There was a time when trainers were reserved for the gym, the football pitch or the weekend. Today, they're arguably the most versatile shoes a man can own. Worn with everything from relaxed tailoring to selvedge denim, they've become the foundation of the modern wardrobe, and the luxury end of the market has never been stronger.
The best luxury sneaker brands combine premium materials, meticulous craftsmanship and timeless design to create footwear that justifies its price tag. Whether it's buttery Italian leather, hand-finished construction or understated silhouettes that transcend trends, these are trainers built to last and designed to elevate everyday outfits. From heritage fashion houses and specialist shoemakers to modern minimalist labels, these are the best luxury sneaker brands worth knowing in 2026.
Best luxury sneaker brands in 2026
SANVT
Founded in Munich in 2018, SANVT has quickly established itself as a premium essentials brand focused on minimalist design and perfect fit. The label is built on principles of high-quality craftsmanship and responsible production: Its timeless wardrobe staples are made from premium, often organic materials in Europe and sold direct-to-consumer, ensuring fair pricing without unnecessary markups.
Velasca
At Velasca it’s all about Italian craftmanship, with an emphasis on the Marche region of Italy where the craft of making shoes has been passed down from generation to generation. The brand has built an impressive foundation upon centuries of expertise and skill and this is evident in every shoe, whether it’s a monk strap or a sneaker. The brand’s Belèratt is a smooth calf leather, low-top sneaker available in a range of colours. Light, unlined and soft to the touch. Ideal for summer.
Myrqvist
Scandinavian design and pragmatism, with a stubborn insistence on quality via the finest factories in Portugal. That’s a good way to sum up Myrqvist who make a choice selection of fine footwear with those notable Scandi twists. The sneakers are on brand. Classic styles and premium materials. The Stensund offers a sport-minded sneaker with breathable mesh panels, a cushioning sole and a comfortable internal leather lining. The Oaxen meanwhile is the brand’s headline low-top sneaker. With a pleasing stitched construction and available in premium British water repellent suede, leather board heel stiffeners enhance the longevity so they’ll last too.
WAHTS
WAHTS is an Amsterdam-based brand that specialises in everyday sports-luxe staples, blending luxury ready-to-wear men's clothing with functional sportswear. The label's minimalist sneakers epitomise its ethos of simple, stripped-back design. Choose from retro-inspired tennis sneakers, slip-on trainers or chunky runner styles. Crafted from premium materials including Italian suede and smooth leather, they'll stand the test of time.
CLAE
Founded in Los Angeles, CLAE has spent two decades perfecting the art of the minimalist sneaker. Its designs lean heavily on clean lines, premium Italian leather and versatile colour palettes, resulting in footwear that's smart enough for tailoring but relaxed enough for everyday wear. Build quality is consistently excellent, and recent collections have placed an increased emphasis on responsibly sourced materials and low-impact manufacturing, making CLAE a strong choice for anyone who values timeless design over flashy branding.
North89
Swedish brand North89 takes a refreshingly restrained approach to luxury footwear. Every pair is handmade in Portugal using premium Italian leather and suede, with clean, contemporary silhouettes that are designed to slot effortlessly into a modern wardrobe. The styling is unmistakably Scandinavian – minimal branding, muted colours and an emphasis on quality over trends – making North89 an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates understated design.
Kleman
Best known for its hard-wearing work shoes, French footwear specialist Kleman has built a loyal following thanks to its no-nonsense approach to craftsmanship. While loafers and derbies remain its calling card, the brand's growing selection of premium leather sneakers carries the same utilitarian DNA. Made in France using durable materials and simple, unfussy designs, they're refreshingly understated and offer something a little different from the usual luxury sneaker crowd.
Jimmy Choo
Known for its bold glamour and sharp London edge, Jimmy Choo brings a high-impact aesthetic to menswear footwear, particularly its luxury trainers. Crafted in Italy from supple leather, suede and technical fabrics, the brand’s sneakers balance streetwise attitude with refined construction. Signature details such as embossed logos, star motifs and the sculptural Diamond sole give even minimalist low-tops a distinctive, fashion-forward finish. While classic monochrome styles deliver understated versatility, more directional designs lean into mixed materials and elevated sporty silhouettes, making Jimmy Choo trainers a confident statement within a modern luxury wardrobe.
ON
Rooted in Swiss performance innovation yet refined for a more elevated wardrobe, On trainers bring a quiet luxury sensibility to technical footwear. Signature CloudTec® cushioning and featherweight engineered uppers deliver precision comfort, while streamlined silhouettes and restrained colour palettes lend a polished, contemporary edge. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and premium finishes, they move effortlessly from training sessions to city settings, offering a considered balance of performance engineering and understated sophistication.
