Nevertheless, poulaines or Crakow leather were the leather shoes of choice among the nobility between the 12th and 14th Centuries. respoke.com, From: Durban, South Africa The Italian-based company is more than 100 years old. As a direct-to-consumer online brand, Ace Marks is able to reduce its production costs. Consequently, the European Union has committed to supporting the footwear industry as part of their policy for promoting cultural and creatives sectors for growth and jobs in the EU. Now his company takes vintage Hermes scarves and re-crafts them into one-off pairs of seriously exclusive, luxurious espadrilles. Pictured: Gyllsj boots by Myrqvist, 225. In some cases our quality rating is an interval, i.e. Meanwhile, Dean has shoemaking in his blood and was born into the craft. Bio: Inspired by traditional Zulu dance sandals called izimbadada, Ifele's shoes are made in the brand's factory near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal by shoemakers trained especially by the company. These kinds of footwear differ significantly from dress shoes and boots, so we don't believe there is a need in an extensive scale of grades. Each of his shoes are hand-made using traditional techniques while employing refined leathers sourced from selected tanneries. Similarly, the EU has created Horizon 2020, a 70-billion euro research and innovation funding program that support the industry through developing new technologies. Ensign Country Fall trainers by Norman Walsh, 125. All names are listed in alphabetical order. Salomons success goes back to its way of mixing stylish design with functionality. All products are independently selected by our editors. While I agree that Meermin isnt necessarily the best shoemaker in Europe, its still a valuable brand, and their quality isnt half as bad as you say! Is Kanye West about to say goodbye to Yeezy? However, European establishments have refocused their production towards high-quality footwear, which has helped reduce the deficit. (Our Opinion), 6 Barefoot and Minimalist Shoe Brands: Our Favorites, 9 European Workwear Brands: Our Top Picks, 10 Boots Brands like Red Wing: Our Top Alternatives. Jetset slipper by Armando Cabral, 285. Eventually, the fruits of the Industrial Revolution spread across Europe during the twilight of the 19th Century. Puma was founded by Rudolf Dassler, Adi Dasslers brother, after their separation in 1948. We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Boots by Casper & The Beast, 230. Therefore, well examine whats on offer throughout the whole of Europe and provide you with a detailed top 10+ list of the Best Mens European Shoe Brands: You can use the links to jump ahead or scroll down to read more. and receive information about new products and promotions, The administrator of your personal data is MODIVO S.A. based in Zielona Gra. We remind you that it's not a rating of brands; it's just a list in alphabetical order but a very big list, of course: as far as we know, it's the most complete catalogue of shoe brands (at the moment of its publication). More information about aforementioned factories and labels is presented in our catalogue called 'Spanish Shoe Brands'. Although their share share a passion for shoemaking, Ace Marks is a remarkably different brand to Gaziano Girling. Despite being over 5,300 years old, the shoes were particularly complex with deer and calf uppers and bearskin soles. Adi Dassler started a shoe company in his mothers wash kitchen in 1924 and then in 1949 registered the Adidas company. On Running was founded by duathlon champion and Ironman winner Olivier Bernhard with his athlete friends Caspar Coppetti and David Allemann. As we explain in detail in our French shoe guide, the styles emergence is largely credited to Louis XIV of France. At endclothing.com, From: Barcelona, Spain/New York, USA In 1992, the company was registered in Austria with a discerning clientele in Germany and Italy. After enjoying success with a brand on mainland Spain, Jos Albaladejo Pujadas returned to the Balearic island to launch Carmina in 1997. Every shoe is crafted directly in their Parisian workshop with a hand-sewn welt by the in-house artisan, Yasuhiro Yasu Shiota. Whether it's sandals from South Africa, sneakers from Sweden or boots from Great Britain, we bring you the coolest independent men's shoe brands from around the globe. Trainers by Axel Arigato, 140. Following a phylloxera infestation that ravaged the islands vineyards, many of its inhabitants turned to leather working. True nature-lovers know the importance of sustainability, and thats what the Helly Hansen believes in. Founded by the Utah-based husband-and-wife team, Kory and Mallory Stevens, Taft Clothing works in partnership with a family-operated factory in Spain. By 2008, Saint