Men | Woman | Japanese | Barefoot | Fair Trade

Top men’s running shoe brands 

#1. New Balance

The Brand: New Balance was founded in 1906 under the name “New Balance Arch Support Company.” The owner, William Riley, was inspired by watching the chickens roaming around his backyard. Intrigued by their three-pronged feet, Riley designed arch support with three different support points.

Need To Know: The first New Balance Sneaker, the Trackster, was released in 1961. Today, this Boston-based brand is a multinational company that manufactures a variety of athletic apparel and shoes for men, women, and kids.

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#2. Saucony

The Brand: Established in 1898, Saucony’s guiding principles include “good performance, good health, and good community.” The brand began in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, but is now located in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts.

Need To Know: Saucony creates shoes specifically for running. Some of their notable shoes include the “Jazz,” created in 1981, the “Shadow,” created in 1985, and the “Grid,” developed in 2000. Saucony began taking steps toward sustainability in 2020.

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#3. Adidas

The Brand: Adidas was founded in Bavaria in 1924 under the name of “Gebruder Dassler Schuhfabrik.” It wasn’t until 1949, that the brand became the iconic “Adidas” name that we know today. The company became a household name in 1954 when the German national football team won the World Cup, partly due to the innovative shoes that Adidas had created.

Need To Know: Today, Adidas is a leader in the athletic shoe industry. In 2019, they expanded their headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, so that all 5,400 employees could be located on one campus. Adidas not only provides shoes, but various kinds of athletic apparel, like hoodies, leggings, shorts, pants, and jackets.

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#4. On 

The Brand: Sometimes referred to as “On Running,” this brand began as a Switzerland sporting goods company in 2010. On was founded by former athlete Olivier Bernhard, who enlisted the help of his friends, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti.

Need To Know: This brand centers its shoe designs around the basic concept of a cushioned landing. Today, On shoes are sold at 6500 retail stores in 50 countries. The company has headquarters in Zurich, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Brazil.

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#5. Salomon

The Brand: Salomon was established in 1947. The brand invented the first binding with a self-release headpiece, and was present for the first time at the 1966 Olympics in Chile. By 1972, Salomon had become the top binding manufacturer worldwide, selling more than one million pairs that year.

Need To Know: By 1985, this company’s earnings had reached 250 million Euros. Its headquarters are located in Annecy, France, with U.S. operations headquartered in Odgen, Utah. The company is currently under the direction of CEO Jean-Marc Pambet.

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Top women’s running shoe brands

#1. Brooks

The Brand: Brooks started manufacturing ballet slippers in 1914, but didn’t shift its focus to running shoes until 1972. In 1974, Brooks created the Villanova running shoe with help from Olympic runner Marty Liquori.

Need To Know: Brooks created many innovative running shoes throughout the late 1900s, including the Vantage, Hugger GT, and Varus Wedge. Brooks decided to focus solely on running shoes beginning in 2001. In 2020, Brooks created a sports bra specifically focused on high-impact running.

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#2. Nike

The Brand: Formerly known as “Blue Ribbon Sports,” Nike was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. Its first retail outlet was born in 1966. The brand then created the first Nike shoe in 1972. This company was not known by its current name until 1978.

Need To Know: Much of Nike’s success has come from celebrity endorsements like Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm. Today, Nike’s iconic black “swoosh” logo is known throughout 170 countries throughout the world.

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#3. Puma

The Brand: Originally founded as “Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory,” Puma was founded by brothers Rudolf and Adolf Dassler. This company was not known as “Puma” until 1948, almost 30 years after the company was founded.

Need To Know: Puma’s iconic “No. 1 Logo” was designed in 1967, and has since made no drastic changes to this logo. The brand partnered with many famous athletes throughout the late 1900s, contributing to its rise in popularity. Today, Puma is a leader in the running shoe industry.

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#4. Altra

The Brand: Altra was created in 2009 by co-founders Brian Beckstead and Golden Harper, who met at high school cross-country practice. The name “Altra” means “to fix or mend something that is broken.”

