Men's Sneakers & Runners

The sole unit does most of the work in a sneaker, and it separates a court shoe from a runner long before the upper is considered. Low tops carry the range, from flat vulcanised court silhouettes through leather tennis shoes built on a cupsole to runner-derived pairs over a moulded midsole with a visible heel stack. High tops raise the collar above the ankle, laced further up and padded at the cuff, with a stiffened counter behind the heel.

Uppers are cut from smooth and tumbled leather, suede, canvas and mesh, usually panelled so the materials meet at the toe, quarter and heel. Fastening runs from full lacing through a strap to a sock-style elastic collar that pulls straight on. Details worth checking are the toe shape, the midsole stack height, and whether the sole is stitched or cemented, since each changes how the shoe wears in.