The Greatest Retro Sneakers Of All Time

Living at the forefront of the sneaker scene means that the number of releases we see every day can be overwhelming. Collaborations one after the other and new models show no signs of slowing down. However, there's no denying that many of us still feel you sometimes can't beat the classics. There's something about vintage and retro sneakers which always catches our eye.

Many of the best-selling sneakers currently are models which have been around since the 80s or 90s. Last year we saw Nike's Jordan 1 silhouette dominate our Instagram feeds, and this year look no further than the reissue of the New Balance 550, another reissued vintage basketball sneaker from the 1980s. But what is it about retro sneakers which makes them so great?

Well, for starters, the design of these older shoes is usually quite minimalistic and timeless. adidas' Stan Smith has a very clean upper which is incredibly wearable year after year, or look at the Converse All Star, a shoe which is so recognisable it is instantly associated with the Converse brand. Retro sneakers are also incredibly accessible. Because they're released season after season, you don't have to worry about taking an L on a raffle or queuing outside a shop on drop day.

If you think your rotation looks a bit too modern, or you're looking to add a pair of the all-time classics to your rotation, we've got you covered. We've curated some of the best retro sneakers of all time, so keep reading to find out!

There's no way we could leave the Air Jordan 1 out of this list! Since Michael Jordan debuted his first-ever signature basketball sneakers designed by Peter Moore in 1985, the AJ1's continuous production today prove that it's a timeless silhouette.

The Nike Air Jordan 1's retro style shows through the OG details that have remained in place throughout its time, notably speaking of the Wings logo on the collars, Swoosh logos, and the full-length Air midsole underneath.

Some of the best Jordan 1 colourways today are the "Bred", "Chicago", "Black Toe", "Shattered Backboard", "Shadow" and collaborations with the likes of Travis Scott and Virgil Abloh's luxury streetwear brand Off-White.

The Air Jordan 3 is highly worth mentioning on this list. Why? Jordan 3s were by none other than the legendary shoe designer and founder of the Nike Air Max series, Tinker Hatfield.

The AJ3 is Michael Jordan's third signature basketball shoe that dropped all the way back in 1988. Unlike the Jordan 1s, the Jordan 3s is the first Air Jordan to display a visible Air unit beneath the feet, the iconic elephant print and the Jumpman logo.

The most highly sought after Jordan 3 colourways today are usually retro releases of the classic colourways such as the "Fire Red" and "Black Cement", but we also have to give a shoutout to a strong contender for 2021 sneaker of the year, the A Ma Maniére x Nike Air Jordan 3 "Raised By Women".

You can't get much more retro than the Nike Cortez! Released in 1972, the Cortez was one of Nike's first ever sneaker releases. Starting its life as a performance running shoe which can be famously spotted in the Tom Hanks comedy movie, "Forrest Gump", nowadays the Cortez has become a lifestyle-focused release. Designed by Nike's co-founder Bill Bowerman, there's a reason this classic has been popular for half a century.

In the present day, the Cortez maintains its classic shape and leather tooling, with red Swoosh logos on the sides and blue-tinted outsoles. The comfort, low profile design and timeless Swoosh which grace the trainers lateral and medial sides have kept the Cortez a popular staple of the brand. In addition to the timeless colourway options, there are many other colour variants of the Nike Cortez, including a few notable limited-edition collabs with the likes of Kendrick Lamar.

There's no denying that the Nike Air Force 1 is one of the best retro sneakers of all time. First released in 1982 as basketball trainers and created by Bruce Kilgore, the Air Force 1s have secured itself a spot in the sneaker industry for its contemporary design—thanks to style staples like the AF-1 "Triple White" and "Triple Black".

Typically, Nike Air Force 1s are made with a premium leather material, crafting the panels from heel to toe, including the Swoosh logos midfoot. At the front, the toeboxes come with perforations that allow optimal airflow to circulate inside the shoe, providing a lightweight experience to the user's feet. The design is housed by a full-length midsole unit underfoot, concealing Nike's famous Air technology that provides comfortable cushioning.

How does the Nike Air Force 1 fit? AF1s fit true to size, so you can purchase a pair today in your original size without having any sizing problems. They're also available in mid-top and high-top, as well as exclusive collaborations.

Nike Dunks' popularity has skyrocketed over the recent years since it returned to the brand's forefront line-up. Like the Air Jordan 1s, Peter Moore also designed the Nike Dunks in 1985 as high-top basketball shoes. At that time, they were available only in collegiate colourways, with a two-toned colour block styling.

Today, they're available in countless outfits: retro renditions, seasonal themes, high-heat collaborations, and many more. The Nike Dunk's OG 1985 "Be True To Your School" pack is undeniably the most coveted Nike Dunk colourways today, available in the Dunk Lows and Dunk Highs. The variety of colour options to suit your style is what made the Dunks so unique, and there's definitely plenty to choose from now!

