When Raf Simons' reimagined adidas Ozweego first made its bold entrance onto the footwear stage back in 2013, even the most open-minded of sneakerheads were puzzled. As if straight from outer space, the shoe was a left turn on the casual footwear landscape of that time.
Since then, a flagship sneaker has become the must-have item for luxury houses and designers. Names like Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen were quick to act on the demand while other names took longer. But, eight years on, you'd now be hard pushed to find a name in luxury that doesn't have sneakers in its top-10 bestsellers list.
Having a wide range to choose from is usually a great thing, but with luxury sneakers at every twist and turn of the fashion world's new trajectory, it can all get a bit much. That's why Highsnobiety market editors were set the task of rounding up the only luxury sneakers that you need to know about in one convenient place — here. Understated options from Margiela and Mihara Yasuhiro oppose loud styles from Balenciaga and Lanvin to ensure that there's a style for every taste.
Scroll on for our full selection of the ultimate luxury sneakers.
Axel Arigato Clean 90
Clean 90
Axel Arigato
Swedish label Axel Arigato has covered a lot of ground in relatively little time. Founded in 2013, the Swedish label has grown to become a central player in the world of understated luxury sneaks.
Burberry Arthur Sneakers
Arthur Sneakers
Burberry
Heritage British house Burberry has proven its mettle in keeping up with the times with the Arthur Sneakers. Inspired by rugged trail silhouettes in line with dominating trends, this pair carries some of the brand's hallmarks in a subtle way.
Balenciaga X-Pander Trainers
X-Pander Trainers
Balenciaga
Perhaps not as easy to style as many of the sneakers in today's roundup, Balenciaga's hectic X-Pander sneaker rewards those that put the effort in: style this postmodern take on the normcore runner well and you're a god.
Off-White™ Odsy-1000 Sneakers
Odsy-1000 Sneakers
Off-White™
Off-White™'s sneaker offering extends in all directions, from tennis sneakers to out-there takes like the Odsy-100. This chunky pair is lightened by its all-white palette.
Jil Sander Flatform Sneakers
Flatform Sneakers
Jil Sander
Jil Sander keeps things dialed-down while ensuring that the Flatform Sneakers don't blend in with the crowd. A thick platform sole unit features a mudguard which extends well over halfway up the shoe. Even in all-black, it's hard to take your eyes off this pair.
Rick Owens Scarpe Sneakers
Scarpe Sneakers
Rick Owens
The Dark Lord has no shortage of cult-followed silhouettes. This mid-top iteration takes inspiration from classic basketball styles but is built with top-of-the-range materials.
Maison Margiela Replica Sneakers
Replica Sneakers
Maison Margiela
In the world of luxury sneakers, Maison Margiela's Replica is a permanent fixture. Inspired by german army trainers, this OG colorway never misses.
Givenchy Monumental Trainers
Monumental Trainers
Givenchy
From the supremely versatile Replica to something altogether different, the Givenchy Monumental Trainer is undoubtedly one of the most memorable releases of the last season.
Maison MIHARA YASUHIRO Peterson High Sneakers
Peterson High Sneakers
Maison MIHARA YASUHIRO
While a lot of the luxury sneaker world feels samey, Mihara Yasuhiro's unique collection stands out big time. Molded sole units give each classic update their signature irreverent aesthetic.
Rhude V2 Bandana Sneakers
V2 Bandana Sneakers
RHUDE
Rhude's bandana has become a recognizable mainstay of the label and these sneakers are a distillation of the look. Multicolored panels of textured fabric give this pair character in abundance.
Lanvin x Gallery Dept. High Sneakers
Gallery Dept. High Sneakers
Lanvin
Lanvin's sneaker collection has had a creative reboot at the hands of Gallery Dept. These pared-back high-top sneakers feature multicolor paint splatters centered around the toe box.
visvim FKT Runner Sneakers
FKT Runner Sneakers
visvim
visvim is known for its unrivaled material quality and that shines through on the FKT sneakers. A '70s-style build is cut from drool-inducing suede in a neutral palette with dusty blue hits to the logo and heel tab.
Loewe Flow Runner Sneakers
Flow Sneakers
Loewe
Loewe's Flow Sneaker has been a big highlight over recent seasons in our eyes. The lightweight runner brims with vintage appeal with its wrap-around gum sole and Loewe's colorways definitely help.
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