Written by Menswear Style in Essentials on the 21st March 2023

Everybody loves sportswear. It's a matter of fact, this clothing style unites people from all across the planet and at least five generations. To the point that even the term itself, “sportswear”, sounds inappropriate. You can find this style everywhere, not just at the gym or along a jogging track: people wear sneakers at the church, in a restaurant, at the movies, at work, or even at home in their spare time. Undoubtedly, footwear are part of this worldwide culture, or rather they're the absolute protagonists: sneakers and trainers have become, throughout the decades, true icons of style with dozens of millions of enthusiasts all over the world.

Wearing a pair of Air Max 1, today, is by itself, a style statement, as well as a clear endorsement to a specific taste in terms of “dressing code”. This doesn't mean that those who wear sporty are a sort of tribe or a niche of people who love to stand out from the rest of the humanity; quite the opposite, it's a mixture of every kind of people, with a “lowest common denominator”: they love an informal approach to life and to the other people, they put comfort before anything else, they have a blunt and direct way of face their daily issues.

Besides them, nonetheless, around the sportswear trends – and especially for what concerns the shoes – there is a community of people that can be actually defined “a tribe”, or at least a well-circumscribed community. We are talking about the collectors, those who tirelessly keep on gathering pairs of sneakers and trainers, with a particular attention for the classic models (whether they be originals or reissues) and the rarest ones. Many of them would be willing to pay off-market amounts of money to put their hand on a long-time desired missing piece, and they're always fathoming the Internet looking for some unexpected bargain. If we take a look at extremely specialized websites like SVD, it's pretty clear that there are some sneakers that are more requested than the others. If you want to know which models you should pick to start a proper collection (or to turn a mere accumulation of shoes into something with a value that overcomes the sum of every single item's cost), the following ones are those you should consider first.

1. Nike Air Max 1 

The authentic origin point, from which everything has begun. Lots of reissues, but the originals have an inimitable charm. 

2. Nike Air Jordan

Another milestone, maybe the pair of shoes that made sportswear one of the biggest global businesses ever. Again, lots of reissues and a whole lot of customized models, thought and realized by/for a huge number of celebrities. 

3. Converse Chuck 70 HI

Like the Air Jordan, a shoe that protects the ankle not just the foot. It was widely appreciated during the Eighties, last century. As of today, this model is still waiting for a real “second life”, though it has many admirers. 

4. Adidas Ultraboost 1.0

Maybe not a “hystorical” piece, but it has made history its own way, thanks to its ergonomic sole, able to adapt a foot that is constantly put under strain.

Nike Air Max 1, Nike Air Jordan, Converse Chuck 70 HI, and Adidas Ultraboost 1.0 are The Best Classic Sneakers to Buy if You’re Collector.