The Trainer, $98 [available in seven colors]
Normcore is in right now. Or that's what I hear (and see). These sneakers...well, they're definitely normcore.
With style writers in an endless existential debate over the meaning of Allbirds for the world of fashion, the hype surrounding Everlane's Tread must surely sound like a death knell. But even as someone who hasn't quite fully embraced the dad-chic aesthetic (though full disclosure, I'm an unabashed fan of Allbirds), I found that the Tread sneakers were an easy fit in my footwear rotation.
They're simple and chunky, but they actually looked great — if I do say so myself — with a pair of slim tapered jeans. I had the black pair with white soles, for what it's worth, and liked the contrast offered by the soles. Anyone who's seen the rebirth of those plain white chunky Reeboks and Adidas sneakers will find that these fit right in, with a slightly more contemporary profile.
They were also quite comfortable, and seem to run true-to-size, if not a tad snug, so if you're usually between sizes I might suggest going up. I have medium-to-high arches, and found that I could stand for at least an hour without any discomfort. The soles are thick enough that peddling a bike was easy, and, although I've only had them for a few days, they seem like they'll hold up as well as any comparable, less sustainably produced shoe.
At $98, they're a bit pricey for a plain shoe, but considering their comfort and minimal environmental impact, I'd recommend these. — David Slotnick, Insider Picks senior reporter