The first modern sneaker was created by the Liverpool Rubber Company in England in the 1830s.
In the 200 years since, sneakers have (understandably) evolved.
Today, P.F. Flyers is known for two iconic silhouettes: high-tops and low-tops.
High-tops rise above the ankle. They’re known for stability, support, and making a statement. Originally built for basketball, high-top sneakers evolved to be a modern fashion statement.
Low-tops are cut just below the ankle. They’re known for lightness and a more streamlined look.
Which sneaker should you pick? Let’s break down the differences between high-top and low-top sneakers.
High-Top Sneakers: From Supportive Footwear to Iconic Streetwear
Nobody really knows for sure when the world’s first high-top sneaker was released.
Most experts, however, agree that early basketball shoes helped define the high-top form we recognize today.
Those pioneering designs were engineered for performance, offering better support around the ankle and better stability overall.
The iconic high-top ankle patch, meanwhile, was more than a design feature: it was specifically designed to prevent players’ ankles from knocking together on the court.
The rubber tread of a shoe is something we take for granted today. At the turn of the century, however, it was a game-changing innovation, helping basketball players grip the court more easily.
High-Top Sneakers, P.F. Flyers, and the Dawn of Basketball’s Golden Age
Basketball players continued to popularize high-top sneakers throughout the 1930s and 1940s. By the time the 1936 Summer Olympics rolled around, basketball had become an Olympic sport.
P.F. Flyers jumped on the scene in 1937 with innovations like the Posture Foundation magic rigid wedge, introducing a new level of comfort and support to standard canvas sneakers.
A century earlier, rubber vulcanization technology transformed footwear, leading to the first sneaker with a rubber tread – the famous sand shoes made by the Liverpool Rubber Company. We used our own rubber innovation, the Posture Foundation insole (Patent No. 1.938.127, awarded in 1933 to Hyman L. Whitman) to add strength to flimsy canvas sneakers.
By 1958, P.F. Flyers cemented their place in the cultural zeitgeist when Celtics legend Bob Cousy signed a historic partnership with P.F. Flyers and became the first professional athlete to endorse a shoe.
High-top sneakers played an important role in early basketball. They did what ordinary shoes could not: they helped players keep up with a game that was increasingly about speed, skill, and finesse instead of old-school grit and toughness.
High-Tops Transcend the Court to Become an Iconic Fashion Statement
Over the years, high-top sneakers transcended the basketball court and became street-ready footwear.
In the 1970s, high-top sneakers became a counterculture fashion symbol and a symbol of punk.
Heavy metal artists and grunge bands continued wearing high-top sneakers throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Artists like Avril Lavigne and skateboard culture, meanwhile, kept the trend alive throughout the early 2000s.
As a symbol of how far high-tops have come, luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent now sell high-top sneakers for $500 a pair or more.
Just 6% of Modern NBA Players Wear High-Tops
High-top sneakers have a longstanding connection to basketball history.
However, one study found only 6% of modern NBA players wear high-top sneakers.
Most players (61%, according to the same study), wear low-top sneakers. The remaining 33% of players wear mid-top sneakers.
Low-Tops: Less Weight & Greater Control Without Compromising Safety
High-tops became popular for stabilizing the ankle and offering greater support, theoretically helping athletes reduce the risk of an ankle injury.
That same study cited above, however, found no difference in ankle injury risk based on high-tops versus low-tops.
In other words, the type of footwear didn’t influence the risk or severity of a player’s injury based on an analysis of 25,000+ player appearances in the NBA in the 2020-2021 season.
Today, most NBA players wear low-tops. One anonymous NBA player recently revealed several important reasons why he prefers low-tops, including:
- Less weight
- A greater range of motion
- No difference in injury risk
Some find low-top sneakers to be faster. Less material means less weight and greater control, helping players stay nimble on the court.
The Zoom Kobe IV started popularizing low-top sneakers in the NBA in 2009. Low-tops have been on a tear ever since, from Gil Zeros to KDs to Hyperdunk Lows. Today, around 6 in 10 NBA players wear low-tops.
High-tops aren’t going away, however. New material and design innovations continue to change the game, helping high-top sneakers keep up with a game that’s faster than ever.
High-Tops vs. Low-Tops: Which One Should You Wear?
Q: How do you like your ankle coverage?
- A: Full support, wrap it up.
- B: I like some breathing room.
Q: Your ideal Saturday outfit is…
- A: Cuffed jeans, layered hoodie, maybe a jacket.
- B: Shorts or cropped pants, casual and easy.
Q: You’re headed to a pickup game. You…
- A: Lace up for stability and ankle protection.
- B: Go lightweight for quick cuts and fast footwork.
Q: For style, do you prefer…
- A: Statement sneakers that anchor an outfit?
- B: Versatile sneakers that blend with anything?
Q: When it comes to seasons…
- A: I’m good year-round, rain or shine. Give me layers.
- B: I’m a summer sneakerhead and want light, breathable, and easy.
Results
Mostly As? High-top sneakers offer the bold look and supportive build you need.
Mostly Bs? Low-tops bring casual versatility for everyday flow.
Our Collegiate Play Collection: Available in High-Top or Low-Top for Everyday Wear
High-top and low-top sneakers have made a cultural splash on and off the court.
Our new Collegiate Play collection is a tribute to retro basketball and the century-old bond between basketball and sneaker culture. Available in retro varsity-inspired colorways, this sneaker collection channels old school hoops and the beauty of the amateur game.
Featuring a vintage-washed canvas upper, double-stitched construction, a gum rubber outsole, and our patented Posture Foundation magic rigid wedge, these sneakers have undeniable throwback energy. Every detail is a tribute to old-school grit and timeless varsity cool.
