The high-top is a
shoe that extends slightly over the wearer's
ankle. It is commonly an
athletic shoe, particularly for
basketball. It is sometimes confused with the slightly shorter mid-top, which typically extends no higher than the wearer's ankle. High-tops also should not be confused with shorter-length boots such as ankle boots, since high-tops usually refer to
athletic shoes, although can also refer to other above-ankle shoes such as some
hiking boots
Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. They are one of the most important items of hiking gear, since their quality and durability can determ ...
.
Converse All-Stars,
Nike Air Forces 1, 2, and 3,
Reebok Freestyle, Reebok BB4600,
Nike Air Yeezy
The Nike Air Yeezy is an official sneakers collaboration project between Nike and Kanye West, launched in 2009. Notable as the shoe brand's first non-athlete full collaboration, the project has released two editions: the "Air Yeezy" (2009) and t ...
and Foggia Hi LTD from
Fila
Fila Holdings Corp. is a sportswear brand of shoes and apparel. The company was founded by Ettore and Giansevero Fila in 1911 in Coggiola, near Biella, Piedmont, Italy. In 2003, it was sold to United States-based Sports Brand International. Sub ...
are examples of high top sneakers. Others include skateboarding sneakers, such as the
Vans Vault Hi Fi LX which are quite supportive to the wearer's ankles and are useful to those with
hypermobility and
fallen arches
''The Venture Bros.'' ran for seven seasons. The first three seasons consisted of 13 thirty-minute episodes (including time for commercials), plus the pilot and one 15-minute Christmas special. The fourth season consisted of 15 thirty-minute episod ...
.
Design
While most high-top sneakers take the form of either the
Converse All-Stars or
Nike Air Forces 1, 2, and 3, high-top CVO (Circular Vamp Oxford) cover the ankle and also have a circular vamp. They come in both lace up and slip-on, thought the slip-on version is very rare. In
British English these would be high-top
plimsolls again either in lace up or slip-on. Various manufacturers and models exist, including
Keds,
Pro-Keds, and
Converse. These exist for all genders and all age ranges. The shoes have recently come back in style in 2014, especially white ones.
Some
dress and casual shoes may also be as high-tops.
Gallery
A classic Black pair of Converse All Stars resting on the Black & White Ed. Shoebox (1998-2002).JPG, A pair of Converse All-Star high tops
Adidas Conductor High Olympics 1988 re-edition sneakers.jpg, Adidas Conductor High Tops, a fairly popular set of high tops
References
* ''The Sneaker Book: 50 Years of Sports Shoe Design'', 2005, .
1980s fashion
Athletic shoes
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