The Luxe, Canadian-Designed Sneakers You Need This Spring
A perfect stride.
It’s not surprising that sneakers were ubiquitous on the spring/summer 2021 runways for men and women alike. After all, dress shoes and heels simply aren’t as sweatsuit- or house-dress-friendly, no matter one’s sartorial preferences in the before times. For spring, there are chunky “dad” shoes at Balenciaga, all-white mid-tops at Celine, multicoloured creations at Gucci and Collina Strada, and much more, styled with everything from blue jeans to ball gowns to slouchy summer suits.
Closer to home, many Canadian footwear brands embraced the sneaker life as well this season. Boasting such features as digitally printed leather, retro-inspired fits, and runners with 3D-printed insoles, the newest releases are designed for maximum style impact and are made with top-shelf materials.
Here, 10 fashionable leather sneakers that are worth swapping out your comfy house shoes for.
Casca Avro
These sleek, monochromatic men’s low-tops feature customized 3D-printed insoles for improved comfort and support.
WANT Les Essentiels Ito Men’s Leather Sneaker
Each minimalist slip-on by Montreal-based WANT is made with just one panel of Italian leather so that there are no unnecessary, unsightly seams.
Henderson for Harry Rosen Andy Leather Sneakers
Less is more with these men’s leather-and-suede sneakers, handmade in Italy and available exclusively at Harry Rosen.
L’intervalle Xenia Mint Leather
These women’s classic leather-and-suede lace-ups are available in three pretty pastel hues.
La Canadienne Lana
These women’s sneakers, handmade in Italy, stand out thanks to a chunky flatform sole and unexpectedly on-point colour combination.
Brother Vellies Jogger
Brother Vellies’ retro-inspired sneakers are a stylishly sporty departure from the brand’s signature statement heels and sandals.
Ron White Karelle
Available in two colour combinations, these new-season Ron White shoes are water-resistant and come with a removable supportive footbed.
Zvelle Rayna Ballet Sneaker
Toronto brand Zvelle’s new ballet-sneaker hybrid updates the ’70s track shoe with a streamlined silhouette and lightweight design.
Maguire Alba Cheetah
These low-top sneakers are available in four fun, textured animal prints. Cheetah might just be the new neutral.
John Fluevog The Kickback Prefect
A collaboration between John Fluevog and musician George Clinton, these colourful men’s shoes feature a digitally-printed leather upper.
