1. Fila Men’s Strada Disruptor
2. Adidas Originals Women’s Falcon Athletic Shoe
3. PUMA Men’s Thunder Spectra Sneaker
4. Globe Men’s Fusion
5. Champion Mens 93Eighteen SP Block Sneaker
6. Skechers Men’s Dlt-a Oxford
7. Nike M2K Tekno Men’s Shoes
8. Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Inchwave Runner
Dad Shoe Buying Guide And FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of Dad Shoes
With so much retro-style choice out there, we needed to get focused to ensure we brought you the very best dad shoe trendsetters. Rather than just dipping our toes in, we went in deep and used the following criteria to come up with our ultimate list of chunky dad shoe fashion.
Reviews – we checked out all the user reviews and first-hand customer feedback to know that all of our top ten best dad shoes are totally wearable and desirable.
Brand – not all sneaker brands cry out dad shoe chic so we filtered our list down to those brands that give the retro chunky shoe styling but are also bang up to date on the street, so you can be sure you are a leader of the dad-fash pack.
Price – fashion, especially dad shoe fashion – doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank so we also looked at what you get for your money, from materials used, quality styling, ease of wear and versatility. Your dad would be proud as we totally want you to get value for your money!
The wonderful thing about fashion trends is that they never really go away. If they did, we wouldn't be here reading up on Dad shoes. Much like Mom jeans, this blast from the past has become an integral part of contemporary fashion and it's practically storming the market. The thing is, this once generic footwear now comes in a range of designs and styles that you need to know how to navigate. You can't walk blindly here, you need to make an informed decision. The road to doing this is not as straightforward as you'd like.
Just as it is with any well-sought-after product, shoe manufacturers are going wild. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned one, a little guidance here and there never hurt anyone. In order to ensure that you get it right the first time (and then the next), here is some much-needed information.
Features To Look For In Dad Shoes
Every product out on the market has certain qualities you need to look out for. If you miss it at this stage, then there's really no getting it right. The same principle applies when it comes to the process of looking for the best dad shoes. There's an array of retro-styled shoes out there for your consideration, so weeding out the top contenders is the only way to actually make a purchase.
If you aren't quite sure what these features are, there's no need to panic. You don't need to do all that research, we've done it for you and we went all in too. Below are some well-vetted things to look out for if you're looking to get the best option for you. At the end of the day, expect nothing less than the best chunky dad shoes out there.
Style - Dad shoes are simply dad shoes right? To the untrained eye, they may all look the same. But there's an array of designs out there being released by different brands on a daily basis. They definitely want you to get them while they are hot. Navigating this crowded market in a bid to find the one is not impossible, but it's hard. You need to iron out some things first and at the forefront, there is your own sense of style. Once you get to a place where your style and these chunky kicks converge, you're on the right path.
For the most part of it, you'll find the usual monster heeled designed out there. Then there's the design that really gives you that raise you need with the addition of a platform silhouette. Obviously, there's a handful more out there, the key thing is that you go for something that speaks to your personal sense of style. Don't just wear dad shoes because everyone else is, take your time to do some searching and you're sure to land a pair that fits right into your wardrobe.
Comfort - When in doubt, choose the comfortable option. Yes, there are other things to look out for, such as durability and design. But if you have all these in the box and the shoes aren't comfortable, at the end of the day, you'll lose out. For this reason, it's important to take a closer look at certain components of the shoes. The outsole is a great place to start, it has to be able to offer up all the support you need while you go about your business. The midsole is another area that you need to pay attention to. Most brands out there employ patented technology to ensure that it literally gives you that spring in your step. In addition to this, you need to make sure the pair of shoes you finally buy are balanced. Anything that affects your stride will not be comfortable in any way. Even worse, it could lead to worlds of pain in the near future. There's no sacrificing when it comes to balancing as a whole.