Crispins had fully introduced its ready-to-wear collection. Idrese also offers a wide selection of sizes and widths, which caters to people that are often overlooked by shoe brands. Despite its eccentric styles, Taft faithfully incorporates traditional craftsmanship and their shoes feature either Goodyear welting or Blake stitching. Today, his brand continues to be operated by his extended family, which includes an impressive team of 23 grandchildren. year of foundation (but please note that some brands were registered significantly later). Brand descriptions may contain these types of information: It must be noted that our quality rating is not available for some brands because sometimes we don't have sufficient information to assess quality. Some of its famous collections are Clifton, Bondi, and Elevon. The brand was founded by Marcello Danieli in 1948 in Italy. Inspired by Viennese shoe-making tradition, the brand incorporates styles and techniques from its German, Anglo-Saxon and Mediterranean neighbours. Your email address will not be published. Furthermore, the industry also directly employs 280,000 people. The USP? Bio: Founded in Paris in 2010, National Standard offers a range of formal and casual styles, but specialises primarily in sneakers with that minimal, oh-so-French vibe. Today, the label is one of the last trainer manufacturers left here on home turf - and it's still doing a sterling job crafting throwback styles with a hit of Britishness (such as tweed uppers). And while we can't promise this, we can promise your style game will be instantly upped when you own a pair. You can also learn more about the Europes shoe-making history and industry below. The continents inhabitants have ceaselessly influenced each other through waves of migration and continuous movement across its entire history. Said to originate from Krakw, Polands capital of the time, they feature long toes that were occasionally rolled back to make them more practical. axelarigato.com, From: Northampton, UK Its fashionable designs will take your athleisure outfits to a whole other level while providing maximum comfort and support. For instance, they endured the 1920 Polish-Soviet War as well as the German Occupation during the Second World War during which the workshop was destroyed. Would be great to hear would you think about it now! This is obvious in its Salomon XT-4 and XT-6 sneakers. The modern-day Espadrille, essentially a slipper made from rope soles and canvas upper, emerged from Catalonia during the 1320s. By the early Renaissance, heels were very much in vogue for men. Meanwhile, a host of younger brands would begin to establish themselves in the period leading to the First World War as well as interwar years. We use these grades to indicate levels of shoe quality. Bio: Established by former Danish boxer Casper Madsen in 2012 (his nickname when in the ring was "The Beast"), Casper & The Beast's USP is rugged, beefy boots cut from fine Italian leathers and suedes. More information about Turkish footwear can be found in our aricle called 'Turkish Shoe Brands'. Read also: 8 French Shoes and Boots Brands for Outdoor and Casual Wear. armando-cabral.com, From: Melbourne, Australia Being a brand that was born from the heart of nature, sustainability is in its soul. Jan Kielmans approach to bespoke shoe-making is astonishingly affordable thanks to both Polish shoe-making tradition and their 21st-Century approach. However, the styles adopted by the French elite often originated from Spain and Italy. Therefore, even their ready-to-wear offerings are in limited quantities. Following that, the shoes are directly crafted without the intermediary step of a fitting. On uses its innovation in applying a more sustainable approach to its manufacturing. More information about all these labels and manufacturers is available in our detailed catalogue called 'American Shoe Brands'. Millennia later, the Greeks and Romans would adopt leather sandals as worn by the Egyptians. As such, larger structures were growing but continued to employ traditional manufacturing techniques. 20172022 hoosefineshoes.com Classic mens shoes online shop from famous producers. This video will be loaded from YouTube.com, a third party. Read next: 8 European Running Shoes Brands You Should Try. Inca became the centre of the islands leather trade and a balance of cheap labour as well as an emphasis on craftsmanship helped the islands nascent industry to thrive. Besides, it should be mentioned that such quality ratings can't be absolutely impartial. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest updates: To learn how we use your data when you sign up to our newsletter, read our Privacy Policy. Only the French John Lobb offers ready-to-wear shoes, which are showcased in the link above. For instance, almost 50% of all imported shoes arrive from China. Another big name in the outdoor gear and clothing industry is the innovative Norwegian brand, Helly Hansen. Now let's move on to the main part of our catalogue! Goodyear welting and Blake stitching made their way from the USA to Europe via the UK, which was already a dominant producer of industrialised footwear. While Georges Salomon focused on skiing shoes and garments in the beginning, the brand later started producing some fashionable sneakers, and we cant be more thankful. Our big article about Polish shoe brands can be found here. Furthermore, their leathers are mostly sourced from Herms renowned Du Puy and Annonay tanneries in France. We also love the idea of the Vestiaire Collective, where you buy pre-owned Adidas shoes and clothes. Meanwhile, Central and Northern Europeans crafted waterproof boots from supple leather by stitching the soles and uppers from the inside. Unlike today, where shoes are quite standardised, the footwear of choice tended to be the most adapted to the terrain. Please note that the brands below havent been necessarily featured in any order of preference. Since Spain was a significant part of this particular guide initially, weve decided to overhaul it to incorporate brands from all European countries. Given that these two countries are veritable powerhouses for the European industry, theyre often approached by international brands to produce their footwear. Therefore, its not surprising that each regions native cultures would adopt their own styles of footwear. The brand has a great All-Terrain sneakers collection that will support you on any terrain, thanks to the waterproof Helly Tech membrane. Nevertheless, these are actually produced in a traditional English factory in Northampton. His ambitious project came to fruition as recently as 2019 and the shoes are manufactured in Almansa, Spain. Besides great performance, Haglfs sneakers have some of the best designs. Finished with canvas uppers, these trainers are instantly recognisable thanks to the blue a wax stamp-style icon on the sole depicting the Uchide no kozuchi, a magic mallet which was believed to grant any wish of the person swinging it. Theres no way you havent heard about Adidas. Learn how your comment data is processed. As a result, the Directorate General introduced the COSME, an EU programme of the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Exploring origins and development of shoe-making throughout Europe is an unsurprisingly complex task. Carlos Santos took his first steps in the shoe industry when he was only 14 years old. Your email address will not be published. Bio: This brand gets its name due to the fact that the sole of each pair of its sneakers is fired in a kiln, giving it a uniquely flexible and highly durable finish (a process called Ka-ryu in the original Japanese). casbia.com, From: Addis Ababa, Ethopia We did the research and selected 9 of the best European sneaker brands. Founded in 1978, Lszl Vass Hungarian workshop is critically acclaimed for producing high-quality ready-to-wear and custom shoes. This programme will provide finance and support for companies seeking to create and expand. Although Europe is often associated with luxury fashion and high street brands, their efforts seek to support small, family-owned businesses and craftsmen instead. Today, Saint Crispins continues as a family business that operates from its Romanian workshop. Meaning woven leather in Italian, their collections are inspired Italys shoe-making tradition but they have developed their own distinctive Turkish identity. Viko sandals by Ifele, 55. It was the first brand to manufacture waterproof clothes about 140 years ago. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Although Cheaney has been operating since 1886, it didnt become a household name until the mid-20th century when it began producing shoes under its own name. With Idrese, the skys the limit and you can design your own dream pair of shoes from $275. Nowadays most brands offer both women's and men's shoes, sneakers and boots. Bio: Originally from Massachusetts, Michael Tonello became obsessed with espadrilles on a trip to Barcelona. The result is a beautifully-crafted dress shoe that is designed and crafted according to your own specifications. After all, most American brands such as Cobbler Union have their shoes made by European craftsmen. christiankimber.com, From: Stockholm, Sweden Bio: Combining the minimalistic stylings and streetwear sensibilities of Japan and Sweden, Axel Arigato's trainers are cut from Italian leather and handcrafted in Portugal. Diadora managed to maintain a high reputation through its 70+ years of experience in the sneaker game. Despite the labour-intensive production