It wasn’t long ago when wearing a pair of sneakers to a special event would have you shunned by your shiny-shoed peers. Of course, attitudes have shifted and what was once reserved for the track and tennis courts is now the footwear gold standard. Today’s sneakers are an ideal blend of fashion and utility, suitable for all occasions.

This is thanks in no small part to a
number of key designers and brands that have pushed the humble
sneaker to its limits in just about every conceivable direction. The
likes of Nike and Adidas are constantly putting out new silhouettes
and materials that are more likely to have come straight out of a
lab.

In the more affluent corners of Europe,
fashion house staples like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Common Projects
are creating finely crafted leather kicks that look right at home
with tailoring. Meanwhile, those designers’ competitors are doing
everything they can to elevate the sneaker from its utilitarian
routes to the pinnacle of high fashion.

But with every fashion-forward consumer
flooding their wardrobe with pair after pair, brands are swarming the
market with new silhouettes in a bid to get their share of the
market. In order to help you choose which pair you should be lacing
up next, we’ve put together a list of the most popular sneaker
brands for men.

Nike

Thanks to the ongoing technological
arms race between sportswear’s big hitters, we’ve seen some
incredible footwear innovations in the past few years. Ask any
sneakerhead who’s leading that race and you’d be hard-pressed to
find one that doesn’t mention the iconic Swoosh.

The self-lacing BB Adapt is just one of
many instances when the brand seemingly reached into the future and
brought us something from a time yet to be. Nike is a true
trendsetter, easily holding more icons in its back catalog than any
other brand. The Air Force 1, Air Max, Air Jordan, and the more
recent Vapormax are just some examples of exactly that.

Adidas

While Nike may be in pole position, for
now, it can be argued that The Brand With the Three Stripes is
maneuvering for a swift overtake. Put the beloved classics, such as
the Stan Smith, Superstar, and Gazelle aside and look into the R&D
lab for some real industry-changing innovations. Just like the Yeezy
collab, the Ultra
Boost revolutionized the game.

More recently, Adidas has been
experimenting with 3D printing to create some even more impressive
sneakers. The new production method serves as a groundbreaking move
forward, with webbed sole units that provide greater comfort than any
amount of rubber or padding ever can.

Y-3

You can’t talk about Adidas without
mentioning their collaborator, Y-3. Created by respected Japanese
designer, Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 is for sneakerheads who want the
signature three stripes with a hint of high-fashion flair. Granted,
that additional designer touch comes at a premium, but rest assured
you’ll be picking up a stylish pair of kicks no matter which
silhouette you opt for.

New Balance

Created all the way back in 1906 as the
New Balance Arch Support Company, the famed sneaker brand remains the
purist’s number one choice to this day. The
Bostonian firm is responsible for some of the most
comfortable and iconic sneakers ever made, not to mention that they
still produce their premium range in the US and UK.

Fendi

While renowned
for their luxury Italian clothing and accessories, Fendi’s recent
foray into the sneaker world has resulted in the production of some
truly stylish kicks. The iconic cartoon eyes now adorn a range of
weird and wonderful silhouettes, as well as a few more reserved
designs for those who simply want a reliable level of craftsmanship.

As for where to find them, SSENSE is a
great option for picking up a wide range of Fendi
sneakers. Not only that, but the website is home to just about
every major designer brand out there, giving you more than enough
options for footwear, as well as clothing and accessories. Fast
shipping and competitive prices come standard, so be sure to check
them out.

Converse

It goes without saying that the world
has evolved a fair bit in the past century, with a range of products
revolutionizing the way we live and evolving great lengths throughout
their lifespan. With that in mind, it’s a real triumph of design
when something created 100 years ago remains relatively unchanged but
incredibly popular to this very day.

The famous Chuck Taylor is one such
example, being born in 1917 as a basketball shoe from none other than
Converse. Believe it or not, that same sneaker is still the best
selling pair of kicks in both the US and UK. The brand has plenty of
other great shoes on offer, but the Chuck Taylor is easily one of the
most iconic sneakers ever made.

Conclusion

Some honorable mentions include Common
Projects, Gucci, Balenciaga, Puma, and Vans. Regardless of where your
taste brings you, rest assured you’ll soon be lacing up in style.