Top 10 Quality Shoe Brands Flying Under the Global Radar

ARKK Copenhagen is a Nordic sportswear brand founded by two Danish co-founders with a passion for street fashion. Unable to find a brand that expressed their personal style, they set out to create their own. In just two short years, the minimalist silhouette has made its way to over 36 countries worldwide. After finding its place in the world of sneakers, the brand continues to redefine simple, clean design. Today, the ARKK team includes their local team in Denmark and renowned partners worldwide. Designs are produced 100% in Copenhagen, fulfilling the brand's mission to continue making a difference in the sneaker world.

For ARKK Copenhagen, designing the most fashionable, functional, and, most importantly, confidence-inspiring sneakers is the goal. The Raven sneaker, an iconic model, was the brand's first. Originally introduced in 2014, it realized true comfort for the feet. Meanwhile, there is also a recycled version, for example, made from plastic bottles collected in nature. The Asymetrix perfectly combines comfort and design. It convinces users with a soft lining in the heel area, an additional tongue cushion to protect the instep, breathable mesh in the front area, and stability support thanks to the F-PRO90 sole part.

Zespa was established in 2009 by Jonathan Agrifoglio and Jérémy Amar in Aix-en-Provence, Southern France. Initially, this duo began by reinterpreting the design of espadrilles, bringing a breath of fresh air to the traditional summer shoe as a modern, intelligent footwear model. However, eventually, they recognized the inherent limitations of espadrilles, and in 2014, Zespa shifted its main focus to high-end men's sneakers, characterized by excellent craftsmanship, clean lines, and a color palette inspired by the Mediterranean.

Zespa has built a reputation as one of the leading luxury athletic shoe manufacturers in Europe, and it's not hard to understand why. The combination of timeless design and professional craftsmanship has propelled the brand above and beyond the realm of beloved sneaker labels. Each pair of Zespa sneakers is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal using the finest full-grain calf leather sourced from European tanneries, with additional anatomical leather lining. Durable and tough-wearing, these shoes are crafted to stand the test of time: the robust outsole is made from recycled materials, and every pair of Zespa sneakers comes with two pairs of meticulously brushed 100% cotton laces.

With a mission to promote a healthy planet, London-based brand Good News has crafted sneakers with woven organic cotton uppers, recycled eco-friendly footbeds, and recycled rubber soles. Founded by Nia Jones and Ben Tattersall, Good News aims to combat the waste created by the footwear and fashion industry. The rubber soles are made from recycled tire rubber, and the insoles are crafted from recycled EVA, a petroleum-free oil derived from beans rather than fossil fuels. The 100% organic cotton used is grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers.

By raising awareness, Good News sets out to curb the damage that the modern shoe manufacturing industry inflicts on both humans and the planet. The outer sole can then be recycled without compromising surface structure or rubber quality. Benefits: It's entirely non-toxic, created for durability with a soft, comfortable structure for maximum comfort. Repurposed rubber can be used for running tracks or playground surfaces. With half the ecological impact of conventional farming, organic cotton uses less than 91% freshwater. Good News sneakers boast an intriguing design and are excellent for everyday wear.

Spalwart is owned and founded by two men from Sweden, Fredrik Johansson and Christoffer Brattin. Brattin, a graduate of the Swedish School of Textiles, always dreamed of owning a skateboard shop, while Johansson had his own record store in the 90s. They met at the record store, and Johansson was ready to help when Brattin set up the company. Before long, both, along with other partners, came together to create the Rokin footwear brand, which may not have flourished but certainly paved the way for the success they are enjoying now.

Spalwart produces sneakers with details reminiscent of vintage classics, with a raw and imperfect look, the true charm of their products. They use the highest quality of entirely modern materials, resulting in sneakers that look impressive with durability equal to the most famous sports shoes in the world today. Among the brand's best-ever sneakers is the Special, the company's first model that immediately garnered support from denim enthusiasts. Handcrafted shoe fans are thrilled at the thought of the surplus rubber at the heel of their shoes being hand-cut.

C.QP is short for Conversations & Quintessential Products and was founded in 2013. Born out of a passion for exquisite design and a desire to create standout footwear of the highest quality. C.QP's sneakers are entirely crafted in their workshop in Stockholm and manufactured in Portugal using the finest suede. Meticulously handmade around a specially developed last, these sneakers are designed to offer a sleek and rare elegance. Only the finest materials from Italy are used; from the upper's leather or suede to the smooth calf leather of the inner lining, hand-stitched to the Margom's natural rubber outsole.

