For many, shoes are a means of expressing oneself and showcasing one’s personal style. For others, though, shoes are a big part of fashion history. Fans debate current shoe releases, but here are the top five best or most popular shoes of all time. 

Puma Clyde

Originally released in 1973 for basketball, it was the first signature shoe for a basketball player –  Walt “Clyde” Frazier. The New York Knicks star wore the shoes against legends on the court and popularized them for years to come. 

The shoe is a remake of Puma’s original basketball shoe, released in 1968, which was the first shoe in the Puma Crack shoe line. The shoe features responsive cushioning, supportive uppers, and ample padding in the toe and heel areas. Frazier wore the shoe his entire career, a total of 825 games. 

Van’s Slip-on

In 1977, Vans released a slip-on shoe with a checkered style, marking its place in history with the BMX and skating communities. Since the shoes had simple designs and were so easy to put on, they remain a staple in these communities even today.

Van’s connection with skating led to the shoes bleeding into music culture. Punk subcultures in Southern California have maintained their relevance by matching their style with the “Off the Wall” statement.

Adidas Superstar

Another shoe that marked its place in the world is the Adidas Superstar shoe. Released in 1969, the shoe was initially introduced as a low-top basketball shoe, but gained popularity quickly to become a classic go-to shoe in streetwear.

Chuck Taylors

The Chuck Taylor All-Star shoe, also known as OG Converse, was released in 1917, originally intended to be a basketball shoe. Converse later redesigned the shoe at the request of basketball player Chuck Taylor, for whom it is known today.

The shoe shows signs of rebellion and solidarity within the music world, as artists like the Ramones, Kurt Cobain, and Wiz Khalifa have famously worn the shoes. The timeless design makes it still an extremely popular shoe today.

Air Jordan 1

By far the most historic shoe is the Air Jordan 1. Designed by Peter Moore, it changed the game of basketball forever. Released in 1985, it carried Michael Jordan’s likeness, which skyrocketed the shoe’s profits. It shaped the current sneaker culture as a global shoe icon.

Additionally, the shoe modified how items like clothes and shoes are branded, for it cannot only be a basketball shoe but can also be used for style off the court. This shoe was the one that established athlete-driven shoe lines in the sneaker market.