While they radiate lowkey cool, high-top sneakers can be worn with virtually anything in your closet.
Pair them with jeans and a tee for a classic cool look, with dresses of any length for casual or smart casual dress codes, or with suits or shift dresses if you want to try high-low dressing.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to buying the right high-top sneakers for every occasion. You may want to opt for the classics from your favorite sportswear brand or splurge on luxury brands for a more elevated look.
Below is a list of some of the best classic and designer high-top sneakers.
The Best Classic High Top Sneakers
Whether you’re new to the world of high tops or you’re a sneakerhead that wants to ensure they have a well-rounded collection, these are the best designs to start with.
1. Converse
This was the brand that started it all. Converse essentially laid the foundations for the entire sneaker industry when they released the iconic Chuck Taylors a century ago. The design has barely changed since, cementing its legendary status.
Converse Chuck Taylor High-Top Sneakers, $93 at Farfetch; Converse Chuck Taylor All Star 70 High Top Sneakers, $85 – $90 at Nordstrom
Converse Chuck Taylors are probably still the most popular design in the world. They’re likely what first comes to your head when you think of high tops.
The clean canvas design can be styled with anything from casual and sportswear outfits to formal suits and dresses.
2. Nike
What Converse is to the thin high top world, Nike is to the mid or basketball high top world.
The sportswear giant’s highly coveted designs have graced the feet of both professional athletes and streetwear style stars for decades.
Nike Air Force 1 High Sneaker, $195 at Farfetch; Nike Air Force 1 High Sculpt Sneaker, $135 at Nordstrom; Nike Air Force 1 High SE Sneaker, $135 at Nordstrom
Their Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1 high tops have become streetwear essentials since their releases in the ‘80s. Both styles are still best sellers year after year.
Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG UNC Patent Leather, $689 at Farfetch; Nike Air Jordan 1 Zoom Air Comfort High Top Sneakers, $140 at Nordstrom; Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG Sneaker, $380 at Farfetch
The Nike team succeeds in keeping their designs fresh and desirable by constantly adapting the iconic high tops to modern trends, be it with vibrant color combinations or exclusive designer collaborations.
3. Adidas
The legendary German sportswear brand might be more famous for their low-top designs like the Stan Smiths and Gazelles, but their high tops are seriously cool.
Adidas Forum 84 High Sneaker in White/Light Blue, $139 at Farfetch; Adidas Forum 84 High Top Sneakers, $135 at Farfetch; Adidas Forum JS Wings 4.0, $180 at Adidas
The Forum and Top Ten designs are perfect for Adidas fans that want to shake up their low-top game. They still feature the brand’s emblematic three stripes but with a taller silhouette.
Adidas Originals Top Ten Rb, $89.95 at Zappos; adidas Originals Men’s Top Ten Hi Sneakers, $127.37 – $195 on Amazon
These sporty designs come in bold colorways and are often reinterpreted in must-have designer collaborations. Who could forget the fantastical winged Forums in the Jeremy Scott x Adidas collection?
4. Puma
Consider Puma the uncrowned kings of street luxe. It was Puma who shook up the industry by introducing the fashion-forward suede range, while their competitors were still sticking to sporty materials like mesh and leather.
Puma Slipstream Mid Luxe, $119.95 at Zappos; Puma Slipstream Mid SC Sneakers, $105 at Farfetch
Fans of Puma’s chic and streamlined sneakers will love the sleek Slipstream Mid high tops. Those looking for something unusual should try the Fierce Core sneakers.
The ultra-modern design is an innovative blend of high tops and slip-ons with its smooth, laceless design.
Puma Women’s Fierce Core Sneakers, $75 on Amazon
5. Vintage Havana
This quintessential American sneaker brand has been around since the 1950s, which earns Vintage Havana a spot on our classics list. The brand has been around the block for a while, but its designs are anything but boring.