Every pair of C.QP sneakers is meticulously crafted following age-old traditions and perfected with the essential qualities you expect from premium sneakers; clean, minimalist design, exquisite leather layers, coated cotton laces, and precise, subtle details. Racquet is the brand's classic low-top sneaker. Its innovative structural design makes it incredibly soft and breathable. Like all other C.QP models, Racquet features an insole with arch support and multiple layers of cushioning. To ensure even more support and stability, the outsole has a metal shank, typically found in high-end footwear.

Aprix is the brainchild of creative director Noah Brendon Babenzien, who first released a pair of Aprix-branded sneakers in 2008 when he was the design director at Supreme. Aprix is like the official shoe of the good life. These sneakers are made from Italian leather but meant to get sandy and dirty. Bright colors, a tennis-style toe cap, and racing stripes suggest relaxed summer pursuits, but they can easily go from the skate park to a park bench.

American classic skate shoes inspire a collection of two pairs, including a two-tone style and a single-color style. The two-tone sneakers have a canvas upper, contrast leather heel and toe box, with natural and white, yellow and white, and black and white styles. The second style features a suede or canvas upper and is offered in gray, seafoam green, salmon, sky blue, light gray, and yellow, as well as a paisley pattern option. The reintroduction of Aprix is exclusive to Noah in New York City and online, and in 2017, the brand debuted globally at Dover Street Market, Ssense, Mr. Porter, and Colette.

Novesta is an abbreviation for true tradition and urban lifestyle. Behind every pair of shoes is decades of experience, meticulously handcrafted to every last detail. Founded by Jan Antonin Bata in the small town of Partizanske, Slovakia, in the 1930s, Novesta became renowned for its durable shoes, to the extent that it became the preferred footwear for various armed forces across Europe. In recent times, the brand is chiefly recognized for its iconic Star Master silhouette, boasting an unmistakable chunky sole adorned with distinctive branding.

Novesta is one of the longstanding brands exclusively manufactured in Europe since its inception to this day. Throughout the supply chain, only intelligible, fair, and sustainable raw materials are utilized. This includes VFCS certified natural rubber from verified suppliers and GOTS certified organic cotton for the head cover. Novesta shoes are not glued but vulcanized. In this method, the upper material is fused literally with the sole. This gives the shoes a distinctive appearance and makes them extremely durable and sturdy.

Swear London was established in 1997, asserting itself as the iconic footwear brand of the United Kingdom, reflecting the vibrant cultural and musical scene of London. The brand symbolizes individuality and self-expression, core elements in its design features, while also embodying versatility. Since 2018, Swear London has decided to revive its archival pieces from the '90s, to continue the legacy of that wild era. Chunky, distinctive soles have been resurrected with a modern twist.

Swear London is a made-to-order brand, operating on the principle of bespoke production. As the brand does not sell ready-made shoes, efforts are made to minimize raw material waste. On the Swear website, customers can create their own shoes from 14 sole models, choosing colors, textures, and materials on the insole, sole, and upper, with almost endless permutations. This process takes two weeks, although it will soon be reduced to seven days. Additionally, there are pre-designed models where shoppers can customize the control panel, add initials, and receive their shoes within 48 hours.

During the 1960s, Norman Walsh gained fame for creating durable, specialized sports shoes for various sports, all handcrafted to meet the needs of each customer. The endurance of the Ensign Classic sports shoe, worn by marathon runners from Lancashire in the 1981 New York Marathon, made it notable. While other brands strive to incorporate newer materials and techniques, Walsh still holds true to its 'less is more' philosophy.

Handcrafted in Lancashire, United Kingdom, this redesigned Ensign Classic sports shoe comes in five colors: mint, navy blue, coral, red, and aqua. Each sports shoe is available for online ordering now from the Norman Walsh online store. The British brand Norman Walsh has revived one of the most popular running shoes from the 1980s for Spring/Summer 2020 with five new colors. It might be the last British-owned sports shoe brand still producing in the UK. Walsh produces excellent trainers made in the UK.

Since its debut, the Portuguese footwear brand JAK has garnered much attention for its unique take on premium leather sneakers. The precision, care, and handmade quality of each pair are evident as soon as you unbox them. First and foremost, the full-grain leather upper is entirely sourced and produced in Portugal—delivering a soft, durable, and incredibly comfortable feel. With a minimalist design philosophy at its core, JAK ensures that details are streamlined, making the silhouette of their sneakers as straightforward as possible.

Thanks to the Atom's unique one-piece leather design, the flexibility and durability of JAK sneakers are virtually unmatched. The full-grain leather not only carries natural marks that age beautifully over time but also gathers at the tongue to give the Atom a soft, substantial design. Every pair of JAK sneakers is instantly recognizable due to its sophisticated look, impressive presentation, and unique colors, from classic Royal Navy and Black to the more progressive Mustard and Grape designs, all equally popular. The emphasis here is on build quality rather than intricate aesthetics, resulting in timeless designs that will outlast trends and seasons.