You’re lying in bed, trying to fall asleep but the racing thoughts won’t stop. Instead, your brain is busy making detailed plans for the next day, replaying embarrassing moments (“why did I say that?”), or producing seemingly random thoughts (“where is my birth certificate?”).
Many social media users have shared videos on how to fall asleep faster by conjuring up “fake scenarios“, such as a romance storyline where you’re the main character.
But what does the research say? Does what we think about before bed influence how we sleep?
It turns out people who sleep well and those who sleep poorly have different kinds of thoughts before bed.
Good sleepers report experiencing mostly visual sensory images as they drift to sleep – seeing people and objects, and having dream-like experiences.
They may have less ordered thoughts and more hallucinatory experiences, such as imagining you’re participating in events in the real world.
For people with insomnia, pre-sleep thoughts tend to be less visual and more focused on planning and problem-solving. These thoughts are also generally more unpleasant and less random than those of good sleepers.
People with insomnia are also more likely to stress about sleep as they’re trying to sleep, leading to a vicious cycle; putting effort into sleep actually wakes you up more.
People with insomnia often report worrying, planning, or thinking about important things at bedtime, or focusing on problems or noises in the environment and having a general preoccupation with not sleeping.
Unfortunately, all this pre-sleep mental activity can prevent you from drifting off.
One study found even people who are normally good sleepers can have sleep problems if they’re stressed about something at bedtime (such as the prospect of having to give a speech when they wake up). Even moderate levels of stress at bedtime could affect sleep that night.
Another study of 400 young adults looked at how binge viewing might affect sleep. The researchers found higher levels of binge viewing were associated with poorer sleep quality, more fatigue, and increased insomnia symptoms. “Cognitive arousal”, or mental activation, caused by an interesting narrative and identifying with characters, could play a role.
The good news is there are techniques you can use to change the style and content of your pre-sleep thoughts. They could help reduce nighttime cognitive arousal or to replace unwanted thoughts with more pleasant ones. These techniques are called “cognitive refocusing”.
What is cognitive refocusing?
Cognitive refocusing, developed by US psychology researcher Les Gellis, involves distracting yourself with pleasant thoughts before bed. It’s like the “fake scenarios” social media users post about – but the trick is to think of a scenario that’s not too interesting.
Decide before you go to bed what you’ll focus on as you lie there waiting for sleep to come.
Pick an engaging cognitive task with enough scope and breadth to maintain your interest and attention – without causing emotional or physical arousal. So, nothing too scary, thrilling or stressful.
For example, if you like interior decorating, you might imagine redesigning a room in your house.
If you’re a football fan, you might mentally replay a passage of play or imagine a game plan.
A music fan might mentally recite lyrics from their favourite album. A knitter might imagine knitting a blanket.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s suited to you and your interests. The task needs to feel pleasant, without being overstimulating.
Cognitive refocusing is not a silver bullet, but it can help.
One study of people with insomnia found those who tried cognitive refocusing had significant improvements in insomnia symptoms compared to a control group.
Another age-old technique is mindfulness meditation.
Meditation practice can increase our self-awareness and make us more aware of our thoughts. This can be useful for helping with rumination; often when we try to block or stop thoughts, it can make matters worse.
Mindfulness training can help us recognise when we’re getting into a rumination spiral and allow us to sit back, almost like a passive observer.
Try just watching the thoughts, without judgement. You might even like to say “hello” to your thoughts and just let them come and go. Allow them to be there and see them for what they are: just thoughts, nothing more.
Research from our group has shown mindfulness-based therapies can help people with insomnia. It may also help people with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia get more sleep.
Good sleep starts the moment you wake up. To give yourself your best shot at a good night’s sleep, start by getting up at the same time each day and getting some morning light exposure (regardless of how much sleep you had the night before).
Have a consistent bedtime, reduce technology use in the evening, and do regular exercise during the day.
If your mind is busy at bedtime, try cognitive refocusing. Pick a “fake scenario” that will hold your attention but not be too scary or exciting. Rehearse this scenario in your mind at bedtime and enjoy the experience.
You might also like to try:
keeping a consistent bedtime routine, so your brain can wind down
writing down worries earlier in the day (so you don’t think about them at bedtime)
adopting a more self-compassionate mindset (don’t beat yourself up at bedtime over your imagined shortcomings!).
The dig was led by Mohamed Khaled, an Egyptologist at Julius-Maximilians-Universität of Würzburg (JMU) in Germany. His team unearthed a number of chambers (or “magazines”) which likely stored “funerary furniture.” They promise to give new insight to the pyramid itself, as well as to the pharaoh Sahure himself, who ruled around 2500 B.C., during the Fifth Dynasty.
According to his report on the findings, Khaled’s mission was to safeguard the pyramid’s integrity. In 2019, he and his team set about stabilizing the structure from within, going from room to room. During this process, they came upon the chambers which had been inaccessible to previous explorers.
