5 Best Shoes Like Onitsuka Tiger: Get Ultimate Kicks in 2024

It seems like everyone is talking about Onitsuka Tigers these days, but not everyone can find a pair. That’s because, as sneakerheads were devastated to learn about, Onitsuka no longer sells their products in America.

Fear not, though, we’ve got some great alternatives on this list of the five best shoes like Onitsuka Tiger. Whether or not you just can’t find a pair after months of looking or genuine Onitsuka Tigers are just a bit out of your price range, I’m sure you’ll find a pair that will scratch that itch somewhere on this list.

Some of the entries on this list are almost dead ringers for the classic sneakers; others just have a similar vibe to the classic Mexico 66s that everyone is trying to get their hands on. We’ve also got a couple pairs of ASICS on the list, which are made by the parent company of Onitsuka Tigers and feature much of the same branding and design features of Tigers.

Let’s jump right into it.

Key Takeaways

I looked at a whole lot of different sneakers for this list, squinting my eyes at each and asking myself the question, “Are these shoes like Onitsuka Tigers?” And, although I had some difficulty answering that question in some cases, I’m really pleased with the list of the 5 best shoes like Onitsuka Tiger that I came up with.

Overall, the best shoes like Onitsuka Tiger are the ASICS Unisex Tiger Runner II Sportstyle Shoe. Made by the current owner of the Onitsuka Brand, ASICS, these sneakers feature many of the trademark notes of Onitsuka Tigers. That includes both the famous side detailing and the emphasis on clean and practical design.

I also really like the way they’ve updated the look with modern materials and design principles, since they don’t stick out but rather contribute to comfort and functionality. You can also consider getting a shoe like the Nike Cortez or the PUMA Men’s Super Liga OG Retro Sneaker, both of which are from recognizable brands but share a lot of connections with the look and feel of Onitsuka Tigers.

Why they’re great: The ASICS Unisex Tiger Runner II Sportstyle Shoe offers a fresh take on a classic look, drawing clear inspiration from its Onitsuka heritage. The design features the iconic side stripes and a clean, streamlined silhouette. When you slip these on, you’re essentially stepping into a modernized version of the Onitsuka vibe. They’re also available in a variety of color schemes, all of which I really love.

Who are these for? If you admire the style of Onitsuka sneakers but prefer a more contemporary update, then the ASICS Tiger Runner II is an ideal choice. It’s perfect for those who want the distinctive Onitsuka look but can’t get their hands on a pair of Mexico 66s.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The only aspect of these Onitsuka Tiger-like shoes that might give away their modern origins is the tread design, which is slightly more advanced than the original. This isn’t a major problem, though.

Material: 100% Leather | Sole Material: 100% EZ Foam | Sizes Available: Unisex 4.5–14 | Colors Available: 6

Why they’re great: These excellently made runners from Saucony have a lot in common with the later models of Onitsuka Tigers like the Corsair. The Saucony has the same slightly chunky profile of that iconic sneaker, as well as a similar clean yet colorful design. I particularly like the navy and mustard color scheme that’s available, but there are a number that you can choose between.

Who are these for? Those who are interested in getting themselves a pair of cool runners to wear out and about (without just defaulting to New Balances) should really check these shoes out.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The suede material that these Onitsuka Tiger-like shoes are made from is excellent, but I do wish that they would have gone with natural instead of synthetic rubber as the sole material.

Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Synthetic rubber  | Sizes Available: U.S. 4–14 | Colors Available: 7

Why they’re great: I think you’d pretty much have to be blind to miss the influence that the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s had on Puma when they were creating the Super Liga. Released in the 1980s, these sneakers use the low profile of the Onitsuka Tiger as well as the double layer of material on the front of the shoe.

This is a great example of how shoe brands have always influenced one another and pushed each other forward, and anyone who’s into the history of sneakers will love them.

Who are these for? I’d say that these shoes are great for men who love retro-style sneakers, whether they were made by Onitsuka or another historically important brand like Puma.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Some customers report that the sizing of these shoes can be a bit funky, so make sure to follow the advice we have for you in the “Size & Fit” section below.

Material: 100% Fabric, Leather | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: U.S. 4.5–14 | Colors Available: 3

Why they’re great: Here’s another ASICS sneaker: the ASICS Men’s Upcourt 5 Volleyball Shoes are all about performance and comfort. These court shoes feature a lightweight, breathable mesh and synthetic upper, making them perfect for activewear, whether you’re on the volleyball court or just going about your day.

Although they don’t echo the classic Onitsuka look, they carry the brand’s legacy forward with reliable quality and a sporty aesthetic.

Who are these for? If you’re looking for a dependable, no-nonsense sneaker that’s great for both sports and everyday wear, the ASICS Upcourt 5 is a solid choice. It’s ideal for those who prioritize functionality and comfort over flashy design.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: I’m not a huge fan of the printed detailing on the heel, but it’s not a huge issue in all of the colorways out there. It might even be to your taste, which would be fine, too.

