The shoe that most of us know today as the Superstar is in fact the Superstar II. Introduced in the 1990s to tap into the popular appeal of adidas’ signature line within the hip-hop fold, it never really saw active service on the basketball court. The OG model, however, is the real deal – at one point in the 197os, a reported 75 per cent of professional players wore a pair. It’s safe to assume, though, that few did so in Superstars hewn from resplendently bumpy ostrich leather. A quirky luxury spin on an iconic shoe – don’t bury your head in the sand when these land on site (although do admire them while you’re down at foot level).

To say that ASICS’ late 2000s/early 2010s roster was ahead of its time is perhaps to dismiss how popular it was with runners even back then, regularly haring off with industry awards. But only now is it picking up real heat with a wider audience who have finally caught up. And a big chunk of that is down to some well-placed collaborative partnerships, notably that with cult designer Kiko Kostadinov. This latest iteration takes the blueprint of 2011’s GT-2160 and, well, runs with it. The daring colourway toys with the already bold design, featuring a curious interplay of navies, reds, pinks and fleshy beige, not to mention a Dennis the Menace-worthy stripe across its mesh upper.

“Built for comfort”, as a modus operandi, isn’t exactly, well, sexy. And yet, while the Gel-Quantum 360 line boasts the most cushioning that ASICS has ever pumped into a shoe, it is still something of a looker. Striking, in fact, with a shell that’s been 5D-printed – that’s two more planes than our limited three-dimensional physical realm of perception – made by harnessing bio-materials and borrows heavily from outdoor gear. Retooling by football-inspired Amsterdam streetwear brand Lack of Guidance, along with a vivid colourway, only pushes the shoe further.

Introduced in 2006 to mark New Balance’s centenary, the 992 swiftly became a flagship shoe for the Boston brand. Around the same time, Chicago native Joe Freshgoods was properly establishing himself as a designer and entrepreneur. His early handmade tees for a local market have led to some of the most notable sneaker releases of the past few years, making his take on the 992 one to look out for. Expect pig-suede overlays in a pleasing colourway, custom branding and trippy sock liners that are the wearer’s business and nobody else’s.

New Balance didn’t put a foot wrong when it dropped the 992. In celebrating that significant milestone for the company, it was quickly adopted as the New Balance shoe, even earning itself a coveted place in Steve Jobs’ famously pared-back wardrobe. Already hyped by Highsnobriety as one of its sneakers for 2025, the classic line is back, and this pastel reworking in soft pinks, browns and off-whites couldn’t be more on the money if it tried. A shoe from two decades ago, seemingly built for right now? Yes please.