Winter is not the season most people associate with low-top sneakers, and yet a lot of us wear them from November to February anyway: on the commute, to the shops, on the weekends when it is cold but dry. The trick is not the shoe. It is the outfit around it. With the right trousers, socks and layers, a low-top sneaker can look as deliberate in January as it does in June. This guide gives you six winter sneaker outfits, built around four pairs from our store: the New Balance 327, the Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy, the New Balance ABZORB 2000 and the Nike x Skepta Shox TL.
First, a quick note on who we are. House of Portofino is an independent reseller. We are not an official dealer for New Balance, Stone Island, Nike or any other brand, and nothing here is endorsed by those brands. Everything we say about a product comes from its page in our store.
The four pairs at a glance
New Balance 327 Dark Earth Mushroom
The New Balance 327 Dark Earth Mushroom Sneakers have the low-top silhouette of the 327 in a neutral brown palette. The page describes dark brown overlays combined with mushroom and off-white parts, a lace-up closure, oversized New Balance branding on the side and the extended outsole design that is characteristic of the 327. It is the warmest-looking of the four, and the most obviously winter-friendly.
Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy Dark Green
The Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy Dark Green Sneakers use the recognizable 574 shape in dark green and olive, with gray and black accents. The page lists a layered upper with structured panels, contrasting New Balance branding and collaboration details, a lace-up closure and contrasting sections in the midsole. It is the one to pick if you like dark, military-leaning colours.
New Balance ABZORB 2000 White Gray Blue
The New Balance ABZORB 2000 White Gray Blue Sneakers have a modern low-top silhouette with a mostly white upper, gray and blue details, layered sections and a segmented sole design with blue sections. The page lists a mesh upper and a lace-up closure. It is the lightest-looking pair, which makes it useful in winter as the bright spot against dark clothes.
Nike x Skepta Shox TL
The Nike x Skepta Shox TL Sneakers are a collaboration sneaker based on the Nike Shox TL silhouette, in black, with a low, sporty design. The product photos show red details in the sole. It is the most distinctive of the group, and the easiest to wear in an all-black winter outfit.
Six outfits for the cold months
1. Brown on brown: the 327 with a chocolate or camel coat
Take the New Balance 327 and wear it with straight, dark trousers, a cream or oatmeal knit and a camel or brown coat. The mushroom and off-white parts of the sneaker pick up the knit, and the dark brown picks up the coat. Keep everything in the same warm family and it will look intentional.
2. Olive and charcoal: the 574 Legacy with cargo or chino trousers
The dark green pair belongs with olive, black, charcoal and stone. Try olive chinos or cargo trousers, a charcoal crewneck and a black padded jacket. Let the sneaker be the only piece with obvious detail. The gray and black accents mean it sits well with a monochrome outfit.
3. Gray layers: the ABZORB 2000 with a gray tracksuit
The white, gray and blue pair suits a sporty, soft outfit: gray joggers, a gray or navy hooded sweatshirt and a dark quilted jacket. The pale upper brightens a winter palette. On rainy days, wipe the upper afterwards; lighter colors show the marks faster.
4. All black with one accent: the Shox TL
For a clean, dark outfit, wear the black Shox TL with black trousers, a black knit and a black coat. The red details in the sole become the only color in the outfit. It is a confident look and it needs nothing else.
5. Dark denim and a navy coat: any of the four
If you want the simplest possible formula, wear dark jeans, a navy or gray knit, and a long coat. Then change only the sneaker. The 327 makes it warm, the 574 Legacy makes it dark and earthy, the ABZORB makes it lighter and the Shox TL makes it sharper.
6. Layered casual: a quarter-zip under a jacket
A ribbed quarter-zip pullover worn under an overshirt or a puffer gives you warmth and a tidy neckline. Keep trousers straight and mid-length, so that the hem sits just above the shoe and shows the shape. This works with all four pairs.
