While K-Swiss shoes tend to be more athletic in nature, the appearance and style associated with each model is an important factor to consider when creating a list of the top 10 choices.

While some people may only be purchasing these for their performance factors, many people seek out a particular brand name out for the way their designs look. K-Swiss designs have certain factors that make them stand out from the rest, including their 5 striped sides, tongue logo, and other unique factors such as their tubed soles.

These sneakers tend to be more muted in color than a lot of other brands, but that doesn’t mean they don’t offer a variety of options. Their newer lines, such as the Gen-K, have an array of pastel options as well as a few colorful prints. Some of their classic models will feature a splash of neon, while many also come in monochrome white or black choices.

Throughout the years this brand has developed a bit of a reputation for being more bland, with their focus on performance more so than on appearance. This seems to be changing, as their new models are upgraded with leather finishing, unique shoe cuts, and a wider selection in upper materials.

For this list, we looked at a lot of the traditional K-Swiss styles, but we did bring together some of their newer options to showcase the direction that the brand is going in. It is evident that there is trying to rebrand their sneakers in a more modern way, and so the appearance of the designs was a major consideration in the selection process.

One factor that this brand has always been known for is their ability to make their footwear extremely comfortable. While other brands have always tried to push the envelope and get crazy with their designs, K-Swiss has remained faithful and dedicated to producing footwear that is well made and has a high level of comfort.

As is important with any footwear, comfort had a very strong influence over whether or not design made this list, as an uncomfortable shoe is a useless shoe.

When purchasing footwear, you always want to make sure that it feels good when you wear it, otherwise, it will simply sit in your closet without ever being worn. Every design that made out list has the comfort factor at the forefront.

Memory foam footbeds that are featured in some models are loved by many, and they do a great job of providing all-day comfort. With the ability to conform to the shape of your foot, this style of footbed gives you a more customized fit and feel.

Different arches and foot types will find that memory foam does a better job of giving support where you actually need it, as it is extremely flexible and malleable.

For those who tend to notice chafing or blistering around the ankle and back of the heel, many K-Swiss shoes are supplemented with additional padding in these areas. This should give you that extra touch of comfort that other footwear may be lacking, while also ensuring a bit more ankle support for athletic activities.

Technologies like K-Swiss’ Flow Cool System are innovative features that help to make every aspect of the shoe more comfortable.

For people who spend hours in the same pair of shoes, or use them for athletic pursuits, having sweaty and hot feet tends to be par for the course.

To keep their footwear breathable and airy, K-Swiss has developed its Flow Cool System in order to make sure your feet stay cool throughout the entire day. With added ventilation holes, airflow is maximized, and paired with their common mesh upper, you should notice a significant difference in how your feet feel by the end of the day.

Since this is an athletics company, it is only natural that their footwear is designed with sports and athletic pursuits in mind. While they do offer designs that are more for casual, every day wear, the majority of their models are running or sport-related.

With this in mind, it is understandable why traction and durability are highly important factors and must be considered when purchasing a pair of K-Swiss shoes.

If you put a lot of mileage into your footwear or use it for rough and active sports, then you want to make sure that it is going to last and you won’t have to replace it every few months. Running shoes do have a mileage cap on them, but getting your money’s worth is an important aspect to consider before you make the purchase.

K-Swiss designs tend to be on the durable side, and this is even truer when you look at some of their original models. Not only are they designed to last, but they use leather to reinforce areas that would break down quickly otherwise. This means you still get the breathability of a mesh upper, but you don’t have to worry as much about the mesh breaking down or losing shape as quickly or as easily.

Another feature that really impacts durability is the outsole, as this is what is in contact with the ground constantly. A thin or weak outsole will wear through in no time at all, so ensuring that the rubber is thick and durable will make a significant impact on the longevity of your footwear.

This brand uses a very strong and durable rubber, which is an important feature of the majority of their footwear. When the top 10 designs were selected, each outsole was looked at in order to ensure that the wearer would be getting more use without a quick breakdown.

The outsole not only needs to be durable, but it also needs to have good grip and traction as well. You can have the thickest of soles, but if you slip around constantly then they aren’t going to be of much use.

This is true when you're wearing casual footwear, simply going about your daily errands, but it is especially true for athletic designs. If you want to make the most out of your training session and improve your overall performance, you can't afford to lose balance or somehow slip or skid.

Even worse, an injury from a fall is the last thing anyone wants in their life.

Thankfully, K-Swiss puts thought into traction, and their footwear features a decent tread pattern that will keep you from slipping in both wet and dry conditions. These tread patterns generate friction between the ground and the outsoles, making sure that you stay steady on your feet no matter what.

However, this trend generally doesn’t feature intense lug patterns. This means that, while their footwear is great for pavement, a running track or just simple casual walking, you may not have the ideal amount of traction for hiking or other strenuous pursuits.

K-Swiss has been around since 1966 and there is no question that footwear technology has changed over the course of the last five decades. If footwear companies didn’t keep up with the times, there is little chance their designs would still be in demand, so it’s always important to look at what new things are being developed and added.

There are some designs on this list that are very classic-heavy, and they were not selected for their newness so much as their ability to remain functional over the years. These are staples, and while they are great choices, it is also important to point out the newer models that have been updated or changed over time.

Some of the staple, unique components, like the K-Swiss tubing, have seen a massive redesign over the last few years and this was something that was taken into consideration when putting together this list.

Originally seen in a vertical pattern, the sole tubing was a great feature that added significant bounce and response to the K-Swiss running shoes. The problem with the tubing, however, was that the appearance wasn’t always necessarily desired and the design took some getting used to feeling-wise.

That has all been changed with the updated tubing, now crafted into a figure-eight design that is much more subtle in appearance. While it is still noticeable underfoot to the wearer, it isn’t as prominent and doesn’t distract from the design or your outfit as much. This means the shoe looks less athletic in appearance and is far easier to pair with both business and casual clothing.

The Gen-K line is one of the most recent additions, and this is where you will find the majority of updated looks and styles. This line is focused on producing footwear that can be worn with more business casual attire, and so far it has done a great job of accomplishing that goal. With a more modern-looking upper, leather detailing, and bootie styled ankle support, this is a line that is bringing K-Swiss back to a younger generation.

Not just limited to appearance, the Gen-K line has also redone the outsole and now features the Gen-K Outsole which is more supportive and has a bit more bounce to it. The heel platform has been raised so that it is more comfortable to walk in, and for those who need some extra heel support, they will find it in this outsole.