Of course, that was a great moment,” Khaled told Men’s Journal. “We were jumping from happiness [because] we have achieved something that no one [had] done before.” His team and the construction workers had an impromptu party to celebrate.
During a similar mission in 1836, John Perring had seen indications of passageways which he suspected led to storage rooms, but they were inaccessible due to debris and general decay. Khaled and his researchers used 3D laser scanning to intricately map the inside and outside of the pyramid, giving them a slight edge. Thanks to their efforts, John Perring’s hypothesis has finally been proven true. “We were able to do this thanks to our technology and the good team,” Khaled said.
Describing their discovery, the Egyptologist told us: “The rooms are magazines for the funerary furniture of King Sahure. Unfortunately, we did not find anything inside, but one can imagine that King Sahura had more treasures than King Tutankhamun. The state under Sahura’s reign had a very strong economic situation.”
Khaled says the rooms were used as storage for “funerary furniture.”
Eight chambers have been excavated so far. Most of them have suffered severe deterioration over the years, but parts of the original walls and some of the floor can still be seen. In order to ensure the pyramid didn’t collapse at some point Khaled and his team replaced the damaged walls with new retaining walls.
Once the restoration is complete, Khaled and his team hope to open it up to visitors, so that everyone can explore King Sahure’s secret rooms.
Mohamed Khaled examines the passageways within the pyramid.
Fresh off a first-place finish at the 2023 Europa Pro Championship, Regan Grimes has quickly shifted his focus back in a familiar direction. By narrowly edging out Nathan de Asha for the Men’s Open title on Sept. 17, Grimes punched his ticket to the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest.
Of course, the Canadian-born IFBB pro is no stranger to competing on the biggest stage in the sport. But after placing 15th in the Men’s Open division in each of his first two trips and skipping the 2022 Olympia to pack on more muscle, Grimes has plenty to prove.
With the 2023 Olympia scheduled for Nov. 2-5, he officially kicked off his prep by posting a training vlog on his YouTube channel on Sept. 26, 2023. Grimes’ grueling back and biceps workout begins around the 1:25 mark.
A busy travel and training schedule won’t stop Grimes from doing everything possible to get in prime shape for his third Mr. Olympia appearance. Clearly successful in his muscle-building efforts over the last year, he began his workout by focusing on his lats.
Cable Rope Pullover
Grimes started the session with three sets of a back day staple: the cable rope pullover. He specifically noted that his goal was to “get some blood in the back” in preparation for the ensuing exercises. Grimes also highlighted the use of short rest periods of about 90 seconds, which provides sufficient time for one training partner to complete a set while the other recovers.
During the initial phase of the workout, he also addressed his ongoing rivalry with de Asha, who finished ahead of Grimes at the 2023 Flex Weekend Pro Men’s Open Show on Sept. 10, 2023.
“He beat me fair and square in Italy. I came back and beat him in Spain, and that’s all there is too it,” Grimes said. “I’ve competed against Nathan three times. I beat him twice, he beat me once. I’ll see you again in six-and-a-half weeks.”
Assisted Pull-Up
Next, Grimes and his training partner made their way over to the assisted pull-up machine. Utilizing wrist straps for support, he grabbed the pull-up bar at its widest point to provide maximum stimulation for his lats.
He worked to the point of failure, finishing with partial reps on his final set.
Chest-Supported Row
Grimes made his over to the free weights for several sets of a chest-supported row (t-bar row). He began with two 45-pound (20-kilogram) plates, keeping his head in a neutral position as he squeezed his lats, rear delts, and traps at the top of the movement. Grimes added another 45-pound plate for his last set.
The 2023 Mr. Olympia contestant took his workout in a slightly different direction by training his arms independently on a iso-lateral lat pulldown machine. Grimes didn’t show much footage of this exercise, but he did show some humility by admitting he was too heavy at his last show and that shaving “another five to six pounds off” would help squash any controversy about where he stands.
“I feel like I got enough size,” Grimes explained. “The body is way more impressive when it’s in a crazy condition. You look bigger, actually, with less weight.”
Single-Arm Super Low Row
The penultimate back exercise of Grimes’ workout was another isolation movement: the super low row. Working with a pair of 45-pound plates per side, he took a staggered stance, keeping his chest against the pad as he pulled his elbow back and contracted his lower lat muscles. Not only did Grimes deliver clean reps, but he also he delivered useful insight into his nutrition protocol.
For intra-workout fuel, the Canadian native drank a mix of 20 grams of amino acids with 15 grams of carbohydrates from Yamamoto Nutrition GlycoBol. Grimes, who entered the workout having eaten two no-carb meals and one meal with carbs, said his post-workout protein shake also includes 10 grams of glutamine (which helps recovery) and 10 grams of creatine, which has been shown to help promote muscle growth and volume.
