Guest blog: The greatest trainers of all time

I'm not sure Ear I Am has ever had a guest blogger before, so here's a first. @trimmtrabb describes himself as a non league football fan and apprehensive dreamer. He also likes old adidas trainers (who doesn't?), so who better to put together the official Ear I Am guide to the five best pairs of trainers of all time. Cheers Trimm....

When choosing your favourite trainers, it can be a very subjective test. People are influenced by nostalgia, the fashion of the day, their favourite sports star or even the ethical practices of brands.

Looking back to my teens and younger, for me, an iconic shoe was the Adidas Kick, a black with white stripes simple affair, great for footie and playground shenanigans. Trips to Ron Hill sports in Stalybridge saw wonderful gems such as the Adidas Arizona or the majestic Puma Clyde.

However at No5 in my list comes the Adidas Forest Hills. The brilliant white, the handsome gold stripes made taking them akin to unwrapping jewellery. 1980s bling in an era before the term became ubiquitous.

The early 80s saw the rise in popularity of US brands such as Nike and Balance but for me it was to Europe where I looked for style. The rise of tennis fashion: Fila, Sergio Tachinni and Lacoste saw a need for seriously fashionable footwear. Therefore to compliment these striking brands you needed arresting trainers. At No4 comes Diadora Borg Elite. I wanted the Gold/White, Mum could only afford the Blue/White. With Bjorn’s signature on the shoe, they just oozed class.

Awful, sinister moves were afoot in the early 90s, pardon the pun, in the trainer world as awful brands such as British Knights, LA Gear and Travel Fox infected the market. Luckily people quickly realised that fashion was disgraceful and sense soon returned.

So, at No 3 comes a return to classic footwear with the Adidas Gazelle, simple, clean, great with jeans, handy for the odd jog or impromptu five-a-side game. Later they would come in a vast array of colours and styles but a pair in the OG red or blue were the height of good taste.

No 2 for me is a pair of trainers I have owned countless pairs of down the years and continues my taste for straightforward, uncomplicated footwear. I have had Adidas Country in white/red/blue, in white/blue and also a funky grey/blue. The latest reissues have seen them in white/green and looking as good as ever.

In making this list I have thought of other faves: Adidas Rom, Nastase, London, Munchen and LA Trainer. But my No 1 favourites are courtesy of my own moniker, Adidas Trimm Trabs. From Blur to the terrace to very ropey Danny Dyer ‘thrillers’, the Adidas Trimm Trab has become a legend. Available in a million and one colours and just oozing style, class; the look is just as prominent now when first introduced.