If you’re looking to purchase high top shoes you’ll also need to look for comfort as well. High tops are great for securing your ankles but as we’ve mentioned before, if the materials or the shoe design don’t provide enough cushion, your feet and ankles are at risk for blisters and irritation.

The good news is that there are many ways to include comfort in this style of shoe. The first and most obvious feature we’ve already mentioned would be cushioned ankle collars. If you read the above section on ‘Ankle Support’ you’ll understand this is the best way to protect your skin.

If you’re not looking for a super lightweight feel, all-around cushioning is another great option for providing complete comfort. Skate shoes especially use this kind of feature to provide secure, comfortable support and protection around the entire foot. The thick padding also makes your feet feel like they’re walking on clouds, which is a bonus towards comfort.

Comfort is also found in the length and cut of the top materials. Some high tops can be too high and may make some people’s feet feel claustrophobic. Other shoes that offer a ‘mid’ design is still classified as a high top but with added flexibility and fewer feelings of your feet being enclosed. The cut and seams of the material are also important because if they’re too sleek and flat, they can rub against the back of your ankles. Rounded, soft curves in the back are necessary for creating comfortable movements.

Along with the cut and length also comes the type of materials used on the inside and outside of the shoe. Contrary to most beliefs, synthetic materials are more durable and aid to the health of the foot more than natural materials like leather and suede. While those two materials are extremely attractive in appearance if the material rubs against the skin often it is going to create irritation. It’s important to seek out materials that are soft yet durable and provide a comfortable feel.

Overall, we recommend taking your time when looking through each shoe’s features as they are all truly important to creating a complete, comfortable feel.

Durability is an important aspect of any shoe but is especially important for those who are planning on continuously being active. The more you move in your shoes, the more your shoes are going to take on the pressure and impact of your movements. Durability is key for extending the lifespan of your shoes, as well as protecting the health of your feet.

Durability can be found in many areas of the shoes but is most commonly found first in the outsole. The outsole is key for providing a stable barrier between you and the surface or terrain you’re on. Weak soles can cause stress and damage to the feet if they don’t absorb the proper amount of pressure and impact.

When looking for high top shoes, you’ll want to make sure that they come equipped with some form of rubber soles. Abrasion-resistant or impact-absorbing soles are even better and will help you to stay comfortable in your shoes while protecting your feet from any outside damage.

Another area that should be durable in your high tops is the materials used in the creation of the upper. The upper protects your toes and the tops of your feet, so it’s important that material is strong enough to resist holes and tears. Reinforced uppers or durable materials that can withstand long-term use are a great choice for high top shoes.

It may never naturally come to mind, but the seams of your shoe are also very important for durability. The seams are what hold all the materials of the shoe together, so it’s important that yours are made of high-quality material. This is where brand reputation comes into play, but aside from that, you’ll want to take a careful look at the details of the shoe.

Overall, finding durable features in your shoes isn’t too difficult, but it is a step that is highly important if you’re looking for a comfortable, secure pair of high top shoes. Take your time and look for quality features; your feet will thank you every step of the way if you do.

The great thing about high top shoes is that even though the lengths are similar, the styles are all completely different from one another. Shoe design goes hand in hand with your intended use, but it’s also something that is a personal aesthetic choice and helps to show your unique sense of style.

Lightweight or thick in cushioning? Tie up laces or no laces at all? These are all good questions, and all these features in design are what helps to create the ultimate feel of the shoe, so it’s important to take a look at them all.

If you’re looking for everyday shoes, your choices are going to be based more on appearance and comfort. You’ll, of course, want some padding in your shoes but as far as the outside goes, you want a shoe style that represents your looks and matches the setting of where you’re going. Maybe you want something that stands out or something more minimal, either way; you’ll be able to find these styles in a high top length.

While there are classic, all-time favorite designs to choose from, there are also some new modern styles and features that create a trendy, street style. The ability to fold parts of the shoe material down like the tongue of the shoe and even the back ankle is a style that allows for versatility and the ability to customize the appearance. Along with that style comes the ability to only lace your shoes part way to the bottom of the ankle or up, securing your high tops in place.

