In the ever-evolving world of sneaker culture, 2024 marks a very significant shift in direction for the industry. The hype-driven frenzy that dominated the previous years have finally been toned down for more mellow releases. Diving into the details of the industry, we’ll shed some light on the factors that contributed to the dramatic change in the sneaker world.

Sneakers are no longer regarded as mere footwear but have evolved into symbols of culture, status and even controversy. Over the many years in the world of sneakers, some have sparked debates, faced bans, legal actions and stirred up communities due to their designs, collaborations or underlying messages. With notorious brands such as MSCHF blurring the lines between inspiration and straight-up plagiarism as of late, controversy surrounding sneakers show no sign of slowing down. Here is our list of the top 10 most controversial sneakers to have made waves in the sneaker world.