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The 15 Best Canvas Sneakers for Guys Who Care About Style

Published on July 29, 2022 by Karlton Miko Tyack · Sneakers May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Looking for a cool pair of canvas sneakers? Here are our favorites.

Table of Contents

  • Quick Take
  • Best Men’s Canvas Sneakers
    • Everlane Forever Sneaker 
    • Koio Portofino
    • Koio Capri
    • Cariuma Catiba Pro
    • Atoms Model 000
    • Vans Canvas SK8 Hi
    • Vans Canvas Authentic
    • Converse Chuck Taylors
    • TOMS Carlo Sneaker
    • New Republic Bowery
    • Nike Chron 2 Canvas
    • Greats Eco Canvas
    • Maison Kitsune Canvas Sneaker
    • Lemaire Canvas Sneaker
    • Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker
  • FAQs About Canvas Sneakers
    • Which Is the Best Canvas Sneaker?
    • Which Brand Is Best for Canvas Shoes?
    • Are Canvas Sneakers Comfortable?
    • What Are Canvas Sneakers Called?
  • Conclusion: From the Beach to the Court to the Streets
Best Canvas Sneakers
The Koio Capri is one of our favorite sneakers here at The Modest Man.

From beach-going vacationers to early aughts skater guys, the canvas sneaker has come to represent an effortless sort of practicality. 

These days, the casual look of this shoe isn’t associated with any particular style subculture. Sporting canvas sneakers is a great way to dial back a biker jacket combination, add a touch of Friday vibes to a blazer outfit, and match the youthful tone of collegiate wear.

That being the case, more than ever, there’s a huge range of canvas sneakers available. Whether you’re looking for a classic no-nonsense pair on the cheap, fun remixes to match your personality or a high-fashion take on this popular basic, all priorities (and budgets) are represented on this list!

Quick Take

Here are our top three recommendations from the list:

Our Pick
Koio Capri Avio Canvas
Koio Capri Avio Canvas
168

The Capri is super durable. It’s handcrafted in Italy from sustainable cotton canvas. The double-stitching throughout, and leather-accented lip offer a premium build and look.

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Budget Pick
New Republic - Bowery Canvas Sneakers
New Republic - Bowery Canvas Sneakers
$24.99

New Republic’s Bowery Sneaker offers outrageous value for money. The eyelet piece of canvas sinks into the outsole which gives it a classic look that’s versatile and easy to wear. 

Buy Now
Upgrade Pick
Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker
Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker
$319

Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker is meticulously handcrafted in Italy, which means every pair is slightly unique from the other. The three-eyelet lacing takes the less-is-more style to the next level.

Buy Now

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Best Men’s Canvas Sneakers

Here are the 15 best men’s canvas sneakers in no particular order.

Everlane Forever Sneaker 

The front piece of canvas on Everlane’s Forever Sneaker wraps all the way around, resulting in an upper that’s even cleaner-looking than the average men’s plimsoll.

This is complemented by a thick outsole that neatly folds over the upper. Even the front “grill” of the sole is embossed instead of slapped on for an uninterrupted silhouette.

Everlane The Forever Sneaker
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It’s lightweight, sustainably sourced, and made with 100% organic cotton and natural rubber. Plus, it’s fully recyclable, hence the “Forever” namesake. 

The Forever comes in white, black, and a unique-to-Everlane shade called Eucalyptus. It’s a cool “koala gray” hue with subtle green undertones that make the canvas texture pop more than they do on the standard colorways.

Regardless of which color you go for, they’re all conveniently machine washable.

Koio Portofino

The Koio Portofino is a sleek take on the standard canvas sneaker.

The leather accents on the collar of the shoe, along with the metal hardware and waxed laces, add just enough sheen to complement the overall matte aesthetic and level up the classic look without going off-template.

Koio Portofino in Mist Canvas
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The front of the shoe is double-stitched, showcasing its fortified construction. These shoes are handcrafted in Italy with recycled organic cotton. The Mist colorway is a distinct light gray with cool undertones.

It can be styled just like any standard white plimsoll but won’t get dirty as easily — or at least as obviously. The Portofinos are unlined to promote breathability, making them an excellent summer shoe.

Koio Capri

Just as the Portofino is a fancied-up plimsoll, Koio gives the standard skater shoe a similar treatment with their Capri shoes.

Koio Capri Avio Canvas
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It has a thick collar that transitions into the back piece of canvas, the six-lacing system, and the cap-style front upper. Still, the double-stitching throughout, waxed lacing, and leather-accented lip offer a more premium build and look.

The Avio colorway is a blue monochrome version that the Portofino doesn’t come in. The color-matched blue outsole almost looks like Vachetta leather, which adds to the high-end aesthetic.

The Capri is also super durable. It’s handcrafted in Italy from sustainable cotton canvas.

Cariuma Catiba Pro

While Cariuma has seemingly endless options when it comes to canvas shoes (including the low-profile OCAs), the Catiba Pro best encapsulates the Cariuma brand.

It combines a Tom’s-esque environmental aesthetic with the skater shoe look and tops it off with some brand-specific qualities that also add a premium feel.

