Fashion

The European Trainer Brands You Need to Know

Trainers: one can never have too many pairs. From the high-performance trainers lovingly stuffed in the bottom of your gym bag to the canvas run-arounds that you get from A-B and the smart, handcrafted leather pair that come out for especially-stylish occasions, there really is a trainer for every want and need. Aside from the big names that have dominated the trainer sphere for decades, there are a few brands that are doing things a little differently and ergo deserve a place in any sneakerhead’s wardrobe. From the Italian sports label enjoying a resurgence, to the French duo making environmentally-friendly footwear cool, these are the European trainer brands you need to know.

VEJA

veja trainers

It’s not often that you find a brand that places as much importance on the environment and ethically-sound practices as it does on style and design, but then VEJA is no ordinary brand. Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion founded the Parisian brand in 2005, with a desire to create stylish sneakers that would last a lifetime as well as having a positive impact on every part of the manufacturing process. The pair headed to Brazil – the only country to have organic, fair trade cotton and wild rubber – to realise their dream, where each pair of VEJA trainers is ethically created. The sleek, subtle branding and cult following helps too. Shop VEJA on Coggles here >>

The chunky trainer revival is in full swing and a trend well and truly adopted by Stockholm based Eytys. When designing the range, co-founder and creative director Max Schiller said that mood boards were full of images of East LA in the early 90’s, which we can clearly see throughout the collection of sneakers. Initially launching as a footwear specialist the brand has evolved with a new apparel offering including a variety of androgynous sweatshirts, denim and leather items.

Axel Arigato

axel arigato

The Swedish trainer brand with a cult following, Axel Arigato has been creating sleek, minimal and exceptionally well-crafted trainers since its beginnings in 2014. Based in Gothenburg, Axel Arigato takes inspiration from its country of origin, as well as Japanese design, to create contemporary trainers with a difference. Handcrafted in Portugal, the devil is in the detail with these trainers – think fine Italian leathers, calfskin linings and Margom rubber soles. Shop Axel Arigato on Coggles here >>>

Filling Pieces

filling pieces trainers

Hailing from Amsterdam, Guillaume Philibert’s brand Filling Pieces is a complex – yet seemingly simple – combination of streetwear and high fashion. Drawing on his architectural studies, Philibert first designed the Filling Pieces Low Top in 2009 when he was a student – all of which shows in his use of clean lines and considered shapes. Handcrafted in Portugal with the finest Italian materials, Filling Pieces trainers also come free of any branding, making the shoes purely about the quality of the product. Shop Filling Pieces on Coggles >>

Eytys

The chunky trainer revival is in full swing and a trend well and truly adopted by Stockholm based Eytys. When designing the range, co-founder and creative director Max Schiller said that mood boards were full of images of East LA in the early 90’s, which we can clearly see throughout the collection of sneakers. Initially launching as a footwear specialist the brand has evolved with a new apparel offering including a variety of androgynous sweatshirts, denim and leather items. Shop the collection on Coggles here >>>

SHOP ALL FOOTWEAR AT COGGLES >>>

Words by Angharad Jones



Sarah Atkinson

Sarah Atkinson

Writer and expert