A few other popular styles include side zippers, detailed stitching and the types of material used. While canvas is more for everyday use materials like leather, suede or glossy textiles add a more fashionable appeal to the style of your sneaker. Sometimes it’s what gets noticed the most out of every other aspect in the shoe.

The design is still always important though. If your intended use for your high top shoes is to be frequently moving, you’ll probably want to find a shoe design that is lightweight in appearance. Otherwise, thick cushioning is always a great option in adding comfort to the feel of your shoe. Shoe companies truly understand the need for different styles for function and aesthetic purposes. No matter what your style is, you’ll be able to find a high top design that suits all your needs.

High top shoes are not only great because of their modern street style, but they’re also good for protecting your ankles. The fabric that forms around the ankle helps to better secure the shoe into the foot. Although this all sounds great, high tops that aren’t made with comfortable, padded materials can be irritating and damaging to your feet and ankles.

When choosing any high top shoe, you want to make sure the length of the fabric around your ankles isn’t too tight. High tops that are too tight-fitting can cut off your circulation, cause friction, irritation and even blisters. It’s important that your shoes aren’t constantly rubbing against the back of your ankle and heel.

To provide your ankles with the proper amount of support, you’ll want to look for a few key features in the shoe. The first, most important factor is padded ankle collars. The top part of the shoe’s material often comes in contact with the skin and can create an irritation spot. The padded ankle collars provide comfortable cushioning that replicates a light barrier against the skin. This feature eliminates the potential for blisters and a secure, plush fit to the shoe.

Another important feature is some form of adjustment to the closure, like shoelaces and Velcro ankle straps. These features are good for adjusting the shoe to properly form to the shape of your foot. While laceless shoes are attractive and sleek in appearance, they may be too tight for some and unfortunately cannot be adjusted in size. Shoelaces are a given for a form fit, but Velcro ankle straps are an extra plus because they can secure the shoes around your ankles and act as an extra protective layer of material.

Overall, as long as you can adjust the fit of the shoes to the shape of your foot and your high tops provide some form of cushion or padding around your ankles, your shoes will provide you with complete comfort and protection. Ankle support goes hand in hand with a secure, form fit and comfortable cushioning, so this feature is critical to have in any high top shoe.

High top shoes may have been initially designed for basketball players, but nowadays their wide variety of styles are intended for all different types of use. High top shoes make great everyday sneakers, skate shoes and cross-training shoes. Not all high tops are created equal though, some are created for specific activities, so it’s important to know what your intended use when looking to purchase a pair.

If you’re looking for an everyday fashionable pair of sneakers, you’ll have a pretty easy time finding a selection. With everyday sneakers, your main goal is to find a shoe that fits the shape of your feet and provides comfort throughout the day. Padding and cushion is a great feature to have in your shoes as they will keep your feet comfortable and avoid irritation or blisters.

If you’re sticking to the original intended use of high tops, basketball, then you’ll also have a very easy time finding shoes that fit this need. Nike is a top brand in creating best basketball shoes, and they also carry a very wide variety of styles. They even created a line of shoes after the famous basketball player, Michael Jordan, so you can guarantee they’ll bring you the best shoe money can buy.

Cross-training or skating? High tops are created for these activities too. Skate shoes are pretty common in this length and are usually equipped with thick padding around the entire shoe. Brands like DC, Osiris and Vans are good choices for this type of activity because they specialize almost all of their creations for skating. Cross-training shoes may be a little less common. However, there are still quite a few out there to choose from. An example of a high top cross-training shoe can be found at #5 on our best list. For this type of activity, you want versatility and a lightweight design in your shoes.

No matter what your intended use is for your high top shoes, you should always be able to find a style that fits your needs. Just remember again, when you think about your intended use, think about what kinds of features you’ll need to keep your feet secure, comfortable and at ease with your movements.