Back Extension
Grimes finished with weighted back extensions to target his erector spinae muscles. Holding a 45-pound plate, he extended his body forward as far as possible before arching backwards at the top of each rep. Grimes also performed a variation that included an abdominal crunch at the bottom of the movement for the ultimate test of core strength and endurance.
Close-Grip Biceps Pulldown
A four-part biceps workout began with close-grip biceps pulldowns. While many lifters typically try to keep their arms out of this movement to focus on maximum lat engagement, Grimes encouraged the exact opposite.
He kept the range of motion much smaller, pulling down to just above a 90-degree angle to keep full tension on the biceps from the insertion point to the elbow.
Grimes moved on to the preacher curl machine for several sets of this classic bodybuilding exercise. After putting both of his biceps through some pain, he performed isolated reps with each arm as a finisher.
Seated Dumbbell Biceps Curl
With the session nearly complete, Grimes hammered his biceps again with another curl variation. Working with 30-pound dumbbells, he held his arm at a 45-degree angle away from his body and methodically curled and contracted his biceps to achieve a huge pump.
Cable Curl
Finally, Grimes ended his workout where it started. This time, he swapped out the rope for a handle to perform single-arm cable curls. Employing a pronated (palms-down) grip allowed Grimes to get a great stimulus for both his biceps and his brachialis.
Complete Back and Biceps Workout for Muscle Growth
While Grimes didn’t provide a specific number of sets or reps, there’s no doubt his workout will get the job done. Here’s a full rundown of the exercises performed:
Cable Rope Pullover
Assisted Pull-Up Machine
Chest–Supported T-Bar Row
Single-Arm Lat Pulldown
Single-Arm Super Low Row
Back Extension
Close-Grip Biceps Pulldown
Preacher Curl Machine
Seated Dumbbell Biceps Curl
Cable Curl
Just weeks removed from securing a spot in the 2023 Mr. Olympia lineup, Grimes has momentum on his side. Noticeably bulkier than in years past, he must be diligent with his diet and conditioning during contest prep. If he stays on course, though, Grimes certainly looks capable of making everyone forget about those 15th-place finishes in 2020 and 2021.
In her video, Greaves explains that she wore socks and slides to the gym, instead of closed-toed shoes.
“I have a broken toe with a toenail almost coming off, that I’m probably going to have to have surgery to take it out,” she said.
“So I cannot wear shoes, even just socks is so painful.”
She explained that she wore the slip ons while walking around the gym but took them off to exercise because “they’re awkward to do stuff in”. But Greaves was quickly approached by a staff member.
“A man comes up to me and says ‘you have to leave’,” she explained in her video.
Despite her reasoning behind her footwear choice, the gym attendant wouldn’t let her stay
“If I’m that dumb to drop a weight on my foot then it’s my own fault,” Greaves lamented, though wearing closed-toes shoes is one of the terms and conditions of entry to her gym, which she named.
“So probably going to cancel my membership there because that is so dumb,” Greaves said.
However, fellow gym goers shared their sympathy, adding that lifting weights while barefoot is better for stability. “My gym encourages no shoes!! better for lifting,” wrote one person.
“Having shoes on or being bare foot, drop a weight on your foot & the outcome will be the same. Unless you’re wearing steal caps,” said someone else.
Greaves shared an update to Instagram a few days later, confirming that she had, in fact, joined another gym.
As the weather warms up and people start to think about wanting to get in shape after the ‘winter hibernation’ period, weight loss becomes the goal for many.
Kayla Itsines, Sweat trainer and global fitness star
“Investing in fat loss is firstly about educating yourself and being realistic. Enjoy a diet that is focused on protein, but is still balanced. Do strength training with cardio days in between – and when I say cardio, I’m not saying running.
It’s not unrealistic. It’s strength training three days a week with walks in between and you will see the biggest difference not only in the shape of your body, but your mindset.
And the probably the photo that you looked at and the person that you want to look like you don’t really care about that anymore. You just want to be the best version of yourself. It’s more than just a diet will do. Because it gives you positive endorphins. It makes you feel good.
And we need to stop with the scales. My god throw that shit out.”
“The foremost key to achieving successful weight loss lies in the harmonious integration of nutrition and training. It’s imperative to invest equal amounts of energy, time, and dedication into both facets.
My second tip, if I were to offer another, underscores the importance of considering the sustainability of your approach. Ask yourself whether the path you’re on is one you can envision yourself following consistently, even two years down the line. Sustainability ensures adherence, and this, in turn, leads to a more enjoyable and fulfilling journey toward your fitness goals.”
Walking is great for both physical and mental health, but the wrong pair of shoes can ruin a walk before you even step out of the front door. Membership to one’s local walking club isn’t required; from walking the dog to browsing the aisles at the grocery store, most people walk just about every day. And if you walk every day, you should own a comfortable pair of walking shoes or sneakers.
