20 Classic Men’s Sneakers That Will Never Go Out Of Style

If you think that our adoration of sneakers seems a little too farfetched, we’re about to enlighten you. Below, we’ve decided to round up a selection of the most influential sneakers of all time, from genre-defining silhouettes like the Stan Smith, Old Skool, and Club C, all the way to athletic mainstays like Samba, Tailwind, and Center Hi. Whether they served to define an entire era of shoemaking or make a name for themselves as the most iconic sneakers to ever grace the field/concrete/court, these all-encompassing sneakers are sure to endure as the most revered silhouettes of the past century.

Sneaker history

Ever since sneakers were brought to the masses in the early 1900s, they’ve been a staple of the footwear industry. Not only did these rubber-bound shoes provide a comfortable, capable means of traversal for the common citizen, but they began to take on a life of their own as a fashionable accessory that could complement, and sometimes, complete, an outfit. Soon, manufacturers realized that the sneaker was more than a piece of everyday footwear — it was a stylish centerpiece that would define mankind’s approach toward discernable culture.

our selection

For this guide, we’re not concerned about trends or what’s hot at the moment. Our selection of sneakers is based on history and timeless style, with a collection that covers a variety of sneakers, from skate shoes to basketball shoes. Classic silhouettes will always look good, and over the years, they often ebb and flow through the fashion world (the recent popularity of the adidas Sambas is a great example).

PF Flyers Center Hi

PF Flyers’ Center Hi sneaker is quite possibly one of the most iconic basketball sneakers to have ever been released, and with almost a century of trusted use at its back, it’s proven that classic style doesn’t easily die out. The shoe’s premium upper, vertically-ribbed toe guard, and signature treaded outsole stay true to the vision of the original, while quality-of-life additions like a vertically-wedged Posture Foundation insert and molded rubber ankle patch keep you looking and feeling great throughout the day.

Novesta Star Dribble

Novesta might not be a household name in our part of the world, but in Europe, the classic basketball sneaker has amassed a significant following since its debut. It features a timeless hi-top orientation, and thanks to a chunky sole, stylish vegan composition, and an array of innovative colors, it’s earned its place within the annals of history as one of the best-looking examples around. You’ll find all the notable characteristics of a well-rounded sneaker within the Star Dribble, including a durable canvas upper, rubber shell toe, and vulcanized rubber on the exterior, creating an attractive structure that’s hard to dispute. There’s no doubt that Novesta has played to its strengths with this long-winded sneaker, and in doing so, they’ve created a minimalist mainstay in the process.

Superga 2750 Cotu Classic

Superga’s 2750 Cotu Classic is a worldwide favorite, and when it comes to contemporary style, they’re the perfect addition to any guy’s casual wardrobe. Like many of the classic, low-cut styles of today, they feature a durable canvas upper, a handful of handsome colors, and an aesthetic that blends seamlessly with a pair of rolled chinos and a relaxed t-shirt. They also boast an unlined canvas upper, loop signature tag, and cushioned footbed for the utmost comfort throughout the day, while a natural rubber outsole and adjustable lace-up closure round out the timeless example.

Vans Old Skool

Vans’ Old Skool sneaker is a renowned skate shoe that’s steadily transitioned into the realm of stylish footwear. As the brand’s first sneaker to bare the iconic side stripe, it features a durable suede and canvas upper, alongside a low-top silhouette that’s undeniably great looking when flaunted next to its competitors. Since the shoe was originally introduced in 1977, it’s gained traction as one of the most quintessential, and influential, sneakers of all time, thanks to its signature lining, padded tongue, and iconic Waffle sole.

Puma Suede Classic+

With a name like the Puma Suede Classic+, you’d be right to believe that the brand’s flagship shoe is nothing short of legendary. It was released all the way back in 1968, and much like the original, it features a great-looking premium suede upper, padded tongue and collar, and a textured rubber midsole that offers exceptional traction on a variety of surfaces. On the side of the shoe, you’ll find PUMA’s signature Formstrip, complementing the shoe’s classic stylings. Needless to say, the Suede has aged insanely well over the past five decades, and today, it’s equally as enticing for sneakerheads who want a taste of old-school style.