Off-White
Iconic. A brand that needs little introduction thanks to the monolithic presence of fashion designer Virgil Abloh (RIP). Always one for collaboration. Iconic sneaker collaborations with the Off-White label already include Nike and Converse. Immediately recognisable due to what are surely the most expensive zip tags on the planet, the brand’s chunky Out of Office sneakers are already a serious passion piece. Channelling 80s and 90s aesthetics, as well as hybridised basketball and running influences, they’re worth seeking out. Tags and all.
Balenciaga
A brand that does what it wants. Literally. Love them or loathe them, the designs coming out of the Spanish fashion house have been nothing less than remarkable. Controversial always, but iconic nonetheless. Taking influence from old styles and guiding future ones. There’s the massive Triple S. The Paris trainers mule. The Speed 2.0. The puffer fish-like Defender. The futuristic (even by their standards) X-Pander and the Asics-goading Runner sneaker. All outlandish, all head turners, all premium Balenciaga.
Common Projects
Trail blazers on the minimalist sneaker front. All roads lead to Common Projects when it comes to ushering in what is now a ubiquitous style flex, the classic white tennis sneaker. The Achilles low is now a cult sneaker, now available in everything from tan and green suede to all-black leather. Only the finest materials and superior construction go into each pair with that trademark gold lettering on the side separating them from the pack. A true classic from the Italians that lend themselves to a pair of rolled up jeans or tailored trousers and a t-shirt.
Gucci
Nothing spells luxury like a pair of Gucci sneakers. Vibrantly over the top at times, familiar silhouettes get the Italian high fashion house treatment and transform into something else entirely. The Ace sneaker with the trademark red and green striping is about as understated as it gets with that trademark embroidered bee. Elsewhere in the collection there’s new Adidas collaborations and the now iconic Rhyton sneaker in its various guises. It’ll cost you but you’ll stand out for sure.
Zespa
French label Zespa has quietly become one of the best-kept secrets in premium footwear. Founded in Aix-en-Provence, the brand specialises in clean, understated sneakers that prioritise quality over logos, using full-grain Italian leather, Margom soles and meticulous hand-finishing. They're the sort of shoes that work just as well with tailoring as they do with jeans, offering Common Projects-level refinement without quite the same price tag.
Crown Northampton
If you're looking for British craftsmanship, Crown Northampton is difficult to beat. The family-run Northampton shoemaker has been making footwear for over a century, but its luxury sneakers have earned it a cult following in recent years. Every pair is handmade in England using traditional shoemaking techniques and some of the world's finest leathers, resulting in beautifully understated sneakers that are built to last for decades rather than seasons.
Axel Arigato
Since launching in 2014, Axel Arigato has become one of the defining names in contemporary luxury sneakers. The Swedish brand blends minimalist Scandinavian design with subtle streetwear influences, producing clean silhouettes finished with premium Italian leather and discreet branding. It strikes an appealing balance between fashion-forward and timeless, making its trainers an easy addition to almost any wardrobe.
Maison Margiela
Few trainers have achieved icon status quite like Maison Margiela's Replica. Inspired by military training shoes from 1970s Germany, it's a masterclass in understated luxury, pairing soft Italian leather and suede with a slim gum sole and near-logo-free design. While the Replica remains the headline act, Margiela's wider sneaker collection carries the same distinctive mix of avant-garde thinking and impeccable craftsmanship.
Golden Goose
Golden Goose has built an empire by challenging the idea that luxury should always look pristine. Its signature sneakers arrive with carefully distressed finishes, scuffs and hand-applied detailing that make every pair feel broken in from day one. Love them or hate them, there's no denying their influence, and beneath the weathered appearance lies excellent Italian craftsmanship and premium materials.
Filling Pieces
Amsterdam's Filling Pieces sits comfortably between luxury fashion and contemporary streetwear. Founded to bridge the gap between high-end design and accessible pricing, the brand is known for elevated everyday sneakers crafted from premium Italian leather and suede. Clean lines, subtle detailing and excellent build quality make them an easy choice for anyone looking to move beyond mainstream designer trainers.
Loro Piana
Luxury doesn't get much quieter than Loro Piana. Better known for cashmere and impossibly soft fabrics, the Italian house also produces some of the most refined sneakers on the market. Expect buttery-soft leather, cashmere linings, understated silhouettes and craftsmanship that's second to none. They're expensive, undeniably, but few brands execute discreet luxury quite so convincingly.
Brunello Cucinelli
Brunello Cucinelli's sneakers embody everything the Italian house is known for: understated elegance, exceptional materials and faultless craftsmanship. Made in Italy from supple leather, suede and premium natural fibres, they're free from flashy logos or trend-driven details. Instead, they're designed to complement an impeccably curated wardrobe, ageing gracefully and remaining relevant long after louder styles have fallen out of fashion.
For more luxury sneaker brands, check out our pick of the best suede sneakers for men.
