Shoes don’t change as fast as cell phones. What do I mean? Well, you don’t see a lot of people walking around with flip phones. Sneakers, on the other hand, despite being a sprawling type of footwear today, have a handful of totems – styles that were conceived a long time ago but remain popular today. More than just plentiful or affordable, they represent the starting point of the sneaker industry. But these drawings are more than mere relics.
Nowadays, you could choose from one and a half million different sneaker designs – rare, eccentric and often expensive. But each owes much of its DNA to that small handful of silhouettes that came before them, many of which remain popular today. Even better: you don’t have to wait in line to buy a pair. These classics are easily and inexpensively available when you need them.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Debuted: 1917
Style: high top, lace up
Price: $60
In 1920, Converse named their rubber-soled high-top sneaker All-Star. More than a century later, people are still wearing them — and for good reason: They’re only $60 and look better a little battered.
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Hood Rubber Company 1955 High Cut Conference
Debuted: 1933
Style: high top, lace up
Price: $85
The 1955 Conference High Cut from the recently revived Hood Rubber Company (now owned by Mitchell & Ness) looks like it came straight out of an old high school locker room. Don’t let the distressed aesthetic fool you, though; it comes with plenty of support, thanks to a removable molded sockliner and a heavier six-ounce canvas upper.
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Debuted: 1935
Style: High low, lace up
Price: $65
BF Goodrich approached badminton player Jack Purcell to create his own signature shoe in 1935. The simple sneaker met Purcell’s demands on the court, but its low profile made it popular with style icons like Steve McQueen and James Dean. Converse eventually purchased the rights to the brand and still manufactures the shoes to this day. It’s easy to tell them apart from Chucks: look for the “smile,” a curved line that hugs the toe.
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Debuted: 1960
Style: high top, lace up
Price: $78
PF Flyers was founded by BF Goodrich in 1933, but it took nearly three decades for the brand to release its most famous sneaker: the PF Flyers Center Hi. Marked by its iconic chunky sole and simple canvas upper, it faced stiff competition in the 50s, 60s and 70s before fading into obscurity. But a place in the 1993 film The Sandlot gave the shoe new life.
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Debuted: 1965
Style: High low, lace up
Price: $100
In the 1960s, Adidas needed a tennis star to name their signature shoe. Cue Stan Smith. The tennis star has become larger than life, considering the brand has sold over 30 million pairs of sneakers featuring her face. It’s a simple silhouette that pairs well with most outfits and blends in without cracking.
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Debuted: 1966
Style: High low, lace up
Price: $55
When the Vans Authentic were released in 1966, then called #44 Deck Shoes, only 12 customers bought them direct from the factory, or so the story goes. Over time, they defied their rocky beginnings to become popular not only in the SoCal skate scene, but also with everyday people around the world. Today, Vans sells over 75 million pairs of shoes a year.
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Debuted: 1968
Style: High low, lace up
Price: $70
Originally called the Crack, slang for someone skilled in their trade, the Puma Suede made its big debut at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested racial injustices occurring in other side of the border. They have become deeply embedded in our culture, as much a comfortable sneaker as proof that you support the cause.
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Debuted: 1973
Style: High low, lace up
Price: $90
Nike’s Waffle Trainer was born in a waffle iron. The waffle pattern outsole was designed to perform like trail spikes minus the sharp edges. Their softness and noticeably lighter weight have made them a favorite of runners and non-runners alike. While Nike’s running technology has come on leaps and bounds since the 1970s, the Waffle Trainer remains a popular lifestyle option.
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