Saucony Jazz 81

In the early ’80s, Saucony tapped Frank Santopietro (a renowned podiatrist at the time) to create a pair of lightweight trainers with an ergonomic design. Equipped with a suede upper and molded EVA soles, they quickly became a success and were lauded as some of the best runners you could get at the time. Fast forward nearly half a century later, and these are still Saucony’s most popular offering, with the same style and ergonomic fit that made them popular back in the day among both runners and sneakerheads.

Reebok Classic Leather Shoes

Although these began as running shoes in the early eighties, they quickly became casual staples due to their sleek and minimalist design. They’re still high-quality runners, and the leather construction gives them a unique look over time that gets better as they wear in. This also marked Reebok’s shift into producing more casual-friendly products, which are becoming very popular at the moment (alongside contemporary casual kicks like offerings from New Balance).

Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star 70

Converse’s Chuck Taylor All-Star 70 is a must-have when it comes to classic sneakers. While the domineering basketball shoe was introduced all the way back in the 70s, today’s modernized platform doesn’t divert from the original — in spirit, or style. While the shoe’s handsome aesthetics remain generally the same, they’ve been outfitted with even more cushioning, a tougher 12-ounce canvas exterior, and other premium materials that keep them at the head of the pack when it comes to contemporary footwear. A durable rubber outsole, vintage accents, and a lightweight upper make the Chuck an adaptable staple that complements any outfit with ease.

New Balance 574

New Balance’s 574 is part of the company’s Essentials collection, and as far as we’re concerned, that’s no understatement. Thanks to the shoe’s classic profile and cleanly tailored silhouette, it’s become one of the mainstays of men’s style, boasting more than enough aesthetic prowess to keep it on top of our radar throughout the years. To keep the shoe up-to-date with current trends, the company’s proprietary ENCAP midsole technology offers the utmost support and durability, while a die-cut EVA foam midsole and heel provide adequate cushioning for even the most pampered sneakerhead. To round things out, a handsome suede and textile upper provides the perfect layered look for any occasion.

Nike Air Tailwind 79

Nike’s Air Tailwind 79 is a legendary runner that made its debut all the way back in 1978 at the Honolulu Marathon. Back then, it was one of the first shoes to embody Nike’s revolutionary Air unit cushioning system, fostering industry-wide recognition and praise. Over the years, the shoe became a staple of the sneaker world, and today, the reissue of the Tailwind 79 plays to the strengths of the original. A handsome textile and leather upper provides wearers with adequate support throughout the day, while a grippy, waffle-inspired rubber outsole provides the utmost traction on and off the blacktop.

Nike Cortez

Nike’s Cortez shoe is a classic of magnificent proportions, and as one of the company’s OG leather offerings, it was a no-brainer to add it to our list of legendary sneakers. Today’s iteration of the Cortez comes outfitted with Nike’s comfortable and capable EVA midsole, herringbone rubber outsole, and full-grain leather construction that’s undoubtedly influential. The company’s iconic swoosh adorns the shoe’s exterior, giving it an err of timeless taste. If you’re looking for a simplistic silhouette that’ll turn heads wherever you go, the Cortez might just be the quintessential sneaker.

Reebok Club C 85

Although the new Reebok Club C 85 is only a rendition of the original, it still sports the classic aesthetic that made its predecessor so popular. On the exterior, you’ll find a soft and supple leather upper adorned by the brand’s famous box logo, giving the shoe an extravagant aura, and placing it firmly within the realm of top-end style. When it comes to internal construction, the Club C 85 is no pushover; it boasts a comfortable molded sock liner and a cushioned midsole that make walking and running a breeze. A grippy, dependable rubber outsole ties everything together. The result? An iconic shoe that’s served to define Reebok’s expansive catalog ever since it was first unveiled in 1985.

Adidas Gazelle

In the 1960s, Adidas’ Gazelle sneaker made its debut. It was an instant hit, thanks to its minimal design principle, tri-line branding, and subtle leather accents. Almost 80 years later, the Gazelle has shown its face once again, thanks to the company’s anticipated “one-to-one” reissue. It features the same leather upper, synthetic overlay, and synthetic liner that it did all those years ago, and harkens back to the original’s tasteful guise through the implementation of a debossed Trefoil logo, subtle profile, and slimline design. The Adidas’ Gazelle is an undeniable look into the most influential sneaker styles, and for a contemporary model, it holds its own quite well.

