Find your way with the help of Opie Way‘s James Sneaker. A handmade leather shoe is a beautiful thing, especially when it takes design cues from vintage basketball and tennis sneakers, and it’s cut from some beautiful and sturdy leathers straight from Ecopell and Horween.
The James uses 100% vegetable-tanned Ivory leather from Ecopell on the uppers and lining, Horween Milkshake suede accents on the toecap, an Italian Rubber Cupsole, contrasting red heel collar, and Italian Glazed Cotton sourced from American Legacy. They seem to take cues from classic court shoes like Adidas‘ Rod Laver and Half Shells, and Nike‘s All Court, but thy’re made with a flatter, wider last that looks darn comfy.
These sneaks become all the more meaningful when you factor in that Opie Way is a very small team based in North Carolina, dedicated to making a useful, long-lasting shoe. One that can be repaired, resoled, and age beautifully. They might change the way you look at shoes, if sustainability and supporting American-manufactured goods are in any way important to you.
Available for $428 at Opie Way
