Sneakers and hybrid shoes are becoming increasingly popular as more people lean towards more casual dressing. Let’s take a closer look at these sporty footwear and find out whether or not you should introduce them into your wardrobe.

What Constitutes A Sneaker?

Sneakers are often called a number of different things, you may have heard them called trainers, runners, gym shoes, or even tennis shoes. The term sneakers typically refer to a type of shoe that’s very flexible with a rubber sole, some kind of synthetic material with rubber or even leather on the upper portion of the shoe.

Depending on your location in the world, you may have heard sneakers referred to some of the following different names. Here in the US, for slang, sometimes, people might even call them kicks. Across the planet and Great Britain, you might hear them being called trainers. In Canada, you might hear them called runners or gutties. On the warm land of South Africa, you might hear them referred to as takkies. In Nigeria, as canvas shoes and in Greece, sportex. 

Brief History of Sneakers

Sneakers as Athletic Footwear

Back in the 18th century, people used to wear plimsolls. These were shoes with a rubber sole that was not the greatest of design. They actually couldn’t even be differentiated between left or right. Plimsolls were typically worn by students during their physical education courses. The term plimsoll comes from the resemblance of the plimsoll line on a ship’s hull.

Around 1892, we the US Rubber Company made a much more comfortable option, with rubber soles and a canvas upper portion, these were Keds. The very first basketball shoes were designed by Spalding in as early as 1907 In 1917, Henry Nelson McKinney, an advertising agent was the very first person we see using the term sneakers. The shoes grew in popularity gaining the name sneakers because they were so quiet one couldn’t hear you sneak up on them while you wore them.

In 1917, Converse was working on a basketball shoe and then a redesign in 1922. Chuck Taylor then asked the company to create something that offered more flexibility and a little bit more support. They became known as Chuck Taylor All-stars. Sneakers continued to grow in popularity and then went international in 1924.

Chuck Taylor’s All-Star high cut sneakers

Adolph Adi Dassler of Germany was one person who created some shoes which he named after himself, Adidas. Adolph worked on his idea at his mother’s home in Bavaria. A fun little side fact, Adi’s brother worked on and created another shoe brand which is quite popular these days, Puma.

Taking Sneakers Outside of Sports

Sneakers were primarily used for sporting events up until the 1950s. This is when we started to see a shift where people started to wear sneakers as a more fashionable statement. We see James Dean wearing sneakers in the movie Rebel without a cause. NBA legend, Michael Jordan, helped skyrocket sneakers to new heights. He signed a contract to wear the most popular sneaker ever created, the Nike Air Jordans. Over the years, brands have continued to push the rules of fashion using different color combinations, designs, and functions in their shoes.

These days, we see sneakers being made for virtually any kind of occasion, walking, skateboarding, running, many many others. We also are seeing a greater amount of hybrid shoes being created. For example, the Cole Haan dress shoe that happens to have a Nike rubber sole.

Should A Gentleman Wear Sneakers?

As long as the shoes are being worn at the correct time and in the correct place, it is acceptable to occasionally wear sneakers. An incorrect time to be wearing sneakers, for example, trying to wear running shoes to a job interview or trying to wear basketball shoes with a suit. A better way to use these shoes would be to wear the correct sporting shoe when you are playing a particular sport. In a more casual setting, you could also wear some low profile sneakers with shorts in the summer or perhaps with a pair of chinos in the cooler months.

Never attempt to wear sneakers with a full suit

Should A Gentleman Wear Hybrid Shoes?

Hybrid shoes tend to fall into the category of trendy. Of course, you should feel comfortable going ahead and occasionally trying this type of shoe if you would like, but please note, it will not stand the test of time as much as a classic shoe would. It will be a better use of your money to buy a few pair of versatile sneakers which are going to serve you in a multitude of different occasions.

An example of a hybrid shoe (image credit: Ike Behar)

Sneakers in Casual Attire

The one big thing you want to watch out for is to ensure that the sneakers you’re choosing to wear match the style of clothing and the location of which you might be going. For example, it will be best to make sure that you’re not trying to take a multi-mile hike across the mountain top in your expensive leather sneakers. Instead, opt for something that’s going to be easy to clean, offers great comfort and great support.