What Are The Best Designer Sneakers
The best designer sneakers make a style statement and are made from premium quality materials using advanced construction techniques. For minimalist luxury, Common Projects are one of the best brands. For a darker futuristic aesthetic, you can’t go past Y2. And often copied Balenciaga sneakers are sought-after for their boundary-breaking design.
Key Style: The Ten Nike Air Jordan 1 X Off White
Virgil Ablohs Off-White has been instrumental in bringing streetwear to the runway, including sneakers. The label has produced some of the most hyped models in recent memory, many of which fetch eye-watering amounts of money on the resale market.
In the sneaker world, the label is probably best known for its The Ten collection with Nike. The collaboration saw some of the Swooshs most iconic designs reimagined by Off-White, including the Blazer, the Air Jordan 1 and the Air Max 90.
Most of Off-Whites sneakers feature tongue-in-cheek labelling and swing tag detail that has become characteristic of the Milan-based label.
Paddy Maddison is Ape’s Style Editor. His work has been published in Esquire, Mens Health, ShortList, The Independent and more. An outerwear and sneaker fanatic, his finger is firmly on the pulse for the latest trends, while always maintaining an interest in classic style.
Maison Margiela Replica Leather And Suede Sneakers
According to Hsu, Maison Margielas Replica sneakers have gained icon status among the fashion set and sneakerheads alike. Featuring a low-top silhouette and lace-up design, these are at once neutral and impactful, featuring a dimensional quality that ultra-minimal styles can lack. To wit, theyre incredibly soft, crafted in Italy from calf leather, and feature a padded tongue and collar with rubber outsoles for shock absorption. While the white stitch at the heel is a brand marker well-noted by some, the style remains understated for those not into the heavily-branded look.
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Common Projects Bball Leather Sneakers
When it first landed on the scene in 2004, the Common Projects Achilles Low felt revolutionary: a simple, streamlined tennis shoe crafted by hand in Italy from fine Napa leather. In 2021, the luxury sneaker market is flooded with riffs on minimalist low-top sneakersbut CP still does em better than anybody. Our favorite model these days is the BBall, which marries the labels signature no-frills aesthetic and high-quality construction with hallmarks from timeless classics like the Air Force 1 and Stan Smith. Still clean and supple and built to last, but a little less stark and plain than its predecessor.
Roa Minaar Buckled Neoprene Hiking Trainers
Hiking kicks aren’t just for the trails anymore, and these trainers have swiftly become one of the streetwear pack’s go-tos. Made from panels of neoprene and breathable mesh with a padded ankle for a comfortable, supportive feel, these are some of the best-looking functional shoes on the planet. £291.matchesfashion.com
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Nike X Supreme Sb Dunk Low Jewel Swoosh Red: Best Collaboration
The collaboration between Nike and Supreme has produced many shoes over the years. But one of our all-time favourites is this SB Dunk Low Jewel Swoosh sneaker in red and white. Its very wearable with just enough street attitude and exciting elements to make people stop and notice. If youre lucky, you might be able to get them on premium secondhand market StockX.
Honourable mention for the Nike x Off-White collaboration on this beautiful pine green and orange accent sneaker. Virgil Abloh pays homage to skate culture of the 1980s with his signature Off-White text on the sides. The Nike Dunk Low Off-White Pine Green is in high-demand in the aftermarket space.
NIKE X OFF-WHITE
New Balance X Snow Peak Extreme Spec R: C4
The third collaboration with Tokyo Design Studio New Balance since they first joined forces in 2019, these Snow Peak trainers have a design rooted in functionality and quality. The Extreme Spec R_C4 is packed with technical details: a magnetic Fidlock buckle closure, a Cordura rip-stop upper, a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane, NB’s Encap Reveal midsole with cushioning, an Abzorb compression foam and lugged Vibram outsole. snowpeak.co.uk
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Ankle Boots And Chelsea Boots
When it comes to winter, we need something a little more robust than boat shoes and loafers. But we still want the same easygoing, devil-may-care, keeping-it-casual attitude. Step forward, ankle boots and Chelsea boots. Whether in leather or suede, black, brown or something more audacious, these mens boots are some of the most comfortable shoes for men. Theyll be your sidekick through cooler temperatures, keep you stable on slippery city streets, and even make you look like you have a side hustle in an indie band.
Reebok X Cottweiler Zig 3d Storm Hydro Sneaker
Cottweiler might not be a household name yet, but this year the upstart British label delivered one of the best sneakers in the game, redoing Reebok’s futuristic Zig 3D Storm Hydro silhouette in a dark palette of black and browns. The forward-looking lacing system, the discrete sock liner, the thick foam cushioning: These are sneakers you could wear to colonize Mars, or at the very least, make an outsize impression down on Earth.
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Reebok Club C 85 Sneaker
If Pete Doherty’s lyrics and every issue of NME from the 90s are to be believed, the Reebok Club C is the most-worn sneakersorry, trainerby wayward youths in the British Isles. It’s also the very same sneaker that Harry Styles himself turned to for a clean look. What makes the Club C such an ideal all-purpose shoe? It’s nondescript enough to work with everything in your wardrobe, but still distinctive enough to not look totally bland. If you’re keen to switch up your regular rotation of Chucks and Stan Smithsor you’re a really big Pulp fanthe Club C is the way to go.
