20 Luxury Sneakers To Upgrade Your Wardrobe With This Season

The high-fashion-meets-streetwear wave is at high tide, and the current abundance of luxury sneakers on both the runways and streets is evidence. While there have been footwear brands founded foremost on the luxury sneaker — ranging from the minimalist classic Common Projects to the more contentious Golden Goose Deluxe — today’s luxury sneaker is the new designer jeans, prompting every high-end and heritage label to put their spin on the humble footwear silhouette.

Although some people may find it ludicrous to spend top dollar on a pair of sneakers, others value the artisan craftsmanship, premium materials and reputable design eye of high-fashion designers. Whether it be the justification of cost-per-wear quality or the flexing rights of striking design, luxury sneakers are quickly becoming the top-selling footwear category in the menswear fashion scene.

Below is a selection of some of this season’s most noteworthy luxury sneakers. The list spans from more low-key silhouettes to bolder statement designs, including different tastes that range from futuristic models to more retro classics. Prices will vary depending on the retailer and your country’s sales tax.

1. Maison Margiela Mixed Patchwork

Notes: Though there has been much controversy surrounding pre-distressed sneakers, some brands do it more delicately than others. Margiela‘s mid-top silhouette features distressed and perforated details on a leather and mesh panel upper. Contrasting logo patches and top stitching throughout give added texture, while a padded tongue and black-stained gum sole give off a retro, worn-in look.
Price: $1,096 — $1,495 USD
Available at: SSENSE, Maison Margiela

2. Gucci X Donald Duck© Jacquard High-Top Trainers

Notes: The Gucci Ace sneaker was one of the pioneering models to put high-end sneakers on the radar. These past few seasons saw an emphasis on bold graphics, and this special edition Donal Duck high-top sneaker boasts a colorful jacquard print that fuses the iconic character with Asian motifs. A bold sunflower-yellow rubber sole adds to the vibrant colorway, while a green and red heel panel brings in the signature Gucci stripe.
Price: $695 — $863 USD
Available at: Gucci, Matches

3. visvim Black Huron Moc Hi-Folk Boots

Notes: Japanese label visvim has produced several footwear models that fuse heritage naturalism with contemporary sneaker elements. This moc hi-folk boot sneaker boasts a black suede upper with tan leather lace-up closure and contrast stitching at the heel. A rubber sole unit adds a modern edge while providing comfort and support.
Price: $809 USD
Available at: END.

4. Lanvin Multicolor Check Oxford Sneaker

Notes: For a more colorful pair, this Lanvin Check Oxford sneaker features a low-top woven cotton upper boasting a check pattern made up of blue, red, black and beige. Contrast white stitching, multicolor laces and grey suede trim at the eyebrows add to the striking look, while a thick black midsole and with white trim add character to the classic silhouette.
Price: $595 USD
Available at: SSENSE

5. Miharayasuhiro Black Hi-Cut High-Top Sneakers

Notes: Tokyo-based menswear label Miharayasuhiro‘s high-top sneaker sees a smooth, buffed leather upper and a bold yet simple silhouette. This model features a rounded toe, tonal laces, a padded tongue, a thick, sculpted midsole in dark brown and contrast white stitching at the welt.
Price: $655 USD
Available at: SSENSE

6. Ann Demeulemeester Red Calf Hair Sneaker

Notes: Ann Demeulemeester‘s take on the classic tennis sneaker boasts a rich burgundy hue in different textural materials. A calf-hair upper is visited by suede paneling throughout and is contrasted with black eyestays and laces. A tonal suede covered midsole completes the opulent construction, while a treaded black rubber outsole finished the striking colorway.
Price: $352 USD
Available at: Ann Demeulemeester

7. McQ Alexander McQueen White Chris Sneakers

Notes: McQ by Alexander McQueen offers a simple, high-contrast take on a classic low-top silhouette. A polished black leather upper is contrasted by a striking white semi-circle patch at the side, a white canvas heel tab and a white rubber midsole with McQ branding. Other details include silver eyestays, tonal laces and logo branding at the tongue tab.
Price: $272 USD
Available at: McQ

8. Y-3 Stan Zip Low-top Neoprene trainers

Notes: Yohji Yamamoto‘s Y-3 label has been revered for its luxury sportswear pieces and its experimentation with advanced fabrication and modern designs. This take on the classic adidas Stan Smith trainer boasts a matte black, heat-pressed material on the upper, glossy black accents throughout, waxed tonal laces and sleek zipper details on the side for a futuristic look. A cushion Poron performance sock liner offers ultimate comfort, while the zipper eyestays offer the option to go with or without laces.
Price: $268 — $320 USD
Available at: Matches, Y-3

