Gum sole vs all white sneakers
Very new to all of this. Just curious if a white sneaker with a gum sole and a little color, like the Killshot 2s, fills the same role as an all-white sneaker such as Vans Authentics or AF1s or anything else (different silhouettes, but you get what I'm saying). Is there any situation where you would wear an all-white sneaker, but you wouldn't wear something with a gum sole?
4 Replies
I have gum sole sneakers pretty much like what you're describing and the main reason I'd want to use an all-white sneaker instead in some instances is mainly for the color profile. You can easily pair all-white with pretty much any color outfit or style you want but gum soles add that layer of brown that can stand out to a degree you might not want if you're wearing it with, say, an all-black outfit or stacking it with a bunch of other neutral colors. Also the way gum sole sneakers are typically designed gives them a bit more of a preppy/formal look than most of the common athletic white sneakers out there, which once again may not be something you're going for.
That makes sense, I appreciate the examples. I'm just beginning to build out my wardrobe so at the moment it feels safe to say that I could just choose 1 or the other and be fine? I'm sure eventually I will own both or have a couple different options to choose from when I am dressing in different styles like you mentioned.
The general consensus I've seen that I tend to agree with is that if you don't have either one it's recommended to start with all-white sneakers because it's basically a good default for just about any color combination or outfit, and if you find yourself wearing a lot of blue jeans or tan chinos or some other clothes that compliment gum shoes well to look into getting a pair at that point
One advantage gum shoes have is that they tend to be a lot easier to keep clean so if cleaning your soles regularly is something you really don't want to have to deal with it might still be worth getting them first
Is there any situation where you would wear an all-white sneaker, but you wouldn't wear something with a gum sole?I've never considered that distinction tbh. I have all-white vans and GATs but the shoes are so different in size, shape, material, etc otherwise that white sole vs gum sole never occurred to me. Get the ones you like imo.