If you have wondered why every third person on a flight seems to be wearing the same sneaker, the answer is Golden Goose. The Superstar in burgundy is the one I keep reaching for. After six months of weekly wear, I have a few specific things to say about why this pair, out of every other in my closet, is the one I trust.

One thing worth knowing: the Francy runs a half size large for most feet. I usually take a 39 in sneakers and a 38.5 in this silhouette. The brand offers free returns within a window, which makes the experiment painless. If you are between sizes, go down. The toebox is generous in width, so a half size down should not feel tight across the forefoot.

For travel, the Golden Goose Mid Star is a strong choice. The canvas is forgiving of being packed into a duffel, and the sole does not mark hotel floors. I have worn a pair through New York to Lisbon and never once needed a second pair for backup. Most of my favorite sneakers come from Golden Goose these days. They feel dressed up enough for a lobby and dressed down enough for a market. The shoe also breaks in fast enough for a long-haul flight without blisters.

The build quality of the Superstar is what you pay for. Golden Goose sources the Italian leather from LWG-certified tanneries, and it feels like it will age rather than wear out. The suede star is double-stitched, not glued, which is why so many older pairs still look good after a few hundred wears. The sole is bonded rather than cemented, which is a small detail that makes a big difference if you ever need to resole.

If you have been on the fence, my advice is simple: try one pair, in a calm color, in your usual size. Wear them for a full week before deciding. Most people I have handed a pair to come back inside of two days with the same conclusion. The scarlet is the easiest entry Sneakers point, and the glitter star is the detail I look forward to seeing every time I tie them on.