Best sneakers for men in 2027: the 5 styles worth buying

The best sneakers for men in 2027 are five styles rather than five models: a clean white leather low-top, a slim retro trainer, a retro runner, an all-black pair and one high-top. If you buy one pair this year, make it the white low-top; if you buy two, add the slim trainer or the black pair, depending on whether your week is more weekend or more office.

Between them, these five cover lectures, the office, church, weddings, nights out at Osu and long rainy days in Accra. This guide explains why each made the list, what to check before you buy, three outfits for each, how each copes with Ghana's heat, dust and rain, and the order to buy them in.

How did we choose these five?

We picked styles, not models, using four tests: how many outfits a pair works with, how it copes with Accra's weather, how long it is likely to stay in style, and how it fits the way men in Ghana actually dress through the week. We also read the trade forecasts for the 2027 seasons, so the list follows where clothing is heading, not only where it has been.

Two things in those forecasts matter most for sneakers. First, trousers are changing shape. FashionUnited's menswear forecast for spring/summer 2027 reports the return of the pleated trouser, cut with a slight fullness. Fuller trousers need a different shoe than skinny jeans did. Second, fashion editors through 2026 described sneakers moving away from very chunky soles towards slimmer shapes; Marie Claire ran it as slim sneakers are here to stay. Both point the same way: cleaner, lower sneakers that sit well under a fuller trouser.

Forecasts are opinions, not facts, and they don't always agree. That's why every pair on this list is useful even if the trend cools. Nothing here is a one-season buy.

1. Why is the white leather low-top still number one?

Because it matches more outfits than any other shoe you can own. A plain white leather low-top looks right with jeans on Saturday, chinos on Friday, shorts at a beach party and a linen suit at an evening event. No other sneaker covers that range.

Leather also matters in Ghana. Harmattan dust and red earth after rain wipe off smooth leather in seconds, while they sink into canvas and mesh. A good white leather pair can look new for a year or more if you clean it weekly.

What to look for

• Smooth, even leather with no cracking at the toe crease when you bend it.
• A slim or medium sole. Very thick soles look heavier and dated next to 2027's fuller trousers.
• Neat stitching around the toe and heel, with no loose threads.
• A clean glue line where the upper meets the sole. Glue that spills over the edge yellows with time.
• One small accent or none. A coloured heel tab is fine; a busy design limits what it goes with.

Three outfits

1. Weekend: straight dark jeans, a plain white or grey tee, white low-tops.
2. Smart casual: navy chinos, a knitted polo, white low-tops, a leather watch.
3. Event: a cream or light grey linen suit, a light blue shirt, no tie, white low-tops.

Who it's not for

Formal offices and formal events. For those, leather shoes still win. See how to wear a suit with sneakers for where the line sits, and best white sneakers for 2027 for a full buying guide.

2. What is a slim retro trainer, and why buy one in 2027?

A slim retro trainer is a low, narrow sneaker with a thin, flat sole, usually in gum rubber or white. The look comes from old indoor football and training shoes. It grew through 2025 and 2026, and it's the sneaker that best suits where trousers are going.

The reason is proportion. A wide or pleated trouser hem sits neatly over a thin sole and shows a little of the shoe. Under the same trouser, a very chunky sneaker can look like it's wearing the outfit instead of you. With skinny jeans the slim trainer can look a little flat, which is why it's number two and not number one.

What to look for

• Suede or smooth leather uppers. Suede looks richer; leather is easier in the rains.
• A gum or off-white sole. Gum hides dirt and suits earthy colours.
• Neutral colours: white with one stripe, cream, navy, brown or olive.
• A snug fit. Slim trainers are narrow; if you have wide feet, go up half a size.

Three outfits

1. Saturday: pleated cream trousers, a navy knit tee, brown suede trainers.
2. Friday at work: olive chinos, a white oxford shirt with sleeves rolled, white and navy trainers.
3. Evening: wide black trousers, a black or burgundy knitted polo, black trainers with a gum sole.

Ghana notes

Suede trainers are perfect from November to March, when it's dry. Spray them with a protector before the first wear, and in May and June keep a leather pair for wet days. See how to clean suede sneakers.

3. Are retro runners still worth it?

Yes, if comfort is your priority. A retro runner is a running-style sneaker with layered panels, often mesh and suede, and a cushioned sole. It's the most comfortable style on this list for a day that involves walking, standing and travelling.

Runners hold steady rather than lead the trend in 2027. Muted colourways (grey, cream, navy, off-white) will look current for years; very bright, many-coloured pairs date faster. See retro runners: why the style is everywhere.

