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Best Simple Sneakers Reviewed & Rated
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
Simple shoes have a plethora of technologies that use to make their shoes both versatile and as comfortable as possible. These technologies come in nuanced forms, so it is initially rather difficult to discern that they are even there. With that being said, they do greatly enhance the user-experience.
Memory Foam Footbed: Many Simple Brand shoes come with a minimal midsole that is enhanced through the use of Memory Foam. This foam conforms to the curves of the wearer’s foot and makes it relatively easy to enjoy the time that one spends in their shoe while it is on foot.
Rubber sole: While this portion of a shoe may not seem like the most important, it does play an integral in the enjoyment that one receives from their favorite pair of sneakers. The rubber that a sole unit is designed from ensures that one is able to achieve a decent grip from their shoes. For many, the grip that the shoe receives may not seem like a very important part of a shoe; it really is though. In the background, a shoe’s grip makes sure that one doesn’t fall. It allows shoes to achieve a level of friction that otherwise wouldn’t have been there.
Comfort
Many Simple shoes are hailed for the comfort that they deliver to wearer’s feet. This is in part due to some of the technology that is incorporated (memory foam) and in part to a few of the stylistic elements that Simple incorporated into the design of their shoes.
Padded upper: Many of the shoes on this list have a somewhat far-reaching upper. The material that they are designed with is stretched and filled with padding so that the wearer’s feet don’t have to deal with the discomfort that stems from the material not being there. It reduces movement to allow for a greater level of comfort to be delivered to the wearer.
Tight lacing: For many, the tightness of the lacing is almost everything. If the lacing that comes with the shoe can’t reduce overall movement while in the shoe it isn’t doing its job. With that, the lacing that comes with the shoe is configured to ensure that the foot deals with as little movement while in the shoe as possible.
Style
Simple designs many styles of shoes; all of them have their unique quirks that allow them to function at a high level. Many of them deliver extreme levels of comfort and ensure that wearers have what they need in order to function to their fullest while in the shoe. With that being said, the styles that Simple Brand tends to stick to are listed below.
Chukka: The chukka is a shoe that extends up to the ankle. Its design is intended to deliver both a supportive and cushioned feel while one wears it. Generally, Chukka’s are designed from thicker materials and are a bit more durable than the average shoe.
Loafer: Loafer is essentially one of the easiest brands to pair with other clothing items. They are designed from thin materials and allow wearers to have an extreme level of comfort while the shoes are in use. Simple designs their loafers from materials that allow them to really give wearer what they’d need in order to still maintain flexibility while worn as well; considering that many loafers are generally thicker than the average, this is a huge plus.
Skate Shoe: Simple’s go-to shoe design is that of the skating shoe. This model of shoe generally gives wearers what they’d need in terms of comfort and has a higher level of grip than other shoes.
Materials
To receive a quality shoe means that one receives a shoe that can consistently be worn without having to worry about future damage of the shoe. It means that the shoe’s design is one that doesn’t show many flaws and will look and feel rather nice right out of the box (typically). Simple is known for designing shoes that are of a high quality in terms of both design and feel.
One of the main reasons for this is that many of their shoes are imported and are specifically designed to give wearer’s everything that they’d need in terms of wear and comfort. Several of their shoe designs come with a leather upper that is extremely durable and will consistently manage to last despite the excess damage that is possible for the shoe to experience while the wearer is out and walking in the specific shoe.
The use of rubber in several of the sole units of Simple’s shoes ensures that wearers don’t have to worry about the possible damage that their shoes deal with while they are out exploring in their specific shoe design.
Fit
We all know how hard it can be sometimes to find the perfect pair of shoes that we not only love, but that also fit snugly and comfortably. With so many styles, brands, colors and models, how can one compare hundreds of supposed “size 10s”?
To assess for trueness-to-size, we considered the opinions of thousands of wearers from across the globe to find out the answer to the ultimate question: do these 10s fit like a 10? While some things can give you a hint as to whether they will fit true, small or large; like brand name, shoe type and year of make; we believe that the opinion of buyers cannot be wrong. If they say the shoe doesn’t fit the way it’s supposed to, then you won’t find it in our 10-best list.
You will find that a pair of shoes or boots or sandals that score high on this metric tend to experience a trueness-to-size that was verified by our large community of sampled buyers. Just don’t forget to take into account the factors above to also make sure your favorite pair will fit you perfectly.
