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Here’s the Deal
- “Can you wear sneakers to a graduation?” is a question many high school and college students ask every spring.
- You can wear sneakers to graduation, but be mindful of the occasion and choose the right ones to pair with your cap and gown.
- Several classic dad shoes, such as the New Balance Made in USA 990v4 and Adidas Ozweego, are excellent options for those preparing to receive their high school or college diplomas.
Is It Normal to Wear Sneakers to a Graduation?
When I graduated from college *muffled sounds* years ago, it was not normal to wear sneakers to a graduation. Women wore heels, men wore hard bottoms, and that was that.
How things have changed.
Shoe brands now create sneakers specifically for students to wear to their graduations:
Over the last decade or so, the answer to the question, “Can you wear sneakers to graduation?” has gone from “no way” to “absolutely!” And the way I see it, this change has occurred for a few key reasons.
For starters, high school and college graduates usually spend extended periods on their feet, either standing during ceremonies or walking long distances to receive their diplomas. Sneakers can keep their feet comfortable while simultaneously minimizing the risk of tripping or slipping.
Wearing sneakers is also one of the few ways graduates can differentiate themselves from their classmates as they walk across the graduation stage. Everyone is typically required to wear the same caps and gowns, so wearing sneakers gives grads their only real opportunity to set themselves apart stylistically.
But if I had to guess, I suspect the shift in people’s attitudes toward dad shoes has also played a huge part in changing the answer to the question, “Can you wear sneakers to a graduation?” from “no” to “yes.”
Don’t get me wrong: Plenty of students are still sporting Air Force 1s and Air Jordans to their graduations. But the popularity of dad sneakers has made them the most viable option for those getting ready to graduate, in terms of both comfort and style.
If you have a graduation coming up, you can help further normalize wearing sneakers by making your grand entrance in dad shoes. These 7 grade-A dad sneakers for graduates are a perfect fit for the Class of 2026.
1. New Balance Made in USA 990v4 “Grey/Silver”
The New Balance 990 was the first dad shoe ever released, but it’s the New Balance Made in USA 990v4 “Grey/Silver” that is often credited with making dad shoes cool. It’s a timeless sneaker that looks great dressed up or down, making it one of the best dad shoes for graduations and most other events.
Other great New Balance dad shoes for graduates:
- New Balance Made in USA 990v6 “Grey/Grey”
- New Balance 574 Core “Black/White”
- New Balance 9060 “Slate Grey/Arid Stone/Timberwolf”
2. Nike Zoom Vomero 5 “Dark Grey/Black/White”
While the New Balance 990 is steeped in history, the Nike Zoom Vomero 5 “Dark Grey/Black/White” is a more modern dad shoe. It also has a more eye-catching design that’s sure to turn heads when people see the Vomero 5 peeking out from the bottom of your graduation gown.
Other great Nike dad sneakers for graduates:
- Nike Air Max Torch “Anthracite/Metallic Silver/Black”
- Nike Air Pegasus 2005 “Light Khaki/Medium Olive/Photon Dust/Metallic Silver”
- Nike Air Monarch IV “Dark Grey/Black”
3. Asics GEL-NYC 2055 “Midnight/Cream”
Introduced in 2024, the Asics Gel-NYC “Midnight/Cream” is an amalgamation of a bunch of Asics classics, including the Asics GT-2050 and the Asics Gel-Cumulus 16. By blending the old with the new, Asics has another hit on its hands.
Other great Asics dad shoes for graduates:
- Asics Lyte Classic Sportstyle “Glacier Grey/Raw Indigo”
- Asics GT-1000 14 “Black/Black”
- Asics Gel-Kayano 32 “Black/White”
4. Adidas Ozweego TR “Core Black/Grey Six/Grey Four/Midnight”
Even though it’s technically a trail shoe, the Adidas Ozweego TR “Core Black/Grey Six/Grey Four/Midnight” won’t look out of place at all during a graduation, thanks to its sleek design. At the same time, if it’s good enough to help you navigate your way over the river and through the woods, it’s good enough to help you walk across the graduation stage without encountering any issues.
Other great Adidas dad sneakers for graduates:
- Adidas CrazyChaos 2000 “Blanch Cargo/Blanch Cargo/Blanch Cargo“
- Adidas ZX 22 Boost “Solid Grey/Solid Grey/Grey”
- Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 “Wave Runner”
5. Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 “Brown/Wine/Brown”
The Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 “Brown/Wine/Brown” will do a much better job blending into the crowd than other dad shoes for graduates, if that’s your intention. They won’t necessarily look like sneakers from afar, allowing you to slip past school administrators virtually undetected with your dad shoes on.
