The 8 Best Nike Sneakers For Men

Relating to sneakers, there isn’t any model greater, higher or extra influential than Nike. Not solely is the American sportswear behemoth liable for a few of the most iconic kicks ever made, it’s additionally behind most of the pivotal technological developments which have pushed sneaker design forwards during the last 60+ years.

Nike can be largely liable for birthing sneaker tradition as we all know it in the present day. The label’s Air Jordan line gave the world its first style of sneaker hype, whipping customers right into a frenzy with every new launch. It additionally launched the world to high-profile athlete endorsements in footwear, turning Nike from a comparatively small working shoe model into the largest identify in sportswear.

Among the model’s footwear designers are borderline celebrities in their very own proper. Tinker Hatfield, for instance, is a family identify to anybody with a lot as a passing curiosity in sneakers, having been liable for main design milestones similar to seen air cushioning methods and best-selling fashions together with the Air Max 1, quite a few Air Jordans, and even the fictional Air Magazine from the Again to the Future motion pictures.

To name Nike’s sneaker again catalogue spectacular could be a critical understatement. It’s dwelling to a few of the most influential, standard and immediately recognisable footwear of all time, and to show it, we’ve showcased a couple of of our favourites beneath. Every one deserves its spot in any self-respecting sneakerhead’s assortment.

Air Max 1

Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Nike Air Max 1 was the primary Nike sneaker to characteristic a ‘window’ within the midsole, showcasing the patented Air cushioning system. The revolutionary design ruffled feathers on the model when it was first urged, with Hatfield claiming that different workers had been attempting to get him and his staff fired due to it. Nevertheless, as soon as it hit the cabinets, the numbers spoke for themselves.

Now in its third decade, the Air Max 1 is as standard as ever, remaining one of many Swoosh’s best-selling kinds. It additionally served as a launchpad for different top-selling fashions just like the Air Max 90, the Air Max Plus and the Vapormax, all that includes seen cushioning methods within the midsole.

The thought could not have been effectively obtained to start with, however has since turn into a core a part of Nike’s DNA and a key visible signature.

Air Jordan 1

The primary-ever shoe within the Air Jordan line laid the template for crucial sneaker model in historical past. It could not look too superior by in the present day’s requirements, nevertheless it was the peak of expertise when it launched in 1985, that includes an Air cushioning unit within the heel to assist MJ bounce across the court docket.

Regardless of being nearly 40 years previous, the Air Jordan 1 remains to be as related as ever. Certain, the expertise is lengthy outdated, however when it comes to appears it’s a timeless silhouette that works with nearly something. We’d recommend retaining it informal with straight-leg denims, a hoodie and a light-weight jacket.

Dunk

The Dunk is one other Nike mannequin with roots on the basketball court docket. Launched in 1985, it was initially a high-top sneaker that took direct inspiration from the Air Jordan 1 and the Air Pressure 1. It was an instantaneous success, nevertheless it discovered a brand new viewers a few many years later when it was reimagined for skateboarding because the Nike SB Dunk.

As of late, the Dunk is experiencing a serious surge in reputation, with the black and white low-top variations (known as ‘pandas’) seeing report gross sales because the early 2020s. Love them or hate them, they’re a few of the easiest, most versatile and traditional kicks on the market.

Cortez

This early Nike working shoe shares its DNA with Onitsuka Tiger’s Aztec mannequin. It’s basically the identical shoe rebadged, which is the results of a global wholesale partnership and ensuing authorized battle between the 2 manufacturers a number of many years in the past. With out going into the small print, suffice to say the Cortez has turn into a staple within the Nike sneaker universe, unchanged for over 50 years and nonetheless as standard as ever.

With the Adidas Samba and Nike Dunk insanity dying down, these in style circles are attempting to determine what the following ‘It’ shoe could possibly be. As a consequence of its simplicity, versatility and timeless appears, our cash is on the Cortez.

Air Max Plus

Launched in 1998, the intricately detailed Air Max Plus was means forward of its time when it comes to aesthetics. For a begin, it took the seen air cushioning to a brand new degree with small air bubbles working by means of the complete midsole. Secondly, it was a little bit of a precursor to the ugly sneaker development, with its chunky sole, rubberised particulars and sometimes fairly wild color schemes. You might also have heard this shoe known as the Nike ‘TN’, because of the ‘Tuned Air’ tech it debuted.

The Air Max Plus’ design was impressed by the palm timber of Florida, with the rubber ‘branches’ working as much as the lace loops to assist cinch the whole lot down and maintain the foot in place. This distinctive look has made the shoe a cultural phenomenon – notably in Australia the place it has lengthy been one of many nation’s hottest Nike silhouettes.

Zoom Vomero 5

The Zoom Vomero 5 has confirmed extremely standard since its re-release in 2019. The shoe initially launched in 2011 to a poor reception, nevertheless it seems the world simply wasn’t prepared for it but.

Quick ahead to 2018 and the archive silhouette was chosen by A-Chilly-Wall because the canvas for its newest Nike collab, which noticed an infinite block added to the heel. When individuals began chopping these blocks off in an effort to put on the shoe, it turned apparent to Nike that followers had been crying out for a common launch, in order that’s what they gave them.

The shoe launched correctly in 2019 and was successful instantly, with hype fuelled by the considerably restricted nature of the discharge. Resale costs began to soar, after which Nike dropped the shoe once more in 2022, serving to to cement the Vomero’s place as some of the standard Nike footwear in recent times.

Air Pressure 1

The Air Pressure 1 is nothing in need of ubiquitous in the present day, with its chunky flat sole, perforated toe field and uncluttered leather-based higher. Head into your metropolis and your certain to identify a number of pairs at any given second, which isn’t unhealthy for a shoe that has remained nearly unchanged for over 40 years.

The Air Pressure 1 could look easy by in the present day’s sneaker requirements, nevertheless it was groundbreaking when it first landed. This was the primary shoe to hold Nike’s now-iconic Air cushioning expertise, which revolutionised efficiency within the basketball shoe area and made it a must-cop for early sneakerheads.

Killshot 2

Generally footwear don’t should have a head-turning design and incorporate boundary pushing tech to turn into icons. The Killshot 2 is a testomony to that.

It’s most likely considered one of Nike’s blandest fashions from an aesthetic standpoint, however that’s additionally its best energy and why it has turn into so sought-after. This straightforward court docket sneaker was initially launched in 1979 however was re-released in 2009 as a part of a J.Crew partnership, promoting out nearly instantly.

At present the shoe is extra broadly out there, however its nonetheless managed to retain that ‘if you understand, you understand’ attraction that first made it standard. We like it as a result of it’s extremely versatile, with a easy pared-back look meaning it may be worn with something from shorts and a tee to tailor-made pants and knitwear.