Top 17 best sneaker brands you may not know (Part 1)

Wherever you are, take a moment to quickly observe the shoes of the people around you. What brand of shoes are they wearing? Most likely, the results of the naked eye survey of sneakers will be similar to the following: Adidas, Nike, Converse, New Balance, Nike, maybe a little Reebok if you're lucky, then Adidas, Nike, Nike. In addition to the big brands, there are still many less noticeable shoe brands, each brand has its own unique style on popular sneakers. Join Celidior to review the Top 17 quality sneaker brands that you may not know about.

ARKK COPENHAGEN

ARKK shoes look like they came from the year 3000. But they are actually made in Denmark. The brand has done the impossible by combining Nordic minimalism with modern, elegant design. The result is shoes that break all the rules and cannot be fit into any mold. If you are looking for a design that stands out, is different but still elegant, look to Danish shoe brands.

GOOD NEWS

Sustainable British sneaker brand Good News makes recycling fun. With designs inspired by skate culture and made from recycled materials, the brand also focuses on ethical sourcing and donates unsold stock to homeless people.

Unique features of the brand include chunky soles made from recycled rubber and uppers with unique patterns or prints.

ZESPA

There’s no denying that the French know how to design and make clothes. Their flair for fashion extends to footwear, too. Take southern French sneaker brand Zespa as a case in point.

Handcrafted locally in small batches by skilled artisans using fine Nappa leather, Zespa’s minimalist luxury has earned its place alongside other high-end brands like Common Projects. The only difference is that Zespa’s prices are more pocket-friendly.

C.QP

Swedish minimalist brand CQP (short for Conversations & Quintessential Products) is not flashy on the outside but very powerful on the inside. Behind the brand's simple beauty lies a dedication to quality and a range of sneakers that are made to the same exacting standards as dress shoes. Hidden details like metal soles for added stability, combined with a small and limited range of styles and colours, mean you can mix and match CQP products with almost any outfit.

SPALWART

Swedish sneaker brand Spalwart also has a fascinating story that you’ll definitely enjoy. It all started when the company’s founders stumbled upon a warehouse full of vintage shoe lasts from the 1950s while visiting a factory in rural Slovakia. After cleaning the dust and creating a prototype, they quickly realized they had found a treasure and began building the brand.

The classic style combined with wabi-sabi aesthetics has made Spalwart a favorite in the fashion world. Fans of the brand appreciate the brand’s signature imperfections and high-quality materials. And soon, those who don’t know Spalwart will also discover this wonderful brand.

NOVESTA

Novesta - another Slovakian classic with a passionate following and some seriously impressive shoes. While you may not have heard of the brand, Novesta has been quietly operating for nearly a century, with a design that has changed little over time. The Star Master is perhaps the most recognizable model, with its canvas construction, spiked midsole, and large rope loops. However, Novesta also makes classic running shoes and high-end styles, all of which are united by simplicity and solid construction.

APRIX

Take a streetwear designer, throw in a little beach style, a little minimalism, and filter it all through the lens of skate culture, and what do you get? Aprix.

Pronounced ah-pree, this simple skateboard-inspired shoe line is the brainchild of Noah designer and former creative director Brendon Babenzien. In addition to his streetwear roots, Babenzien has a keen eye for what makes a good sneaker, and his careful selection of classic, minimalist silhouettes is a testament to that.

WALSH

The British don’t just make luxury shoes in Northamptonshire, they also make some of the best sneakers. The classics from Lancashire-based Norman Walsh, a long-standing sneaker specialist with a unique crafting expertise, are a testament to this. These are shoes that make a statement, with details like locally sourced fabrics and bold British prints. Each pair is handcrafted in the brand’s Bolton workshop and finished with an elegant Union Jack on the side. Look out for classic styles like the Tornado and Ensign, along with runners and unique collaborations.

SWEAR

If you’re not a fan of the bulky sneaker trend, it’s best to avoid looking at Swear’s impressively customizable shoes. These shoes can’t be described as modest – they’re big, bold, and no surprise there.

Customers can design their own shoes, choosing from thousands of color and style combinations. Or they can opt for a pre-designed pair from their best-selling models. Swear’s full customization has led to collaborations with some of the biggest fashion brands, which is all the more impressive considering they’ve remained largely out of the public eye.

These are just the first 9 sneaker brands on our list. Don’t miss part 2, Celidior will introduce more brands, bringing you more unique and quality options. Stay tuned to continue discovering interesting and impressive names in the sneaker world!