I would go with black, but then I like black for shoes. They are less noticeable.

I prefer black for practical reasons - it doesn't show the inevitable scuffs and dirt as much as light colors do. I do think it would look better with the dark jeans too.

I like the cream, but agree black would be more practical. I adore my Hokas though and am surprised you switched. Since 1977, I have bought a pair of Nikes every year and switched to Hokas two years ago. I love my new ones which were called tomato and basil. Actually, they are a loden green with a Hoka red lettering.

Black is my forever and always go to. I think I just hate the black and white contrast and the honking big N on the side and feel it is more discrete on the creme. But I have zero fashion sense.

Hoka Cliftons are my go to. But the Clifton 10 isn't cutting it for me at all. There are now so many more mashmallow comfort soles on the market copying Hoka that when they came out with a version that wasn't comfortable enough, I decided to try something else.

I am currently knocking around in shoes similar in color to the cream ones. They've gotten dirty, and despite scrubbing, they look awful. I vote black.

I dislike white soles. They get dirty. Does it come in all black? I see Version 5 on A-zon in black with a black and gray sole.

Black.

Have you tried Danskos? I love my Danskos. Some people hate the hard soles, but I'm very heavy on my feet -- a clomper, if you will -- and the hard soles absorb the shock, and the built-in arch support is nice. My feet never hurt in Danskos, I can (and have) walk all day in them. I have open-back clogs for inside the house and the usual Professional closed-back Danskos for running around in (my Frankenstein shoes LOL!), along with some more attractive options -- Mary Janes and such.

I would get black and use a permanent marker to color in the white part of the N to make it less noticeable.

I think the wide white "sidewall" of the sole of the black ones is an unsightly bright contrast. It's even higher than the shoe top from a sideview and thus more prominent to see. If you want dark shoes, a model with a dark side sole too would look better.

Black. And...the white sole is a current trend...no cure for it.

I have Hoka Challenger for hiking, and the sides are cream rather than stark white, which I don't like.

Yeah, I try to avoid white soles as well, but they're popular. FWIW, the big 'N' is cool rn. - New Balance has become fashionable again.

Black and white, absolutely. It's better than cream and white, always.

i like the black for your needs but do they have all black as well?

I'm a sucker for cream and beige.. Those would look nice with beige or white pants.

Nicole, I found some Nike models, for men and women, with black on top and black on the side.

You had me worried - I'm coming due for new ones and that's what I typically get. ;-)

I never buy white shoes or white soled shoes. They get filthy in no time. But then I don't drive so I walk in all weathers. No way could I wear white soles for hiking, or just walking as I call it. Brown leather, waterproof walking boots with ankle support and gripping soles. They need to deal with uneven terrain. mud and even streams on occasion.

I'd go for black as well. I think white with jeans looks kind of "soccer mom".

For everyday shoes I vote for black. Any shoe with that rocker sole I have tried has messed up my gait. Even the expensive Easy Walkers and most any shoe with walking shoe in the title. I find that my best best is a cross trainer for sneakers. I'm a strider by nature and for some reason those rocker bottoms destroy me.

Floral, I spray mine with a water repellent. It keeps them cleaner longer.

As Nicole said, that black with the white sole is what is out there and it's been that way for a few years. The last several pair of sneakers I've had have been black with the white sole. I wear them to death and the white sole stays white. I 'm too lazy to take a picture, but I don't find the white gets dirty at all. I would only consider the beige if it were leather or vinyl, not cloth or mesh as is. I can't imagine that would stay looking fresh.

I vote black.

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With our weather it isn't possible to keep white shoes clean by any means. Even dark suede and nubuck, despite spraying, soon become scuffed and dirty. I can only wear them on dependably dry days in summer. My actual walking boots, as opposed to shoes, often come home caked with mud. So I stick to black or dark shoes for everyday and proper boots for longer walks. It's pouring today and I'll be wearing dark ECCO goretex shoes to do my errands around town.

I used to only wear black shoes. I too like how less noticeable they are. But my most recent kicks aren't even close. I get positive, happy comments all the time. I now remember why I always wear black. They get dirty so quickly! Thought I'd put that out there ;) I do clean them. Constantly.

When I am on the NYC subway, I seem to be the only person not wearing white sneakers. Years ago, I was the only one not wearing black ones. I tend towards colorful--I need to smile when I look at them. For daily, go with black. If they are your daily shoe, they will wear out more quickly anyway.

I would try to find all black. I do have white sneaks worn sometimes. I really don't like how so many black shoes, or any color besides white, have white soles.

Black for sure. If the white bothers you, look for a different model that doesn’t have the big white N. White soles don’t matter too much. You see them everywhere and it’s hard to find a shoe without them. A magic eraser helps sometimes.

@wildchild2x2, this is so true. I’ve preached this so many times here, I’m not going to do it again. Point #2, Hoka’s are not copied, they copied everyone else and have only been around for 15 or so years. They added to the problem with all the mid-foot cushioning which really just adds to instabiity and the possibility of turning and spraining an ankle.

I’m a near-minimalist when it comes to comfort shoes and sneakers. Exercise your feet and help your balance right along with the rest of your workout.

Black it is! Thanks for the many insights and fashion assistance.

Wish I could wear something as fashionable as Dansko! Grateful that these clunkers exist though and relief my pain.

Another point. I find these days I look at men's shoes for trainers (sneakers). They have more toe room and come in more sensible colours. My above mentioned ECCOs are from the men's range.

Another vote for ECCO. They make great shoes. The styles sometimes seem a bit funky but for comfort and durability, they're hard to beat.

" . I find these days I look at men's shoes for trainers (sneakers). They have more toe room "

I find the heels too wide on men's shoes, which illustrates the underlying point: Different shoes will fit different people's feet differently. If the OP has a brand she likes that works well for her body and movement, I'd recommend she stick with it and not make a change just for cosmetic purposes. My feet do really well in Merrells, but I'm sure there are better shoes out there for different people; for me, Merrells seem to be the best.

UPDATE - I got two pairs in black. These New Balance pluse a Dr Sholl's heel gel insert are fantastic!