The Nike Dunk fits true to size, and you can easily pick up a pair at any time as new drops happen frequently. You can also look at the secondary market if you're after a specific version.

In 1969, adidas official released its now-iconic shell toe sneaker, the adidas Originals Superstar. It's a model that pulled inspiration from the adidas Pro Model OG basketball shoes and was famously worn by legendary NBA basketball stars, like Milwaukee Bucks' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Traditionally, adidas Superstars feature a smooth leather build in white, with black Three Stripe branding details on the sides. Upfront, you'll see the iconic shell toe, designed to provide extra protection for your toes. A cushioned midsole unit houses the upper, lined with a durable rubber sole that features a herringbone pattern, providing traction on all surfaces. Again, this retro sneakers keeps it simple with its design and execution. If you're looking for a bold take on the classic Superstar, be sure to check out the Kerwin Frost Superstars!

The adidas Superstar fits true to size and generally feels more comfortable once the leather structure has broken in. Affordable, comfortable, and stylish, it's no wonder they made it into our best retro sneakers article.

It sounds like most of the retro sneakers we wear today were once basketball shoes in the past—the adidas Forum High is no different. Designed by Jacques Chassaing in 1984, the adidas Forum were the first basketball trainers available in various constructions, allowing players to choose what suits their style of play the best: adidas Forum Lo, adidas Forum Mid, and Forum 84 High.

The adidas Forum sat in the German sports brand's archives box for quite some time, although its retro return in 2021 proved its status as a true rival to the Nike Dunk. The construction sticks to its OG design: a mix of premium leather and suede predominantly crafts the entire shoe, with an ankle strap that provides additional security. Overall, these adidas trainers maintain their retro look through standard colour blocking—with the exception of collaborations with artists like Bad Bunny that gives a modernised look.

Seen on the feet of celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and more, its fair to say the adidas Forum's return to our sneaker rotations has been a success.

Boston brand New Balance has cemented itself as one of the greatest sneaker brands today, thanks to the ongoing collaborations within the 99X line, as well as the New Balance P550 basketball trainers. The silhouette first came out in 1989 and has remained dormant until fashion and lifestyle label Aimé Leon Dore, led by Teddy Santis, retroed the pair in 2020.

You could say that the NB 550 is New Balance's answer to the Nike Dunk, and there's no way sneakerheads would disagree with that due to the ever-growing hype surrounding the design. With a history cemented in basketball, the 550 is a shoe we'd recommend everyone add to their rotation as soon as possible!

The New Balance 550 has hosted a few collaborations over the recent years and has become a pair that must be in every sneakerhead's collection. Make sure you go a half size up from your original size as like many vintage trainers the New Balance 550s fit slightly small, particularly around the toe box.

Converse shoes have been around longer than most of us have. You've worn them while growing up, your friends have worn them, your parents and grandparents too.

The classic Converse Chuck Taylor originated in 1917 when it was known as a basketball shoe and not a lifestyle shoe as we know it today. They've appeared in numerous designs throughout the years but still maintain their fan-favourite features, like the canvas-woven upper, star emblem, rubber midsole, and Converse branding details.

Today, Converse Chuck Taylors are still available on the market, with a few notable contemporary variations like the Run Star Hike, which has gained immense traction over as of late. In addition, the Converse Chuck 70s model has become the go-to for most people as it features a thicker, cushioned midsole.

The sneaker landscape always experiences waves of innovations as technology becomes more and more advanced. However, there are certain silhouettes that remain at the forefront while still holding on to its retro features. Case in point: the Reebok Club C.

Unlike most of the retro basketball sneakers mentioned previously, the Reebok Club C traces its roots back to the world of tennis, specifically in the '80s when the sport was booming with popularity. The Club C exudes the style of a classic tennis shoe, so much so that is even has a terry lining!

In terms of comfort, the Reebok Club Champion features a smooth leather setup, accompanied by the iconic soft terry lining interiors for a comfortable ride. The Club C's unique shape and Reebok logo windows on the side have undeniably contributed significantly to its transition from a tennis-focused trainer to a streetwear staple today. The low-profile, minimal design makes it perfect for pairing with almost any outfit you can think of.

It's safe to say that getting your hands on these retro trainers is easy. Not only are they affordable, but they're also available at retailers online and in-store in a wide range of colour options. If you're looking for a pair with more of an old-school profile, we suggest opting for the New Balance 550 or the Reebok Club C. The Nike Air Force 1s or adidas Forum are the best pairs if you want something more comfortable.

Overall you really can't go wrong with a great pair of vintage trainers, and we think these are some of the very best!

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