A simple rule for building the outfit
If you only remember one thing, remember this: pick the sneaker first, then pull one color from it into the rest of the outfit. With the 327, that color is mushroom or brown, and it can show up in a scarf or a knit. With the 574 Legacy, it is olive. With the ABZORB 2000, it is a soft gray or a pale blue. With the Shox TL, it is black, with nothing added. Two or three colors in total is plenty. When an outfit looks wrong, it is usually because it has four or five.
Practical points for winter
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Socks. Choose a sock that is thick enough for the weather but not so thick that the shoe feels tight. Laces help you adjust.
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Trouser length. In winter, hems that are too short leave your ankles cold. A straight hem that just touches the shoe is the most practical.
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Wet days. The product pages do not describe any of these four as water-resistant, so keep them for dry or lightly damp days and wipe them clean afterwards.
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Drying. If a pair gets wet, let it dry naturally, away from direct heat such as radiators.
Sizing notes
The size options on these pages show EU, UK and US sizes together, so you can pick in the measurement you know best. The New Balance pages label their sizes as NB sizes. The pages do not give a rule such as sizing up or down. If you are unsure, compare the size label with a pair of sneakers you already own, think about the socks you plan to wear in winter, or ask customer service before you order.
Which pair should you choose?
You can answer this by looking at your coat. If your winter wardrobe is brown, camel and cream, the 327 is the natural choice. If it is dark green, black and olive, the 574 Legacy fits. If you wear a lot of gray and navy and want something lighter at ground level, go for the ABZORB 2000. If you wear mostly black, the Shox TL is the obvious pick. Choosing a shoe that matches the clothes you already own means you will wear it more often.
More to browse
The New Balance collection lists the New Balance styles currently on our site, and the Nike collection has more from that brand.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear low-top sneakers in winter?
Yes, on dry or lightly damp days. Choose darker colours, thicker socks and trousers that cover the ankle, and wear a coat that matches the sneaker's palette.
What colors of sneaker work best in winter?
Earthy and dark colours, such as brown, olive, charcoal and black, blend with winter clothing. A lighter pair, like the white, gray and blue ABZORB, works as a bright accent against dark clothes.
How should I clean sneakers after wet weather?
Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth, let them dry naturally away from direct heat, and store them somewhere cool and dry. Follow any care guidance on the product page.
Winter Sneaker Outfits: 6 Looks With New Balance 327, 574 Legacy, ABZORB 2000 and Shox TL
Winter is not the season most people associate with low-top sneakers, and yet a lot of us wear them from November to February anyway: on the commute, to the shops, on the weekends when it is cold but dry. The trick is not the shoe. It is the outfit around it. With the right trousers, socks and layers, a low-top sneaker can look as deliberate in January as it does in June. This guide gives you six winter sneaker outfits, built around four pairs from our store: the New Balance 327, the Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy, the New Balance ABZORB 2000 and the Nike x Skepta Shox TL.
First, a quick note on who we are. House of Portofino is an independent reseller. We are not an official dealer for New Balance, Stone Island, Nike or any other brand, and nothing here is endorsed by those brands. Everything we say about a product comes from its page in our store.
The four pairs at a glance
New Balance 327 Dark Earth Mushroom
The New Balance 327 Dark Earth Mushroom Sneakers have the low-top silhouette of the 327 in a neutral brown palette. The page describes dark brown overlays combined with mushroom and off-white parts, a lace-up closure, oversized New Balance branding on the side and the extended outsole design that is characteristic of the 327. It is the warmest-looking of the four, and the most obviously winter-friendly.
Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy Dark Green
The Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy Dark Green Sneakers use the recognizable 574 shape in dark green and olive, with gray and black accents. The page lists a layered upper with structured panels, contrasting New Balance branding and collaboration details, a lace-up closure and contrasting sections in the midsole. It is the one to pick if you like dark, military-leaning colours.
New Balance ABZORB 2000 White Gray Blue
The New Balance ABZORB 2000 White Gray Blue Sneakers have a modern low-top silhouette with a mostly white upper, gray and blue details, layered sections and a segmented sole design with blue sections. The page lists a mesh upper and a lace-up closure. It is the lightest-looking pair, which makes it useful in winter as the bright spot against dark clothes.
