The 18 Greatest Sneakers of All Time

Court shoes, skate shoes and running shoes all claim the crown here, and a few once sold for under twenty dollars. Pick between the pairs that changed what people wear.

1. 1
   Air Jordan 1

   Peter Moore's 1985 high-top for Michael Jordan that started the Jordan line and modern sneaker collecting.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Puma Suede

   A 1968 suede trainer later worn by Walt Frazier and the New York b-boy scene.
   1000pts
3. 3
   Asics Gel-Lyte III

   The 1990 split-tongue runner that became a collaboration favourite.
   726pts
4. 4
   Reebok Pump

   The 1989 basketball shoe with an inflatable tongue, famous from the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest.
   726pts
5. 5
   New Balance 990

   The 1982 made-in-USA running shoe that became the 'dad shoe' of tech and fashion.
   713pts
6. 6
   Air Jordan 11

   Tinker Hatfield's 1995 basketball shoe with patent leather, worn in the 72-win season and Space Jam.
   713pts
7. 7
   Nike Air Max 97

   Christian Tresser's 1997 runner with a full-length Air unit and silver bullet styling.
   713pts
8. 8
   Adidas Superstar

   The 1969 shell-toe basketball shoe adopted by Run-DMC and hip-hop.
   629pts
9. 9
   Adidas Stan Smith

   A clean white leather tennis shoe from the early 1970s and one of the best-selling sneakers ever.
   629pts
10. 10
    Adidas Samba

    A 1950 indoor football shoe that became a terrace classic and a 2020s fashion hit.
    629pts
11. 11
    Nike Air Max 1

    Tinker Hatfield's 1987 runner that put a visible Air unit in the heel.
    629pts
12. 12
    Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

    The 1966 Japanese trainer with the Tiger stripes, made famous again by Kill Bill.
    533pts
13. 13
    Vans Old Skool

    The 1977 skate shoe that introduced the Vans side stripe.
    533pts
14. 14
    Nike Cortez

    Bill Bowerman's 1972 running shoe, Nike's first big hit and a Los Angeles icon.
    532pts
15. 15
    Air Jordan 3

    The 1988 model with elephant print and the first Jumpman logo, credited with keeping Jordan at Nike.
    420pts
16. 16
    Nike Air Force 1

    Bruce Kilgore's 1982 basketball shoe, the first with Nike Air, and a permanent streetwear staple.
    420pts
17. 17
    Nike Dunk

    A 1985 college basketball shoe reborn as the core of Nike SB and the 2020s Dunk craze.
    0pts
18. 18
    Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

    The canvas basketball shoe from 1917 that became the default sneaker of punk, skate and school yards.
    0pts

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