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Up for Debate
- The most polarizing dad shoes of all time have ignited more than a few heated debates among dad sneaker enthusiasts.
- The Fila Disruptor II, the Balenciaga Triple S, and even the Nike Air Monarch IV are just a few examples of polarizing dad shoes.
- Here, we list 10 of the most polarizing dad sneakers ever released. We also reveal why they have divided dad-shoe wearers so much.
Why All Dad Shoes Are Polarizing to Some Degree
Dad sneakers like the New Balance 993, the Nike Zoom Vomero 5, and the Asics GEL-Kayano 14 might be cool in 2026. But believe me when I say that things were not always like this.
A decade ago, I probably wouldn’t have been able to put together a list of the most polarizing dad shoes, because dad sneakers weren’t really all that polarizing. Sure, some sneakerheads seemed to love hating on them, but most gave them a collective meh and kept it moving.
If you want to see just how off the radar dad shoes were, go back and take a look at the “Best Sneakers of 2016” lists from publications like Complex, Hypebeast, and GQ. You won’t find the words “dad shoes” mentioned in any, much less featured on them.
For this reason, all dad sneakers are still at least a little polarizing. They haven’t completely shed their reputation for being “too big,” “too boring,” and “too ugly” yet, so many dad shoes continue to cause disagreements, leaving those in the sneaker community to argue over their merits.
The Most Polarizing Dad Shoes to Ever Hit Stores
Some dad shoes are more polarizing than others. They make it just about impossible for sneaker lovers to reach any kind of consensus.
So, which dad sneakers are responsible for starting the biggest debates? Find out by learning about the most polarizing dad shoes of all time below.
1. Fila Disruptor II
- Love: “The Fila disruptor 2 looks amazing”—@ovanessas, April 2018
- Hate: “Fila disruptor is the most ugly shoe I’ve ever seen. we can’t be friends if you wear them sorry”—@SAKURAGL0SS, March 2019
All dad shoes are at least a little chunkier than the average sneakers. But few are as bold about it as the Fila Disruptor II. It was first released in 2018, and while it was wildly popular among Gen Z, others routinely referred to it as “ugly.”
In fact, even a high-ranking Fila employee once revealed that a lot of the brand’s employees thought it was an ugly shoe at the height of its popularity. If we were ranking these sneakers, the Disruptor II might top our list of the most polarizing dad shoes ever.
2. Balenciaga Triple S
- Love: “Balenciaga Triple S sneakers so fire”—@A_Geechi, September 2017
- Hate: “Balenciaga Triple S are really wack to me, man. No colorway looks appealing”—@mattmanexe, July 2020
Many people argue that the Balenciaga Triple S is the sneaker that helped popularize dad shoes — and they’re not wrong. Released in 2017, it caught some flak when its first photos were released before eventually blossoming into a dad shoe that landed on its fair share of “Top 10 Sneakers of 2017” lists.
Still, the Triple S trainer was more of an acquired taste than a slam dunk. Those who came around to the shoe loved its boldness, which stemmed from the outside-the-box thinking that went into designing it. Those who didn’t love the dad shoe cited its outlandish sole, not to mention its oversized price tag (it initially retailed for over $1,000), for scaring them off.
Either way, there’s no denying that this is, was, and probably always will be one of the most polarizing dad shoes of all time.
3. Nike Air Monarch IV
- Love: “Nike Air Monarch are the ultimate dad shoes. The king of dad shoes”—@AyeItsJanay, June 2018
- Hate: “Air monarchs are lame. Youre not funny nor quirky u just look dumb”—@yerkyyyyerkyy, June 2018
The Nike Air Monarch IV is one of the best-selling Nike sneakers every single year. So, what is it doing on a list of the most polarizing dad shoes ever?
Despite their immense popularity, Monarchs are regularly mocked for being too basic, too big, and too boring. But at the same time, they’re praised for being so cushioned, so comfortable, and so cozy. As a result, people can’t seem to reach a consensus.
The Monarch IV is often called the “quintessential dad shoe,” and you could argue that even this nickname is polarizing. Some people use it to give the dad sneaker props for being the best of the bunch. Others use it to further mock the Monarch and dad shoes in general.
