Everlane Court Sneaker Review (A Different Kind of Minimal Trainer)6 min read

The Everlane Court Sneaker has quickly become a fan favorite since its release. This in-depth, long-term review takes a closer look at the Court and how it’s held up over the past 4+ years.

So, Everlane was put on the map through their minimalist basics for men and women. It wasn’t until a few years ago that they began offering casual sneakers as well.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the initial drop of the Tread Trainer aka. Tread by Everlane at the time of release and also the original Court sneaker when it dropped about a year later and the ReLeather version a year after that. And so I have a bit of intel on the evolution of these sneakers thru the years—the good and the bad.

In this review, I quickly touch on the Everlane brand—cover the Court sneaker’s style & design, quality & craftsmanship, comfort & durability, shoe sizing, how to clean it, pros & cons—and wrap up with whether or not it’s worth it.

The Everlane Court Sneaker (4+ Years Later)

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Here’s a quick rundown of the Everlane brand:

About Everlane

Founded in 2010, Everlane is a clothing and accessories brand known for its commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion and for its transparent pricing model, which allows customers to see the true cost of each product.

Today they offer stylish super simple basics from premium t-shirts to organic jeans, Japanese oxfords to performance chinos and cashmere sweaters to heavyweight overshirts. It’s what comprises their ultra-simple Uniform collection.

• CEO: Andrea O’Donnell
• Founded: 2010
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California
• Employees: 250-500
• Est. Annual Revenue: $100-500 Million
• Exchange Listed On: Not Listed

Based in San Francisco, California, Everlane clothing is still more popular among the ladies with their women’s apparel, however their line of men’s apparel has grown significantly in the past handful of years and has become a staple brand for many stylish gents.

Style & Design

Tread by Everlane

You might remember the Court sneaker’s predecessor the Tread Trainer (no longer in stock), which I also have 2 pairs of from the initial release a few years back. They’ve since stopped producing Tread by Everlane, replacing it with the Court Sneaker and the now ReLeather version which is made from recycled leather. And now they’re back to just the original Everlane Court Sneaker. They can’t seem to make up their minds!

The Tread Trainer had resemblance to chunky sneakers; albeit a toned down version. This was likely Everlane trend chasing (a la ugly sneaker) at the time.

A Unique Design

The Court sneaker is unique in that it straddles the line between high-top and low-top sneaker. It brings the best of both worlds together to create a different kind of minimalist trainer that pays homage to vintage designs of the past whilst still fitting the mold as a minimalist shoe.

The ReLeather version of the Court sneaker is identical to the original Court, the only difference being the more eco-friendly nature. Visually, the only difference between my OG Court and my ReLeather version is the blue tab on the back and the contrasting brown outsole.

Styling the Everlane Court Sneaker

Everlane’s Court sneaker looks fantastic with more casual, sporty outfits. Due to the chunkier, more detailed design and higher heel, I wouldn’t recommend dressing up these sneakers, and so no sport coats or blazers with these kicks, although a pair of dark wash jeans is fair game.

First you can try the Court sneaker with a navy pique polo shirt and linen shorts for a slightly dressier summer fit. Second, in order to dial down the elevation, opt for a pair of chino shorts, combined with an athletic gray sweatshirt, mid-calf tube socks and dad hat for a sporty Millennial or Gen-Z sorta vibe.

Alternatively you can opt for a pair of dark wash denim and a checkered flannel shirt for another casual, slightly more elevated fit. Feel free to cuff up your jeans for an air of casual nonchalance.

The Courts pair well with light wash jeans too, so don’t be afraid to experiment here.

» You Might Like: Adidas Stan Smith review (are they worth the hype?)

Quality & Craftsmanship

Leather Upper

On the ReLeather Court sneaker the upper is made with recycled leather scraps, requiring no new tanning or dyeing—it’s 50% recycled leather and 50% non-leather substances.

Lining & Insoles

The shoes are have a soft cotton-feeling, likely synthetic lining. It’s comfortable and that’s all that matters really. The sneakers also come with a removable cushioned insole which helps with the overall comfort of the sneakers in addition to providing a more snug fit.

