It wasn’t long ago when wearing a pair of sneakers to a special event would have you shunned by your shiny-shoed peers. Of course, attitudes have shifted and what was once reserved for the track and tennis courts is now the footwear gold standard. Today’s sneakers are an ideal blend of fashion and utility, suitable for all occasions.

This is thanks in no small part to a number of key designers and brands that have pushed the humble sneaker to its limits in just about every conceivable direction. The likes of Nike and Adidas are constantly putting out new silhouettes and materials that are more likely to have come straight out of a lab.

In the more affluent corners of Europe, fashion house staples like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Common Projects are creating finely crafted leather kicks that look right at home with tailoring. Meanwhile, those designers’ competitors are doing everything they can to elevate the sneaker from its utilitarian routes to the pinnacle of high fashion.

But with every fashion-forward consumer flooding their wardrobe with pair after pair, brands are swarming the market with new silhouettes in a bid to get their share of the market. In order to help you choose which pair you should be lacing up next, we’ve put together a list of the most popular sneaker brands for men.

Nike

Thanks to the ongoing technological arms race between sportswear’s big hitters, we’ve seen some incredible footwear innovations in the past few years. Ask any sneakerhead who’s leading that race and you’d be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t mention the iconic Swoosh.

The self-lacing BB Adapt is just one of many instances when the brand seemingly reached into the future and brought us something from a time yet to be. Nike is a true trendsetter, easily holding more icons in its back catalog than any other brand. The Air Force 1, Air Max, Air Jordan, and the more recent Vapormax are just some examples of exactly that.

Adidas

While Nike may be in pole position, for now, it can be argued that The Brand With the Three Stripes is maneuvering for a swift overtake. Put the beloved classics, such as the Stan Smith, Superstar, and Gazelle aside and look into the R&D lab for some real industry-changing innovations. Just like the Yeezy collab, the Ultra Boost revolutionized the game.

More recently, Adidas has been experimenting with 3D printing to create some even more impressive sneakers. The new production method serves as a groundbreaking move forward, with webbed sole units that provide greater comfort than any amount of rubber or padding ever can.

Y-3

You can’t talk about Adidas without mentioning their collaborator, Y-3. Created by respected Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 is for sneakerheads who want the signature three stripes with a hint of high-fashion flair. Granted, that additional designer touch comes at a premium, but rest assured you’ll be picking up a stylish pair of kicks no matter which silhouette you opt for.

New Balance

Created all the way back in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company, the famed sneaker brand remains the purist’s number one choice to this day. The Bostonian firm is responsible for some of the most comfortable and iconic sneakers ever made, not to mention that they still produce their premium range in the US and UK.

Fendi

While renowned for their luxury Italian clothing and accessories, Fendi’s recent foray into the sneaker world has resulted in the production of some truly stylish kicks. The iconic cartoon eyes now adorn a range of weird and wonderful silhouettes, as well as a few more reserved designs for those who simply want a reliable level of craftsmanship.

As for where to find them, SSENSE is a great option for picking up a wide range of Fendi sneakers. Not only that, but the website is home to just about every major designer brand out there, giving you more than enough options for footwear, as well as clothing and accessories. Fast shipping and competitive prices come standard, so be sure to check them out.

Converse

It goes without saying that the world has evolved a fair bit in the past century, with a range of products revolutionizing the way we live and evolving great lengths throughout their lifespan. With that in mind, it’s a real triumph of design when something created 100 years ago remains relatively unchanged but incredibly popular to this very day.

The famous Chuck Taylor is one such example, being born in 1917 as a basketball shoe from none other than Converse. Believe it or not, that same sneaker is still the best selling pair of kicks in both the US and UK. The brand has plenty of other great shoes on offer, but the Chuck Taylor is easily one of the most iconic sneakers ever made.

Conclusion

Some honorable mentions include Common Projects, Gucci, Balenciaga, Puma, and Vans. Regardless of where your taste brings you, rest assured you’ll soon be lacing up in style.