9. Rick Owens Black Geothrasher Low Sneakers

Notes: Rick Owen offers up a more modest version of his bold Geobasket sneaker with this low-top Geothrasher skater shoe. This model features a buffer calfskin upper in black with contrasting off-white linear side stripes that wrap around the heel counter. A logo-embossed and texturized rubber sole unit rounds out the clean design.
Price: $957 USD
Available at: Rick Owens

10. Bottega Veneta Dodger Intrecciato Leather Slip-on Trainers

Notes: Known for its elegant, timeless designs, Bottega Veneta brings its famous Intrecciato leather weave to a simple slip-on model. The classic skate shoe boasts elastic panels for easy wear, butterfly detailing at the heel counter and no bold branding for low-key style. The luxurious leather gets better with wear and adds subtle sophistication to the casual silhouette.
Price: $479 — $680 USD
Available at: Matches, Bottega Veneta

11. Grenson Sneaker 1

Notes: Grenson‘s first foray into sneaker design combines the Heritage English bootmaker’s premium materials and construction with a classic ‘70s-inspired tennis silhouette. This minimalist pair comes in navy calf suede or hand-painted calf leather in tan, white and black options. Tonal stitching and laces keep the upper clean, while an Italian white rubber sole stays true to the classic tennis look.
Price: $210 USD
Available at: Grenson

12. Hender Scheme Black Manual Industrial 12

Notes: Hender Scheme‘s premium leather sneakers have been revered for bringing classic Japanese craftsmanship to iconic sneaker silhouettes. This model is inspired by the Nike Air Presto and features a buffed, grained cow and deer leather with subtle discoloration to bring out the intricate detailing. Tonal laces and stitching add to the stealth look, while a leather sole rounds out the luxurious design.
Price: ￥56,000 JPY (approximately $504 USD)
Available at: Hender Scheme

13. Givenchy Urban Street Mid-Top Suede Trainers

Notes: Givenchy‘s mid-top trainer comes in a sophisticated neutral palette that features a biscuit-beige suede upper, contrasting black and white smooth leather panels and a tan-brown rubber sole. Knotted-tie details, black leather lining and insoles and gold hot-stamped branding at the tongue and heel tab add to the subtle luxury.
Price: $591 USD
Available at: Matches

14. Prada Spazzolato Rois 2-Strap Sneaker

Notes: Prada‘s take on the casual velcro strap sneaker sees a modern two-strap design and a glossy patent white leather upper. Tonal topstitching, metallic-silver hardware, leather lining and bold red branding on the insoles and outsoles add some sharp contrast to the ultra-clean design.
Price: €520 EUR (approximately $605 USD)
Available at: Voo Berlin

15. Acne Studios White Lars Sneakers

Notes: Acne Studios‘ White Lars sneaker channels the Stockholm-based label’s signature minimalist aesthetic via a neutral palette and a simple low-top silhouette. The upper is constructed of off-white calfskin suede and white nylon with perforated detailing on the inner side and beige logo embroidery on the outer side. A crepe rubber sole in off-white adds to the asymmetric design while rounding out the subdued colorway.
Price: $290 USD
Available at: Acne Studios

16. visvim Foley Folk

Notes: visvim has made its sneakers even more long-lasting by fixing its tennis shoe silhouette with a replaceable sole unit. This sneaker is made with Goodyear welt construction, consisting of hand-sewed cup soles, minimal adhesive and custom cork molded footbeds for ultimate comfort.
Price: $800 USD
Available at: visvim

17. Spalwart Marathon Trail Low

Notes: Swedish sneaker label Spalwart combines European aesthetic with a retro coziness. Its most famous model is the track-inspired Marathon Trail Low, which features an airbag fabric upper, contrasting suede panels in different colors, calf skin and mesh lining, as well as a ultra-textured gum sole unit.
Price: €240 EUR (approximately $279 USD)
Available at: Spalwart

18. Lanvin Contrast-panelled low-top trainers

Notes: Lanvin’s contrast panel low-top sneaker boasts a bold mashup of nylon, leather and suede on an athletic silhouette. Various shades of beige, grey and white come together via elaborate panelling, angular detailing and a TPU rubber sole. Other details include a padded tongue and teal blue-speckled laces.
Price: $391 USD
Available at: Matches

19. Raf Simons Ozweego III

Notes: The adidas Originals by Raf Simons Ozweego III is the latest installment of the design collaboration’s impactful design. The futuristic model boasts a two-layer upper made of premium leather and canvas, transparent windows on the side, and a chunky, sculptural sole unit to round out the intricate design.
Price: €440 EUR (approximately $513 USD)
Available at: adidas Originals

20. Balenciaga Triple-S

Notes: Last but not least is Balenciaga‘s audacious Triple-S sneaker from Fall/Winter 2017. This chunky model boasts a multi-hued upper made up of mesh, calfskin leather and suede panels. A sculptural sole unit featuring several layers of rubber add to the intricate design, guaranteed to turn heads this season.
Price: $795 USD
Available at: Bergdorf Goodman