The most iconic sneakers of all time
The top 3 according to 89 votes from people: Adidas Samba (1949) · Vans Old Skool (1977) · Nike Air Max 1 (1987). (Updated Nov 27, 2024.)
The sneakers that changed sport, street style and sneaker culture, ranked by how often they appear in 'best sneakers ever' lists from The National, Complex, ESPN and sneaker media. Year of release in each.
Top 20
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1
Adidas Samba (1949)
Indoor football trainer that became the terrace shoe and the 2020s fashion hit.
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2
Vans Old Skool (1977)
The first Vans with the side 'jazz stripe', a skateboarding essential.
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3
Nike Air Max 1 (1987)
Tinker Hatfield put a visible air bubble in the sole, inspired by the Pompidou Centre.
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4
Air Jordan 1 (1985)
Peter Moore's design for Michael Jordan's rookie shoe; the shoe that turned signature sneakers into big business.
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5
Adidas Stan Smith (1963/1971)
Leather tennis shoe renamed after the American champion; one of the best-selling sneakers ever.
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6
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (1917/1932)
The canvas basketball shoe that became the uniform of punks, skaters and everyone else.
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7
Nike Air Force 1 (1982)
Bruce Kilgore's basketball shoe, the first with Nike Air in the sole; the white-on-white is a street staple.
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8
New Balance 990 (1982)
Made-in-USA grey runner, the 'dad shoe' that fashion embraced.
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9
Adidas Superstar (1969)
The shell-toe basketball shoe adopted by Run-DMC, who wrote 'My Adidas' about it.
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10
Nike Air Max 97 (1997)
Silver Bullet design inspired by Japanese bullet trains, with full-length air.
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11
Puma Suede / Clyde (1968/1973)
Worn by Tommie Smith and Walt 'Clyde' Frazier, a b-boy favourite.
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12
Air Jordan 3 (1988)
The first Jordan by Tinker Hatfield, with elephant print and the Jumpman logo.
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13
Nike Air Yeezy 2 / Adidas Yeezy Boost 350
Kanye West's collaborations that defined 2010s resale hype.
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14
Air Jordan 11 (1995)
Patent leather Jordan worn in the 72-10 season; Concord and Bred are legendary.
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15
Nike Cortez (1972)
Bill Bowerman's running shoe, made famous by Forrest Gump.
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16
Reebok Classic Leather (1983)
Soft-leather running shoe that became an everyday classic.
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17
Nike Air Max 90 (1990)
The Air Max 1's successor with the bold Infrared colourway.
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18
Nike Dunk (1985)
College basketball shoe reborn through skateboarding (SB Dunk) and the 2020s hype.
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19
Adidas Ultraboost (2015)
Boost foam running shoe that crossed over to lifestyle wear.
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20
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 (1966)
Asics' heritage runner with the crossed stripes, worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (4)
AJ1 at #1, the shoe that started sneaker culture.
Chuck Taylors, worn by everyone from basketball players to punks.
AJ1 at #1 is non-negotiable. The Chicago colorway is the most iconic sneaker ever.
Stan Smith, the most-sold sneaker ever according to Adidas.