Material: 100% Synthetic | Sole Material: 100% Rubber | Sizes Available: Men’s 6–15 | Colors Available: 7 | Style: Sneakers

Why they’re great: Our next recommendation, the Nike Cortez, actually requires a little history to understand, but to make a long story short, Nike Cortezes and Onitsuka Tiger Corsairs are actually the exact same shoe. Bill Bowerman, who would go on to co-found Nike, developed the sneakers in collaboration with Onitsuka and sold them stateside before striking out on his own. These are a different version with Nike’s iconic branding, but they definitely count as shoes like Oitsuka Tiger to me.

Who are these for? Fans of Nike (and I know that many of you are) might consider getting a pair of these instead of searching the world over for the Onitsuka version.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you’re not a fan of Nike, however, you might be a bit annoyed to see this pair of shoes on the list. Sorry about that, but the history of the shoe kind of forced my hand there.

Material: 100% Suede | Sole Material: 100% Polyester  | Sizes Available: U.S. 6–16 | Colors Available: 7 + Nike’s Design your Own option

Buying Considerations for Shoes Like Onitsuka Tiger

Size & Fit

Whenever you’re buying a new pair of sneakers, ensuring a comfortable fit is crucial. Otherwise, you might end up with a stylish pair of shoes that you rarely wear just because they’re not comfortable.

Shopping online can make sizing tricky, as you can’t try the shoes on, and different brands often have different sizing standards (this is doubly true when you’re dealing with brands from the other side of the world, which is the case with Onitsuka). To help with this, I recommend checking out the official Onitsuka Tiger sizing guide for ASICS or whatever other brand for the other alternatives.

Sizing guides offer detailed instructions on how to measure your feet for the perfect fit and help you feel confident that you won’t have to send back a pair of shoes you can’t wait to wear.

Material

Modern sneakers come in all sorts of different materials, from natural components like leather, suede, and rubber to artificial or synthetic ones like EVA mesh, foams, and plastics. And there are almost as many opinions about which materials are best for sneakers as there are materials they make sneakers out of.

Honestly, this is mostly a style question since sneakers that have different looks on account of what they’re made from will work to varying degrees with different types of outfits. A classic leather sneaker like the Nike Cortez or PUMA Men’s Super Liga OG Retro Sneaker can fit perfectly into a casual outfit or as an accent on a more formal look (especially if they’re in black). On the other hand, I’d recommend wearing a newer style sneaker like the ASICS Men’s Upcourt 5 Volleyball Shoes to complement a sportier or athleisure look.

Style and Color

Much like the previous buying consideration, there are a truly outstanding number of different types of sneakers out there. And, for each sneaker style (and model), there are a ton of different color combinations that you can choose from.

So, how do you cut through all these choices and really figure out which styles of sneaker are best for you? Well, you’ve made a good start by looking for sneakers like Onitsuka Tiger in the first place. That narrows down the style question to retro-looking shoes that have a simple and minimalist design. Now, you just need to pick out a color scheme. That at least seems more manageable.

How We Chose

Each “best of” article we write here on FashionBeans requires a bespoke approach to a category (pun intended) in order to create a list that’s useful and actionable for our readers. In the case of this article, about the best Onitsuka Tiger-like shoes, it was kind of tough to figure out exactly how to define the category in an objective way.

What shoes are enough ‘like’ Onitsukas to count? It’s a tough question, which is why I have to admit that I mostly went on vibes. Could you say that the PUMA Men’s Super Liga OG Retro Sneaker is nothing at all like the Onitsuka Tigers? Probably, yeah, but I wouldn’t, so it made the list. Sometimes, that is how it is with fashion writing.

We also used the following three criteria to judge each product that we were considering putting on the list, which means that each Onitsuka Tiger-like shoes that you’ve seen performed excellently on them.

Seller Reputation: Some of the product listings on this list aren’t directly related to the brand making the sneakers, which means there’s always a bit of a risk of doing business with them. We made sure that all the sellers on the list have an unimpeachably stellar record.

Design: It was also important that each sneaker had something of an ‘it factor’ about it, i.e., something unique that makes them look cool enough to wear in whatever context you like.

Price: And finally, we made sure that each product on the list was reasonably priced and not a rip-off. I certainly don’t like overpaying for sneakers, and I’m sure you don’t, either.

Why Trust Us?

If I had to divide the FashionBeans team into, well, two teams, I’d say that there are sneakerheads and then there are those who love sneakers but wouldn’t use the word sneakerheads. We’ve all been wearing sneakers for our entire lives and writing about them for almost as long, so there’s a ton of experience and knowledge at our disposal.

If you’d like some extra evidence of that, you could always check out a few of our other articles on the topic, like this one or this one. Suffice it to say, we’re confident that we know what we’re talking about when we’re talking about sneakers.

In order to take the best possible advantage of all that experience, we used our typical collaborative process to put this article together. Each member of the editorial staff made their own shortlist of their personal favorite Onitsuka Tiger-like shoes. Then, we had an all-hands-on-deck meeting to decide on the final version of this list. After some (fairly heated) debate, we eventually all agreed on the entries you’ve seen today.

Final Verdict 

At the end of the day, I’m quite happy with our recommendation for the best shoes like Onitsuka Tiger: the ASICS Unisex Tiger Runner II Sportstyle Shoe. If you get yourself a pair of these, you’ll always feel like you’re stepping into a pair of Onitsuka Tigers, even if the brand name is different. I know that’s true because that’s exactly how I feel every time I put my pair on.