process, Maglieriapelle prides itself in providing high-quality yet competitively affordable handmade shoes. Consequently, the brand offers exceptional value for money by providing excellent quality at an extremely attractive price point. Edition 4 trainers by National Standard, 200. You can tell a pair of Hoka sneakers apart by its unmistakable chunky aesthetic. Hoka is quickly collecting thousands of fans, not just for its running shoes but also for its casual shoes. As you'd expect, you'll find some seriously handsome historic styles in the brand's repertoire - the sort of superb shoes that you'll be able to wear forever. Since then, it has proudly manufactured many of its products in Caerano di San Marco, Italy. Maybe you've discovered some new interesting brands! With prevalent countries like England and Italy, it comes as no surprise that Europe has a significant shoemaking heritage. Maglieriapelles Istanbul workshop consists of only 15 artisans who produce the brands shoes entirely by hand with a unique finish thanks to a hand-painted patina. Your personal data will be processed in order to send you marketing content and to defend and pursue any claims. The best hotels in the UK and Ireland to stay in this year, Print copies & Digital access for only 1. Unfortunately, these figures have faced some shrinking in recent decades due to companies shifting their production to countries with lower labour costs. In 1966, it was purchased by Church & Co, another well-known as celebrated brand. Generally, most shoe-making businesses are small structures, which employ under 15 people. You will find more details about aforementioned factories and labels in our catalogue called 'Swiss Shoe Brands'. 01JP Low Sneaker by Shoes Like Pottery, 105. If you click "Play", you accept their terms of service, and their use of cookies. It was founded by Walter Martiny in Turin in 1911. Looking for an affordable yet high-quality brand, then Superga is the brand for you. nationalstandard.fr, From: Bromma, Sweden Its not only about its design and quality but also its efforts to reduce waste and take a more eco-friendly approach. The changing sandal styles during both Antiquity and Byzantium were early examples of how neighbouring cultures would continuously influence each other. More information about Finnish footwear can be found in our catalogue called 'Finnish Shoe Brands'. Here you have it: our favorite European sneaker brands. Some of them are very famous; some are niche ones. In fact, it can be argued that Paris reputation as the capital of fashion is thanks to it being the ideal geographical hub for foreign fashions to converge. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Consequently, a client can quickly receive quality bespoke shoes for less than $1,000! Within these sections, the order is strictly alphabetical. However, he is already training his grandchildren, the next generation to carry the Vass torch. Please, Meermin is the worst shoe in Europe, its a. While we provide arguments for French, English, and Italian shoes in their dedicated guides, the rest of Europe offers an equally promising level of quality. Similarly, Romania and Hungary are two nations that are regularly overlooked by shoe enthusiasts. Originally, the workshop catered only to bespoke shoes while designing footwear for international brands. Ironically enough, the brand was born from a sibling rivalry. However, in each brand's description we will give you information about 'genders' of its shoes and/or boots. In 2012, the sector consisted of 21,000 companies and generated 24 billion euros in turnover. Now, On is a famous international sneaker brand that is known for its extra comfortable cushioning and style. Whether youre a fan of sneakers or just looking for a new pair of high-quality shoes, we suggest you check out some of the above-listed brands: were sure youll find something you like among their collections. Although they retail a rich plethora of benchmade ready-to-wear shoes, you can also opt for made-to-measure or even true bespoke footwear. Nkrumahs shoes by Enzi, 145. V-10 BMesh White Nautico trainers by Veja, 90. Carmina is one of Spains most celebrated shoemakers. (Our 2+ Years Experience). You can find more information about these labels in our catalogue devoted to Hungarian shoe brands. With a staff of 28 artisans, the brand manufactures a selective quantity of only 1,500 shoes a year. Dont miss: Puma vs Reebok Running Shoes: Which Brand to Choose? A descendant from several generations of shoemakers, Vass embraces Austro-Hungarian shoe-making heritage while incorporating contemporary aesthetics. More details about these labels and companies can be found in our catalogue devoted to German shoe brands. In many ways, Ferragamos influence can be credited