Top 10 Simple Sneakers
1. Retro-91
The simple retro-91 is one of those shoes whose look simply can’t be passed up when initially viewed. It has a minimal design and is meant to provide wearers with both a comfortable and pleasurable experience overall. With that being said, the shoe’s outstanding features come from the likes of sole unit and rubber design as well as it’s upper and cushioned inner portion.
Rubber Sole
The sole unit on this shoe is fashioned from a sticky rubber material. Although this Simple brand shoe is not designed for hard-core activities such as running and skateboarding a level of grip could definitely come in handy anywhere that this Simple shoe is used. For instance, when simply taking a walk, the grip provided by this material could be the difference between one slipping and falling on their faces in a slippery area or effectively managing to get through the area without falling.
Forefoot
The upper on this model of this retro style shoe is designed from a suede textured material. This material is great for those who would like their shoes to look consistently smooth. In addition to the suede in the upper of this shoe, Simple brand added a leather textured material onto the forefoot area. The use of this material allows the shoe to comfortably provide individuals with what they’d need in terms of protection for their foot. It also comfortable contrasts the suede design of the rest of the upper.
Cost and value
In terms of cost, this is another Simple sneaker that manages to be a bit higher on the spectrum, in respect to all other Simple shoes. The quality with which the shoe was designed and the materials incorporated allows this shoe to still provide value to the wearer though. In addition to this, the nuanced features such as the toe area and sole unit manage to allow this shoe to be a bit more versatile than one would initially expect.
2. Wingman-D
The simple wingman d is a Simple shoe whose features allow it to subtly stand out in any atmosphere that it is presented in. This shoe has the design of a minimal fashion sneaker which allows it to blend in quite easily with whatever outfit that one would like to wear. With that in mind, the upper of this Simple brand shoe is designed from a chambray fabric and is quite breathable. The shoe toe box is also something to pay attention to, for reasons discussed later on in this post.
Chambray Upper
The upper on this Simple shoe is designed from a chambray fabric. Chambray is both breathable and flexible, characteristics that are definitely transferred to the foot of the wearer. In addition to this, the use of this material allows these shoes to blend in with almost any article of clothing(besides dress wear) that one would like to wear. In very much the same way that a pair of jeans are able to go with virtually anything, the chambray make of the upper is very good at being able to blend with various articles of clothing.
Midsole
The midsole on this Simple sneaker is designed from a rubber material. The cool thing about it is that it is waved in the forefoot area. The use of waving in this area gives the shoe a bit of style and takes away from the simple design of this Simple shoe. Of course, this gives the shoe a bit of flair, which is something that is always welcomed in shoes of this design.
Cost and Value
The cost of these Simple shoes is relatively insignificant. The comfort and versatility that is native to the design give them all the value that they would honestly need. For instance, due to the inexpensive design of this Simple shoes model, they are able to be worn in almost all places with very little clashing. For the individual who seeks versatility and simplicity, these shoes are for you.
3. Pipeline-1
The pipeline by Simple is a shoe that manages to be stylish while maintaining a wholly comfortable design. The sole unit on this shoe is definitely a sight for sore eyes due to the use of patterning and contrast throughout. The upper is utterly basic and has very few overlays or outstanding qualities; which is where the appeal of this model seems to come from.
Plain Upper
Like many of the uppers on this list, the upper of the Pipeline sneaker is designed to provide wearers with all that they’d need in order to consistently enjoy their shoe. The plain nature of the shoe allows it to be worn in various areas and with several different types of clothing.
Outsole
The outsole on this shoe is simply a beauty. It has a textured design which allows it to work rather well to deliver grip to the wearer. But, on that same token, the textured design improves the look of this shoe tremendously; it makes the sole unit stand out against the plain design of the rest of the shoe.
Cost and value
This is yet another pair of Simple shoes that manages to be on the lower end of the cost spectrum. The Simple sneaker’s upper and sole unit is what gives it the value that wearers will need when seeking to mix and match different colored clothing. This style of shoes is definitely not something that is seen every day and thus needs to have adequate attention paid to it.