The trouble with finding shoes for walking is that it’s an impossibly broad category. All shoes can be walked in, but which shoes should be walked in? Because every foot is different, there’s no singular shoe that will work for everyone. To help figure out how to determine the best walking shoes for various concerns, we consulted Mark Mendeszoon, D.P.M., a multi-board certified podiatrist, surgeon, and physician spokesperson with the American Podiatric Medical Association.
How to Choose the Best Men’s Walking Shoes
For starters, Dr. Mendeszoon recommends wearing running shoes for walking. “I just believe that they are better designed, come in different varieties, colors, and materials, and have better mechanical function than typical walking shoes.” Other options include hiking or trail shoes, which “are appropriate for those who will be outside and who are looking for lateral ankle stability and better traction.”
Dr. Mendeszoon also emphasized the importance of trying the shoes on and getting fitted by an expert. Our picks can be purchased online, but make sure to look for options that can be easily returned or exchanged from retailers like Amazon or Zappos, among others. Also, don’t hesitate to purchase two sizes to find the best between them. When trying on shoes, Dr. Mendeszoon notes that there should be a thumbnail length of room from your longest toe, and the shoes should be wide enough to wiggle your toes without pressure. Since feet swell throughout the day, he recommends trying shoes on in the mid-afternoon or evening when feet are their largest to find the optimal fit.
The way you walk also plays a role when picking the best walking shoe. A neutral shoe is designed for a normal step, but Dr. Mendeszoon notes that “people with flatter feet would benefit from shoes that provide more support, and there are stability and motion control shoes that would be the proper selection for people with these foot types.” Stability shoes, he noted, can also be a good option for pronation.
Even armed with this information, the sheer number of walking shoes available to purchase can be overwhelming, which is why we picked out the best walking shoes for men, based on personal experience, expert input, and customer feedback.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Brooks has been in business for over 100 years and it’s known for its cult following among runners. Renowned for comfort and durability, the Brooks brand comes recommended by Dr. Mendeszoon, who cited the brand’s Addiction style as a top option. The shoes are available in both running and walking versions, but the running version is supportive for either activity with soft cushioning designed to adapt to your feet. Thanks to the supportive shape, they’re also a good option for those who pronate.
If you’re just looking for shoes to wear to walk the dog or run errands, it’s understandable not to want to splurge on a pair of high-end shoes. However, the Asics GT-1000 offers running performance at a modest price. The shoes are designed for neutral or overpronated feet. Plus, they come in a wide range of colors to suit different tastes. Reviewers found these shoes to be a great value and well suited to a variety of settings.
Size Range: 7-15 X-Wide
Colorways: 20
Pros
Cons
Affordable price
Some customers say that they run small
Breathable and comfortable for walking, running, or jogging
Nike is known for combining style with performance, and the brand’s Pegasus shoes are a good option for anyone looking for running shoes that don’t look too runner-y. There is a wide range of eye-catching and muted colors to choose from, including shades of white, tan, and gray, as well as more eye-catching colorways like “Hyper Pink” and “Volt.” The shoes have neutral support, medium cushioning, and high responsiveness, making them a good all-around shoe for different kinds of foot shapes.
Cariuma’s Salvas walking sneaker masterfully harmonizes sustainability with classic aesthetics. These vegan kicks feature top-rated leather from a Leather Working Group Gold-rated tannery, natural rubber soles, and 13 different colorways to choose from. A cork and memory foam insole amps up the comfort when walking.
Allbirds shoes get rave reviews for their superior comfort and machine washability, but this pair is a real gem because of its convenience. The slip-on Tree Dasher Relay is featherlight and flexible enough to pack in a suitcase, and the lace-free design makes it easy to take off at airport security checkpoints. It’s also constructed sustainably: The one-piece upper is crafted from leftover yarns and FSC-certified eucalyptus tree fiber, while the cloud-like midsole is made from carbon-negative EVA cushioning foam.
Kizik has ushered in a whole new era of walking shoes thanks to the brand’s proprietary hands-free technology. It differs from a regular slip-on shoe because it is, in fact, a lace-up sneaker that is put on simply by stepping into it, and with very minimal effort. That makes it the perfect walking shoe for anyone with physical limitations who might otherwise struggle to get (and keep) their shoes on. There’s ample space in the toe box and virtually no restriction in the width thanks to a mesh upper. Despite what the product page says, order your regular size for the best fit. Keep an eye on this brand moving forward as the next one to become a household name.
It’s always a good idea to plan for inclement weather, but when the forecast turns rainy, you’ll be glad you packed a pair of waterproof walking shoes. Skip the rain boots and opt for a pair that’s versatile enough for nearly any activity: light hiking, city walking tours, you name it. On engineered the Cloud 5 Waterproof for a cushioned, stable ride, and it comes with a no-knot lacing system, so you can wear it like a slip-on (traditional laces are also included).
