Money may not be able to buy happiness, but it can buy sneakers, which isn’t too far off. Indeed, do we not all appreciate the rush of endorphins that comes with lifting the lid of a shoebox and rustling back the tissue paper to reveal a new pair of kicks every now and again? And let’s face it, we could all do with some serotonin right now.

The MR PORTER team, despite spending our working days thinking about clothes, are certainly not immune to that so-called sneaker rush. So, from sneakers for summer holidays to sneakers that make us look like skater dads, here are the pairs we’re lusting after this season.

I’m a big fan of canvas high-top sneakers, which I usually wear with a pair of cropped pants (or, um, “trousers” for my British colleagues across the pond) hitting right above the ankle. It’s a look I’ve got on heavy rotation, but to be fair, it’s pretty fail-safe. These visvim sneakers with a leather trim take the standard canvas shoe to a whole other level. They come in three colours, so all the more to rotate as far as I’m concerned.

I’m no skateboarder. Never have been, never will be. Whenever my sons, aged six and two, find the tiny plastic board that I frequently hide, I’m instantly overcome with mental images of legs pedalling the air, heads hitting concrete, and stress levels soaring on the dash to the local A&E department. Mention Mr Tony Hawk and my mind turns not to the all-conquering skateboard legend, but to the British comedian who reached number four in the UK singles chart with Morris Minor and the Majors (their novelty record “Stutter Rap” was a highly questionable Beastie Boys pastiche). So, what business have I got picking out this pair of achingly cool Fear of God sneakers, with their style cues from West Coast skaters? Because – in skate parlance – they’re sick. Which only goes to prove you’re never too old to learn.

Right now, I’m looking for a pair of sneakers that will brighten up my wardrobe a bit, but that I can still wear every day. Straight away, these aptly named Skel Toe sneakers from AMIRI caught my eye. I’m really into the watercolour-style tie-dye treatment on the leather bones and heel. As most of my sneakers are clean and white, a subtle splash of colour like this is just what I need to switch things up.

I’m off on a little summer escape next week and alongside the standard issue Birkenstocks that always come with me on holiday, I’ll need to take something a bit more practical for morning walks and ambling around the town in. These retro-inspired Nikes are the perfect mix of understated and summery, and they come with the lightweight tech pannelling to keep your feet nice and cool. All I need now is for this warm weather to last.

I am not, generally, what you’d call a sneakerhead. I don’t buy sneakers too often, preferring long-lasting comfy stuff that I can pair with most of my ’fits rather than eagerly waiting for the latest launch or giving myself an aneurysm by trying to cop a hotly anticipated drop on the SNKRS app. Still, there’ve been plenty of launches in recent weeks that have caught my attention. Last month, it was the three-way collaboration between Vans x Neighborhood x Mr Cartoon. And, more recently, the Human Made collaboration with adidas Originals, which has just launched and stepped its way onto my Wish List.