4. Dare-1
The Simple shoe Dare 1 is a loafer with an elegant slip-on design. These shoes make an incredibly viable choice for those who would like to just pick their shoes up and go without worrying about much else. Every single feature of these shoes design all for simplicity in both wear and usage capabilities.
Slip-on Design
A shoe with a slip-on design is a shoe that can easily provide wearers with all that they’d need in terms of ease of use. Slip-on designs reduce tightness due to their expandable(stretchy) nature. In addition to this, the materials in this shoe are designed to expand to fit the width to the wearer’s foot; this feature is completely necessary because of the complications that their omissions could bring to the wearer.
Comfort
Both the slip-on design and the materials that this Simple sneaker is made from are put in place to ensure that one receives all of the comforts that they’d need while in use. The D-1’s have uppers designed from canvas material; a material that is both breathable and meant to be stretchy. The Gore-tex lining allows for ease of use with this model, which is something that is regularly featured in the designs of slip-on shoes.
Cost and Value
In terms of cost, these Simple shoes tend to err more on the higher end of the spectrum, at least in comparison to other shoes of the Simple shoe line. With that being said, this jump in price is due to the materials and the care that was placed into the making of the actual shoe. They still provide wearer’s with value simply because of the incorporation of slip-on features and the inherent comfort that the shoe provides.
5. Waveoff
With the Waveoff, Simple decided to do a few things a bit differently. For starters, although the upper on this shoe is designed from a canvas material, it has a texture unlike anything that has been seen on this list previously. The sole unit, for reasons discussed throughout, also stands out quite a bit from that which is generally experienced by shoes of this type.
Sole Unit
The sole unit of this Simple show is designed from rubber. As mentioned in the introduction to this wonderful shoe, the rubber in the sole unit of this model is designed from a hardened rubber which is a great material for gripping. The material is also textured which allows the shoe to provide adequate grip when in use. The toe area of the midsole is waved as well which slowly introduces the shoe’s stylistic elements to the wearer.
Canvas Upper
The upper on the Waveoff-1 is designed from canvas material. The cool thing about this Simple sneaker is that this material introduces contrasting qualities to the shoe design. For instance, the Simple shoe has a somewhat knit texture in the upper that is very unlike the typical roughness that canvas presents to wearers.
Cost and Value
These Simple shoes just so happen to fall on the relatively low end of the spectrum in terms of pricing. They deliver adequate comfort to their wearer’s as well as a stylish design that goes unmatched by various other models of shoe. The value delivered by this model stems from the cushioning and the uniqueness that is the model itself; not many other shoes have a look or feel that is quite like this one.
6. Osneaker-l
The Osneaker by Simple is a shoe whose design is, again, wholly simple. This Simple brand shoe features a plain colored upper designed from a leather material. The rest of the features are built to stand out and are nuance so as to consistently provide the wearer with a semblance of style. The features of this shoe that stand out the most are the shoe’s footbed and the materials of the upper.
Footbed
The Osneaker Simple brand shoes feature a memory foam footbed. Do you understand how comfortable that makes this shoe feel? The memory foam allows this shoe to cushion every step that one takes while these shoes are worn. The foam in this shoe works wonders to give the wearer all that they’d need in terms of comfort when out for regular excursions.
Leather Upper
The upper on these Simple sneakers is designed from leather material. Using this material allows the shoes to be both a bit more durable than it’s thinner mesh and sewn counterparts. Leather has a dense nature which allows the shoe to protect the forefoot of the wearer.
Cost and Value
The price of these Simple shoes is a bit higher than that which is average; it’s still not as high as one would think though. The materials in this shoe promise to deliver both comfort and protection to the wearer’s foot. With that, the value of this shoe stems from the materials that are incorporated into its design.
7. Dart Slip-On
The Dart Slip-on is a loafer that makes dress an incredibly simple matter. The materials in this Simple design, as well as the simplicity with which they were pieced together, allows these shoes to be a viable option for any who would need a shoe to lounge in. The sole unit is partly designed from memory foam while the upper makes great use of canvas material throughout its design.
Memory Foam
The sole unit or mainly the footbed of this Simple shoe is designed from a memory foam material. The upside about using memory foam in the footbed of the shoe is that it conforms to the curves of the foot easily. This means that the shoe easily introduces comforting elements to the wearer’s foot.