Runners and walkers who pronate (roll their foot inward when they step) can benefit from a stability shoe. The Adrenaline is a great stability walking shoe from the expert-recommended running brand Brooks and is made with moderate cushioning for comfort and support. There are a variety of colors to choose from, though stock is limited in some colors. The Adrenaline line is moderately supportive, while the Addiction line is more cushioned, with “pronation support but with some added stability,” according to Brooks.
As one of the biggest sportswear brands in the world, Adidas has a dizzying number of offerings in the running category, let alone walking. The Ultraboost is one of the brand’s most popular styles and is famous for its cushioned outsole that’s designed to provide good energy return. As a walking shoe, it’s stylish, lightweight and breathable. The shoe uses Continental rubber for its outsole, providing traction and durability. And since even the most durable walking shoes must be thrown out after a while, Adidas has tried to reduce their environmental impact by constructing the shoes from recycled polyester, including plastic from the ocean.
Whether you’re going on a trip or just running around town, this fashion-forward twist on Hoka’s popular Clifton is the trainer to beat. The Clifton L Suede retains the brand’s cherished ultra-plush cushioning and thick footbed while reinventing its appearance with an all-suede upper. Opt for one of the monochromatic colorways to make a style statement in this trendy walking shoe.
Originally designed as a performance running shoe, New Balance’s 990 V5 has since been eclipsed by modern styles among runners. But it’s still a great, comfortable shoe for walking. Plus, New Balance’s 990 V5 sneakers have become a surprisingly fashionable shoe thanks to the trend of retro aesthetics. The mesh upper makes these shoes breathable while the comfortable midsole is ideal for a day spent on the go. There are a few colors to choose from, but gray is the most sought-after.
Reebok’s Floatride Adventure walking shoes are what to throw on to glide from the airport check-in counter to the gate — a potential odyssey if you’re departing from a colossal airport like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. Though these sneakers are built for speed, the rugged outsoles are inspired by gravel bikes, so they offer plenty of durability for long days on your feet.
Sandals aren’t suitable for every adventure, but fortunately, Birkenstock’s legendary shock-absorbing cork footbed can also be found in a minimalist leather lace-up men’s waling shoe. The shoe’s flexible, lightweight design accommodates the natural movement of your foot, while the footbed provides excellent arch support and helps improve posture and alignment.
Hey Dude’s Welsh is a more performance-oriented take on the iconic boat shoe silhouette. At just 4.2 ounces, it’s exceptionally lightweight thanks to the mesh fabric upper that also promotes good airflow and keeps your feet cool and dry. Even if dampness or perspiration occurs, the insole is machine washable, so you can keep these shoes smelling fresh. On the bottom, a full-length studded outsole serves up a dependable grip on docks, city sidewalks, and beyond.
All the elements that make the New Balance Fresh Foam X an outstanding walking shoe also make it a superb travel sneaker — plus it has an attractive, streamlined aesthetic. A bootie design keeps the shoe snug around your foot and the breathable knit upper bends and stretches where you need it most. The underfoot cushioning, already a superb feature in the previous version of this shoe, was further refined using intricate pressure mapping data. It ensures a comfy ride whether you’re heading out for your morning jog or exploring a new city on foot.
Saucony is a running-focused brand, but its sneakers make good options for everyday walking shoes for men. The Ride 16 shoes have neutral support with moderate cushioning, which means they’re plush but not overly pillowy. The rubber outsole and foam midsole provide a cushioned yet responsive step. Plus, there is a wide range of colors to choose from, and the shoes come in full and half sizes.
Size Range: 8-15 Wide
Colorways: 9
Pros
Cons
Neutral and moderate cushioning to suit different feet
Hoka’s sneakers have an aggressively cushioned sole but a low drop of 4mm, making them one of a few sneakers with high cushioning but a low drop. The brand has become a surprisingly trendy option, even among non-runners, but can keep up with the most sought-after styles. The brand’s Bondi sneakers are thicker and more cushioned than Hoka’s Clifton sneakers, which are lighter in weight and more affordable. Designed for running, these sneakers double as good walking shoes if you find yourself on particularly hard floors or if you prefer extra cushioning.
The Apollo Galaxy sneakers from Israeli shoemaker Naot exemplify indulgence for your feet. This slip-on walking shoe for men and women features a removable cork and latex footbed that cradles your foot for maximum comfort, and the sole is designed to flex easily with the natural movement of your stride. It also earned the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which means it has been independently vetted and found to promote good foot health.
Veja’s outdoor-inspired Dekkan is where high-performance footwear meets eco-minded innovation. The sturdy upper is crafted from breathable Alveomesh, a tech fabric spun entirely from repurposed plastic bottles; sugar cane and recycled polyester are used in the insole and midsole. The brand also collaborated with Vibram on a unique outsole formulation that uses Amazonian rubber and rice waste. In other words, you’ll walk farther with a smaller footprint.