Adidas Samba

Adidas’ Samba was born and bred on the world’s finest pitches, and over time, it’s steadily transitioned into the realm of everyday street style. With a silhouette as good looking as this one, it’s no surprise that the shoe has become a staple of the sneaker industry; a full-grain leather upper, gold foil detailing, and rough, durable suede accents encompass the exterior of the Samba, giving it a leg up on the competition through sheer cleanliness. On the interior, a synthetic leather liner ensures comfortable wear throughout the life of the shoe, while a dependable gum rubber midsole, and cupsole, keep you firmly rooted as you take on any type of urban terrain.

Adidas Stan Smith

Adidas’ Stan Smith silhouette started out as one of the most domineering tennis sneakers of all time, and over the years, it became synonymous with classic style. Today, the Stan Smith retains the same staunch allure as the original, thanks to its all-leather upper, tri-stripe sidebox, and leather liner, which adds a plush, comfortable feel to the already-supple shoe. Whether you’re looking for a sleek sneaker that will look great on the court, or a stylish silhouette that will never see athletic use in its life, the Stan Smith addresses both with ease

Nike Air Force 1

There’s a bit of a recurring theme with many of these classic shoes, especially the offerings from Nike. Most of these kicks started out as basketball shoes (or sports shoes in general) and became adopted by a variety of subcultures that kept the style alive. Air Force 1s were originally basketball shoes (and marked the debut of Nike’s Air cushioning on the court), but became streetwear icons that a variety of scenes still rock to this day. Whether they be hip-hop heads, sneaker-heads, or streetwear fans, Air Force 1s may be a classic, but the style has managed to stay modern all these years (and they’re still some of the comfiest sneakers out there).

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 silhouette is almost sixty years old, and with a classic style that hasn’t been betrayed in just as long, they’ve proven that timeless aesthetics really do make all the difference. These prolific low-profile shoes made their debut at the 1968 Olympic games, showing the world that a premium white leather upper, red and blue tiger stripes, and suede accents were more than enough to create one of the best-looking sneakers ever. Today, the racer features many of the same attributes, including its lauded premium leather composition, unique side stripes, and a tasteful suede heel and toe cap.

Asics Gel-Lyte III

Much like old-school basketball shoes, classic running shoes are another popular classic, and are seeing a resurgence in popularity in the streetwear and casualwear scenes. The Gel-Lyte IIIs from ASICS are unapologetically ’90s, with that classic running shoe aesthetic and iconic ASICS curves. Not only are these a stylish pick (especially this year), but they’re still really good running shoes, providing solid shock absorption and breathability.

Nike Air Max 1

As the first shoe to showcase Nike’s revolutionary Max Air technology, the Air Max 1s were originally released in 1987 and branded as running shoes. The upper on the original version was made of synthetic felt and nylon, with a leather upper appearing just a year later. These shoes are still one of the most iconic Nike silhouettes (if not the most iconic), and have received countless redesigns, re-releases, and attention from a variety of subcultures and contemporaries. Much like other Nike shoes, these transcended the world of sports and became legends in the streetwear scene.

New Balance 990

The New Balance 990 has been an industry mainstay for close to five decades, and after taking a look at the company’s flagship shoe, there’s no question that it boasts one of the most recognizable styles of all time. That being said, the 990 is the definition of simplistic style, thanks to its blown rubber outsole, pigskin/mesh upper, and dual-density foam collar. To strengthen the shoe, the implementation of the company’s durable ENCAP midsole technology allows for exceptional support, helping the shoe to maintain its form over years of use. While these might look like the perfect pair of dad sneakers from the 1990s, there’s no doubt that the 990 is an undisputed classic.

The Best Waterproof Sneakers for Durable Style

Now that you’ve brushed up on the industry’s most iconic footwear, head over to our guide on the best waterproof sneakers to find your next pair of capable, city-faring companions for when the weather takes a turn.