Time for another summary of some recent additions to the ever expanding range of quality sneakers. We see them from more and more brands who add this to their range of classic quality shoes, as well as new specialised brands. The variation in styles is also increasing even if the minimalistic ones still stay strong.
TLB Mallorca has shaken up the midrange Goodyear welted sphere with their Artista line, but has a lot more than that in their offerings. Now also a range of sneakers, sidewall stitched with two different types of soles in many different leather and sole colour combos. Material quality is very high.Prices are around €300.
Fumu is a Singapore based bespoke shoemaker, who recently introduced a handmade sneakers range for pre-order. They are basically built like a hand welted shoe initially with proper thick insole and leather stiffeners etc except the welt, and then the upper is sidewall stitched to a Lactae Hevea cup sole. Great stuff if you’re after some really high-end make sneakers. Price is €550.
The Swedish company Myrqvist has quite a few different models in their range of Portuguese made sneakers nowadays. One of the more recent ones is this one with elastics instead of laces which one can see from more and more brands.
Mr Dapper is the Swiss shoe shop run by Albert Gjukaj, who apart from selling some nice classic shoe brands also has their own range of shoes. Included there are some cool Italian-made sneakers, like this retro styled one. Priced just above €300.
J.C. Lutz is a French company with Italian-made shoes, that has a special model only doing Made to Order sneaker. They constantly expand the possuble colour options and leathers, now also some nice patina ones and more. Here you really can create something unique for yourself. Prices start from €250.
The Canadian boot company Viberg also has made trainers for a bunch of years now. Here’s one of the current offerings. They are made with a Goodyear stitched to an insole but without the welt, cork filling, and then cemented onto nice Vibram soles. Price is at about €650.
At Skolyx, the company I work for, we have a range of sneakers with really high specifications, like real leather veg tan midsoles / lasting boards, leather board heel stiffeners, veg tanned lining, chrome free calf uppers and so on. Very competitively priced at €150. Included in the range is a number of GAT, German Army Trainers versions, a few of them pictured here.
J FitzPatrick just launched their latest sneakers model, this Reebok-inspired trainer in white nappa calf leather. Nice 70’s feel over it. Manufactured in Spain, offered at about €170.
John Lobb Paris not only constantly push boundaries with the designs of classic models, the same goes for sneakers. But unlike many fashion brands it’s more toned down, wearable stuff. Like this sort of balmoral take of a sneakers in two-toned suede.
As usual I finish these round-ups with a really fine sneaker by some bespoke shoemaker. Here the second model made by Hiro Yanagimachi, the MTO styleL S2 that can be had in loads of different leathers and sole colour options. Properly hand welted attached to a wedge sole built on the shoe. Superb quality.
Thanks for sharing!
Buying quality sneakers is about style and comfort, just like choosing versatile wardrobe staples. I love pairing minimalist sneakers with a sleek sleeveless high-neck bodysuit in gray, like the one from BetterMe, which offers a perfect fit, soft fabric, and modern look for any casual or active day.