Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Here Are the Best Shoes for Leaping Into Summer

Keen Men's Uneek leather sandals
Keen

The sun is out and warmth is in the air. That’s right, it’s time to get outside with the best new men’s shoe releases to lace up and get going on the season’s best activities: running, hiking, boating, and lounging. Check out the best shoes for leaping into summer.

RED '51 HI
Red Ball Jets - Red '51 Hi
Jump to details
Conversations Amongst Us Kawhi Sig 2
New Balance: Conversations Among Us - Kawhi Sig 2
Jump to details
Air Force 1 Puerto Rico
Nike Air Force 1 Puerto Rico
Jump to details
Golden Goose Ball Star
Golden Goose Ball Stars
Jump to details
Authentic Original Lug Chukka
Herschel x Sperry Limited Edition Collection: Lug Chukka
Jump to details
X ULTRA 3 MID GORE-TEX
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex
Jump to details
Red Ball Jets' Red '51 Hi
Red Ball Jets

Red Ball Jets - Red '51 Hi

Talk about classic. These kicks recall 1950s athletic gear with an eye toward today’s fashion.

Ball-Band had been making high-quality footwear in Mishawaka, Indiana for over 50 years when the company launched its first “sport shoe” in 1951 — Red Ball Jets. Constructed with performance-enhancing rubber soles and a signature red dot, this true original soared until 1971. The brand was grounded indefinitely, though, when it sold to Uniroyal.

In 2021, however, Red Ball returned with the red '51 Hi — a tribute to its original release. The new sneaker is a timeless take on the canvas and vulcanized rubber high-top. Wear one of four colors anywhere and anytime to pair with any summer style.

RED '51 HI
Red Ball Jets - Red '51 Hi
New Balance's Conversations Among Us Kicks
New Balance

New Balance: Conversations Among Us - Kawhi Sig 2

Now these are what’s meant by a luxury look. Gold on white, these are smooth sneakers that are meant to spark Conversations Among Us.

Joe Freshgoods and Kawhi Leonard teamed up with New Balance’s Black Soles for a collection that "celebrates the meaningful conversations between friends and family that promote new ideas to positively affect the ongoing fight for social justice."

The weathered yet fresh look comes with "Joe and Kawhi (c. 2022) A New Day" printed on the shoe’s tongues, cracked design on its heels, and Conversations Amongst Us branding on the tongues and insoles. 

Conversations Amongst Us Kawhi Sig 2
New Balance: Conversations Among Us - Kawhi Sig 2
Nike Air Force 1 Low Puerto Ricos
Nike

Nike Air Force 1 Puerto Rico

The National Puerto Rican Day parade recently took place and Nike had the perfect way to celebrate.

Hand in hand with the Air Force 1’s 40th anniversary, the just-released Nike Air Force 1 Puerto Rico is the perfect summer wear, especially for Boricuas and AF1 aficionados. Celebrating Puerto Rican culture, these AF1s don a domino perforation pattern that honors the cherished island game.

Decorative dubraes (lace locks) are stitched with Puerto Rico and inside the sockliners are Boricuan phrases that honor the community. The spiffy sky blue on white is the perfect look for the beach and the after-party.

Air Force 1 Puerto Rico
Nike Air Force 1 Puerto Rico
Golden Goose Ball Stars
Golden Goose

Golden Goose Ball Stars

Another retro entry, Golden Goose Ball Stars perfectly capture a 1980s style that stands out in any era.

Aligning with the brand’s lived-in style, Ball Star sneakers are fittingly cozy. Crafted with crackled leather toes and on the backs, vintage university lettering, Golden Goose sneakers live up to their quality commitment. Accompanying the shoes' American college vibe outside is an authentic feel in wear. These are shoes not for any, but for all time.

Golden Goose Ball Star
Golden Goose Ball Stars
Keen men's Uneek leather sandals
Keen

Keen Uneek

What’s summer without sandals? For Keen, it’s not only lounging in your comfy Gorpcore kicks, but it’s climbing whatever hill or mountain may lie in front of you.

In designing its massive spring/summer release collection, the British shoe king partnered with creatives from across the U.K. nicknamed “The Experts,” the creative team included explorer and photographer Eshan Kali and DJ and producer Tommy Gold. The Uneek silhouette features a distinct paracord construction, cushy soles, and cutting-edge design in 18 colorways.

KEEN UNEEK
Keen Uneek
Herschel Supply Co. and Sperry collaborated on boat shoes and Chukkas
Sperry for Herschel Supply Collection

Herschel x Sperry Limited Edition Collection: Lug Chukka

Speaking of requirements for summertime, you’ve got to have a boat shoe if you’re going to have a sandal. Perfect for staying upright on the water, on the dock, and in the office, these inspired, hand-sewn slip-ons are made with the land of wet weather in mind — the Pacific Northwest.

The iconic boat shoe gets a reimagining with the addition of woodland camo-embossed leather, and underneath and on the liner, the Herschel Supply Co.’s red and white. These babies are purpose-built summer shoes for all your adventures, by land or by sea.