Need To Know: In 2017, this company partnered with Utah State University to create the “Altra Running Lab,” providing expertise and internship opportunities. In 2018, Altra was acquired by VF Corporation.

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#5. Hoka One One

The Brand: Hoka One One was established in 2009 by Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard, who wanted to create a shoe that would let runners go downhill at faster speeds. After several prototypes, they decided on the “oversized outsole” that provided more cushioning than any other shoe during that time.

Need To Know: In 2013, the brand was purchased by Deckers Brands, which own several other shoe brands. Today, Hoka continues to create high-quality cushioning and a specially designed midsole.

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Top Japanese running shoe brands 

#1. ASICS

The Brand: ASICS was founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949 under the name “ONITSUKA Shokai.” Eventually, the name was changed to ASICS, which is an acronym for the Latin expression “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,” which means “you should pray for a healthy mind and body.”

Need To Know: In 2010, ASICS acquired all of HAGLOFS HOLDING AB, a Swedish outdoor gear company. ASICS most innovative shoe design came out in 2015, called the MetaRun. Today, ASICS continues to demonstrate innovation and excellence as a leader in the running shoe industry.

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#2. Mizuno

The Brand: Founded in 1906 in Osaka, Mizuno first specialized in western sundries. Mizuno did not begin selling running shoes until 1982, with the launch of the RunBird shoe. Three years later, the company also began producing sportswear.

Need To Know: In 2021, Mizuno was a major partner of the World Masters Games in Kansai. Today, Mizuno manufactures sporting goods such as running shoes, athletic apparel, golf clubs, and baseball gear. This company is committed to environmental sustainability, aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

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#3. Onitsuka Tiger

The Brand: Onitsuka Tiger was founded in 1949, releasing basketball shoes one year later. In 1969, this company made its way into the United States through the Blue Ribbon Shoe Company, also known as Nike.

Need To Know: Since 1977, Onitsuka Tiger has been owned by ASICS. This brand was relaunched in 2002, emphasizing the trend of vintage sneakers. In 2017, annual sales grew to over 31.9 billion yen, making this an extremely successful running shoe brand.

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#4. RFW Tokyo

The Brand: Priorly known as Rhythm Footwear, RFW was established in 1997 by Konokogi Takashi. This company aims to create simple and timeless shoes. This brand went international in 2009 when it released its fall/winter collection.

Need To Know: RFW’s shoes are primarily made from cotton and leather. This brand also specializes in highly versatile everyday sneakers. All of RFW’s shoes are unisex and minimalist. You can find a pair of this brand’s shoes for about $130.

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#5. Shoes Like Pottery

The Brand: Shoes Like Pottery is based on the island of Fukuoka, where it was originally founded in 1873. Today, each shoe is stamped with the brand’s logo, a wax decal of the iconic magic hammer. The bottom of each shoe is blue and made with canvas fabric, which takes the form of the foot over time.

Need To Know: Shoes Like Pottery specializes in creating handcrafted canvas sneakers. This company uses the Japanese technique of “Ka-Ryu” to make each shoe. This process involves firing the outsoles in a Kiln, making each pair distinct and unique, similar to pottery.

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Top barefoot running shoe brands 

#1. Vivobarefoot

The Brand: The first Vivobarefoot shoe was released in 2004, after five years of research. This was the first minimalist shoe with a very thin puncture-resistant sole. The brand began gaining popularity in 2008. Two years later, the company launched a kids’ line with the same core concept.

Need To Know: Created by Tim Brennan, who had a string of injuries, this company aimed to create maximum sensory feedback and protection through its shoes. Today, they continue to live up to that mission by demonstrating success with their Evo running shoe.

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#2. Be Lenka Barefoot

The Brand: Be Lenka was co-founded by Lenka Cenigova and Juraj Fehervari. Cenigova is an Ex-Paralympian, motivating her success with this brand. Be-Lenka’s products are designed and produced in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which have strict EU laws related to safety and quality.