4. New Balance 608
- Love: “I just got some New Balance 608 V5s. I genuinely did not know it could feel this good to walk down the street. I’m in awe”—@imaSpaceboy, September 2023
- Hate: “The official shoe of men over 60″—@Ripat53, September 2022
If the Nike Air Monarch IV isn’t the “quintessential dad shoe,” the New Balance 608 is. Many people consider them 1 and 1A when it comes to picking out the perfect example of a dad sneaker.
Not everyone does, though. Just like the Monarch IV has its detractors, there isn’t any shortage of those who dislike the NB 608 simply because they say it’s too, well, borrrrrrr-ing. This puts New Balance 608s into the same boat as the Monarchs, making it one of the most polarizing dad sneakers.
5. Adidas Yeezy 700
- Love: “The upcoming Yeezy 700 is absolute fire”—@StreetNightLive, March 2018
- Hate: “idc what anybody say about yeezy boost 700. unless they drop some fire colorways the shoe itself is trash”—@1moneydon, August 2017
Hot on the heels of the super-successful Adidas Yeezy 350, people had high hopes for the Adidas Yeezy 700. At first, many said they thought the 700s had missed the mark. They didn’t love its chunkier-than-anticipated design, which featured a decidedly dad-shoe aesthetic.
It didn’t take long for at least some to get over it. Released in limited quantities in August 2017 before receiving a much wider release in November, the Adidas Yeezy 700 is another shoe credited with jumpstarting the dad sneaker craze that dominated the end of the 2010s. The Adidas Yeezy 700 “Wave Runner,” in particular, was an incredibly popular colorway that has maintained its appeal for a decade.
If not for the aforementioned Balenciaga Triple S, the Yeezy 700 might actually be more revered than it is. The Triple S was seen as another contributing factor to the sudden popularity of dad shoes.
6. Hoka Bondi
- Love: “The hoka bondi shoe is my go to!!! Lots of support, can run for days! Amazing shoe”—@TheTaylorHarris, June 2022
- Hate: “After a few runs in the Hoka Bondi 8…not for me. They were supposed to be max cushion but I didn’t feel it”—@Waka_FlockaDame, July 2023
The original Hoka Bondi — known as the Bondi B — dropped in 2011. It was Hoka’s very first road-running shoe, and it immediately put the brand on the map.
While other shoe brands were designing minimalist running sneakers at the time, Hoka went in the opposite direction. The company created a runner with extra-thick cushioning, giving it a supersized appearance.
Hoka has continued taking the same approach with subsequent Bondis, like the Hoka Bondi 9, eventually kick-starting a trend that saw many other brands jam-pack more cushioning into their runners. It helped Hoka become one of the fastest-growing companies in the running shoe category.
However, Hokas aren’t without their critics. They’ve transformed the Bondi, in particular, into one of the most polarizing dad shoes of all time by arguing against the sometimes cartoonishly thick cushioning incorporated into some of them.
7. Brooks Ghost
- Love: “Not yeezys but super pleased with my newest pickup! These Brooks Ghost 13 are actually mad comfy on feet!!!”—@Cle_Eric_23, December 2020
- Hate: “Any recommendations for neutral running shoe? Had Brooks Ghost 6, moved to Ghost 8 but feel too big and chunky”—@CupcakeLeeds, May 2016
Similar to the Hoka Bondi, the Brooks Ghost had plenty of naysayers when it was first released in 2008, primarily due to its bulky design. Some people who use it for walking and light training say it’s the most comfortable shoe they’ve ever put on. Others report that it’s too stiff to enjoy wearing it.
There’s also another level that makes the original Brooks Ghost and all its subsequent versions, such as the Brooks Ghost 17 and the Brooks Ghost Max 3, polarizing. Some longtime Brooks enthusiasts have accused the brand of altering its Ghost sneakers to pander to trends.
This has made it virtually impossible for dad-shoe wearers to get on the same page about the Brooks Ghost, making it one of the most polarizing dad sneakers ever to drop.
8. New Balance 9060
- Love: “The New Balance 9060 looks gorgeous 😻”—@Nkinki_, August 2024
- Hate: “That New Balance 9060 is so ugly to me”—@KeepitTrilI_, April 2023
“Aggressive” isn’t a word often used to describe New Balance dad shoes. Most NB dad sneakers don’t stray far from the brand’s signature style, typically described as “practical,” “functional,” and “subdued.”
The New Balance 9060 is one of the few New Balance dad sneakers that has pushed the boundaries more than NB enthusiasts are used to. It boasts a chunky, bold, and fashion-forward design, making it unlike any NB sneakers that came before it.