Besides all this, ensure that the shoes are made using breathable material. This is a great way to keep sweat and odors at bay. Also, no one particularly enjoys it when the feet get too hot, all in all, breathability is key.
Fit - When it comes to all sorts of footwear, this is a serious point of contention. This particular feature works hand in hand with comfort to ensure that you get the most out of the pair of shoes you pick. Typically, these are dressing shoes, so while you want them snug, you do not want to go for a pair that's more on the right side. Of course, there's really no joy in having your foot slip out of your shoes now and then. It's all together, another level of discomfort. But it's equally more uncomfortable when you practically cut off the blood flow to your feet.
So, go for something that fits just right; have enough wiggle room for your toes, but a firm, yet gentle grip around the ankles. If you stick to this formula, there's really no going wrong. For people who aren't going in-store to buy these shoes, it's important to study the size charts on the merchant website. In fact, study these charts religiously in order to find the right size. It doesn't end there though, equally scour through the reviews to get the lowdown on the all-around sizing of the pair you want. Sometimes you need to go a size up and down. Regardless, simply getting the right size at the end of the day is the aim.
Dad Shoe FAQ
Q: What are dad shoes?
A: Merely looking at the phrase 'dad shoes' points to the fact that this form of footwear was/is widely appreciated by dads. First of all, it's important to know that these shoes first cropped up during the retro era and, as it is implied, they were widely worn by dads. These shoes are a form of kicks that were mostly considered ugly and uncomely back in the day. In fact, to date, the jury is still out on whether these shoes are worthy of the fashion trend status they've attained.
Spotting dad shoes in a room is not a hard feat at all. They're those chunky heeled kicks, that have a sort of sporty appeal to them. They usually come with a double or triple sole attached and as such, it gives the wearer a sort of boost. Additionally, you'll find that most dad shoes are quite sturdily constructed and as such, they often offer up maximum comfort. It's like walking on clouds if you find yourself a good pair.
With these shoes, it has never really been about aesthetics. It was all about functionality, which actually isn't weird. A long list of style trends rekindled in the modern-day stem from things that were solely functional. Take your Mom jeans, pussy-bow blouses, Aviator sunglasses, leather jackets, and even corsets. Altogether, when it comes to dad shoes, they were comfortable back then and they are comfortable now. The fact that they don't look that great is a trend all on its own and part of their appeal.
Q: Who started the dad shoe trend?
A: There's a lot of buzz out there about who actually brought this footwear back from the dead. Just like most fashion trends do, this one started right on the catwalk. It's not uncommon for designers to bring back old trends and refurbish them to fit our 21st-century dress sense. Nevertheless, there are some that trace it's growing popularity back to the trend with Adidas Stan Smith.
Since it was released in 2014, it has caused quite a ripple effect. Celebrities now sport these 'ugly' shoes with their suave outfits and guess what? It works! Whether some are wearing it in an ironic sense or not, you've got to admit that the style has totally been reinvented. As aforementioned, Mom jeans stormed the world the same way, and it honestly does seem like these trends are still evolving.
Q: Are chunky sneakers still in 2020?
A: This retro style is pretty much alive and present in 2020. Who's to tell what might happen as the year progresses? Nevertheless, the style and design of these shoes have changed since they first gained popularity. First, it was the ultra chunkiness that sort of gave way for the platform silhouettes that a lot of people are sporting these days.
Both of these styles are being worn by fashion icons like the Kardashians and other trendsetters in the biz. It's common knowledge that once it has the Kardashian stamp of approval, it's definitely going to spread like wildfire. Being fashion icons and influencers have given them the power to proclaim that it's an acceptable trend now.
It's not just the Kardashian-Jenner Clan that are loving this trend though. If you check out the Instagram scene, you'll be sure to find a lot of the style icons and influencers on there sporting these chunky shoes. Even more, if you take a magnifying glass to the streets, the story is the same. This style has somehow found a way to be sporty, loud and even suave. All in all, you best believe that it's a legit style trend to follow.
