Manly Stuff: sweet new kicks for summer

Supposedly summer is coming. Here on the beautiful BC west coast, we have been having the strangest weather lately: sun, hail, snow, rain, then sun again in a single day! When oh when will summer come with its long, languid days of sunshine?? For now, we wait, and until then, one can think about what to wear in those hot sunny days. My personal belief is that summer calls for some new summer shoes! Since I don't really like a lot of guys' sandals, I thought instead of looking for some stylish sneakers instead! Unlike sandals, sneakers can be worn all year long, though ideally in summer when there isn't so much rain or snow to muck them up.


In particular, I will be answering with this post a way past overdue question by a buddy of mine who was looking for new shoes that were hot, yet not punishing on the wallet. Here are a few options I found that would look great in summer and which are all under $100:



My first pick are these casual-cool Timberland Urban Jardim slip-ons in Parchment. The colors are fresh and neutral, meaning you can wear them with anything boys! Plus slip-ons are great for wearing to the beach; just kick them off and dig your little toes in the sand. $64, Zappos.



If you're more into a classic-preppy look, then these Polo Ralph Lauren shoes are perfect for you. Nothing is more classic sneaker than a black sneaker with white laces - and the Ralph Lauren logo on the sides just ups that prepster feel. However, if black is not your thing, then these shoes also come in a whole bunch of colors ranging from white to orange! At $59 each, why not buy the whole rainbow? Available at Zappos.
Puma always has great options for men's shoes and these GV Special Gold Rush shoes do not disappoint. The style is classic, yet funky with its swathe of gold and bright green suede toes and laces. These shoes are versatile too, going with everything from dark denim jeans, to khaki shorts, and from school to the club. $55.99, Dr Jays.




Another great option from Puma are these El Rey Sex Pistols slide-ons. These shoes have a little rock n' roll/emo style to them I think, which would be perfect for those summer outdoor concerts, or an afternoon drinking beers on a bar patio. $43.99, Dr. Jays.



If you're into bright colorful sneakers like I am, these Court Pump Victory Retros by Reebok are just right for you. The bright yellows, greens, and blues of these shoes just scream summer and the retro design make them even funner. $95.99, Dr. Jays.



I love love love these shoes by Evisu! I really envy men for having such unique stylistic options in their footwear - you just don't get shoes like these in the women's section! These shoes feature the Evisu logo on the side with printed Buddha faces on the back heel, interior, and as a gold colored tag dangling from the shoe. Nobody has shoes like these babies. $99, Dr. Jays.