Vintage Havana Dedra High-Top Sneaker, $150 at Nordstrom; Vintage Havana Lester High-Top Sneaker, $129 – $159.82 on Amazon
Vintage Havana is known for combining simple shapes with playful colors and prints. The Dedra and Lester sneakers are perfect examples of high tops that go the extra mile.
Their streamlined silhouettes are adorned with eye-catching embellishments like stars, animal print accents, and glitter.
The Best Designer High Top Sneakers
Looking to treat yourself to a luxe version of a traditionally casual shoe? Check out these lavish designer models.
6. Dior
Parisian chic isn’t just about high heels. Dior’s high-top sneaker range proves that. Their B23 and Walk’n’Dior styles are elegant takes on the canvas sneaker.
Dior B23 White and Black Dior Oblique Canvas; Dior Transparent Canvas with White Raised Dior Oblique Motif; Dior Cream Dior Oblique Macramé; Dior Black and Cream Cotton Canvas
Both styles are known for their all-over Dior logo prints, but many special editions have been released with one-of-a-kind prints and rich textures.
The B27 high top is an excellent alternative for those that prefer a sportier feel.
Dior Walk’n’Dior Deep Blue Dior Oblique Technical Mesh; Dior Walk’n’Dior White Cotton Canvas with Black Toile de Jouy Tiger Print; Dior Walk’n’Dior Beige Jute Canvas Embroidered with Dior Union Motif; Dior Walk’n’Dior Yellow and Black Check’n’Dior Technical Mesh
7. Gucci
Gucci’s retro-inspired high tops are possibly the most timeless sneakers on the market.
While other luxury fashion houses have experimented with high-tech designs, Gucci has always stuck to its sophisticated Italian roots. All of their sneaker designs are still made with traditional materials like canvas and leather.
Gucci Tennis 1977 GG Supreme High-Top Trainer, $750 at Matches Fashion; Gucci Tennis 1977 High Top Sneaker, $790 at Nordstrom; Gucci Tennis 1977 V High Top Sneaker, $690 at Nordstrom
Their Tennis 1977 sneakers are a stylish hybrid of a canvas high top and a tennis sneaker, featuring a subtle logo and a striking curved line on the sole. Those that prefer a sportier feel can opt for the chunky Basket high tops.
Gucci Basket High-top Faux-leather Trainer, $990 at Matches Fashion; Gucci Basket High-Top Sneaker in Ebony, $990 at Nordstrom; Gucci Basket High-Top Sneaker in Gray/White, $950 at Nordstrom
8. Prada
The prestigious Italian brand was one of the first major fashion houses to enter the sneaker game. Prada created mesh performance sneakers for their American Cup race team all the way back in 1997.
Prada Macro Brushed Sneakers, $1,220 at Farfetch; Prada Downtown Leather High-Top Sneakers, $1,150 at Saks Fifth Avenue
The trailblazing design has since been reinvented as a high top, perfect for anyone that wants a sneaker with a rich history. Prada’s Downtown and Macro high tops are excellent alternatives for those seeking a sleeker feel.
9. Golden Goose
This Italian footwear label has become one of the most popular designer sneaker brands in recent years.
Golden Goose sneakers have become famous for their intentionally distressed look, signature star logo, and bold embellishments – think glitter, animal prints, and metallic finishes.
Golden Goose Sky Star Leather High-Top Sneaker in White Red, $560 at Saks Fifth Avenue; Golden Goose Sky Star Sky-Star High Top Sneaker in White/Orange Fluo/Lime Green, $655 at Nordstrom; Golden Goose Sky Star High-Top Sneaker, $655 at Farfetch
In a world where sneakerheads constantly obsess over ‘boxfresh’ designs, Golden Goose makes imperfections cool. Invest in their Sky Star or Mid Star designs for classic basketball high tops with an unexpected twist.
Golden Goose Mid Star Crystal-Embellished Sneaker, $855 at Nordstrom; Golden Goose Mid Star Glitter Sneaker, $655 at Farfetch; Golden Goose Mid Star Daydreams Sneaker, $655 at Nordstrom