Not surprisingly, this dramatic change didn’t please everyone. Many longtime NB fanatics didn’t love its exaggerated design or massive size. Some people eventually came around to it, but the NB 9060 wasn’t “love at first sight” for many.
9. Any Skechers
- Love: “Skechers all look like dad shoes. so if you care about the aesthetics they’re not the best choice. but I bought a pair of Skechers GOruns, and they are the most comfortable shoes I own”—@gyanl, June 2022
- Hate: “Skechers shoes are awful”—@grldadspaceweeb, July 2016
I’m really going to date myself here, but stick with me!
Remember when AOL was in its heyday back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and everyone had their own screen names and “Member Profiles” set up?
There was a “Favorite Music” section in these profiles. For whatever reason, it became trendy to write, “Anything but country,” as if it would have been the absolute worst thing in the world if anyone found out people listened to, like, Kenny Chesney or Shania Twain.
If AOL were still around and if its “Member Profiles” had a “Favorite Sneakers” section, more than a few people would probably have “Anything but Skechers” written in it. Even though surveys like this suggest Skechers is the fourth-most-liked sneaker brand in the U.S., it has seemingly struggled to win favor with the cool crowd.
That said, Skechers has single-handedly produced countless popular dad shoes over the last 30-plus years, such as the Skechers Energy Afterburn and the Skechers Gowalk Arch Fit. It has also started to turn the corner, capturing the “cool” factor it has historically lacked.
It got a big boost in 2026 thanks to a bunch of NBA stars, and if it can continue to ride this wave, “Anything but Skechers” will, like AOL, be a distant memory before long.
10. Nike Air Force 1
- Love: “Clean white Air Force 1s will never get old to me”—@_TamiaK, March 2017
- Hate: “I need some new air force 1’s but idk which ones to get bc just plain white ones are boring”—@lgbtbrnes, December 2022
I would argue that the Nike Air Force 1 is not among the most polarizing dad shoes of all time because…
But even I have to admit that the very fact that there is an ongoing debate about whether the Air Force 1 is a dad shoe in the first place makes it pretty polarizing. Gen Z really knew what it was doing when it started this debate and stoked the fire.
As Millennials get older and continue wearing AF1s, I imagine this dad shoe debate getting even more heated over time.
How the Most Polarizing Dad Shoes Have Helped Push Dad Sneakers Forward
For a long time, dad shoes really weren’t all that polarizing. The majority of people agreed that dad sneakers were basic, dorky, lame, ugly, or just downright boring.
But ever since dad sneakers started surging in popularity about a decade ago, many people’s thinking has done a 180. More people are now having heated debates about the most polarizing dad shoes, launching arguments over sneakers like the Fila Disruptor II, the Balenciaga Triple S, and the Nike Air Monarch IV, among others.
These debates have forced people to choose sides and put a bigger spotlight squarely on dad shoes, ushering in a new era for these once-overlooked sneakers.
Debates break out over more than just the most polarizing dad shoes among sneaker enthusiasts. They also argue over questions like, “Are Dad Shoes Cool?” Check out our Dad Shoe Debates section to see where they stand, or visit our Dad Shoe 101 page to learn more about where to buy dad shoes.
FAQs About the Most Polarizing Dad Sneakers
The Balenciaga Triple S is probably the most polarizing dad shoe of all time. However, other dad sneakers, such as the Fila Disruptor II, the Balenciaga Triple S, and the Nike Air Monarch IV, are also known to get people riled up.
Dad sneakers are so polarizing due to their bulky, chunky designs that don’t always sit well with sneaker enthusiasts. Despite sometimes being labeled “boring,” dad shoes typically have off-the-beaten-path designs that can take some getting used to.
The least polarizing dad shoes are probably the New Balance 990 and New Balance 574. Few people find fault with their designs or other aspects. Still, even these respected dad sneakers are sometimes criticized by those who aren’t fans of dad shoes.
No, dad sneakers have not always been polarizing. For years, many people didn’t consider them viable options, so they gave little thought to where they stood on them. This didn’t change until about a decade ago.
Dad shoes will likely be polarizing for the foreseeable future. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since the most polarizing dad shoes are the ones people clearly care about. It highlights how far dad sneakers have come in a relatively short time, considering they weren’t even on most people’s radars until the late 2010s.