Business casual sneakers have found their place in the American office thanks to a post-pandemic culture that demands comfort. People have seen the light; many grew accustomed to the ease of working from home in their favorite joggers, cozy hoodies, and footwear of their choosing. But when it came time to head back into the real world, they were less than excited to button things up, and rightfully so — who wants to feel restricted?
Thankfully, dress codes are skewing lax as companies learn of the possibilities of presenting professionally through carefully planned outfits. This doesn’t mean sweats and slippers, but many guys are trading in their khaki pants for a pair of well-fitting jeans and unbuttoning their dress shirts in favor of comfortable polos or even crisp, slim-fit t-shirts that layer nicely under a blazer. But one of the earliest items cut from the roster in favor of comfort was the dress shoe.
What Are Business Casual Shoes?
Though men’s dress shoes are often powerfully stunning and men’s boots will work on occasion, neither comes close to the all-day comfort and shock absorbency sneakers can provide, especially for guys who work on their feet. But there’s a very fine line as to what makes a sneaker appropriate for business casual attire and what’s better suited for everyday life. Consider these four things when shopping for sneakers to wear at the office:
Style: The best office sneakers will have a slim silhouette without a lot of chunkiness and an overall low profile. Sneakers like this don’t make feet look small or oversized but somewhere in between. Slip-on sneakers tend to look too casual. Running shoes are an immediate “No.”
Material: Leather and suede are going to be the best materials for business casual sneakers. That’s not to say canvas can’t sometimes work, but anything fabric-based will make an outfit look even more casual.
Color: Men’s office sneakers should stay in the neutral color lane. That means black, brown, white, and gray. Subtle pops are also acceptable, like navy blue, oxblood, or forest green. Colorful office sneakers, though dependent on the work environment, are best worn on a limited basis or as part of a larger rotation of shoes. Avoid anything that’s too bright unless it’s spirit week.
Your Outfit: It’s a balancing act. If you’re still required to wear a suit and tie, opt for a slim-fit and add a sharp-looking sneaker or sneaker-soled dress shoe that allows the pants to drape properly. Better yet, tailor the pants right to the ankle. Former NFL tight end, Rob Gronkowski, always pulls this off as a sports personality. Otherwise, if you’re in a chino or jeans-wearing office that has all but denounced the necktie, the sky’s the limit on sneakers.
How Much Should You Pay for Business Casual Sneakers?
The price of business casual sneakers ranges — widely. While popular designers like Saint Laurent or Salvatore Ferragamo offer beautifully handcrafted sneakers at a very premium price, smaller brands, like Ace Marks and Taft, have started to emerge with special business models that allow them to cut out the middle-man and charge a fraction of the cost for similar-caliber products.
For the best business casual sneakers, considering quality, materials, and longevity, feel comfortable spending between $150-$250. In this price range, you can find Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese-made shoes that are just as incredible as higher-end designers (if not already manufactured in the same factory). Even if they’re not hand-made, many shoes in this range are of exceptional quality.
For sneakers outside this range, still, consider them. Many brands, like Cole Haan, Cariuma, and Todd Snyder still pay a considerable amount of attention to design, comfort, and usefulness.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Questions? Reach us at shop@mensjournal.com.
The Greats Royale OG sneaker took off like a bat out of hell when it launched in Brooklyn about a decade ago. It was a very handsome Italian-made basic sneaker that rivaled Saint Laurent for a fraction of the price. The OG has undergone some changes since then, but the newly-released Royale 2.0, now made in Portugal, is a well-executed update that features a gold foil embellishment. Even with added flexibility and reduced weight, the 2.0 still offers a structured feeling thanks to high-quality leather and a sturdy rubber sole that can handle tougher street surfaces. The new lineup consists of 12 mostly office-appropriate colorways.
Men’s business casual sneakers started to catch on with the rise of the Common Projects Achilles, which is expensive, just shy of designer pricing. But when Cole Haan dropped the GrandPro Tennis, it was game-changing — an affordable leather office sneaker in excellent neutral colors that’s well-cushioned, offers some traction, and is astoundingly lightweight. For nearly a decade, this has been the choice of many guys to wear with slim suits, jeans and a sweater, or anything else. The brand has expanded on the GrandPro line, but this one is the “it” shoe.
This is the best canvas office sneaker to wear because, with the right outfit, it strikes a nice chord between playful and professional. The Cariuma OCA Low is a very low-profile sneaker that’s built with a memory foam and cork insole and, speaking from experience, is far more comfortable than one would originally expect. It’s well-cushioned for all-day comfort and even has some tread on the sole for city commuters. My go-to outfit for this shoe, specifically in black canvas, combines one of The Tie Bar’s popular knit polos with the Dockers Workday Khaki, tucked in, and a black leather belt. It’s a home run every single time that’s easy for anyone to recreate.
