While they radiate lowkey cool, high-top sneakers can be worn with virtually anything in your closet. Pair them with jeans and a tee for a classic cool look, with dresses of any length for casual or smart casual dress codes, or with suits or shift dresses if you want to try high-low dressing.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options for buying the right high-top sneakers for every occasion. You may want to opt for the classics from your favorite sportswear brand or splurge on luxury brands for a more elevated look. Below is a list of some of the best classic and designer high-top sneakers.
High-Top Sneakers: Versatile Cool
Whether you’re new to the world of high tops or a sneakerhead who wants to ensure they have a well-rounded collection, these are the best designs to start with.
1. Converse: The Originators of High Tops
This was the brand that started it all. Converse essentially laid the foundations for the entire sneaker industry when they released the iconic Chuck Taylors a century ago. The design has barely changed since, cementing its legendary status.
While the exact origin of high-top sneakers is unclear, Converse is widely credited with popularizing the style in the early 20th century
Converse Chuck Taylors are probably still the most popular design in the world. They’re likely what first comes to your head when you think of high tops.
The clean canvas design can be styled with anything from casual and sportswear outfits to formal suits and dresses.
2. Nike: The Mid and Basketball High Top Masters
What Converse is to the thin high top world, Nike is to the mid or basketball high top world. The sportswear giant’s highly coveted designs have graced the feet of both professional athletes and streetwear style stars for decades.
Nike is often credited with popularizing the high-top sneaker design in the 1970s with the introduction of the Air Force 1
Their Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1 high tops have become streetwear essentials since their releases in the ‘80s. Both styles are still best sellers year after year.
Nike has a long and storied history in the basketball footwear industry, and their high-top sneakers are some of the most iconic and recognizable in the world
The Nike team succeeds in keeping their designs fresh and desirable by constantly adapting the iconic high tops to modern trends, be it with vibrant color combinations or exclusive designer collaborations.
3. Adidas: Elevating High Top Style
The legendary German sportswear brand might be more famous for their low-top designs like the Stan Smiths and Gazelles, but their high tops are seriously cool.
Adidas is another brand that has made a significant impact on the high-top sneaker market
The Forum and Top Ten designs are perfect for Adidas fans who want to shake up their low-top game. They still feature the brand’s emblematic three stripes but with a taller silhouette.
Adidas high-top sneakers are known for their stylish designs, comfortable fit, and high-quality materials
These sporty designs come in bold colorways and are often reinterpreted in must-have designer collaborations. Who could forget the fantastical winged Forums in the Jeremy Scott x Adidas collection?
4. Puma: The Uncrowned Kings of Street Luxe
Puma is the unspoken champion of street luxe. It revolutionized the industry by introducing the fashion-forward suede range at a time when its competitors clung to sporty materials like mesh and leather.
The Puma Slipstream is a high-top sneaker that was first released in 1987
Fans of Puma’s chic and streamlined sneakers will love the sleek Slipstream Mid high tops. Those looking for something unusual should try the Fierce Core sneakers.
The ultra-modern design is an innovative blend of high tops and slip-ons with its smooth, laceless design.
The Puma Fierce Core is a line of women’s athletic shoes known for their sleek and stylish appearance
5. Vintage Havana: Classic American Sneaker Heritage
This quintessential American sneaker brand has existed since the 1950s, earning Vintage Havana a spot on our classics list. The brand has been around the block for a while, but its designs are anything but boring.
Vintage Havana played a significant role in shaping the American sneaker landscape during the mid-20th century
Vintage Havana is known for combining simple shapes with playful colors and prints. The Dedra and Lester sneakers are perfect examples of high tops that go the extra mile.
Their streamlined silhouettes are adorned with eye-catching embellishments like stars, animal print accents, and glitter.
The Best Designer High Top Sneakers
Are you looking to treat yourself to a luxe version of a traditionally casual shoe? Check out these lavish designer models.
6. Dior: High-Top Elegance
Parisian chic isn’t just about high heels. Dior’s high-top sneaker range proves that. Their B23 and Walk’n’Dior styles are elegant takes on the canvas sneaker.
Dior’s most popular high-top sneakers are the B23 high-top sneakers
Both styles are known for their all-over Dior logo prints, but many special editions have been released with one-of-a-kind prints and rich textures.
The B27 high top is an excellent alternative for those who prefer a sportier feel.
The Walk’n’Dior sneaker is a stylish and comfortable option for everyday wear
7. Gucci: Timeless Italian Sophistication
Gucci’s retro-inspired high tops are possibly the most timeless sneakers. While other luxury fashion houses have experimented with high-tech designs, Gucci has always stuck to its sophisticated Italian roots. Their sneaker designs are still made with traditional materials like canvas and leather.
Gucci is one of the most iconic fashion brands in the world, and it’s no surprise that their sneakers are just as popular
Their Tennis 1977 sneakers are a stylish hybrid of a canvas high top and a tennis sneaker. They feature a subtle logo and a striking curved line on the sole. Those who prefer a sportier feel can opt for the chunky Basket high tops.
Gucci high-top sneakers have a timeless and classic appeal
8. Prada: Pioneers of Sneaker Fashion
The prestigious Italian brand was among the first major fashion houses to enter the sneaker game. Prada created mesh performance sneakers for their American Cup race team all the way back in 1997.
Prada’s sneakers often feature premium materials, including high-quality leather and nylon, and they are characterized by their sleek and minimalistic design
The trailblazing design has since been reinvented as a high-top sneaker, perfect for anyone who wants a sneaker with a rich history. Prada’s Downtown and Macro high-tops are excellent alternatives for those seeking a sleeker feel.
9. Golden Goose: Imperfections Made Cool
This Italian footwear label has become one of the most popular designer sneaker brands in recent years.
Golden Goose sneakers have become famous for their intentionally distressed look, signature star logo, and bold embellishments – think glitter, animal prints, and metallic finishes.
Golden Goose is an Italian luxury fashion brand known for its distinctive and often intentionally distressed sneakers
In a world where sneakerheads constantly obsess over ‘boxfresh’ designs, Golden Goose makes imperfections cool. Invest in their Sky Star or Mid Star designs for classic basketball high tops with an unexpected twist.
Golden Goose sneakers have gained popularity for their unique and vintage-inspired aesthetic