Sneakers are one of the most versatile footwear styles and can be paired with a wide range of outfits. Buying a pair of sneakers from a Canadian company supports the Canadian footwear industry and sometimes local manufacturing. However, most Canadian companies that have their own sneaker lines manufacture elsewhere.
In this brief guide, we have put together a list of Canadian companies that either make or design sneakers in Canada. The information includes where each company makes their sneakers.
Canadian Sneaker Companies
Aldo 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Overseas
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned company
- Extensive selection of sneakers
Aldo is a Canadian retail brand that offers a large selection of sneakers that keep up with the latest trends. The company designs in Montreal, QC, but manufactures in overseas locations. Their selection includes casual, fashionable sneakers in a variety of patterns, colours, and styles. With over 3,000 stores worldwide, Aldo is a globally recognised Canadian brand.
Vessi 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Taiwan, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Waterproof designs
Vessi is a Canadian company based in Vancouver, BC, known for its waterproof knit designs that keep your feet dry. Although their sneakers are manufactured overseas, they are entirely designed in Canada. Their designs are sleek and lightweight, with breathable linings, knitted uppers, and soles that can handle puddles and slush. Vessi’s sneakers are stylish and functional, with many unisex models.
Pajar 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Montreal, QC and overseas
Where To Buy: Online, factory store in Montreal, and retailers
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Some items made in Canada (check product information for details)
Pajar, a company established in 1963 as an outerwear company, has been making footwear for Canadians since 1973. The company is based in Montreal, QC, where some of its footwear is made. However, most of the sneaker production takes place overseas. Pajar blends fashion, comfort, and ruggedness in its designs and offers a good variety of styles.
The Hartt Shoe Company 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Europe
Where To Buy: Online
Key Details:
- Established in 1898
- Canadian-owned
The Hartt Shoe Company, a Canadian heritage brand founded in 1898, might be better known for its dress shoes, but the company also offers sneakers. Hartt designs all their sneakers in Canada and manufactures them in Europe. Their designs combine sporty, minimalist silhouettes with classic sophistication, meaning you can easily pair them with both casual and more formal outfits.
John Fluevog Shoes 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Overseas, including Portugal
Where To Buy: Online and Fluevog stores
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Premium materials
John Fluevog Shoes is an iconic Canadian footwear company, with instantly recognisable styles thanks to its eclectic designs and imaginative details. Their sneaker line follows the same design principles, blending Fluevog’s signature flair with comfort. All Fluevog sneakers are designed in Vancouver and many of them feature vibrant colours and unusual shapes, making sneakers from John Fluevog an ideal choice for Canadians looking for footwear that stands out.
La Canadienne 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Montreal, Quebec and Europe
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Premium materials, such as leather and suede
La Canadienne is a Montreal-based company that has been designing luxury footwear since 1987. The company designs their footwear in Canada, and some are made domestically, too. However, their sneakers are often manufactured abroad. Their sneaker styles combine function and elegance and are often made with premium materials such as Italian leather and suede, matching the high-quality of their other footwear lines.
Factory Shoe 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Various locations
Where To Buy: Online and Factory Shoe locations in Ontario
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Extensive sneaker selection
Factory Shoe, founded in 1983, is a Canadian family-run company with an extensive shoe selection, including sneakers. While the company does not manufacture any shoes, it provides Canadians with a choice of sneakers from both Canadian and global brands. The company caters for men, women, and children with styles ranging from casual to athletic. Factory Shoe’s sneakers are available to all Canadians through the online store, and they have four physical stores in Ontario.
L’Intervalle 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Overseas, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Brazil
Where To Buy: Online and L’Intervalle boutiques
Key Details:
- Canadian company
- Handmade in high-end factories
L’Intervalle was founded in Montreal in 2015 and has become known for its modern, design-driven approach. While much of the company’s footwear range includes heels and boots, they also offer a small selection of sneakers. L’Intervalle designs its sneakers in Canada, and they are produced in high-end factories in countries such as Spain and Italy. Their sneakers are made by hand using premium materials and strike a balance between fashion and functionality.