Other great Saucony dad shoes for graduates:
- Saucony Hurricane 25 “Black/Shadow”
- Saucony Ride Millennium “Hot Sauce/Black”
- Saucony Ride 14 “Charcoal/Black”
6. Reebok Classic Leather “Core Black/Pure Grey 5/Reebok Gum 3”
You really can’t go wrong wearing the Reebok Classic Leather “Footwear White/Pure Grey 3/Reebok Gum 3” to graduation. But if the all-white colorway is a little too bright for the occasion, how about going with the Reebok Classic Leather “Core Black/Pure Grey 5/Reebok Gum 3” instead?
Other great Reebok dad sneakers for graduates:
- Reebok Club C 85 “Int-White/Green”
- Reebok Floatzig “Bone/Moonstone/Ash”
- Reebok Glide “Black/White/Gum”
7. Brooks Ghost Max 3 “Primer Grey/Ebony”
Walking across the stage is far from the only walking that you’ll do during your graduation. You might walk at least a couple of miles in total before everything is all said and done. Your feet will thank you for wearing these comfortable Brooks Ghost Max 3 “Primer Grey/Ebony” dad shoes.
Other great Brooks dad shoes for graduates:
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 “Black/Grey/White”
- Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 “Black/Grey/White”
- Brooks Addiction GTS 15 “Black/Black/Ebony”
5 Tips for Wearing Dad Shoes to a Graduation
Does your high school or college definitely allow graduates to wear sneakers to graduation?
Not all schools do. Some even refuse to let students walk if they show up in anything other than formal dress shoes.
Make sure you ask, “Can you wear sneakers to graduation?” before shopping for a pair to complement your cap and gown. It could help you avoid unintended consequences when all you want is to get your diploma.
Here are 5 other tips to keep in mind when it comes to wearing dad shoes to a graduation:
- Choose solid-colored dad shoes for a graduation: Try not to wear sneakers with too many colors. Ideally, they should either be all one color or, at most, include two or three colors that aren’t too bright.
- Consider your graduation venue when searching for dad shoes: If your graduation is outdoors, you may want to choose dad shoes with darker soles to help them stay cleaner.
- Wear brand-new dad shoes at least once or twice before graduation: Your feet will ache all graduation long if you wear dad shoes that you’ve never worn before. Take them out for a test drive in advance to loosen them up.
- Steer clear of wearing beat-up dad sneakers for graduation: While you should wear new dad sneakers once or twice before putting them on for graduation, you don’t want to wear them so often that they make you look sloppy as you walk across the stage.
- Style your dad sneakers for graduation: Learn how to style dad shoes ahead of time.
Pick Out the Right Dad Sneakers for Your Upcoming Graduation
If you’re graduating from high school or college in 2026, you should take advantage of the fact that the answer to the question, “Can you wear sneakers to a graduation?” is “yes.” It wasn’t all that long ago that most students had no choice but to cram their feet into dress shoes to collect their diplomas.
Buy the best dad shoes for graduation, and use them to showcase your unique style. It will make your 30-second walk across the graduation stage that much more memorable.
FAQs About Wearing Dad Shoes to Graduations
Do All Schools Allow Students to Wear Sneakers to Graduations?
No, not all schools allow students to wear sneakers to graduations. Be sure to check your school’s rules regarding graduation attire before lacing up a pair of dad sneakers for the occasion.
What Are the Best Dad Shoes to Wear to a Graduation?
The best dad shoes to wear to a graduation are any of the sneakers featured on our list, such as the New Balance 990v4, the Nike Zoom Vomero 5, or the Adidas Ozweego.
Should I Wear Brand-New Dad Sneakers for My Graduation?
No, you should not wear brand-new dad sneakers for your graduation. Instead, you should wear dad shoes at least once or twice before walking across the stage in them to ensure they’re broken in.
Will Sneakers Be Visible in Photos If I Wear Them to Graduation?
Yes, sneakers will usually be visible in photos when you wear them to graduation. Remember this before you wear dad shoes that are too bold or that clash with the colors of your cap and gown.
Are There Any Dad Shoe Alternatives I Can Wear for Graduation?
Yes, there are many dad shoe alternatives you can wear for graduation. Options include formal shoes, dress sneakers, or even suede or leather slip-ons.