Over the past ten years, the market for luxury trainers has grown at an exponential rate. Spending more than £200 on a pair of high-end trainers has become a totally acceptable fashion indulgence as sports footwear has solidified its position as a staple in the modern man’s daily wardrobe.

Classic style ages more gracefully, artisanal craftsmanship looks better, and better materials stay longer. To put it briefly, high-end trainers provide more, and these brands are the best available.

Common Projects

The now-iconic Achilles Low trainer by Common Projects was an immediate smash when it initially appeared on store shelves in 2009. However, why? I mean, it was just a leather trainer, nothing fancy, was it? Well, both yes and no. The Achilles Low is everything but simple, despite having a minimalistic appearance. It addressed a market gap between expensive dress shoes and tennis trainers by assembling a silhouette in Italy using traditional shoemaking methods. A pair of shoes that can dress up jeans and a T-shirt while still looking put together with tailoring. 

Golden Goose Deluxe Brand

You can still get from point A to point B on the rusty old bicycle. And if Golden Goose Deluxe Brand is involved, it’s because of the immaculately worn-out trainers you’re sporting. Golden Goose trainers aren’t for everyone, but maybe that’s part of their appeal. These shoes have a genuine vintage look because they are made of high-quality Italian leather that is nicely worn straight out of the box. Some customers find it difficult to accept the fact that they are not inexpensive either. However, it makes perfect sense to people who follow the wabi-sabi philosophy. The unique quality of Golden Goose’s trainers is that they aren’t flawless.

Gucci

Historically, Gucci hasn’t made many contributions to the footwear industry in the form of trainers. But when Alessandro Michele took over in 2015, it (along with a lot of other things) changed.

The critics gave Michele a lot of credit for his gender-neutral runway displays and vibrant, 1970s-inspired creations. But in the eyes of the general public, he became a design genius when he unveiled the Ace, the house’s iconic sneaker.

Alessandro Berluti

Alessandro Berluti branded the company’s first pair of shoes 120 years ago. Since then, the brand Berluti (featured image, top) has come to represent superb leather, great craftsmanship, and the most exquisite, deep, and rich patinas on the planet.

The majority of Berluti’s early production was made up of formal shoes. However, the brand’s focus has evolved along with the times, and a large portion of its sales now come from high-end trainers. 

Visvim

Established in 2001 by former Burton Snowboards designer Hiroki Nakamura, Visvim is currently regarded as a major player in the upscale men’s casualwear market.

Based on a love of Americana fashion and a respect for Japanese craftsmanship and attention to detail, Visvim produces some of the most unique and exquisite luxury footwear in addition to some of the trendiest apparel available. 

Maison Margiela

We would be remiss if we didn’t admit that some of Margiela’s shoe designs can be a bit… unconventional. On the basis of the Replica, the most well-known trainer from the Belgian design brand, we may overlook all of that, though.

The Replica model from Maison Margiela is a high-end recreation of a German Army trainer from the middle of the 20th century. Simple colour schemes range from muted to splashed, and the materials and construction allow little room for interpretation.

Dior

Dior’s trainers blend modern, trend-driven style with French grace. It offers minimalist low-tops that fall midway in between bulky runners and sleek high-tops. An excellent illustration of Dior’s approach is the B27 Sneaker, which is made of smooth calfskin and features the brand’s recognisable oblique canvas. You can incorporate them into semi-formal and casual ensembles because they are made with high-quality fabrics and assembled using handmade methods. In any case, they will radiate exclusivity and sophistication.