value. The $159 price tag might be higher than our number one choice, but for that price you're getting a pair of made-in-Italy sneakers that would otherwise cost $400 (that's the power of the direct-to-consumer business model). They're more luxe-y looking than the Vans but less precious than the Bottega Veneta slip-ons, not to mention they come in an top-quality full-grain leather upper (way easier to clean than suede). The simple navy-and-white color scheme is the safest bet if you want to wear them under a suit, but at the end of the day there's just no competing with the impact of that iconic checkerboard.