Is it a dress shoe or a sneaker? Well, it’s neither and both at the same time. This Johnston & Murphy shoe combines the brand’s reputation for sleek silhouettes with its version of an office-ready sneaker sole. Made in Italy, the Jameson Wingtip is a longwing dress sneaker that uses a split-leather welt to affix the brand’s proprietary EVA sole. The sole is different than those of other similar dress sneakers because it features sharp, refined ridges on the sides instead of a typical bulbous sneaker-style sole. Despite Cole Haan popularizing the dress sneaker category with a model very similar to today’s , it’s Johnston & Murphy’s Jameson Wingtip Derby that refined the hell out of the style to create something really interesting.
Rob Gronkowski might be a member of Wolf & Shepherd’s “Wolf Pack” of brand ambassadors, but it’s hard not to believe that he actually loves the shoes. His eagle-eyed Instagram followers have probably noticed him wearing many of the brand’s business casual sneakers while suited up as a sports personality, when mini golfing, and when (previously) heading into the locker room. The most comfortable of these has to be the Swiftknit Derby, seen on Gronk in all white. This sporty business casual sneaker has a flexible knit upper that doesn’t restrict the contours of a foot but still looks sharp enough to wear with office attire. It’s built atop the brand’s signature thick sole and comes in five colors, including this very attractive slate blue.
Designed to sit in first class, the Ace Marks Travel Sneaker is the best business casual shoe for those who frequently fly for work. This sneaker does everything you’d expect it to with regard to versatility and comfort, but the brand specifically designed it for the hassles of packing. If you opt not to wear the Travel Sneaker on your flight, it is completely collapsible, as demonstrated on the brand’s website. The heel cup folds forward and the sides lay flat on top of it. Not only do they look amazing and feel great in real life, but I can personally attest that these sneakers pack into a single shoe bag and store neatly in the zippered half of a carry-on suitcase. They really do save a ton of space. If you’re down to wait a little for a made-to-order pair, you’ll be glad you did. Get them in brown.
The name might elicit a Who’s On First response, but The Sneaker by Taft is one of the brand’s best business casual shoes. Known for their Spanish-made men’s boots, dress shoes, and sneakers that are simply different (in the best way), Taft’s rendition of The Sneaker in “Multi-Color Jacquard” hosts both flare and sophistication in chocolate brown leather with a very neutral, multi-colored woven metallic upper. The sneaker pops on its own, but when the look is completed with some dark slim-fit jeans, a plain T-shirt, and a knit blazer, like this chore coat from Buck Mason, that’s when the compliments start to roll in. The Sneaker is also available in an incredible black or brown leather weave and multi-colored chevron stripe — each of which is wicked cool.
On occasion, high-tops make great business casual sneakers. And while there’s a case to be made for select pairs of Jordans, it’s too often that the sharp and loud color combos take them out of the professional conversation. Despite also sometimes having crazy prints, the Vans SK8-Hi is a compact high-top sneaker that’s usually offered in basic but versatile colors that work perfectly with the office vibe. This pair in light brown suede is a great option to wear with a fall wardrobe filled with earthy colors like brown, green, and orange. You could also color block using these and a pair of black jeans.
Big tech pushed business casual culture into the 21st century — but had Steve Jobs favored fashion over firmware, he may have opted for Madewell’s Kickoff Trainer Sneakers instead of his now-immortalized New Balance 992. More office-appropriate than the often-dubbed “dad shoe,” the Kickoff Trainer is a retro-inspired runner that’s been modernized with mixed-media materials and a neutral color palette. Madewell baked in their special sneaker cushioning system that, combined with the wide toe box, means long-lasting comfort. They’re bulkier than the average men’s office sneaker, but for any tech job, they’re a sure bet.
City commuters know how quickly shoes can get ruined from the daily grind. The convenient thing about Rothy’s shoes is that once they get dirty, you can chuck them in the washing machine and get them looking brand new in no time. That’s why they’re the best business casual sneaker for commuters. Not only are they cool looking, this one boasting oxblood accents around the ankle, but they’re also soft, thanks to their fabric upper, and supportive with their contoured footbed and thick rubber outsole. The RS01 comes in 13 colors, each of which is a great sneaker for an office environment.
Combining his love for old-school basketball and tennis shoes, Todd Snyder’s Tuscan Court Shoe is the latest drop from the New York-based designer and the very first sneaker bearing his name. The Tuscan Court Shoe is a low-profile, Italian-made sneaker featuring suede and nubuck uppers, brogue detailing, and a cork footbed. As a business casual sneaker, it doesn’t get much cooler than this, with Snyder considering even the smallest of details, like opting for a speckled rubber sole over plain gum. Wear this shoe to the office with one of Todd’s newest suede jackets and his popular classic fit selvedge jeans.
A new study has found that people who work from home consume more calories each day than they do when in the office.
