Unlock Your Sneaker Game: The 8 Quick-Lace Kicks That Will Instantly Elevate Your Style and Performance

The Salomon ACS sneaker is a bit techier than the XT-6. It sits higher off the ground and has some busier detailing on the upper, but keeps the very useful waterproof construction. It has the all-terrain Contagrip—that’s the tread that Salomon uses on the bottom to keep you stable in different conditions. We also like the double heel tab, or pull tab, in the back to get them on easily.

These are pretty great. Though on my pair, I found the shoe a bit wide and almost too deep, like my foot had too much space between the bottom and top. I swapped out the insole for a thicker one and have had no problems since.

The Nike P-6000 is just a damn good shoe. It feels a little outdoorsy, a little gorpcore-y, and it has that kind of neutral, muted color—like the black and dark olive—that feels subtle without feeling boring. Done in that slightly lower-key Nike sneaker style, even the thicker bungee toggles don’t feel quite so techy. We really like these as an easy spring sneaker, especially if it’s rainy.

The Nike Air Max DN Rome shoes have two layers: a sock-ish under layer with a bungee toggle closure, which sits under a zippered, waterproof shroud. There’s no open tongue for rain to seep into here. Water just slides right off the top, making these great for rain, snow, and sleet. They help us keep our more precious sneakers precious.

These are a little futuristic, a little outdoorsy, and just really great for every day. Plus, the little Air Max pockets in the heel make them pretty comfortable all day as well. They’re a weather-prepped sneaker that takes you right through chaotic winter-to-spring weather.

If you’re a fan of the Hoka Bondi with its big, marshmallow-y, cloudy cushion—as thick as that cushion can get—the Hoka Bondi B3LS is a great place to try out a quick lace on a familiar frame. This Bondi (3 lifestyle, to be specific) still has your beloved cushioned midsole but the upper is done up a little techier for a shoe that looks more different than it actually feels on foot. You can get it in this tonal black, but the other colorways have more contrast on the mesh and knit upper.

Merrell has a real sleeper hit on its hands with these Speedarc Matisses. We like how bubbly and weird the shoes look—very retro-futuristic in an earnest way. But these aren’t just for looks. They’re designed for hiking, in fact, with a mixed-terrain-friendly Vibram MegaGrip outsole and stabilizing FlexPlate. They are a bit bouncier than most hikers, which we appreciate for our low-key hikes. Better for long, flatter treks than super technical trails.

These New Balance 1906Rs are the ideal foray into toggle-lace territory because the sneaker shape itself is already a reliable favorite. They’re super comfy with the ABZORB midsole that’s supportive but not bulky. We particularly like these for traveling. Slip ’em on and off for airport security or quickly loosen the laces if your feet swell on flights or during long days of walking.