In an era where the hype surrounding a sneaker can often elevate their worth in the market more than the style and comfort of the actual shoe, the term sneakerhead has lost some of its universal meaning. Before everyone was lining up for the latest pair of YEEZYs, there were only a handful of classic sneakers that everyone considered essential to their collection.

Possessing an understanding of the stories and historical anecdotes behind these fundamental styles will lend anyone a greater appreciation for how sneaker culture has evolved over the last few decades, and where it could be going in 2017 and beyond.