The 25 Most Underrated Sneakers of All Time

The term "underrated" has always been troublesome. It's not only hard to define, but nearly impossible to use. After all, once you dub something underrated, doesn't the very act of doing so mean it's no longer underrated? Recognition is recognition — the truly underrated aren't even mentioned in underrated lists. But hey, we're not philosophers here, we're just sneakerheads. So without further ado, here are The 25 Most Underrated Sneakers of All Time.

Year: 1997

Reebok's DMX Run 10 recently returned in full force with original and newly created colorways. Although it is one of the few sneakers on the list to return as a retro, it's still a very overlooked style. Even over 15 years after its initial release, the comfort of the DMX Run 10 can rival some of the most advanced sneaker designs.

Year: 1995

Similar in styling to the Air Go LWP, but low-cut and less heavily hyped. Sure, you could dismiss it as take-down model, but if you did you'd be a fool. Penny rocked these in the '95 ASG. We'd rock 'em again, and with great pleasure.

Year: 1998

While Grant Hill's early models get the retro treatment from FILA, the later versions languish. We're not sure if Hill himself would even remember the V, but the embroidered leather upper still goes hard - and preceded better-known models with similar styling cues, like the Air Jordan XX3.

Year: 1980

In the 1970s and 1980s, Guillermo Vilas was a dominant force on the tennis courts. His footwear, signature models like the GV Special from PUMA, weren't quite as dominant. But with an excellent cushioning system and durable design, these classic tennis shoes should get a lot more respect than they do.

Year: 1994

Saucony may be more known today for the Shadow series of Originals but the Grid 9000 is a sure standout amongst running shoes of the mid-'90s. The more technically advanced design of the Saucony Elite Grid 9000 gives it a number of details, namely the loopholes for easier on and off and the transparent window in the outsole, that separate it from other models in the Saucony Originals lineup.

Year: 2006

These days we take it for granted that most of the sneakers Nike is making can be hooked up to our iPod, iPhone and then some, through that cool little technology piece called Nike+. Back in 2006 when this technology was just beginning, the Nike Zoom Moire was the first to have the ability and space for the Nike+ adapter. The Moire also happens to be one of the most comfortable running shoes Nike has ever created. Ask anyone who still has a pair and they've probably got backups in the closet.

Year: 1993

Imagine a shoe that started one of the most successful lines in the history of running shoes. Then imagine hardly anybody paying attention to it. That's essentially the story behind the ASICS GEL Kayano Trainer. It was different back then in 1993 but now, we could see this getting some serious attention in retro form. 20 year anniversary ASICS?

Year: 1986

The Wilson Pro Staff Classic Mesh is like the low-key OG at the local courts during the summer. You know the stories are there and you don't really know the truth, but you can't deny the deserved respect it commands. Hit the mall with a pair of these on your feet and you'll have kids clowning and OG 'heads talking about the good ol' days.

Year: 1998

Ask anyone who is not a fan of adidas and their reasoning is likely because of the patented Three Stripes. Well, when adidas laced Antoine Walker with a second signature shoe, the Real Deal II, they switched it up. Placing the Three Stripes across the laces is probably the best thing they did outside of the classic side Stripes (sorry, D-Rose), but people still seemed to have missed the boat on these. How can you pass up Feet You Wear?

Year: 1999

The Nike Zoom Haven was unique design that had training in its blood and basketball in its soul. The Zoom Haven was a part of the Nike Alpha Project, which used technologies from the major categories at Nike. It also could easily be considered the beginnings of what we now know as Hyperfuse because it used a combination of synthetic materials used in layers to create a stronger, lighter upper.

Year: 1992

The GEL Saga II should be where the Lyte III is in the runner pantheon. It is the Nike Air Max BW of the ASICS line.

Year: 1993

The Fila Jam Ball needs a comeback. Not only was this sneaker from 1993 one of the dopest to hit the blacktop, it performed back in the day thanks to a flex point on the heel, lateral support features and a comfortable padded collar. Then there was the dope ads featuring the "Cool Little Dude" outsole design, an element that was way ahead of its time.

