9 Iconic Sneakers That Will Never Go Out of Style

​The sneaker world sees new styles drop on a daily basis, most of which find themselves headed for the great sneaker scrapheap in the sky after a season (at best) in the spotlight. But there are exceptions—those rare few designs that have withstood the test of time and become as sought after now as they were 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 sneakers of all time.

Adidas Stan Smith

A style so ubiquitous that it's easy to forget it was actually named after a tennis player, and a very good one at that. The Adidas Stan Smith first debuted in 1971 and now sits comfortably inside the pantheon of timeless athletic footwear. Worn by everyone from Pharrell to the front-row fashion week tribe, a pair of Stans in green and white is a wonderful thing indeed.​ (Feel free to opt for classic leather or new-school Primeknit, like you see in the photo.)

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star​

Relatively unchanged since its 1917 arrival, the Chuck Taylor All Star was once the very pinnacle of sophistication and technology in basketball footwear. Nowadays it's morphed into a casual classic. And while there have been innumerable tweaks, models, and variations over the years, it's the OG black-and-white high tops that still hold a special place in the heart of every enthusiast. ​

Nike Air Max 1

​First conceived by legendary designer Tinker Hatfield (the man responsible for most Air Jordan designs) back in 1987, the Air Max 1 is 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 beloved part of Nike iconography. ​

Vans Old Skool

​Never finding itself out of the spotlight since its release in 1977, the Vans Old Skool was dreamed up by the brand's founder Paul Van Doren, who created the now iconic "jazz stripe" on the side while idly doodling. Originally a skate shoe, the Old Skool has since moved on from the half pipe and become one of the few sneaker styles to transcend time and place.​

Reebok Classic

Yes, it suffered a bit of a downswing for a while there. But recently Reebok has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the resurrection of retro sportswear, so the coast is clear for you to lace up your Classics again. Our recommendation? White leather with a gum sole—it's the perfect 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 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 Corsair was the original template used by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, the founders of a little 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 sneaker brand originally sported by your old man and Steve Jobs, New Balance was one of the first "retro" companies to come back during the throwback revolution of the late '00s. It might seem a bit overplayed and ubiquitous now, but the 574—arguably the label's flagship model—is still an unshakeable classic.​

Common Projects Achilles Low​

No style has come to define the minimalist white sneaker takeover quite like the Common Projects Achilles Low. Clean, understated, and beautifully made, it may have only been around since 2004, but it represents a landmark moment in the short history of the luxe sneaker–meaning its place on a list of icons is well deserved. If you get it, you get it.​​

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