The Six Style Families
Almost every lifestyle sneaker belongs to one of these families. Once you know which look you like, choosing a model is easy.
- Retro classics: timeless silhouettes with suede and gum soles. The adidas Samba OG, the adidas Gazelle and the Puma Palermo carry the terrace look, while the Converse Chuck 70 remains the eternal canvas classic.
- Court retro: basketball and tennis heritage. Nike Air Force 1, Nike Dunk Low and New Balance 550 are the streetstyle foundation par excellence.
- Runner retro: running shoe silhouettes from the past, now comfortable everyday shoes: Nike Air Max 90, New Balance 574, ASICS Gel-Lyte III or the slim Nike Cortez.
- Minimal & Clean: understated leather sneakers that also work in the office: adidas Stan Smith, Reebok Club C 85, Veja Campo.
- Chunky & Dad Sneakers: voluminous Y2K silhouettes such as New Balance 9060, New Balance 2002R, ASICS Gel-1130 or the outdoor hybrid Salomon XT-6.
- Skate: robust classics with a flat sole: Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic and Vans Sk8-Hi.
Fit: These Classics Run Differently
The most common bad purchase with classics is the wrong size. As a rule of thumb from our catalogue:
- Run large (order half a size smaller): adidas Samba, Gazelle, Campus 00s, Air Force 1, Dunk Low, Chuck 70, Veja Campo.
- Run small or narrow (order a size up): Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66, Puma Speedcat, Nike V2K Run.
- Fit true to size: most New Balance models, Vans Old Skool, Air Max 90, Club C 85.
The exact fit is the first question on every model page, e.g. for the Samba OG.
Recommendations by Use
- The one everyday sneaker: adidas Samba OG or Nike Air Force 1, both go with almost everything.
- For the office and clean looks: Stan Smith, Club C 85 or, for a sustainable option, the Veja Campo.
- Maximum everyday comfort: retro runners such as the NB 574 and chunky models such as the NB 9060 walk the softest.
- Statement look: Salomon XT-6 or NB 1906R for the technical Y2K style.
- Small budget: Vans Authentic and Nike Cortez are well under an indicative price of €100.
You can find all classics with filters for style, cut and era in the lifestyle overview; to put them side by side, use the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does the adidas Samba run large or small?
The adidas Samba tends to run large. Most people order it half a size smaller than their usual size. It is also cut narrow; if you have wide feet, it is worth trying it on or looking at the Vans Old Skool, which fits true to size.
Which sneaker classic goes with everything?
The safest all-rounders are the adidas Samba OG and the Nike Air Force 1: both work with jeans, chinos and joggers. If you prefer something more understated, go for the adidas Stan Smith or Reebok Club C 85 in white.
Does the Nike Air Force 1 run large?
Yes, the Air Force 1 tends to run large and bulky. Half a size smaller than usual fits most people better, especially those with narrow feet.
Which sneakers are trending right now but still timeless?
Terrace models such as the Samba, Gazelle and Handball Spezial have dominated for years and are at the same time genuine 70s/80s classics. Also enduring: New Balance retro runners (574, 2002R, 9060), which have outlasted the chunky trend.
How much do sneaker classics cost?
Most classics are between €70 and €130 as an indicative price (based on the RRP): Vans Authentic from approx. €75, Samba around €120, Air Force 1 around €120. Limited colourways can be considerably more expensive; it is best to check the current price directly in the shop.
Are retro sneakers suitable for sport?
No. Lifestyle classics have neither the cushioning of a running shoe nor the stability of a training shoe. For running, see our running shoe overview; for the gym, see the training shoe overview.