What to look for

• Breathable mesh panels, which matter in Accra's heat.
• A cushioned sole that doesn't feel mushy. Press the heel with your thumb; it should spring back.
• Muted colours with one accent.

Three outfits

1. Travel day: black joggers, a plain tee, a light overshirt, grey runners.
2. Casual: straight light jeans, a navy sweatshirt on a harmattan morning, cream runners.
3. Street: olive cargo trousers, a white tee, a cap, grey and navy runners. See cargo trousers.

Who it's not for

Anyone who needs one pair that also works with tailoring. Runners look odd with a suit.

4. Why does every man in Accra need a black pair?

Because white sneakers and Accra's rainy season are not friends. Accra's rain peaks in May and June: the 1991 to 2020 climate averages recorded at Kotoka airport show about 151mm of rain in May and 190mm in June, against about 12mm in January. On those days, mud and puddle splashes ruin the look of white shoes. Black hides them.

A black leather sneaker is also the most office-friendly sneaker. In many smart-casual and business-casual offices, a plain black leather pair passes where a white one might not. See sneakers for the office and black sneakers: when they beat white.

What to look for

• All black, including the sole, for office wear. A white sole is more casual.
• Smooth leather that you can wipe dry.
• A plain design with no large logos.

Three outfits

1. Office: charcoal trousers, a white shirt, a navy blazer, black leather sneakers.
2. Rainy day: black jeans, a dark tee, a water-resistant overshirt, black sneakers.
3. Evening: an all-black outfit with a gold or silver watch.

5. Where does a high-top fit in 2027?

As the fifth pair, not the first. High-tops look best with straight or wide trousers that sit on the collar of the shoe. They give a little more cover in the rains and suit a streetwear wardrobe.

They're the least flexible pair on the list: harder to wear with shorts in the heat and with tailoring. If your style is mostly casual and you wear cargos and straight jeans, you might move them up. See low-top vs high-top sneakers.

Three outfits

1. Casual: straight black jeans, a white tee, white high-tops.
2. Street: wide cargo trousers, an oversized tee, black high-tops.
3. Cool evening: dark jeans, a hoodie, cream high-tops. See how to wear a hoodie past 25.

Which material is best for Ghana's weather?

Leather is the best all-round material for Accra. Suede is the best-looking in the dry season. Canvas and mesh are coolest but hardest to keep clean. See suede vs leather sneakers and how to keep white sneakers clean in Accra dust.

Which pair should I buy first?

It depends on your week. Use this table:

Three pairs in rotation last much longer than one pair worn every day, because leather and soles need a day to dry out after the heat. See building a sneaker rotation on a budget.

What about chunky sneakers?

They're not going away, but they're sharing space with slimmer shapes. If you already own a chunky pair, keep wearing it with wide trousers, joggers and cargos. If you're choosing between a chunky pair and a slim trainer this year, the slim trainer is the more flexible buy. See how to style chunky sneakers.

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Buying the trend first. Get the white pair before the fashionable one.
• Buying one pair and wearing it every day. It will wear out twice as fast.
• Ignoring the season. Suede in June and white canvas in harmattan both need extra care.
• Guessing your size. Sizes vary by style. Use the size converter.
• Skipping the first clean. Spray with a protector before the first wear, not after the first stain.

What size should I order?

Most low-tops fit true to size. Slim trainers can run narrow, so go up half a size if your feet are wide. In the heat, feet swell a little through the day, so if you're between sizes, choose the larger one. See how to pick the right sneaker size.

What should I know before ordering from us?

Our sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs: The sneakers are high-quality replicas of popular designs. They are not made, sold or endorsed by Nike, adidas, New Balance or the other brands whose designs they follow. Every product page says so. In Greater Accra you pay on delivery, after checking the pair, and delivery costs GH₵30 to GH₵70 by area. Delivery is free on 2 or more pairs, so buying two of the five at once saves the fee. See what to check when your pair arrives.

Questions

Which sneaker colour is safest for 2027?

White, then black, then cream or grey. See best sneaker colours for 2027.

What's changing in sneakers next year?

Slimmer shapes, more suede and earthier colours. See sneaker trends 2027.

Can I wear white sneakers with a suit?

Yes, at relaxed events, if the suit is light and well fitted and the sneakers are clean leather.

How many pairs do I really need?

Three covers most men: white, black and one for your lifestyle. See how many pairs of shoes does a man really need?.

How long should a good pair last?

With rotation and weekly cleaning, a year or more of regular wear. See how to make your sneakers last longer.

Do these styles work for students?

Yes. See best sneakers for university students in 2027.