The five pairs our team can’t stop talking about
Nike’s all-terrain shoe ($175) is made for the trails with the responsiveness you know from the road.
Published
September 9, 2026
Published
September 9, 2026
Photography
Courtesy
Note
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When’s the last time you bought yourself some shoes? Let this be your sign that it’s time. There are so many great styles dropping these days, we thought we would pull a few of our current favorites to showcase. From a pair of fall-ready boat shoes to some rugged waterproof sneakers, these are the kicks our team can’t stop talking about.
A canvas sneaker with some serious European pedigree. Novesta has been making shoes in Slovakia since the 1930s, and the Star Master still feels refreshingly unchanged. The chunky natural-rubber sole and simple cotton-canvas upper give it more character than your standard low-top, without sacrificing any of that throw-on-and-go versatility. They’re a little less obvious than Chucks or Vans and look especially good once they’ve picked up some wear. Just don’t worry about keeping them clean.
Star Master Sneaker,
Bad weather? Just an excuse for better sneakers, if you ask us. Nike’s ACG Pegasus Trail takes the comfortable, go-anywhere formula of the trail runner and adds GORE-TEX protection, making it a particularly useful shoe as summer gives way to wetter fall days. You get plenty of cushioning and trail-ready traction without the bulk of a proper hiking boot, while the technical upper looks surprisingly good with everyday clothes. Run in them, hike in them or just wear them with cargos when the forecast looks questionable. They’re built for all three.
ACG Pegasus Trail GORE-TEX Waterproof Trail running shoe,
The boat shoe season doesn’t have to end. Yuketen takes the familiar moccasin construction of a deck shoe and gives it enough substance to carry straight into fall. Made from rich suede with distinctive six-eyelet lacing, this version sits atop a chunky Cortina sole that completely changes the proportions—and gives it far more grip than your average boat shoe. It’s rugged, slightly eccentric and exactly the sort of footwear Yuketen does best. Wear them with cords, relaxed denim or fatigue pants and keep the socks on this time.
Yuketen Italian Hex Eye boat shoe,
KLEMAN has been producing hard-wearing shoes in France for decades, originally supplying styles to workers who needed something genuinely durable. The Major retains that utilitarian DNA with sturdy leather, substantial stitching and a lugged rubber sole, but the clean shape makes it considerably more stylish than actual work shoes. Think of them as a tougher alternative to loafers once fall arrives. They’ve got enough heft for wide trousers and denim, but still clean up nicely with a proper pair of pleated pants.
Major Derby,
Another grey New Balance? Hear us out. The new 1954R takes everything the brand does well—mesh, suede, muted tones and that unmistakable retro-runner silhouette—and tweaks the proportions just enough to make them feel new. There’s plenty of technical-looking detail, but the tonal grey palette keeps everything understated and incredibly wearable. That means they’re just as convincing with sweats as they are peeking out beneath a pair of roomy trousers. Put another way? These look mean as hell.
New Balance 1954R sneaker,
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