The sneakers of the moment and forever
The Sneakers bring together lifestyle trainers from adidas, Puma, Saucony, Mizuno, Asics, Victoria, Hoff, Steve Madden, Gola or Faguo, from archive models to more recent silhouettes.
Many of today's sneakers were born on a pitch or track: their history explains their shape.
Shoes made for sport
The adidas Samba dates back to 1950: it was designed to help footballers train on frozen pitches, with a rubber sole featuring studs that grip on ice. Having become an indoor football shoe and then a fashion icon, it has kept its low leather upper, its suede toe cap, and its three stripes. The Puma Speedcat, on the other hand, was born in 1999 as a racing shoe: its fine, rounded heel sole gave a precise feel of the pedals.
The running shoe silhouettes of the 1990s and 2000s are experiencing a revival. The Saucony Grid Legacy and the Ride Millennium take cues from runners of that era, with their mesh and suede overlays. The Mizuno Wave Prophecy is recognizable by its wavy plate sole, which absorbs shocks, while the adidas Technochaos and Puma Homura follow the same technical aesthetic.
Canvas, leather, and thin soles
Victoria, a Spanish brand established in 1915, remains true to canvas and soft leather on a vulcanised sole. Its Olmo Barefoot models feature a fine and flexible sole that allows the foot to feel the ground, in the spirit of so-called minimalist shoes, with no height difference between the heel and the forefoot. A shoe of this type is gradually revealed, as it puts more strain on the calves and foot muscles.
The Spanish brand Hoff names several models after cities, like City Venice, and pays attention to materials and colours. Gola, a British brand, and Faguo, a French brand with an eco-responsible approach, complete the selection with simple everyday models.
Platform soles and women's models
Platform-soled sneakers, like the Steve Madden Possession, elevate the silhouette while maintaining the comfort of a sneaker. Their thick sole is stiffer than a classic sole, and they weigh slightly more: trying them on allows you to check that the flex at the front of the foot remains natural. The glitter or leather-effect models from Victoria are aimed at dressier outfits.
Size and care
Archive models often take on the original shape, which is narrower than that of current sneakers. The Samba, for example, fits quite snugly, and many guides recommend checking the length of the foot in centimeters rather than relying on the usual shoe size. Suede should be protected with a waterproofing spray before the first wear, smooth leather can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and canvas with soapy water. The tumble dryer should be avoided for all.
Sneakers by brand
The selection is organised by brand:
- Asics, from retro Gel to running-inspired models.
- adidas, from the Samba to technical silhouettes.
- Puma, featuring the Speedcat and archive models.
- Saucony, with its runners from the 1990s and 2000s.
- Buffalo, for thick-soled styles.
- Steve Madden, known for its platforms.
- Skechers, for everyday comfort.
- Reebok, with its classic leather styles.
- Hummel, with its handball-inspired models.
- Diadora, featuring its retro Italian runners.
- Fila, with its 1990s silhouettes.
- Bronx, for more fashionable models.
The lifestyle selection continues with the men's, women's, and junior pages, the motorsport, the summer selection, the accessories, and the brands, on the lifestyle page.
New arrivals and good deals
The new arrivals showcase the latest releases, the special offers feature previous colours at reduced prices, and the items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent within 24 hours. The good deals, clearance, and sales complete the offer, and the year follows the Black Friday, the end-of-year holidays, winter sales, and the French Days.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean suede sneakers?
Protect the suede with a waterproofing spray before the first wear, then maintain it dry with a brush. Smooth leather can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and canvas with soapy water. Regardless of the material, the tumble dryer should be avoided.
Do archive sneakers fit smaller?
They often retain the original shape, which is narrower than that of current sneakers: the adidas Samba, for example, fits quite small. Check the length of your foot in centimeters rather than relying solely on your usual shoe size, especially with a wide foot.
What was the adidas Samba created for?
The Samba dates back to 1950: it was designed for footballers to train on frozen pitches, with a rubber sole that gripped on ice. Having become an indoor football shoe and then a fashion icon, it retains its low leather upper and suede toe cap.
What is a barefoot sneaker like the Victoria Olmo?
It is a shoe with a fine and flexible sole, with no height difference between heel and forefoot, that allows the foot to feel the ground. It puts more strain on the calves and foot muscles: it’s better to adopt it gradually.
Are platform-soled sneakers comfortable?
They maintain the comfort of a sneaker while elevating the silhouette, like the Steve Madden Possession. Their thick sole is stiffer and a bit heavier: trying them on allows you to check that the front of the foot flexes naturally.