with popularising Italys reputation for craftsmanship. In fact, anyone who is at all fond of elegant footwear has likely walked in either Portuguese or Spanish shoes at least once in their life. As you may have learned in its own shoe guide, Italy was still mostly a cottage industry until the late 19th Century. More information about Indonesian shoe brands is available here. Bio: Launched just last year on Kickstarter by Sebastian hrn, Myrqvist crafts classic dress shoes with a beautifully minimal Swedish touch. Given the millennia of shared influence between Turkey and Europe, its shoes deserves a mention. For instance, a naturally mummified Copper Age body was discovered on the Austrian and Italian border in 1991. (Our 2+ Years Experience). Everything from their build to their colors is just effortlessly beautiful. It was unlikely that tzi made the shoes himself and they were likely traded or purchased from someone who specialised in making shoes. However, the company knew how to enter the game as a winner and draw attention to it. From its humble start in Bavaria, Germany, the brand went to be known among millions worldwide. Together in January 2010 in Zrich, they developed their prototype, which a month later won the ISPO BrandNew Award. Pumas casual sneakers are loved by many, including famous artists such as Rihanna, J Cole, and Selena Gomez. Bio: Hailing from the historic shoemaking county of Northamptonshire, Joseph Cheaney & Sons was founded in 1886 and has been making its shoes at the same factory since 1896. Since then, its been manufacturing some of the most popular sneakers worldwide. Today, the workshop is owned and managed by Maciej Kielman and his wife, Monika. As a trained architect, Tonys eye for aesthetics brought something new to footwear. More details about all these brands and companies are available in our article called 'Portuguese Shoe Brands'. The brand was started in 1914 in Sweden by its founder Wiktor Haglf, who started by manufacturing backpacks. Although not technically a part of Europe, we would be amiss to omit Turkey. Diadora shares the same beliefs with us, and were all here for it. Today, it operates as a traditional shoemaker that has been restored to its former glory. It definitely has some of the best leisure shoes in the game. At herrstil.com, From: Paris, France For example, nearby Turkey would often introduce new styles to their European neighbours while incorporating their fashions too. Production of leather sandals would thrive throughout Antiquity and they would evolve to develop complex designs and robust soles. Must read: Are Adidas Casual Sneakers Good? Its often marketed as the sneaker youll never own.. However, they mean more than that for sneakerheads and fashion fans. It uses high-quality materials and unique designs to create some of the best sneakers youll ever wear. Bio: Originally hailing from the UK, Christian Kimber moved to Australia and set-up his shoe brand in the booming Melbourne menswear scene back in 2015. Unless youre a seasoned shoe enthusiast, you may well think that there is only one John Lobb. And whatever inspiration has captured Bianchi's imagination, it just seems to work - case in point, these riffs on a traditional moccasin.William Native shoes by Casbia, 390. After creating our guide to the best Spanish-made shoes, weve overhauled this page to include shoemakers from Italy, France, and England. Brixworth Balmoral boots by Joseph Cheaney & Sons, 425. Ironically, many of the countries that export shoes to Europe are among the biggest importers such as China and Turkey. not a specific number; that's because lots of brands produce shoes of different quality levels. Read also: 7 Swedish Shoes and Boots Brands for Cold, Rainy Weather, Helly Hansen official website Casual sneakers. In this article well talk about their history and main products, so lets begin! Despite these challenges, exports grew by 48% between 2010 and 2013. Founded in 2012, Ace Marks offers genuine Italian-made shoes crafted in a fourth-generation family-run factory near Rome. More information about Italian shoe labels and manufacturers is presented in our catalogue devoted to shoe brands from Italy. Although Ferragamo will work in partnership with a number of other factories throughout Italy, its premium shoes continue to be produced in the Florentine workshop that first opened in 1927. Combining their 25 years of experience in the English shoemaking industry, Tony Gaziano and Dean Girling founded their eponymous brand in 2006. Both offer their own unique cultural heritage and craftsmanship that is on par with some of the most respected British and Italian brands. The majority of mainland Europe was relatively slow to adopt the mechanisation processes that had developed during the 19th Century.