These sneakers’ biggest benefits may be mental.
basketball players had at least one thing in common between 1936 and 1976: They all wore high-top Chuck Taylor All-Stars. A blend of flat rubber soles and canvas that rises above the ankle, these sneakers dominated the hardwood and other American athletics until the debut of more tech-y performance trainers. The heir apparent, the 1985 Air Jordan, incorporated the earlier high-top design and became synonymous with performance.
For example, he explains that there isn’t any good evidence of Chucks or Jordans protecting athletes from ankle sprains. Most studies found no significant differences between high-tops and low-tops when it came to injuries; a few even found that the former can put increased stress on the Achilles tendon during certain movements.
Though high-tops might not offer much protection, the ample coverage can have some benefits. In 1978, pro skateboarder Tony Alva described his Nike Blazers as his “favorite safety equipment” because they shielded his ankles from the pavement when he fell.