Upper
The upper of the shoe also makes great use of a canvas material. The canvas in the upper of the shoe allows the wearer to have a decent level of breathability as well as conformity in its design. Directly underneath the canvas in the upper is a lining which keeps the foot from directly experiencing the materials possible brashness.
Cost and Value
With those things being mentioned, this Simple shoe is definitely inexpensive. Everything about the shoe design allows it to provide considerable levels of comfort to all parts of the foot. The materials incorporated into the shoe’s immediate design also allows the shoe to get everything that it would need in terms of value to the wearer.
8. Centric-L
Simple lied. They said that all of their Simple shoes would be designed with pure simplicity and comfort in mind. But, the design of this shoe definitely doesn’t fit that motto. The Centric-L fashion sneaker features a design which allows wearers to enjoy a stylish and comfortable upper as well as unique contrasting colors in place all throughout the design.
Contrasting Colors
Both the upper and the sole unit do a great job of standing out against one another. The materials in the sole unit allow this shoe to provide wearers with what they’d need in terms of style. The upper comes in a chambray-like canvas material that stands out quite well against the bright colors in the sole unit.
Comfortable Upper
The upper in this Simple shoe model is designed from a chambray material. This and the fact that the upper is lined with a material that reduces the friction native to chambray is a wonderful thing. The upper is also cushioned and hightop fashioned which allows it to provide comfort for the majority of sections of the wearer’s feet.
Cost and Value
Relative to the price of the rest of the Simple brand shoes, the price of the Centric-L sneaker is about midrange. This cushioning and stylish design of the upper, as well as the contrasting qualities that are intrinsic to the shoe, allows the Waltham to provide immediate value to the wearer.
9. Barney-91
For those who didn’t know, Simple also designs Chukka boots. The Barney 91 is a shoe whose design ensures that wearers are able to be both stylish and comfortable while traversing the terrain of their choice. The full lace design of the shoe and the cushioning on the inner portion of the upper ensures that wearers will be able to receive that comfort that they need while the shoe is in use.
Full-lace Design
The design of the upper on this Simple shoe is one that allows wearers to receive ample protection and support when in use. The lacing on this Simple shoe ties all the way to the top of the boot which allows the shoe to fit as snuggly as the wearer would need it to. This ensures that one would have a rather difficult time slipping or sliding out of the boot.
Cushioning
The upper of the Chucka has cushioning in place all throughout the design. The use of this cushioning allows wearers to receive the level of comfort that they’d need when the shoe is in use. It also works to prevent the wearer’s foot from receiving damage when walking.
Cost and Value
The Barney is relatively inexpensive as well; this is somewhat befuddling considering the fact that the shoe has an immense level of high-quality features incorporated into the Simple shoe's design. The good thing about this inefficiency is that it ensures that wearer’s receive value as soon as the shoes are purchased. From the sole unit to the upper of the shoe, everything about the Barney-91 is meant to please the wearer.
10. Centric
The Centric is a classic shoe for an individual with simple, refined tastes. These shoes feature a design that is very much indicative of what an individual will normally find when purchasing a pair of simple shoes. They have a typical wingman design with no overlays in sight when initially viewed. These are shoes for individuals who like a casual design that stems from a textile upper and a solid rubber outsole.
Textile Upper
The upper on the simple Wigman is designed primarily from a textile material. This material makes sure that the shoe has a bit of texture incorporated into it’s upper. Textile has a rigid look that makes the foot simply look and feel wonderful. The lining in the upper also ensures that the foot receives ample airflow while they’re worn.
Rubber Sole
These shoes are designed for basic activities but, can also be used for things such as skateboarding. Solid rubber outsoles typically work best for gripping flat surfaces such as skateboards. In addition to this, the fact that the shoe outsole is flat means that wearers have an incredibly easy time riding and staying on top of their respective boards.
Cost and Value
The Simple brand itself is known for being relatively inexpensive. Most of their Simple shoes sell for a price that can be considered by most to be affordable and value driven. With that, these shoes follow that trend rather well. With a price that accentuates the key features of the shoe, the Centric is designed to deliver value. The comfortable upper and grip imbued sole unit make sure that wearer’s get what they need and more when they wear these Simple sneakers.
Sources
- , Simple Shoes : Help Get Quality Footwear Back on Your Feet, Website
- , Finally Got My , Website