The world of trainers sees new styles drop on a seemingly daily basis, most of which find themselves headed for the great sneaker scrapheap in the sky after a season (at best) in the spotlight.
Then again there are those that have truly withstood the test of time to become as iconic and sought after now as they were way back in their original heyday.
From the crown prince of tennis shoes to the runner that made Nike what it is today, these are the most iconic trainers of all time.
Adidas Stan Smith
A pair of trainers so iconic that it's easy to forget they were actually named after a tennis player, and a very good one at that. The Adidas Stan Smith first debuted in 1971 and now sit comfortably inside the pantheon of athletic footwear. Worn by everyone from Pharrell to the front row fashion week tribe, a pair of Stans in vintage green and white is a wonderful and timeless thing indeed.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Relatively unchanged since its 1917 arrival (what a year for sneakers), the Chuck Taylor All Star was once the very pinnacle of basketball footwear sophistication and technology but has since morphed into a casual classic. While there have been an uncountable amount of tweaks, models and variations over the years, it's the OG black and white cotton canvas pair that still hold a special place in the heart of every enthusiast.
Nike Air Max 1
First conceived by legendary designer Tinker Hartfield - the man responsible for most Air Jordan designs - back in 1987, the Air Max 1 was the archetype that has inspired every other Air Max model since. Its visible air bubble caused shock and derision at the time, but is now a time-tested and established part of trainer design.
Vans Old Skool
Never finding itself out of the spotlight since its release in 1977, the Vans Old Skool was dreamt up by the brand's founder Paul Van Doren, who created the now iconic 'Jazz Stripe' on the side whilst idly doodling. Originally a skate shoe, the Old Skool has since transcended the half pipe and become one of the few invincible trainer styles.
Reebok Classic
Yes, there was a bit of an unfortunate association with football casuals during the early '00s, but since then Reebok have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the hipster resurrection of retro British sportswear, so the coast is clear for you to lace up your classics again. The white leather and gum sole editions being our personal pick for a stylish throwback summer shoe.
Adidas Superstar
Another flagship that began its life on the basketball court, the Superstar is most notable for its longtime association with Run DMC, who adopted it as part of their on and off stage uniform back in 1983, before signing a million dollar merchandise deal with Adidas (the first of its kind). This paved the way for the brand's future collaborations and signature lines with the likes of Kanye West and Pharell Williams.
Onitsuka Tiger Corsair
The godfather of the modern running shoe, the Onitsuka Tiger was the original template used by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, the founders of that brand called Nike. They jazzed it up a bit, turned it into the Nike Cortez and thus began an empire. So you could say that the Corsair has a bit of pedigree behind it.
New Balance 574
The trainers originally sported by your old man - and Steve Jobs = New Balance was one of the first 'retro' brands to come back into vogue during the great hipster revolution of the late '00s. They might seem a bit overplayed and ubiquitous now, but the 574 - the label's mother ship - in a muted grey suede is still an unshakeable classic; whether you drink flat whites and brew your own beer or not.
Common Projects Achilles Low
No style has come to define the minimalist white trainer takeover quite like Common Projects. Clean, understated and beautifully made, they may have only been around since 2004 but represent a landmark in the short history of luxe trainers, meaning their place on a list of icons is well deserved. If you get it, you get it.
