The Best Designer Sneaker Brands In The World Today

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Luxury ready meals. Luxury water. Luxury bleach. The human race has transformed plenty of everyday products into fancy, pointless abominations. But one thing it did get right was turning the humble athletic trainer into a piece of art worthy of a streetwear king (AKA someone with a six-figure Insta following). Introducing: designer sneakers.

High-end brands are continuing to flourish – especially those that make men’s designer sneakers. Sales by the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga continue to soar, proving that today’s generation of stunting, brand-conscious consumers are investing in premium, well-made fashion rather than wear-once-and-throw-away pieces. And the luxury sneaker is at the heart of it all.

Every brand worth its salt has created one – from traditional Northampton shoemakers to century-old Parisian fashion houses, and it’s been a key contributor to the casual direction menswear is firmly committed to. In short, you need a pair. But if you don’t know your Jordans from your John Lobbs, you might want to get your feet stuck into our guide to the slickest designer sneakers you can invest in right now.

Credit cards/second mortgage at the ready.

Designer Sneakers
Image Credit: CQP

The Best Designer Sneakers for Men

Gucci

The world’s biggest trendsetters kicked off the embroidery revolution about four years ago, and it hasn’t slowed down since. Made in Italy, its most popular low-top white Ace designer sneakers typically come in white and feature either the brand’s iconic bee emblem – introduced in the 1970s – or a snake in the red, green and gold Gucci colorway.

These much-imitated shoes are the eternally on-trend sneakers that go with virtually everything in your wardrobe, from raw selvedge denim jeans and a plain white tee, to dressing down your summer suits.

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Designer Sneakers - Gucci
Image Credit: Gucci

Oliver Cabell

Expensive sneakers don’t just have to be for self-entitled teenagers using daddy’s credit card; they can also be for the sophisticated gentleman who has a drinks trolley full of rare bourbons in his study. Oliver Cabell doesn’t lend itself to trends or fads. Instead, it makes designer sneakers you could’ve worn last season, this season, and next season.

Simple and timeless, the brand’s signature low-tops are made of 100% leather or suede in Italy, boast Italian calfskin leather interiors and have durable rubber soles.

If you’re of the smart casual persuasion (T-shirt and trainers with a colored suit), these luxe but inexpensive kicks are for you. High street prices with an upmarket design – what more could you want?

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Designer Sneakers - Oliver Cabell
Image Credit: Oliver Cabell

CQP

Nice shoes from Stockholm. Surprise surprise. CQP’s (Conversations & Quintessential Products) premium kicks are designed in Sweden, and handmade in Portugal, and certainly fit the bill. You’ll most likely spot its Racquet collection, low tops commonly featuring a canvas side panel, 100% Italian suede toe and tongue, and waxed cotton laces.

Alternatively, there’s the Tarmac line, a smarter quarter-top style of designer sneakers made with the same quality suede but with a 100% calf leather lining and arch support with several layers of cushioning. The next best thing to wearing pillows on your feet.

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Designer Sneakers - CQP
Image Credit: CQP

Axel Arigato

Some brands stick to one shape and that’s that. Not Axel Arigato. To this Swedish brand, variety is everything.

From the uber casual basketball-inspired Court hi-top, the signature Clean coming in zip-up and laceless options, to the futuristically functional Tech Runner, Axel’s lavish leather-infused lineup is a one-stop-shop for all designer sneaker lovers, bringing art students and sports nuts together in perfect harmony. They did it. World peace at last.

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Designer Sneakers - Axel Arigato
Image Credit: Axel Arigato

Balenciaga

A brand immersed in history, with designer sneakers from the future. For a company nearly a century old, Balenciaga is continuing to shock the world with its innovative designs.

The oversized Triple S sneakers are the most iconic of the Spanish fashion house’s footwear styles, manufactured with superior nubuck and mesh, proudly boasting the brand logo towards the back, with that divisive triple-stacked sole jutting out. They are kings of the chunky trainer trend.

This isn’t the only avant-garde style the brand has though, as they’ve also jumped on the sock-meets-shoe hype with the Speed trainer. This alternative silhouette showcases more practical properties, with a memory sole and comfortable shock-absorbing technology.

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Designer Sneakers - Balenciaga
Image Credit: Balenciaga

Common Projects

One of the most instantly recognizable silhouettes on the market today, mainly because they’re so clean you could eat your dinner off them. But there’s another reason why Common Projects sell men’s designer sneakers so noticeable: the gold foil style code stamped on the heel, each unique one signifying the color, code, and size of the shoe.

It’s this little detail that makes the American-Italian label such a cult purchase; the fact that they’re expertly crafted in Italy, come in on-trend pastel colorways like blush pink and nude, and are worn by the likes of Drake and Alexander Skarsgard is just a plus.

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Designer Sneakers - Common Projects
Image Credit: Common Projects

Grenson

Another footwear industry shocker: Grenson doesn’t just make brogue boots for bearded selvedge denim enthusiasts; it also makes killer designer sneakers in its own distinct style. You might not have even known it made its own sneakers, which is an easy mistake to make as it hasn’t been in the casual footwear game for long. This doesn’t mean the British brand is inexperienced, however.

