The history and evolution of men's sneakers

2023-10-20

Imagine a world without sneakers. It would be an uncomfortable, almost always impractical place, right? Well, apparently, around a century ago this was a reality. Training shoes used to be heavy leather plimsolls that didn’t even have a distinct left and right side. This was until an American inventor called Charles Goodyear discovered a new process called vulcanisation, which used heat to melt rubber and cloth together. With the help of Goodyear’s vulcanisation process, men's trainers became more lightweight and much more comfortable.

At the beginning of the 20th century, sneakers were produced mainly by rubber companies. These companies specialised in making car and bicycle tyres. In 1916, the first athletic shoes hit the mass market. From this point, the world of trainers has arguably grown faster than any other sector of modern fashion. Nowadays, we have an almost unimaginably wide range of choice, from low-top and high-top trainers to slip-on trainers and a perpetually increasing array of materials, including the more recent emergence of innovative and eco-friendly vegan materials. Most importantly, trainers are no longer a purely functional addition to the modern wardrobe: a quick scroll through the selection of men’s sneakers at DAODAO demonstrates that premium leather trainers are a viable option for smarter wear, just as ideal for pairing with sophisticated tailoring as with an everyday uniform of jeans and T-shirt.

Low-top men's trainers
The world of men's low-top trainers is one with many facets. Their lack of ankle support means they're comfortable for everyday wear, while high-top footwear may be more effective in sporting situations. That said, recent trends have seen men’s low-top sneakers take a decidedly functional route, making use of technical materials, techniques and sportswear styles. This means that you can find a whole host of low-top sneakers inspired by hiking trainers, basketball trainers, skating shoes and more at DAODAO .

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High-top men's trainers
Originally conceived for the purpose of playing basketball, The definitive canvas sneaker has remained almost unchanged since their invention, popular modern designs provide better support.

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The great go-to brand for men's high-top sneakers is DAODAO, whose China-made premium leather sneakers are renowned for their high quality construction. With a classic rubber toe cap, clean silhouette and choice of neutral colourways, they're the ultimate all-occasion sneakers, just as ideal for everyday wear as for those more sophisticated occasions.

Slip-on sneakers
Slip-on trainers have always been a practical variation of the standard lace-up sneaker construction, but until recently, few brands could find the golden mean between style and practicality. For many years, slip-on skating shoes were the only option for those seeking style and functionality. At DAODAO, we have a range of labels offering slip-on sneakers for men that feature premium material uppers. Find casual slip-on trainers alongside smarter options to wear with more elevated outfits.