Sneakers for Starters

Sneaker culture is bigger now than it has ever been. Fashion recognizes it, kids in high school are blowing hundreds of dollars every month on footwear, and everyone from pro basketball players to artists to skaters have their own shoes these days. Collectors and the fashion-conscious alike now geek-out on sneakers; but like with any collectible, it's good to know where to start.

It takes a while to learn how to parse the bad-ugly (say, Sketchers) from the good-ugly (Greedy Genius), and the unhyped conventional (New Balance) from the overhyped conventional (Nike). If you want to know about the world of sneakers, it's important to realize that you're buying, saving, and only occasionally wearing your sneakers to be seen by others. Why else would you spend hundreds of dollars on this stuff?

For convenience sake, let's separate sneakers into a few different categories. For starters, there's the classics: shoes that are widely recognized as old favorites. There's also the emerging classics, which I like to refer to as the recent additions to sneaker culture. And then there are the overlooked underdogs that are classics but never quite get the respect they deserve. The short list below should get you started on recognizing a few of each.

You'll notice that Nike is conspicuously missing from the list; but Nike doesn't need any more press. (And, anyway, recall that Nike owns Converse.)

The Classics

Whether or not the short list that follows cites the true sneaker classics is up for debate. But it's safe to say that these shoes are either perceived by most sneaker heads as the classics, or regarded as current classics-in-the-making.

Puma Clyde

There may be no shoe that says classic '70s casual style as well as the Clyde. Not originally dubbed the Clyde, the sneaker was merely the shoe of choice for the New York Knicks inimitable Walt "Clyde" Frazier in the early '70s. Out of production for several years, the Clyde was reintroduced a couple of years ago to much fanfare. Simple and versatile, it's just a great shoe that somehow embodies timeless style.


adidas Superstar II

Sort of a theoretical classic, the adidas Superstar II --often referred to as he Shell-Toe because of its shell-like toe cap--is a bit too popular for a lot of sneakerheads to get behind. Popularized by Run D.M.C. in the mid-80s, the shoe would, by the mid-'90s, become a staple for everyone from indie rockers to hip suburban moms. Immediately identifiable, the shoe is an undeniable classic and is good for at least begrudging respect.


New Balance 574

The New Balance 574 is perhaps the most classic and longstanding of running's salad days. Still admired for its comfort and wide interior, the shoe is a favorite for sneakerheads, particularly on the east coast, who put some time in walking. Classic styling and comfort rarely meet like this.

The Underdogs

A lot of sneaker heads unwillingly accept the following shoes in the canon of classic sneakers, even though they may not really like the shoes or even own a pair. However, a serious assessment of sneaker culture shouldn't overlook the following shoes, which have been both influential and invariably peripheral to the development of contemporary sneaker culture.


Converse Chuck Taylor

The mere longevity of the Chuck Taylor says more than anyone can speculate about its classic appeal. Sports heritage? Check. Simplicity and versatility? Check. Broad appeal? Check. It's tempting to say that this shoe has it all, but it's somehow never on most sneakerheads' top ten lists. Overexposure has been a bit of a problem for this shoe, but not even the fact that your little sister has three pairs can completely kill the appeal of this sneaker.

Vans Slip-On

Overexposure also hit this shoe pretty hard, but fifteen years of near invisibility in the public eye can do a lot for a shoe so uncomplicated and easy to wear as the Vans Slip-On. It helps that this shoe came from a surf/skate subculture that has become exponentially more respected in the last several years. Being thrust into the public eye by the likes of Jeff Spicoli doesn't hurt either.

Asics Ultimate 81

Arguably the central shoe in Asics Onitsuka Tiger collection, the Ultimate 81 is slightly less retro looking than other shoes in the collection. The shoe has a bit of an '80s running feel, but it also looks pretty contemporary. The shoe is also particularly wearable with slacks, giving it a versatility we're seeing more and more often in sneakers.

The New Additions

On the one hand, the new shoes on the block are the ones that sneakerheads in the know will give you a nod for wearing. On the other hand, no one without a seasoned knowledge of sneakers is going to recognize the brands or possibly even appreciate the styling. The numbers are too small on these shoes to make a serious impact in the world of activewear apparel. But the following shoes are movers and shakers in their own right and speak to the new breed of sneaker connoisseur who demands quality materials, exclusive (often limited edition) merchandise, and an unironic acceptance of the concept of a high-end sneaker.


Creative Recreation Cesario Lo

Creative Recreation did the unthinkable a few years ago when it set out to create a collection of sneakers that were seemingly as appropriate with slacks as with jeans. The idea has been influential, and this brand has gotten better and better at what it does. The Cesario Lo, introduced last year, is a great example of the brand's ability to blend the stylized and the casual.


Jhung Yuro V

Perhaps he most conspicuous of high-end sneaker manufacturers still grounded in a street mentality, Jhung Yuro appeared on all the right blogs out of the gate last year. Boasting premium quality materials, the band unashamedly asks for premium prices from its market. But the perfect mixture of limited availability, just-under-the-radar visibility, and a court shoe tradition are working well for this company. Still an up-and-comer, Juhung Yuro commands attention from those in the know.

Greedy Genius Cobalt Primo

Reflective of the new breed of sneakerhead that arrived in a world in which the Air Force 1 ruled supreme, Greedy Genius doesn't try very hard to disguise its interest in the shoe. Instead, the company puts significant effort into coming up with more unique, creative, and simply unimaginable renditions of the Air Force 1 blueprint.

[Photo Credit: Alife Rivington Club]

By: cory o'malley