Top 17 best sneaker brands you may not know (Part 2)

The journey to find sneaker brands continues with part 2, where you will discover many other outstanding shoe brands through the article below.

1, JAK
Luxury minimalist sneakers are great, but they’re all too common. But JAK is the exception with its unique high-end sneakers.

The brand’s signature shoe is the Atom – a sleek, comfortable shoe with a classic design. This unique design has helped JAK’s modern high-end brand gain traction at top fashion retailers and go viral on social media. However, the brand is still relatively new, and is definitely the perfect choice if you want a pair of luxury shoes that are edgy.

2, OLIVER CABELL
Oliver Cabell, founded in 2016, has always had to prove its worth in the saturated luxury sneaker market. However, with the same quality as Common Projects at half the price, and designs that balance classic and modern with sophistication, that hasn’t been much of a challenge for Oliver Cabell.

Oliver Cabell’s approach to production is to showcase only what’s necessary – no more, no less. This has resulted in some of the most edgy sneakers from the lesser-known, but beloved brand that have replaced the more expensive options that dominate the market.

3, KARHU
Finnish sneaker brand Karhu is not a household name. Perhaps it is because they sold their famous three-stripe logo to Adidas for a few bucks and two bottles of whisky in 1951. Or maybe it is because Karhu sneakers are so good that they don’t need to make a big fuss about promoting them.

Those who are diligent in searching for a quality sneaker will eventually get their hands on a pair of Karhus. And when they do, they will be very impressed with the shoe. The brand is loved by athletes and sneakerheads for its ultimate comfort and unique style, only the rest of the world has not paid attention to them yet.

4, BUDDY
Since 2012, Japanese shoe brand Buddy has been making simple, colorful shoes in its Tokyo workshop and exporting them in small quantities around the world. Buddy’s products use only the best materials – from vulcanized rubber soles to premium suede and leather. Each pair is handmade and comes with a unique leather tag sewn into the sole as proof.

Granted, these shoes won’t win any technical awards. But Buddy knows its strengths, pursues its own style, and the result is recognisable. Yes, everyone knows about the brand now.

5, SPRING COURT
For a brand that has thrived since the 1930s and has been making a splash with the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, David Hockney and John Lennon, Spring Court is still a relative unknown. The French tennis shoe brand revolutionised the world with its perforated soles and was designed specifically for use on clay courts.

Spring Court tennis shoes were game-changers, but as technology took over, they faded into obscurity. Today, the brand may not be as active on the court, but it still has a loyal following of sophisticated fans who love the simple, classic style.

6, STEPNEY WORKER’S CLUB
Launched in 2018, London-based shoe brand Stepney Worker’s Club is unsurprisingly still relatively new. However, judging by their simple, classic debut collection, that won’t be the case for long.

The Hackney label takes inspiration from the culture of integration found in traditional workers’ sports clubs, and translates it into footwear that blends classic and modern. With their unique style already being picked up by brands like END and Garbstore, it’s only a matter of time before this new brand goes global.

7, REPRODUCTION OF FOUND
If you pay any attention to menswear, you’ll notice a lot of inspiration coming from the military. From cargo pants to denim jackets, everything has its roots in the armed forces, and Japanese brand Reproduction Of Found proves that footwear is no different.

Since 2016, the brand has been reimagining military footwear for the public. From classic styles like German army trainers, to lesser-known American and Russian styles, it’s the perfect graduation for the military fashionista.

8, GREATS
Greats is a brand founded by a couple of long-time skate and sneaker veterans. Operating since 2013, a long time in the fast fashion industry, Greats is still relatively unknown, especially in the UK.

In addition to making great retro sneakers, Greats products are also much more affordable than some of their competitors. And in the current economic climate, this is an advantage that cannot be ignored.

As these little-known but impressive sneaker brands show, the world of footwear is not limited to the big names. Each brand offers a distinct style, from the elegant minimalism of ARKK and CQP to the sustainable design of Good News and the classic beauty of Novesta and Spalwart. Whether you’re looking for uniqueness, high quality or personalization, there are always exciting and fresh options to explore in the world of sneakers.