When scrolling through Instagram, it feels like every influencer, celebrity and all of your friends are wearing the same sneakers. While it’s fun to get your hands on anticipated sneaker drops, diversifying your collection can help elevate your taste, outfits and street cred.
The revitalization of the chunky “dad-shoe” has given momentum to brands that once might not have received the same attention. There’s one brand in particular that has been around for over 100 years and is the best brand you might not know. Yet.
Karhu, which translates to bear in Finnish, has been at the forefront of sneaker technology and culture for the past century. Started in 1916 in Finland, Karhu was worn by gold medalists in multiple Olympics, including 15 gold medal winners in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Then, Karhu sold its “three stripes” trademark. In 1970, Karhu revolutionized sneakers by developing the first patented “air cushion” midsole system, later replicated by every major sneaker company.
Recently, celebrities like Shia LaBeouf and even Kanye West have been spotted wearing the brand. The brand’s signatures include mixing colors and ensuring that every shoe comes in a unisex run for broad appeal.