Nike x Skepta Shox TL
The Nike x Skepta Shox TL Sneakers are a collaboration sneaker based on the Nike Shox TL silhouette, in black, with a low, sporty design. The product photos show red details in the sole. It is the most distinctive of the group, and the easiest to wear in an all-black winter outfit.
Six outfits for the cold months
1. Brown on brown: the 327 with a chocolate or camel coat
Take the New Balance 327 and wear it with straight, dark trousers, a cream or oatmeal knit and a camel or brown coat. The mushroom and off-white parts of the sneaker pick up the knit, and the dark brown picks up the coat. Keep everything in the same warm family and it will look intentional.
2. Olive and charcoal: the 574 Legacy with cargo or chino trousers
The dark green pair belongs with olive, black, charcoal and stone. Try olive chinos or cargo trousers, a charcoal crewneck and a black padded jacket. Let the sneaker be the only piece with obvious detail. The gray and black accents mean it sits well with a monochrome outfit.
3. Gray layers: the ABZORB 2000 with a gray tracksuit
The white, gray and blue pair suits a sporty, soft outfit: gray joggers, a gray or navy hooded sweatshirt and a dark quilted jacket. The pale upper brightens a winter palette. On rainy days, wipe the upper afterwards; lighter colors show the marks faster.
4. All black with one accent: the Shox TL
For a clean, dark outfit, wear the black Shox TL with black trousers, a black knit and a black coat. The red details in the sole become the only color in the outfit. It is a confident look and it needs nothing else.
5. Dark denim and a navy coat: any of the four
If you want the simplest possible formula, wear dark jeans, a navy or gray knit, and a long coat. Then change only the sneaker. The 327 makes it warm, the 574 Legacy makes it dark and earthy, the ABZORB makes it lighter and the Shox TL makes it sharper.
6. Layered casual: a quarter-zip under a jacket
A ribbed quarter-zip pullover worn under an overshirt or a puffer gives you warmth and a tidy neckline. Keep trousers straight and mid-length, so that the hem sits just above the shoe and shows the shape. This works with all four pairs.
A simple rule for building the outfit
If you only remember one thing, remember this: pick the sneaker first, then pull one color from it into the rest of the outfit. With the 327, that color is mushroom or brown, and it can show up in a scarf or a knit. With the 574 Legacy, it is olive. With the ABZORB 2000, it is a soft gray or a pale blue. With the Shox TL, it is black, with nothing added. Two or three colors in total is plenty. When an outfit looks wrong, it is usually because it has four or five.
Practical points for winter
Sizing notes
The size options on these pages show EU, UK and US sizes together, so you can pick in the measurement you know best. The New Balance pages label their sizes as NB sizes. The pages do not give a rule such as sizing up or down. If you are unsure, compare the size label with a pair of sneakers you already own, think about the socks you plan to wear in winter, or ask customer service before you order.
Which pair should you choose?
You can answer this by looking at your coat. If your winter wardrobe is brown, camel and cream, the 327 is the natural choice. If it is dark green, black and olive, the 574 Legacy fits. If you wear a lot of gray and navy and want something lighter at ground level, go for the ABZORB 2000. If you wear mostly black, the Shox TL is the obvious pick. Choosing a shoe that matches the clothes you already own means you will wear it more often.
More to browse
The New Balance collection lists the New Balance styles currently on our site, and the Nike collection has more from that brand.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear low-top sneakers in winter?
Yes, on dry or lightly damp days. Choose darker colours, thicker socks and trousers that cover the ankle, and wear a coat that matches the sneaker's palette.
What colors of sneaker work best in winter?
Earthy and dark colours, such as brown, olive, charcoal and black, blend with winter clothing. A lighter pair, like the white, gray and blue ABZORB, works as a bright accent against dark clothes.
How should I clean sneakers after wet weather?
Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth, let them dry naturally away from direct heat, and store them somewhere cool and dry. Follow any care guidance on the product page.