Cariuma Catiba Pro off White
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The upper, for example, has suede accents which add a subtle topography to the shoe. The Cariuma leaf is incorporated onto the sides of the shoe and as a green attachment on the back outsole. It’s abstract enough that the branding isn’t too in-your-face.

With its triple-stitching, grip-engineered sticky gum outsole, and memory foam insole, this shoe is built to be comfortable and durable. On the style front, it comes in several colors, including red, blue, pink, and the signature white with gum-toned outsoles.

Atoms Model 000

Usually, canvas is made by tightly and plainly weaving yarns together, but the Atoms Model 000 is loose and mesh-like, giving it an almost AllBirds look.

The outsole is plain and thick, and save for the lacing the entire shoe is a simple and athletic monobloc style. Also, with the exception of the black-with-white-sole version, all the colorways are monochrome.

Atoms Model 000
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While the design is simple, the Model 000 is packed with cutting-edge shoe tech. The insoles are lined with antimicrobial copper threads that eliminate odor and kill viruses and bacteria.

The proprietary outsole is both cushiony and light. They even have an insanely wide size range, from 3.5 to 15, that includes half sizes and even quarter sizes! Yes, that literally means you can get a size 8, an 8.25, and an 8.75.

Vans Canvas SK8 Hi

The canvas versions of the iconic Vans SK8 Hi are an uncommon offering when it comes to canvas shoes and when it comes to retro-futuristic high-tops as well.

Vans Canvas SK8 Hi
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It features the three-layer spaceman pads around the collar and the Vans jazz stripe, on an overall nostalgic and athletic design template.

However, the sturdy canvas construction brings the conspicuous design down to earth. It’s still eye-catching but more versatile than a shiny leather high-top would be.

The signature rubber waffle outsoles provide lightweight traction. This canvas version comes in a few fun colorways, including an all-black, a red, and a navy and black version.

Vans Canvas Authentic

Of course, you can always go for the classic Old Skools, but the Vans Canvas Authentics are comparatively unsung. Yes, they’re another standard low-profile canvas shoe, but it’s one of Vans’ heritage styles, an original in the game.

Vans 12 oz Canvas Authentic
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Rocking a classic and sturdy style, I love the use of contrast accents in almost every colorway — of which there are many. The brighter colors have white contrast stitching throughout and a through-line around the top portion of the outsole where it meets the upper.

The red and blue versions sport red and blue lines, while the others have a black line. Even the black-with-gum-sole version has a black color-matched top outsole. It’s these small touches that make the Authentics a distinct and bang-for-buck canvas sneaker.

Converse Chuck Taylors

Whether you go for the high-tops or low-tops, Converse Chuck Taylors are as original, iconic, and unpretentious as it gets. The black and white versions are definitely the most essential.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic High Top
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Still, the fact they’re all equipped with the All Star license plate and that so many colorways are adorned with recognizable red and blue lines ensures that every version communicates its icon status.

The low-top version just looks like they took scissors to the high-top version, so choosing between the two is a matter of preference.

Comfort-wise, it’s a lightweight shoe with medial eyelets for enhanced airflow. If you’re looking for a shoe with lore behind it, the Chucks are an excellent option.

TOMS Carlo Sneaker

You can always turn to TOMS for that casual, slightly bohemian, but not too crunchy look. The Carlo Sneaker has three great qualities going for it.

Toms Carlo Sneaker
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It’s super comfortable and lightweight, with a custom TOMS rubber outsole and an Ortholite insole that’s made from plant-based recycled materials. This brings us to the second thing; this sustainable shoe is 100% vegan.

Finally, it comes in some thoughtful designs. The white, black, and gray are all monochrome, while the rest feature a tan leather patch on the back.

The slate version has a gum-toned grill as a contrast to the white outsole, and the camo version has a fully gum outsole. Between the options and the ~$50 price tag, the Carlo also has a collectible-quality about it.

New Republic Bowery

With absolutely zero exaggeration, New Republic’s Bowery Sneaker offers outrageous value for money.

The eyelet piece of canvas sinks into the outsole, adding dimensionality without disrupting the extra-flat and sleek aesthetic.

New Republic Bowery
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This gives it a classic but not textbook look that’s versatile and easy to wear. The low silhouette isn’t interrupted when you slip your feet in because they sink into the cork insole.

On top of that, they’re super comfortable, with almost no break-in. Did I mention the ~$20 price tag? If you’re looking for an affordable canvas sneaker that balances standard universality with subtle distinction, the Bowery’s do that effectively.

Nike Chron 2 Canvas

The canvas sneaker gets a Nike makeover with the SB Chron 2 Canvas. Imagine if a plimsoll was infused with an Air Force 1 ‘circa ‘07, with a touch of Nike Court Visions.

Nike SB Chron 2 Canvas Skate Shoes
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The back heel and back collar, which sticks up a bit, are extra cushioned, providing you with that Nike-level performance and comfort.

