17 Unforgettable—Oh, Let’s Just Come Out and Say It, Ugly!—Sneakers That Defined 2018

The chunky sneaker trend may have begun in 2017 with Balenciaga’s Triple S shape and Louis Vuitton’s Archlight style, but the shoe silhouette really came into its own in 2018. Not only were thick-soled sneakers the most prolific shoe of the year, appearing on runways from Alexander Wang to Comme des Garçons, but the style gained surprising real-world traction, too. Yes, street stylers still love a posh boot from Loewe, but those clunky Nikes and New Balances are hard to beat, especially with all the running around at fashion week.

Here, Vogue Runway gathered the 17 sneakers we’ll always remember as being “so 2018.”

Comme des Garçons Spring 2019

Rei Kawakubo has a longstanding partnership with Nike that’s produced a number of iconic sneakers. If the hot pink Air Maxes are her most popular style, these flatform-esque white sneakers with CdG-branded chains are sure to rank among her most memorable. Worn on the runway with bulbous jackets and trailing trains, they ensured that the Comme woman remains light on her feet, even if the world is weighing her down.

Balenciaga Fall 2018

They’re no Triple S, but these Balenciaga Track Trainers evoke a similar “radical dad shoe” aesthetic. Debuted on the Fall 2018 runway, the shape has been in stores for several months and has already sold out in almost every size in its all-black color way. Consider it the proof that Balenciaga’s thick kicks are here to stay.

Gucci Fall 2018

There’s no stopping Gucci’s hiking boot-turned-sneaker combo. With detachable jewels, the weighty hybrid is a favorite of Hollywood types, influencers, and editors. Consider it another hit from the Alessandro Michele factory of fantasy.

Prada Fall 2018

What else would you wear with head-to-toe nylon than an updated scuba shoe? Touching on the themes of sport and protection prevalent in Prada’s Fall 2018 collection, the Cloudbust sneaker with Velcro strap made the rounds with the model crowd. Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, and Irina Shayk, among others, were all spotted wearing it. If these women are trading their heels for Cloudbusts, you know they’re comfy.

Louis Vuitton Resort 2019

You know the Louis Vuitton Archlight sneaker, beloved by Jaden Smith and Hailey Baldwin. But what about the Archlight’s boot cousin, debuted on Nicolas Ghesquière’s Resort runway at the Fonadation Maeght in the south of France? With a leather upper, the sneaker hybrid offers LV fans an elegant upgrade for their evening wear. Expect to see it all over the awards season after parties in 2019.

Coach Spring 2019

Coach’s Stuart Vevers has long loved a flatform shoe. For Spring 2018 he merged moccasins, platforms, and sneakers into this iridescent sneaker-boot. Shown on the runway with prairie dresses and oversize hoodies, the kicks are an elegant solution for those adverse to the dad shoe trend.

Off-White Spring 2019

Virgil Abloh is already a king in the sneaker world. What made his Spring 2019 styles stand out was how Abloh styled them on the runway—not with track pants or running shorts but with sweeping gowns in neon colors. Will his superfans try out the styling trick on the red carpet? Stay tuned in 2019.

Christopher Kane Fall 2018

No one can make an ugly-pretty shoe quite like Christopher Kane. And no one does subversion quite like the Scottish designer, either. From the ankles up, his Fall 2018 models wore dresses printed with illustrations from The Joy of Sex; from the ankles down they sported the least sexy shoes of all time: Z-Coils. Embellished with crystal strands, Kane’s collaboration with the orthopedic shoe company set a new bar for unexpected collabs and jolie laide footwear.

Pyer Moss Spring 2019

Pyer Moss’s location and artfully composed dresses were what people talk about when they talk about Kerby Jean-Raymond’s Spring 2019 Pyer Moss show. But if you happened to look at the models’s feet as they walked through the grass in Weeksville, you’d have noticed a clunky collaboration with Reebok.

Versace Spring 2019

It’s a sandal! No it’s a sneaker! At Versace, Spring’s most statement-t making shoe is both. If the queen of modern sex appeal, Donatella Versace, is endorsing a thick sole shoe, you know the trend has legs.

Vetements Fall 2018

Demna Gvasalia made the chunkiest shoe of them all at Vetements. We haven’t spied anyone wearing the enormous sneakers yet, but their image will forever go down in fashion history.

Burberry Spring 2019

Even Riccardo Tisci’s refined Burberry debut featured a couple dad shoes for dudes. A more posh take on sneaker dressing, these shoes sold out within minutes during his first drop of the year in October.

Roberto Cavalli Spring 2019

Paul Surridge’s asymmetric gowns for Roberto Cavalli look best in movement. Wisely, he outfitted his models with silver kicks so they could sprint down the runway, trains trailing in their wake.

Givenchy Fall 2018

We’re not saying that the Duchess of Sussex chose Clare Waight Keller’s Givenchy because of these sport-inspired sneakers. But you have to admit both the Duchess and Waight Keller prioritize comfort in chicness. So... perhaps Meghan Markle wears these kicks to pad around the palace. We can’t know for sure, so we’ll just have to imagine it!

Stella McCartney Spring 2019

These aren’t the chunkiest shoes on the list, but Stella McCartney’s Spring 2019 sneakers are memorable for another reason. Made without using any glue, they made important strides in sustainability.

Etro Spring 2019

A sneaker that says, “When in Cali, do as the surfers do.”

Alexander Wang Pre-Fall 2019

This clear-soled Adidas sneaker gave models a little extra height on Alexander Wang’s runway, and if he’s to be believed, it works from the gym to the board room.