# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published October 7, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-18-greatest-sneakers-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Air Jordan 1** — score 1000/1000
   Peter Moore's 1985 high-top for Michael Jordan that started the Jordan line and modern sneaker collecting.
2. **Puma Suede** — score 1000/1000
   A 1968 suede trainer later worn by Walt Frazier and the New York b-boy scene.
3. **Asics Gel-Lyte III** — score 726/1000
   The 1990 split-tongue runner that became a collaboration favourite.
4. **Reebok Pump** — score 726/1000
   The 1989 basketball shoe with an inflatable tongue, famous from the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest.
5. **New Balance 990** — score 713/1000
   The 1982 made-in-USA running shoe that became the 'dad shoe' of tech and fashion.
6. **Air Jordan 11** — score 713/1000
   Tinker Hatfield's 1995 basketball shoe with patent leather, worn in the 72-win season and Space Jam.
7. **Nike Air Max 97** — score 713/1000
   Christian Tresser's 1997 runner with a full-length Air unit and silver bullet styling.
8. **Adidas Superstar** — score 629/1000
   The 1969 shell-toe basketball shoe adopted by Run-DMC and hip-hop.
9. **Adidas Stan Smith** — score 629/1000
   A clean white leather tennis shoe from the early 1970s and one of the best-selling sneakers ever.
10. **Adidas Samba** — score 629/1000
   A 1950 indoor football shoe that became a terrace classic and a 2020s fashion hit.
11. **Nike Air Max 1** — score 629/1000
   Tinker Hatfield's 1987 runner that put a visible Air unit in the heel.
12. **Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66** — score 533/1000
   The 1966 Japanese trainer with the Tiger stripes, made famous again by Kill Bill.
13. **Vans Old Skool** — score 533/1000
   The 1977 skate shoe that introduced the Vans side stripe.
14. **Nike Cortez** — score 532/1000
   Bill Bowerman's 1972 running shoe, Nike's first big hit and a Los Angeles icon.
15. **Air Jordan 3** — score 420/1000
   The 1988 model with elephant print and the first Jumpman logo, credited with keeping Jordan at Nike.
16. **Nike Air Force 1** — score 420/1000
   Bruce Kilgore's 1982 basketball shoe, the first with Nike Air, and a permanent streetwear staple.
17. **Nike Dunk** — score 0/1000
   A 1985 college basketball shoe reborn as the core of Nike SB and the 2020s Dunk craze.
18. **Converse Chuck Taylor All Star** — score 0/1000
   The canvas basketball shoe from 1917 that became the default sneaker of punk, skate and school yards.

Tags: brands, fashion, classics, sneakers