Naturally, each colorway comes with a swoosh on both sides of the shoe, though it’s proportionally smaller than usual, to maintain the minimalist canvas shoe look.

The premium versions come in different and extra-textured heathered colorways for just a few dollars more, each with a bright paisley-like swoosh. The color adds a fun pop, but it isn’t foppish since it’s so small.

Greats Eco Canvas

The Greats Eco Canvas has a really interesting and distinct look about it. It’s slightly thicker than the average plimsoll, especially around the collar, and has a smoother fluffier look as well.

Greats Eco Canvas
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It’s almost like a supple leather shoe, except with the texture and matteness of the canvas.

The upper, lining, and footbed lining are all made from recycled materials and are handcrafted to a near-flawless finish.

This machine-washable shoe boasts a premium EVA footbed that’s extra-cushioned and antimicrobial, making it a practical walking shoe. It comes in navy, all-white, and white with a gum sole.

Maison Kitsune Canvas Sneaker

With very little to work with, Maison Kitsune manages to serve up a fashion-forward and high-end-looking canvas sneaker.

Maison Kitsune Canvas Sneaker
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The outsole’s overlay takes up a dramatic amount of room, visible even from a bird’s eye perspective of the shoe. The rubber adds a structural contrast to the tightly-built canvas upper, from every angle.

The fanciful Maison Kitsune logo appears on the patch of the tongue, and on the back of the tonal treaded rubber sole.

It comes in white, black, and a dark navy, each adorned with beautiful gold-toned hardware, which really distinguishes it from the average plimsoll.

Lemaire Canvas Sneaker

Lemaire is known for having brought low-key luxury into Parisian high fashion via their anti-logo, 100% craftsmanship approach. It makes perfect sense that they’d get in on the canvas sneaker game.

Lemaire Canvas Sneaker
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Admittedly, they have an in-the-know-cool vibe about them, which is great if that’s what you’re looking for.

Regardless, this sneaker is unfussy, hand-made, and timeless. The canvas is built from fine, expertly-sourced cotton, and the padded footbed is immediately comfortable.

The silhouette is distinct, perfectly shaped in a worn-in luxury kind of way, with a unique treaded gum sole.

Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker

Construction-wise, the Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker is meticulously handcrafted in Italy, which means every pair is slightly unique from the other. It’s almost like owning a piece of original art in that sense.

Maison Margiela Canvas Sneaker
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The three-eyelet lacing takes the less-is-more style to the next level, especially with the subtle stitching and thin collar.

It wouldn’t be Margiela without an off-template signature, though, and you’ll find that in the Grecian column style outsole. While this definitely adds a recognizability factor, this shoe is still exceedingly easy to wear and as understated as any classic plimsoll.

FAQs About Canvas Sneakers

Here are some answers to questions people are asking on the net. 

Which Is the Best Canvas Sneaker?

It depends on what you’re looking for. A lot of upper mid-tier brands like Koio make perfectly durable, and well-made canvas sneakers for a premium, but not the kind of premium high-fashion houses will charge. Meanwhile, Vans and Converse both offer sub-100 canvas heritage-style sneakers.

Which Brand Is Best for Canvas Shoes?

Again, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re going canvas for sustainability, TOMS and Everlane are excellent manufacturers. 

If you love brands, Margiela and Kitsune each have high-fashion canvas shoe options. Classic Vans and Converse have both high-tops and low-tops with a wide selection of colors.

Are Canvas Sneakers Comfortable?

Yes, they were meant to be used for sports, so they’re breathable and easy to break-in.

What Are Canvas Sneakers Called?

The original low-profile canvas sneaker is called a plimsoll, named after the plimsoll line on a ship, which the upper edge of the rubber outsole resembles.

Conclusion: From the Beach to the Court to the Streets

Canvas sneakers aren’t just versatile because of their simplicity and comfort. They have a history of traveling from one useful purpose to another and from one style category to another.

Sure, dress codes can dictate whether or not you shouldn’t wear canvas sneakers in certain contexts, but visually, few casual pieces of footwear are as easily paired.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!

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About Karlton Miko Tyack

Karlton Miko Tyack is a freelance writer covering watches, gear, and style. He was born in LA, studied art history in Boston, and is a lover of rugby, football, and optimism.

Background: Karlton studied art in Boston while working in local galleries. This led to a career in corporate art consulting, hunting down the perfect pieces for specific brand or business.

Transitioning into freelance writing, he moved back to his hometown of Los Angeles, where he managed top accounts with art publisher TASCHEN. His clientele included prominent names in fashion, luxury, and sports.

He then moved to NYC to work as a client liaison at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, where he worked with collectors of fine art, as well as watches, wine, and whiskey.

A lifelong watch enthusiast, Karlton has worked with quality timepieces of all price points and calibers, vintage and contemporary. Tyack’s watch obsession began when he received an Omega Seamaster for his 15th birthday.

Expertise: Through his work in fine art and with Sotheby's auction house, Karlton has developed a deep knowledge of timepieces, whiskey and menswear. He's written for publishers like LA Weekly and Harvard. Here at TMM, Karlton covers watches and men's fashion.

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