This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear rounding up the most notable releases of 2020. For more stories like this, click here.
In 2020, people stayed at home much more than ever before and we saw many new shoes, boots and sandals that prioritized comfort. But we also saw footwear that was highly functional — built well and made for a purpose. There were countless eye-catching releases, but these are the most important footwear drops of the year.
Celine “Z” Trainer CT-01 Sneaker

Hedi Slimane’s first complete sneaker collection with Celine — the “Z” Trainers — are a thing of beauty. Made from 100 percent calfskin, they feature a classic hightop silhouette, bold side trims and the Celine logo at the heel and tongue.
Price: $790