Need To Know: Established in 2017, Be Lenka produces more than barefoot shoes; they also carry dressy and casual shoes in various styles and colors. Be Lenka also manufactures ergonomic baby carriers and comfortable nursing and maternity clothes.

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#3. Wildling Shoes

The Brand: Wildling Shoes began in 2013 in Germany. Founders Anna and Ran lived in Israel for 12 years, where their children became accustomed to going barefoot. When they moved back to Germany, the family could not find any shoes that would allow their children to walk and move naturally, so they created the Wildling brand.

Need To Know: Wildling has collaborated with shoe designers and models to develop a shoe that interferes with the foot as little as possible. The company’s goal is to create shoes that will be used as a second skin to protect the foot from injury and weather. This brand offers waterproof shoes, vegan options, and free returns.

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#4. Xero Shoes

The Brand: Founded by Stevan Sashen and his wife, Xero Shoes are manufactured by Fell the World, Inc. Sashen was a sprinter and former gymnast who was injury-prone for two years. Once he began running barefoot, his injuries were healed. As a result, he created this brand that specializes in minimalist footwear.

Need To Know: Xero Shoes gained success after appearing on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Its shoes have thin and comfortable soles that conform to the shape of the foot.

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#5. Groundies Urban Barefootwear

The Brand: Groundies was launched in 2019, and its mission is minimalism. This brand’s products are manufactured in the EU. The shoes are designed in Germany, and the soles are stitched in Portugal.

Need To Know: Today, Groundies has over 140 employees and is one of the fastest-growing footwear brands in Europe. Recently, Groundies products have been offered in Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, and Cologne. In addition to many varieties of sneakers, this company also provides winter boots and dress shoes.

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Top fair trade & ethical running shoe brands 

#1. Allbirds

The Brand: After noticing that merino wool, a versatile and sustainable resource, was absent from the footwear industry, Tim Brown founded Allbirds. He teamed up with Joey Zwillinger, an engineer and renewable resource expert. Their partnership resulted in a new shoe brand inspired by natural materials.

Need To Know: With recycled packaging and renewable materials, Allbirds is committed to sustainability. This company is a certified B-Corp and gives back to the global community by partnering with nonprofit Soles4Souls.

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#2. Reebok

The Brand: Reebok was established in England in 1958 by brothers Joe and Jeff Foster. The company was sold in 1981 for $1.5 million, and today is one of the leading companies in the footwear industry.

Need To Know: Reebok’s ambition is to have 100% of its products be completely sustainable by 2030. The company has sustainable product categories, with some shoes made from 50% plant-based materials or 30% from recycled materials

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#3. Merrell

The Brand: Merrell was launched in 1981, originally producing hiking boots. Today, this brand is a global leader in active footwear and is a subsidiary of Wolverine Worldwide.

Need To Know: Merrell prides itself on creating extremely durable products, which leads to less waste over time. This brand uses natural and recyclable materials and is also committed to conserving water and reducing landfill waste. Not only is this a sustainable brand, but it is also committed to fair-labor practices, using ethical global supply chain partners.

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#4. Hylo Athletics

The Brand: Founded by a group of former athletes, Hylo’s goal is to reinvent athletic shoes and push for better environmental standards. Despite launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, this brand is still going strong.

Need To Know: Hylo uses only seven elements to produce their shoes: corn fiber, organic cotton, castor bean oil, algae bloom, corn scratch, natural rubber, and water-based glue. When the shoes are too old to be used, the company composts the fabrics and reuses the rubber. This brand isn’t just carbon neutral, but carbon negative, which is extremely rare in the athletic shoe industry.

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#5. VEJA

The Brand: Founded in 2004, VEJA only uses organic cotton, wild rubber, vegetable-tanned leather, and recycled plastic bottles to make their shoes. In 2018, the company sold $21 million worth of shoes annually. Today, this brand has over 180 employees.

Need To Know: VEJA only uses fair-trade and organic raw materials and produces their shoes ethically in Brazil. Because of this, VEJA sneakers cost five times more to produce than big brand companies.

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