So I Asked My Dad to Review Dad Sneakers
My dad knows nothing about fashion. He's gone through phases where he wears a fishing vest (great for storage) and a ranger hat (full sun coverage). These days, though, it seems the man is ahead of the trends. While he's been wearing thick-soled sneakers and Birkenstocks for as long as I can remember, it's only in the last few years that I've seen my peers gravitate toward the same trends.
So now that "dad" sneakers have reached full-blown cult status, what does an OG think about the trend? I decided to pester him for an answer (and encourage a few of my co-workers to do the same with their fathers too). The resulting text messages have managed to crack us up, confuse us, and even offend us a little bit. The overarching consensus? "Dad" shoes are still a bit of a mystery to dads.
So while to some of us, it's no surprise that Balenciaga can't seem to keep its Triple S sneakers in stock, there's a big difference between a trend and its source of inspiration. Read on to see exactly what real dads think about those "ugly" sneakers you've seen on every street style star, and then shop some out for yourself (and maybe don't ask your father for his opinion first).




Shop the Sneakers

-
If You're as Against Wearing Sneakers With Jeans as I Am, Trust Me—This Outfit Will Change Your MindSpotted on Jennifer Lawrence in NYC.
-
7 Elegant Outfits Well-Dressed People Are Wearing With Sneakers Instead of BootsMore comfortable but just as chic.
-
Fashionable People Would Like These Fall Trends From Shopbop's Surprise SaleSuede! Jeans! Sneakers!
-
Confirmed: Jeans and a T-shirt Are So Much Less Boring When Worn With This Winter Sneaker TrendStep aside, neutral kicks.
-
I Walk Over 5 Miles a Day Working in Manhattan—Here's an Editor-Approved City Girl's Guide to Fall ShoesPlus, how I'd style them.
-
I Hate to Say It, But It's Time to Set Aside These 5 "Dated" Sneaker TrendsThe new guard of It sneakers.
-
Everyone Cool in New York Is Wearing This New Sneaker Instead of Loafers, Ballet Flats, and BootsIt's the hardest-to-source sneaker in fashion right now.
-
These Are the Surprising Shoe Trends Gen Z Is Styling With Everyday Outfits for the Rest of 2025Niche, weird, and unconventional.