Outsoles

Everlane’s Court outsole is rubber with an outsole drop of 12mm. It’s a fairly durable material, but not as grippy as margom or other rubber soled sneakers I have. It’s actually somewhat slippery.

Where Are Everlane Court Sneakers Made?

The Court sneaker is made in Thai Binh, Vietnam in the Golden Star Co., Ltd. factory. Geographically speaking, it’s located in Northern Vietnam, southeast of Hanoi.

» You Might Like: Beckett Simonon Morgen Trainers Review.

Comfort & Durability

How does Everlane Court sneakers hold up over the long haul? Pretty good.

The leather on both sneakers are holding up really well. There’s noticeable creasing on the leather, but that’s expected. It’s natural wear over time. The durability over the past several years is solid.

You’ll notice the scrapes along the front corner of the right shoe of my OG Court sneaker, this is because I wore these while skateboarding for a few days this past summer. While they’re not made for skateboarding, they hold their own after a handful of ollies.

Are Everlane Court Sneakers Comfortable?

The Court sneakers are some of the more comfortable casual sneakers in my collection. I find that the small bubble of padding around the ankles provides extra support and helps to prevent blisters. I’ve never had any foot pain or blisters while wearing these shoes.

On the Court with the Court Sneaker

This past spring, summer and autumn I’ve been taking to a local outdoor basketball court with my Courts to test how they perform on the concrete as I make agile moves and shoot the rock.

Safe to say that the shoes perform well on the hardcourt and no broken ankles to report, except for my opponents.

IS THE COURT FOR YOU?

» Related: You might be interested in this review of the Beckett Simonon Reid Sneakers.

Court Sneaker Sizing

When it comes to Everlane’s Court sneaker sizing, I find that they fit true to size. I’m an 8 in sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, Allbirds, Koio, Greats, Beckett Simonon and Oliver Cabell—Everlane is no different.

I appreciate that they offer half sizes as well, something many brands still do not offer. You can find the Court in sizes from 7-13.

» You Might Like: Wolf & Shepherd SwiftKnit Derby Review.

How to Clean the Court Sneaker

Cleaning is relatively simple. Everlane recommends to spot clean by wiping with a clean dry soft cloth. You can use one of those lysol wipes or wet towel, mix it with a dash of soap and you’ll be good to go. Alternatively, you can get these disposable shoe cleaner wipes for white leather, suede or mesh from Reshoevn8r or Simple Shine. They’re convenient to use when you’re in a pinch.

Everlane Court Sneaker Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A clean and comfortable sneaker
• Comes in 6 different colorways
• Has a unique, timeless silhouette
• Good sustainability effort with the recycled materials
• Affordable price point, especially while on sale

Cons:

• Not the most versatile pair of trainers
• A few reviews have noted that there are durability issues

» Quick note: You might like this Nike Internationalist review.

Is the Court Sneaker Worth It?

If you want a pair of minimal trainers that’s different from the sea of low-tops out there, then the Court sneaker might be right up your alley.

While the ReLeather moniker may be a bit of a gimmick—again following the trend of sustainability, it’s admirable that they took the effort to evolve the shoe over time.

With a sub-$100 price point (on sale), the Court sneaker is an exceptional entry level sneaker option for men looking to get into the white, minimalist sneaker game.

Wrapping Up

For additional reading, you can check out some of our other shoe reviews:

• Beckett Simonon vs Allen Edmonds
• Koio Capri Sneakers Unboxing & on Feet
• Ace Marks Duke Sneaker Review
• Beckett Simonon Geller Trainer
• Greats vs Everlane (Sustainable Sneaker Battle)

There you have it, my long awaited Court sneaker review. Hopefully you got the intel you needed on whether or not these kicks are right for you.

Take it easy and I’ll see ya next time!

-K

Have you checked out Everlane’s sneaker offering yet?

Let’s continue the discussion over in the Gentlemen Within Private Facebook Community.

Looking forward to seeing you in there.