Gucci Screener: Best Vintage Sneakers
Gucci nailed the sneakers throwback design with this retro-inspired shoe. Influenced by classic runners from the 70s, this pair of Gucci Screener sneakers are carefully distressed to look like authentic vintage sports shoes. They are made in Italy and feature an enamelled GG logo at the front.
Before Under Armor, there was Reebok. The British sports brand defined the 1980s with its classic sneakers. Reebok embodies the ultimate athletic shoes in the 80s. This Reebok Club C Revenge in white and blue leather with a red accent colour is a cool and affordable retro sneaker.
REBOOK
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Salomon X The Broken Arm X
These kicks draw inspiration from a traditional mountain-dweller party called the Désalpe, which celebrates the return of herds that have been grazing all summer long in high altitude pastures. Combining Salomon’s unique edging chassis for precision on technical terrain with the protection and durability of leather and Gore-Tex, the X-Desalpes, which has been made in collaboration with trés cool French stockist The Broken Arm, is a lightweight shoe for every situation in the mountains. £154.16.the-broken-arm.com
Maison Margiela Black Fusion: The Single Most Expensive Sneakers
This one certainly isnt for everyone. You need a certain affinity with art to truly appreciate these luxury sneakers. The Maison Margiela Black Fusion are simply the most expensive sneakers on the market today. The shoe is made with premium materials, of course, but then undergoes a unique and handcrafted process to produce this particular look. The brand emphasizes that variations in colour or details are the result of the handcrafted nature of sneakers. Slight imperfections are not to be considered defects but add to its value and unique character.
On the resale market, the most expensive sneakers on sale today are the limited edition Nike MAG Back To The Future. They sell for over $30,000 on StockX at the moment.
NIKE
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Top 10 Best Casual Sneakers For Men In 2021
- Next Luxury / Fashion, Style by Taryn Shorr
Modern sneakers are ubiquitous all over the world today, worn by people of all ages and backgrounds. However, their origin was not what one might expect.
The earliest athletic shoes were rubber-soled with canvas uppers and there was no distinction between the right and left feet. They were far from the stylish fashion pieces they are today.
In the late 1890s, the U.S. Rubber Company changed sneakers trajectory when it designed much more stylish and functional shoes. Those were Keds, which are still considered some of the most successful casual sneakers of all time.
Fast forward 130-plus years, and sneakers are very much a part of modern fashion. Whether you prefer bold colors and patterns, sleek tech-focused trainers, or retro classics, there are sneakers to suit every possible taste and budget. Here our top 10 picks.
Nike Air Vapormax Evo
Nike’s Air VaporMax Evo puts Air Max DNA under the microscope and showcases elements from seven Nike icons: the 90, 93, 96, Air Max Plus, Tuned 99, Solas and 180+. What’s more, they’re some of the comfiest Nike kicks on the planet thanks to VaporMax cushioning, which was originally designed for performance running. £189.95.nike.com
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Axel Arigato Clean : Most Stylish Sneakers
Nothing beats a pair of swish white mens sneakers and our favourites have to be these suede beauties by street-smart Swedish label, Axel Arigato. Offering pure understated minimalism, they would go with almost any casual get up and are the perfect addition to your weekend warrior wardrobe.
Axel Arigatos Clean 90 Sneaker collection is a real game-changer and were definitely tempted to buy multiple pairs. There are heaps of styles available, featuring everything from 3D embroidered birds to zebra print heel tabs. But we appreciate the unfussy sophistication of this white suede pair.
This cool update of the Clean 90 Sneaker classic is handmade from premium suede with a luxurious texture you cant help but stroke. The black tab in smooth leather offers an aesthetically satisfying contrast. With a slightly higher heel, cushioned footbed, and arch support, these Axel Arigato sneakers will provide ultimate comfort from morning until evening, and wherever you end up in between.
If youre looking for something edgier, check instead these distressed sneakers by Golden Goose. The Italian luxury shoemaker combines luxury materials, true craftsmanship, and edgy design to the world of men sneakers. The results are some of the most trendy men sneakers of the year with a sought after distressed leather look.
GOLDEN GOOSE
Maison Margiela X William Cobbing Replica
The inspiration behind Margiela’s renowned Replica sneakers derives from an oft-overlooked style from the footwear archives, the German Army Trainer. Now the sneakers, which were first introduced in 1999, have been given a paint-splattered wash by way of a collaboration with British artist and clay worker William Cobbing. £380. Atln-cc.com
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Axel Arigato Clean 90
Were obsessing over Axel Arigatos line of Scandinavian-meets-Japanese minimalist footwear and our favourite pair of mens casual shoes have to be the brands Clean 90s. These Axel Arigatos top-rated sneakers are the absolute epitome of timeless chicseen here in versatile black, although also available in other colourways. With their super-smooth leather, set on a cushioned footbed and with a supportive high rubber cup-sole, theyre some of the best everyday shoes for men around.
Best for: Ultra-charismatic shoes that go with absolutely anything.
