The trend for many Sneakerheads today is to buy the most hyped sneakers the moment they are released. If you are looking for footwear that is unique, perhaps you should buy a pair from one of these luxury sneaker brands you’ve likely never heard of. These brands fly under the radar, but still create truly high end quality sneakers. Perhaps you will find a new favorite in our list!
Android Homme
Founded in 2008 by Designer/Creative Director, Javier Laval, in Los Angeles. We design footwear for modern men with no limitations. Our shoes are hand-made in Italy. We are obsessed with design, details, construction & quality. OUR MOTIVATION IS OUR FAMILIES. Our goals are transformation and evolution.
We love the sleek color change of the Alfa Low Gradient ($255). The two-toned soles add interest to these stylish kicks, while the leather uppers keep the shoes looking luxe.
The Los Angeles brand known for taking style cues and inspiration from their city, uses colors and textures associated with the sunrise and sunset on the Malibu coastline. Each model features uppers handmade in Italy and draped in premium embossed stingray patterned leather. The gradient outsole symbolizes the transition of darkness to light.
Athletic Propulsion Labs
Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) was founded in March 2009, by then 23 year-old identical twins Adam and Ryan Goldston. As former two sport collegiate athletes, playing both basketball and football at the University of Southern California, Adam and Ryan envisioned creating a company providing revolutionary products symbolizing the ultimate intersection of design and performance.
All eyes will be on you in your Cielo APLXCOTW Red sneakers from Athletic Propulsion Labs ($495). The red sneakers walked straight off of the runway and into our closet. We love a sporty sneaker that doesn’t forget about style!
Debuted on the runway of New York Fashion Week, The APLxCOTW Cielo collaboration is an exploration in luxury performance footwear design. Two brands known for their creativity and passion for fashion, Athletic Propulsion Labs and Creatures of the Wind, set out to design not only a new product, but a new category as well. Handmade in Italy, the APLxCOTW Cielo mixes performance textiles with genuine leathers and suedes like never before. The finest Italian neoprenes, and innovative cross-strap closure system add unique style to the world’s first Luxury Performance sneaker. The Cielo is truly where fashion and athletics intersect.
ETQ
Founded in Amsterdam in 2010, ETQ was created as an answer to the luxury trend of over-abundant branding and excessive pricing. Our designs do not confine to fashion – we simply aspire to provide high quality, well-designed essentials for the right price. We work with a minimalistic philosophy, as we believe sustainability and durability are better for us and our world.
Next, keep things fresh and clean with all white MT 02 by Amsterdam-based brand ETQ (€223.14). The modern aesthetics of the shoe are contrasted by the retro hi-top silhouette.
Featuring a Nappa leather upper and full calf leather lining and insole standing on a rugged rubber outsole, this design provides quality and clean-cut aesthetics.
Filling Pieces
Filling Pieces is an Amsterdam-based footwear label, established in 2009 by designer Guillaume Philibert. While studying architecture, Guillaume realized that there weren’t any premium high-quality sneakers out there for a reasonable price. Recognizing both a challenge and an opportunity, he started to design – following his vision of creating a unique shoe. A shoe that would bridge the gap between streetwear and high-end fashion.
Our second Amsterdam sneaker brand on this list, Filling Pieces produces chic sneakers like these Peak Boot Heel Cap Hoth in White (€440). These sporty shoes also feature rugged elements more typically found in hiking boots.
The military desert sneakerboot is given a winterised makeover. Panels of durable ripstop keep your feet dry and make for a lighter on-feet feel as well as giving a technical aesthetic. These are overlayed by premium suede for supple yet luxurious fit. A thin nylon tongue featuring a retro FP mountain logo gives a sporty, outdoors inspired feel. The boot is given a more modern silhouette and a comfier cushion for your feet thanks to our custom Heel Cap runner sole, which features a rippled tread for an added hiking reference. The finishing details are contrasting powder coated lace hooks and lace tips.
Marcus Hanuy
MARCUS HANUY is an international urban leather goods brand born out of a shared appreciation for high-end design, clean aesthetics and profound attention to detail. With a strong influence spanning the arts, culture and architecture, the brand fuses sophisticated European craftsmanship, minimal design and understated glamour to create a new genre of bold and versatile range of leather goods with form and function in mind. Founded in 2015 and brought together by a love of travel, food and the arts, childhood friends Jamie Kang and Herbie Gerzer are the creative force behind the brand.
Add some flash to your look with a pair of Classic High Top Kreuzberg by desiger Marcus Hanuy ($416). The all black sneakers feature a gold band emblazoned with the designer’s name. These ostentatious sneakers are perfect for someone looking to show off a little.
Two looks, one sneaker. Handcrafted in Italy from ultra smooth calf skin leather, each pair of Classic High Top sneakers also comes with the Gold Standard Hardware. All hardware is interchangeable using the 24K Gold-Plated Signature Screwdriver provided.
Brunello Cucinelli
I believe in a humanistic enterprise: business should comply in the noblest manner with all the rules of ethics that man has devised over the centuries. I dream about a form of humanistic modern capitalism with strong ancient roots, where profit is made without harm or offence to anyone, and part of it is set aside for any initiative that can really improve the condition of human life: services, schools, places of worship and cultural heritage.
In contrast to the previous shoes on our list, these Sneakers in Washed Suede from Brunello Cucinellia ($1,125) keep things classy and understated. The impeccable craftsmanship is readily apparent, but the style is decidedly low-key.
The combination of details and sophisticated materials defines the style of the iconic Brunello Cucinelli sneakers. A special decoration on the welt distinguishes the shoe from the traditional model. The front matches the nuances of the sole, while the rear introduces a contrasting color to match the tread and heel tab.
Grenson
We have been making shoes continuously since 1866 and we are only in our third factory in all that time. Apart from our new moccasin collection, all of our shoes are “Goodyear Welted”. This is a shoemaking technique that was invented in the mid 1800’s and involves many individual processes, but the key benefit is that the shoes are strong and last a long time. The main feature of Goodyear Welted shoes is that the upper is stitched to a leather band called a Welt and this is then stitched to the sole. It takes up to 8 weeks to make our shoes and involves well over 200 individual operations.
Finally, get a retro look with high-end quality by purchasing Grenson’s Hi Top Men’s Sneakers ($135). We love the style of these vintage-inspired kicks, especially in this stunning navy canvas.
This season we introduce our first vulcanized sneakers. Made in Europe using natural latex rubber soles, we have worked to ensure the styles have that authentic “old school” aesthetic. Our hi top is classic in design and made from British Millerain navy canvas with cream coloured trim.
So, which of these luxury sneaker brands will you try this season? You might also want to try these luxury streetwear brands to go with your new kicks.
