10 Summer Sneakers You Should Rock Instead of Flip-Flops

Image via Complex Original

Buy it now: $85

The Nike Free Socfly achieves ultimate lightness and foot moldability with colorways that rival even the brightest of sandals. With an upper reminiscent of your favorite childhood Aquamocs, the Free Socflys are a statement from any angle while staying light and breathable. The crazy color combinations turn them into neck breakers in any situation.

Buy it now: $65

There is no shoe more relaxed than Converse’s Chuck Taylor. The original punk sneaker rides counter culture straight to the beach and every colorway works in any situation. Whether it’s the chipped Maison Martin Margielas, a Missoni special, or any of the standard colors, they all scream summer. And if you mess them up, they’re inexpensive enough to replace.

Buy it now: $80

adidas’ winning debut sneaker of 2014, the ZX Flux, got an update as a slip-on this year. While these pairs retain much of the original style, the elastic straps are suggestive of recent Y3 releases without the hefty price tag. Taking these slip-ons on and off will naturally be just as easy as any sandal, but the shape will bring the style to the street.

Buy it now: $45

No one spends more time at the beach than surfers. Few sneakers mean more to the surfing and skating communities than the Vans Authentic. The low profile sneaker is inexpensive, flexible, and always in style. The classic model features a canvas upper that will age well in the salt and sand, and with a little care, it will clean up just fine when it’s time to turn up, too.

Buy it now: $170

As far as summer sneakers go, New Balance hit it out of the proverbial park with the Connoisseur East Coast 998. The low-profile shoe is extremely comfortable and provides all-over perforation to keep air moving (and to allow the shoes to dry out faster if they get wet during your journeys at low tide). The neutral browns (with just a pop of color) of the shoe can fit into any wardrobe, and bring a class to even your most relaxed summer fits.

Buy it now: $380

If you’re looking to step up your style game while still keeping that summertime flow on fleek, the Greats Woosters may be exactly what you need. Made in conjunction with their namesake, Nick Wooster, the Woosters balance the no-fuss, slip-on silhouette with a measured dose of sophistication. The shoe has been a frequent collaboration piece, with brands like Parabellum and Lardini guaranteeing a unique look on your stretch of the sand.

Buy it now: $90

If palm trees and summer heat don't get you hyped up, we're not sure what will. The Nike HYPERFR3SH feature an Aloha print that screams summer fun. The mesh upper ensures that your feet are cool and comfortable no matter how high the temps rise, and the heel pull tab allows you to get in and out of your shoes with the quickness.

Buy it now: $155

If your coastal workout brought you to the beach, you might need the Nike Flyknit Lunar 3s. We told you all about how the Flyknit moved from a runner to a style shoe, but since adding the Lunar sole they’ve become even more robust as a running sneaker. The Flyknit upper adds just the right amount of casual styling for any day at the beach, and with the myriad of color combinations that are available, you’re sure to find the right pair to match your classy board shorts.

Buy it now: $150

A divisive sneaker if there ever was one, the Reebok Instapump Fury walks the fine line between utility and statement. The dynamic upper means that they’ll be perfect at home or on the beach, and with more than a handful of collaboration pairs, you can find an Instapump Fury for any situation. Some of them even come in waterproof make-ups in case they’re so fire that you can’t take them off in the surf.

Buy it now: $127

Two of adidas' most appealing shoe technologies combine to make the perfect summer sneaker. As the name indicates, the shoe features a knitted upper in the form of a snakeskin pattern atop a supple Tubular sole. Breathability and lightness are the name of the game here, and they'll fit right into your beachfront fits.