Crocs X Salehe Bembury Pollex Clog
Salehe Bembury is the hottest solo act in the sneaker world right now. After leaving the top footwear gig at Versace to strike out on his own, the designer’s carved out a lane for himself via a slew of collaborations, none more simpatico than this year’s team-up with Crocs. For his first foray into the realm of sneaker-ish clogs, Bembury tricked out the brand’s signature perforated silhouette with distinctive concave ridges and nifty removable heel straps. The result was a shoe that doesn’t look like any other on the market , a worthy capstone to a massive year for both parties.
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Axel Arigato Apex Runner
Axel Arigato has launched a brand new trainer, the Apex Runner. Sitting as part of its sustainability initiative “Reinvented”, the sneakers come with a bioplastic sole and a knitted upper made from recycled polyester yarn certified by GRS . On a wider scale, Arigato is working tirelessly to find better alternatives to the common materials used in athletic footwear. £165.axelarigato.com
Tod’s No: Code X High Top Trainers
The 5th sneaker in TODs No_Code series, these high-top leather trainers are designed by Yong Bae Seok. Having evolved from the No_Code X, which introduced the chunkier, tapered sole, the high-top model is lightweight in design and crafted in elegant leather, featuring scuba-effect inserts and a toggle lace closure. £490.tods.com
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Skechers Solar Fuse Kryzik
Skechers recently signed Jamie Redknapp as an ambassador and his go-to sneakers are these woven-in athletic trainers, which come complete with an Air Cooled Memory Foam cushioned comfort insole and a circular-knit, nearly-one-piece fabric upper and make for some of the coolest and comfiest runners out there. £67.skechers.com
Louis Vuitton Lv Trainer
Taking design cues from 1980s basketball kicks like the Jordan III and the Avia 880, Virgil Ablohs first sneaker design as the creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton is a throwback to the golden age of hoops. Released in low, mid and high top designs, these feature premium leather construction and handwritten Louis Vuitton branding on the sides. Made in Italy, each shoe reportedly required six hours of stitching to assemble and is made of 106 components20 of those on just the sole alone. A hit among streetwear and high-fashion enthusiasts alike, these low top LV Trainers should be on everybodys list this year.
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Adidas X Afc Ajax Samba Og
We love a Samba as much as Frank Ocean. Now Adidas has given the sneaker design a lick of paint by way of the AFC Ajax colours. The Dutch football club’s red, yellow and green has been carried across the Three Stripes, with the colours having been taken from the teams third kit, which pays tribute to Bob Marley. £75.endclothing.com
Nike Air Max 1 Limeade
After a sellout initial release, you can still get your feet stuck into Nike’s Air Max 1 Limeade thanks to Klekt. Based on the original Nike Air Max 1 Powerwall Lemonade, which was limited to just 144 pairs worldwide, these trainers have flipped the original colourway and now lemonade accents feature on the laces and upper eyelets. From £172. Atklekt.com
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Reebok Experiment 4 Fury Trail By Pyer Moss
And if you aren’t swift enough to grab a pair of the Sculpt 1 kicks, the Pyer Moss x Reebok Experiment 4 Fury Trail is still going strong. Much like his own collections, Pyer Moss founder Kerby Jean-Raymond used the shoe design for social commentary and it is split into three layers, each one representing all those who climb to success through the creation of something sacred in the face of adversity. £199.95.reebok.co.uk
Common Projects Achilles Low
Common Projects has had a chokehold on the grown-up streetwear shoe segment for a minute now, with its Achilles Low sneaker and ubiquitous Chelsea Boot dominating for a few years now. Founded in 2004, Common Projects began as a, mission to explore refined iterations of classic footwear. As weve already seen with the Gucci Ace, if you rip from the adidas Stan Smith, you can never truly go out of style, which is why the Achilles Low needs to be on this list. An elevated version of the adidas classic, these Italian-made lace ups feature crisply constructed leather with rubber soles and the signature Common Projects gold-stamped serial numbers. Stripped of any in-your-face branding, these are a necessary, entry-level pick for anyone looking to instantly elevate their sneaker game in 2019 .
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Saint Laurent Paris Court Classic Sl/10h
As weve seen with previous entries on this list, its not uncommon for a luxury fashion house to borrow elements of famous sneakers when designing their own, and this take on a Jordan court classic from Saint Laurent is no different. In case the red and black color pallette didnt give it away, this is the luxury brand version of the Air Jordan I. Its not shocking, seeing as how the Jordan I has served as inspiration to designers like Rick Owens in the past as well. This is certainly a luxurious reimagining, constructed completely of calfskin leather in Italy, with a padded ankle and Saint Laurent branding on the tongue. Saint Laurent has always been inspired by rock n roll chic, especially under the guidance of Hedi Slimane, who made the brand edgier and younger by refocusing the brands overall direction towards the style of his musical inspirations. While these pull their initial inspiration from the hardwood, the Court Classic SL/10H fits the Saint Laurent rock n roll aesthetic, and would go perfectly with any one of Saint Laurents legendary garments from Slimanes Saint Laurent reignfrom its biker jackets to its hyper-skinny denim.