Diet tracking app MyFitnessPal found that when we work from home, we’re far more likely to snack and over-eat to the tune of about 800 extra calories.
Of the over 2000 hybrid workers – who work both in the office and from home – nearly two-thirds admit to eating a far less healthy diet when they’re at home.
In Australia, 46 per cent of people work from home to some degree, as of 2022.
Participants were asked to log their food intake and their step count on days that they worked from home, and on days they were in the office.
Thirty six per cent of these workers also shared that they aren’t overeating due to hunger, but instead out of boredom or for something to do.
The fact that we’re at home, with full access to our kitchen – and not just the pre-prepared food and snacks we’ve taken to work – is definitely a contributing factor.
Behavioural research has repeatedly shown that one of the most significant reasons that we indulge in junk food is availability.
If you are finding that spending hours and hours at home each day is triggering the munchies, the best thing to do is have pre-prepped snacks on hand that you can reach for, instead of scoffing a bag of chips.
Furthermore, the study found that those working at home walk 3,500 fewer steps on average, compared to when they head into the office.
Nearly half (45 per cent) of workers shared that they usually don’t even leave their house on work days that they’re not in the office.
When you’re stuck at your desk for 8+ hours a day, it can be tricky to fit in time for movement.
Since the pandemic, however, there has been an increase in the number of people looking for ways to keep fit when staying at home. Investing in a standing desk, a walking pad, or an under-desk bike are great ways to burn calories and keep your blood pumping without leaving your home office.
The main thing to remember is that even if you do find yourself overeating when you’re working from home, don’t stress about it. Sometimes you just need a Tim Tam or five to get you through that 3pm slump, which is A-OK.
Yes, they may taste better when the peel is bright yellow and the fruit itself is fresh, but you might be missing out on all the goodness that bananas can offer.
Green bananas are made up of resistant starch. As bananas ripen and turn yellow, the starches transform into sugars.
Resistant starch acts like fibre – it isn’t broken down in the gut and is great at helping manage blood sugar levels. Eating green bananas won’t give you that spike in blood sugar that you’d get from a regular, ripe banana.
Foods containing resistant starch are also very good for your gut health, says Dr. Michael Mosely, a diet and nutrition expert.
In an article for the Daily Mail, Dr. Mosely revealed that resistant starch will help to “feed the friendly bacteria in your gut”, which then “convert the starch to fatty acid called butyrate”.
Butyrate can lower your chances of developing fatal colon cancer, while also decreasing the amount of fat built-up in the liver.
Fatty liver disease is a common condition – it occurs in about 1 in every 3 Australian adults. But eating a diet supplemented with resistant starch can decrease the risk of this build-up which leads to liver damage.
A 2023 study found that participants who took a supplement containing resistant starch every day had 40 per cent less fat in their livers, compared to those who didn’t have the starchy powder at all.
But there’s no need to buy supplements. “The good news is you can easily increase your consumption of resistant starch by eating oats, legumes, and green bananas,” Dr Mosley wrote.
In fact, it’s actually an important part of a balanced diet. Those studied who eat a lot of the carb in their weekly diet were “generally not associated with odds of overweight or obesity”.
Basically: so long as the rest of your food intake is balanced and nutrient-rich, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with digging into a plate of pasta.
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As summer ends and temperatures start to decline, outdoor activities become less frequent. However, don’t let that stop you from reaching your daily step goals. You might not be walking trails each morning, but you can still walk with an indoor treadmill. And the good news is you don’t have to spend $500 on one.
The Sperax Walking Pad is an Amazon bestseller that is just $240, a $60 discount from the original $300 price. Over 9,000 shoppers have given it a five-star rating for its “compact and convenient” design that fits underneath standing desks and is easy to stow away.
It weighs just 45 pounds and wheels are built into the bottom so you can move it from one room to another or slide it under a sofa. It’s ideal for all spaces, whether you live in a small apartment or have a dedicated office and workout room.
It has a durable steel frame to support up to 320 pounds and a quiet motor that runs up to 3.6 mph, which is silent enough to use without disrupting video calls. The multi-layer belt is non-slip, shock-absorbing, and noise-reducing, making it ideal for cardio at any time of day. With an LED display, you can accurately track stats like speed, distance, time, and calories, but it can also be used to adjust settings. Plus, you can stop the machine with the included remote control.
If you’re worried about purchasing a big-ticket item like this online, take it from thousands of people who have already tried it for themselves. Several people said this is a great solution for staying active during the winter or while working from home.
“Setting up the treadmill was surprisingly easy, and I was able to start using it within minutes,” one shopper wrote. “I’ve noticed a significant increase in my daily step count since incorporating this treadmill into my routine, which has undoubtedly contributed to my overall well-being.”
Adding the Sperax Walking Pad to your home gym while it’s $60 off is a great way to keep up with cardio without having to brave the cold or purchase a membership, which can end up costing more in the long run.