Year: 1996

Pete Sampras' assumed lack of dyanmism promotes a "boring shoe for a boring guy" perspective about the Oscillate. Fuck that noise. Tinker Hatfield had to trick the tennis star into trying it out - during a pick-up basketball game - and Sampras ended up liking it so much he rocked it for seven years. With all the hype surrounding Tinker's hoops, running, and training shoes, it's about damn time we recognize that his contribution to tennis extends well beyond the Air Trainer 1. Start here. Then reevaluate your opinion of the Vapor 9 Tour in a decade when the new classic will be ripe for a reissue.

Year: 1987

Is it possible for an entire brand to be underrated? Avia had quite the hold on the NBA in the '80s, equipping Hall of Famers like Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler and John Stockton. The 850 wasn't the top-of-the-line model, but it was probably the pinnacle design of their basketball line.

Year: 1984

This running classic wouldn't be on here at all had some morons not left it off their list of the 100 best adidas sneakers of all time. They did, so we take the opportunity to repent here. Yes, adidas made classic runners before the ZX and Equipment lines.

Year: 1988

The Nike Air Force III was a boot in basketball shoe clothing, made for bruisers in the paint. It was also a throwback of sorts, without Velcro straps, Visible Air or plastic ventilation - which makes it timeless. Extra props to the outdoor-inspired ESCAPE version, which predated ACG (and was retroed with minimal fanfare in 2005).

Year: 1988

The Brooks Chariot dates back to the early '80s - and Brooks appears to be one of those companies that is ever pushing forward, without a "sportswear" or "originals" division to revive styles from the past. While this is applause worthy from a tech standpoint, a proper retro of these would kill.

Year: 1995

Bada bing, bada boom! Remember when the Agassi and Sampras duel was a (one-sided) challenge for ATP no. 1? Agassi was on the comeback trail, rocking a buzz cut and supported by zoom air. Winning the Australian in the first colorway, he boldly rocked black in Paris and Flushing, and despite failing to live up to his early season form ended the year with the most sought after tennis shoe of '95. Its sleeker and more nuanced than the Challenge Courts that have been reissued, and proof that Agassi's sneaker legacy still has room for sportswear exploitation.

Year: 1988

The first Reebok to feature ERS (Energy Return System), the World Trainer is one of many early Reebok tech runners that deserve a resurgence. Perhaps once the current basketball push is over, Todd Krinsky and company can dig deeper. There are rich veins to be mined.

Year: 1991

New Balance is an oddity in the sneaker world, as nearly all of their silhouettes are held in exactly the regard they should be. Perhaps this is a result of their models having simple numerical designations rather than names. But if there is a New Balance that is underappreciated, it has to be the 997.

Year: 1996

We've written about the Air Max 96 before, and will no doubt write about it again. It's the outlier of the mid-'90s Air Max line, sandwiched as it was between the '95 and '97 and bearing no real resemblance to either. It also has yet to receive a proper retro, which is almost inconceivable for any Air Max shoe from that era.

Year: 2001

It's never easy following an all-time classic. Coming as it did after the sleek Answer IV - the shoe Allen Iverson wore during his MVP, NBA Finals season - the bulkier Answer V didn't make quite the same impact. But looking at it compared to the rest of the Iverson line, it still resonates.

Year: 1987

Is it because it wasn't designed by Tinker Hatfield? The Air Jordan II introduced much that the Air Jordan III is recognized for - exotic prints, speed lacing, removal of the Swoosh - and was even manufactured in Italy. Yet the II rarely is on anyone's favorite Jordans list, and often figures towards the bottom. A reassessment seems to be in order.

Year: 1992

The Vans Half Cab is considered by many to be the greatest skate shoe of all time, and there is no Half Cab without the Caballero. The first signature skate shoe (of the post-Dogtown era anyway) should be held in much higher regard.

Year: 1991

How is this possible? Can any Air Max running shoe be considered THE most underrated sneaker of all time? One would expect this spot to be held by a shoe that has languished in obscurity, not been retroed multiple times and flipped in wonderful weatherproof fashion by Stash. Yet here it is. The Air Max 1 and the Air Max 90 are the accepted all-time classics - and for good reason - but the BW (aesthetically at least) is right up there with them.