Authentic Original Lug Chukka
Herschel x Sperry Limited Edition Collection: Lug Chukka
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex
Salomon

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex

When tromping through wild lands, it’s important to sport the right gear to stay safe and keep the mind mindful of the natural interaction without distraction. The critical foundation for this setup is a technically sound pair of hiking boots comfortable enough to trek through any type of setting and scenery. Enter the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex.

In 2022, the boot has evolved into an even more effective hiking shoe thanks to added Descent Control technology that can tackle technical hikes and shines during tough descents. Thanks to its burly Contagrip outsole, the boot provides this ideal traction on dirt pack and rock, muddy and rutted, and steep and shallow tracks.

Salomon generally offers a comfy boot right out of the box as well. Spring into the day or down the trail with a confident spring in your step in any condition.

X ULTRA 3 MID GORE-TEX
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex

I don’t know about you, but I’m geeked for these releases. It’s hard to make a choice, but it’s fun to dream about a summer sporting all activities — boating, running, hiking, riding, and chilling after days of physical exertion.

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor

Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest and Latin America. Matt spent four years in Eugene, earning his journalism chops at the University of Oregon and in the Eugene Weekly’s alt pages before elevating the city’s creative scene with CAFE 541, an innovative new features section in The Register-Guard newspaper. Food, fiction, physical activity, and fine music take up his off time.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

The latest adidas collaboration is nothing short of a retro classic
adidas announces new collaboration shoe
black adidas bowling shoe

While adidas is home to many classic and iconic designs, the brand doesn’t shy from bringing the same energy to their collaborations. In previous adidas collaborations, the brand has been known to bring in archival or staple designs and give them a modern upgrade. However, this time around, the brand is joining forces with Dover Street Market and Brain Dead for a new design that’s much more retro than modern. While the new shoe is far from the casual everyday sneaker you’re used to with adidas, it’s the perfect addition to your formal footwear rotation for a pop of uniqueness and sophistication.  Although fans will have to wait a few more weeks for the release, it’s a must-have worthy of scoping out. 
Dover Street Market x Brain Dead x adidas 

Taking on the classic “Bowling” silhouette, the three brands have added plenty of modern features and touches to help bridge a retro style with a contemporary feel. Crafted in a “Core Black” colorway, the new shoe comes with premium leather uppers in black and soft white contrasting stitching. Co-branded details on the shoe can be found on the golden ankle stamp, insoles, and monochromatic embossed heel emblems. Complete with a wooden slide sole and rubber stop heel, the dressy bowling shoe is ready for any formal event. Classic black laces finish the exterior design for a more modern style. Set to be released in Spring 2025, the new shoe will be available via Dover Street Market. Fresh off of adidas’ numerous dress shoe remixes, this new bowling silhouette offers loyal fans another opportunity to showcase their favorite brand on almost any occasion.

Read more
Limited-edition Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 features bold blue and orange design
A new Hamilton watch with a retro design and contemporary features
Hamilton American Classic Chrono-Matic 50

Hamilton's Chrono-Matic 50 has been getting better with time. While the previous model was rolled out in 2019, it leaned more toward the retro style. The 2025 edition, however, is the contemporary version of the models that came before. It comes with new features that elevate the design to a whole new level. But, it’s worthwhile to note that a few features were still preserved, so the watch has a retro-like theme that smoothly blends with contemporary features.

Think of the new Hamilton watch as a bridge between retro and contemporary styles. Unlike the previous model from 2019, the 2025 watch has new striking, stylish colors. It comes with a blue dial, accentuated with white subdials strategically positioned at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock for enhanced precision. As a throwback to the original design, the new watch was rolled out with a large casing, similar to the one on the first watch.

Read more
KESTIN goes with the flow with SS25 collection
Disappear to the blanket bog of Northern Scotland
KESTIN SS25 colorful jacket

There are some things about Scotland that everyone can say they love with a passion. There is the kilt; c'mon, those things are the definition of manliness. Who doesn't love watching Mel Gibson and his friends best the English? Golf. We love golf, and we can't for the life of us figure out how they invented this game with all that Scottish whiskey around. That's another one, Scottish whiskey. But one of the things that is more divisive about Scottland is the weather. There are a lot of gray days with a ton of rainfall, creating bog lands all over the country. One of those boglands is called Flow Country and is the inspiration for the KESTIN Spring and Summer 2025 collection. Whether you are looking for suiting or light outerwear, these are the perfect garments for Northern Scotland's dreary and somehow romantic weather.
Perfect for the cool and rainy atmosphere of Northern Scotland

If you are braving the wet weather, the high winds, or any other of the less than ideal conditions, the suiting in this collection is the perfect friend you need for the day. The Stac Blazer combines a heritage chore coat with the more traditional suit coat, making it the combination of style and function you need this spring. The collection also uses Japanese seersucker fabric with custom floral prints that give you the spring feel every spring and summer collection should have. And no KESTIN SS collection would be complete without the annual ORMISTON jacket; this year sports a Japanese jacquard.
KESTIN

Read more