Great Sneakers to Transition from Winter to Spring

When you’re not quite time for pure white kicks

A little bit of dark and a smidge of bright blend the seasons properly (image: Veja).

The seasons are finicky, especially in late winter. One moment, it’s 30 degrees, and the next day it’s 65 degrees with full sun. We want our footwear to be able to make those adjustments quickly, so we’re spending less time in our lug-soled leather work boots these days and more time in some good comfy sneakers that can handle some of the drab look and the slippery conditions of this fickle time of year.

A pair of transitional sneakers can do the trick. This means no fully white sneakers that can get too dirty easily when spring hasn’t quite sprung. Look for a mixed colorway with some darker features, great cushioning, a high traction outsole, and the ability to be worn with shorts or slacks equally. Here are our best choices for sneakers that can toe the line between winter and spring.

Seavees SeaChange LTT in Sage

Seavees are always seriously comfortable and great summer sneakers when clad in all white. But these fully recycled green canvas versions are brilliant for late winter/early spring thanks to the fresh sage color. The uppers are made with seaweed-derived fibers, and the “Power grip” outsolde is made from a combination of natural rubber and recycled rubber. The old-school vulcanization process adds rigidity and durability, so these will last for years. Plus, they wouldn’t look out of place when paired with jeans, khakis, shorts, and even a laid-back tan suit. We dare you.

New Balance 574

574s are iconic New Balance sneakers, and these comfy sneakers are made better with a blue, cream, and grey colorway. The fuzzy suede uppers nod to winter, while the overall look is ready for warmer weather. The blue uppers have a denim-like texture, and the white laces and red tongue label brighten thing up just right. the EVA foam cushioning makes long days on foot easier, and the high traction lug-like sole keeps you sure-footed. They’re also just right for the change from summer to fall.

Cariuma Catiba Pro Low

Cariumas might be inspired by skating culture, but they’re solid sneakers for just about every guy. We especially like the Catiba Pro lowtop with gum outsoles not just because of the high-traction gum sole’s practicality but also because they contrast so well with the cream colored organic cotton canvas uppers and prominent black logo. The Catiba Lows also utilize suede trim sourced from Leather Working Group-certified Gold Rated tanneries. The cork and bio-based foam insoles mold to your foot for ideal comfort. Finally, the gum outsoles are vulcanized and fully stitched down. Not bad for just under 90 bucks.

Nike ACG Lowcate

If there’s one pair of winter-to-spring sneakers in this set that can do a trail run straight from the office, it’s the Nike ACG Lowcate. The rubber outsole is comprised of a heavy-duty lug pattern for excellent traction for off-pavement adventures, while the mixed-materials uppers keep things classically Nike. The Lowcates even get an underfoot trailframe for additional support when carrying heavy pack loads. The mesh panels are highly breathable to keep your feet cool, and the pull tabs on the tongue make ingress and egress easier, as well as allowing you to clip them to your bag or pack in a cinch. The light grey and blue colorway is our favorite for the season.

adidas Grand Court 2.0

Aside from versions in white, it’s hard to get more classic sneaker than the Grand Court 2.0, an updated version of the original that improves on comfort thanks to better flexibiliyt and more support from the Cloudfoam midsole. The navy suede uppers look and feel great, and the rubber outsole provides excellent traction. The Grand Court 2.0 is also made with at least 20 percent recycled materials, so you’ll look good and feel good about yourself. These will look superb with a pair of slim-cut khakis.

Nothing New Verge

If you’re a fan of style but don’t care much for mainstream brand names, the Verge from Nothing New are a great choice. They’re retro-stylish but still low-on-the-radar. We love the dark colorway with white highlights that make it just right for this time of year. High traction soles make on or off-pavement traction a breeze. The EVA midsole and Ortholite insoles provide hours of comfort. They’re also made from 100 percent sustainable materials, meaning they not just durable but have a lower environmental impact and footprint.

Veja Rio Branco Alveomesh

The Rio Brancos are aesthetically trim in the uppers but still have a robust and lug-gy outsole. The uppers use a materia Alveomesh is a technical fabric made out exclusively of recycled polyester. It brings breathability, flexibility and lightness to the shoe. The suede portions of the upper are specifically used from the underside of bovine leather that’s been brushed for softness. It’s even sustainable and coated with natural oils to keep rain off, perfect for the unpredictability of spring weather. The white V logo and the red heel tab provide just the right amount of contrasting pop.

New Balance NB Numeric Tom Knox

Another pair of New Balance sneakers are worth mentioning, and they’re actually skateboard-friendly sneakers inspired by football shoes. Its namesake comes from the famed UK pro skateboarder, and the gum sole makes them nice and grippy. FuelCell foam lends to good propulsion, and the FantomFit upper provides good lateral support. We love the light beige, tan, and blue uppers that looks downright classic. Combined with the gum sole, they’re great for khakis, jeans, and shorts. You can even bridge these through three seasons without skipping a beat.