Several of their styles are simply named ‘Sneaker’ followed by a number. Grenson’s takes on the casual footwear staple look extremely polished and smooth. Sneaker 1, for example, is an homage to the ‘70s tennis shoe with its simple silhouette, but it’s made premium by hand-painted calf leather, giving it an opulent feel. Sneaker 3 on the other hand fits more in line with the brand’s traditional aesthetic, giving a low-top trainer shape brogue detailing in regal colorways.

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Designer Sneakers - Grenson
Image Credit: Grenson

Saint Laurent

Think Saint Laurent and you automatically envision tight leather jackets and black boots. But that’s not always the case with the French fashion house. For those laid-back days, Saint Laurent produces equally edgy and decadent designer trainers for men, with scrawled branding across its court classic low-top trainers which are crafted in canvas and available in a variety of shades.

Looking for more of a statement? Then try out its hi-tops adorned with block paneling, born to be paired with your favorite leather jacket and black jeans.

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Designer Sneakers - Saint Laurent
Image Credit: Saint Laurent

John Lobb

Did you ever want to leave your regular shoes behind at the bowling alley when you were a child so you could take home those vintage-looking rentals? Well, now you can get a pair – albeit of previously unattainable quality – without hundreds of people having worn them first.

John Lobb makes seriously exquisite and spotless retro sneakers in Italy, featuring a stitched cup sole construction for durability and lightness – two qualities perfect for both the bowling alley and the sidewalk. Alternatively, if you’re feeling (extra) flush, you can use Lobb’s By Request service and create your own bespoke trainers.

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Designer Sneakers - John Lobb
Image Credit: John Lobb

Church’s

A proper heritage footwear brand, Church’s was established in 1873, yet in the 1990s the company was taken over by Prada, injecting it a fresher and more contemporary direction. Many of its sophisticated designs (the Willenhall loafer, the Walthum brogue) remained for its loyal sartorial customer base, but the brand also attracted a younger, casual consumer who wanted well-made men’s designer sneakers steeped in masterful craftsmanship.

You’ll find the renowned Church’s logo on the tongue of its luxury sneakers like the Mirfield, with its silhouette resembling a Derby shoe. It also features a refined Nevada leather like the company’s formal styles, showing that Church’s has shifted with the times while maintaining its roots.

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Designer Sneakers - Church's
Image Credit: Church’s

Brunello Cucinelli

Italian man-behind-the-brand, Mr. Brunello Cucinelli describes himself as “part businessman, part philosopher, and park monk”. Although best known for its cashmere and exemplary tailoring, the brand’s designer sneakers are pristine, to say the least (but please don’t run in them; nurse them as if they were your own child).

Hand-milled, made in Italy, 100% leather, and with each style featuring intricate detailing, these shoes have it all. You’ll feel even better about purchasing such extravagant footwear too, as Brunello donates 20% of his profits to charity.

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Designer Sneakers - Brunello Cucinelli
Image Credit: Brunello Cucinelli

AMI

Founder of AMI Alexandre Matiussi has worked at Marc Jacobs, Dior and Givenchy, before starting his own streetwear-worshipped brand in Paris in 2011. Just that small sentence there would be enough for most to gain trust in AMI’s men’s designer sneakers without actually seeing them. And your trust would’ve paid off because these kicks are special indeed.

AMI’s most identifiable trainers are the Lucky 9s, a neoprene inner sock runner with a leather insole, sporting major Back To The Future vibes with its ‘80s colorways and ridged shape. But if you’re looking for something quieter to go with your everyday staples, the throwback three-strap sneakers with embroidered AMI at the heel will do.

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Designer Sneakers - AMI
Image Credit: AMI

Berluti

Berluti’s ethos is that ‘you cannot be elegant if you are not comfortable and well-shod.’ This message is clearly evident by looking at the Parisian brand’s designer sneakers.

The hi-top Fast Track is like a runner/hiking boot hybrid, but instead of being chased out like a Frankenstein monstrosity, it has been heralded as a modern masterpiece. The mashup consists of glazed calf leather upper and Venezia leather detailing, but it’s the technical qualities like memory-foam insoles and anti-slip notched soles that give the shoe substance as well as style.

But if it’s more substance you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Lizard and alligator leather are just some of the exotic materials produced by the brand, with extra detailing coming from fine line engraving.

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Designer Sneakers - Berluti
Image Credit: Berluti

FAQs About Designer Sneakers for Men

How do you wear designer sneakers?

The best thing about designer sneakers are their versatility. Sneakers made of suede or leather uppers can easily be worn in business casual offices, paired with chinos and a dress shirt or cable knit sweater. Dress them down on weekends with dark-wash jeans and a t-shirt.

What is a designer shoe?

Quite simply, a designer sneaker is a pair of shoes made by… well, a designer. But it also comes down to the materials used. Look for luxury leather, suede, and construction that won’t fall apart. Designer sneakers shouldn’t need replacing every year like your runners do.

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