Light sneakers for summer: our favorite brands – CDL#64

Cover credit: Asahi shoes

I've recently received a lot of questions about what brands we recommend for lightweight canvas sneakers for spring and summer.

Often in your posts you add that you are looking for something other than Van's or Converse , in terms of style but also in terms of comfort or durability.

Are there any premium ranges or models at Van's or Converse?

Just as New Balance has UK and US made ranges that are superior in quality, style and construction to the regular range, I wondered if there was a higher end in Van's and Converse.

Multiple readers tell me that there are higher end models at Van's , which is as follows:

• Van's Vault (more creative models, sometimes in collaboration with other brands or artistic personalities)
• Van's Pro (more resistance)
• Van's Anaheim Factory (retro inspirations)

At Converse, the CT70 (Chuck Taylor) is considered to be of better quality compared to the classic All Star. It is also logically a little more expensive (€90 vs €65).

I also remembered having already come across second-hand Converse made in the USA models, which a search confirms : Converse were produced in the United States until 2001. We can reasonably assume that the quality of these models is superior to that of the pairs currently produced. .

To find these old models, you will have to turn to second-hand platforms , thrift stores , vintage in short.

A pair of Converse made in the USA spotted on Vinted .

So here is our list of brands offering lightweight sneakers for summer.

Entry level

1. Novesta , €59

Novesta is a Slovak brand created in 1939.

Production is Slovak, until today, within the European Union.

I was able to try the products (at La Garconnière , in Paris), which convinced me for the price asked (€59 for the classic models), both in terms of style and apparent quality.

I found that it was a classic size: I am a 42.5, 42 was a little tight, 43 a little big. The 42.5 was not available for fitting but the brand does produce this size.

In this price range, this is probably my best recommendation.

I almost fell for this pair, which I like for its color and aesthetics. Available here

2. Arket , €49

The brand offers cotton canvas sneakers that inspire confidence in me at first glance.

Cork insole, rubber outsole

At €49, made in China and some nice colours like this rust below, I think it's as good an investment as Vans.

Nice color. Available here

Mid-range

1. Spring Court , 80/100€

Spring Court is a French brand, created in 1936, specializing in tennis.

I haven't been able to see any of the brand's products yet, but the models inspire confidence in me and I've heard good feedback about them.

The flagship model is the G2.

The manufacturing is either Spanish or Vietnamese. Here is a method provided by customer service to find out where a particular pair is manufactured:

" You can distinguish between the two origins once the items are in your cart.

You can then refer to the SKU. If before the size it says -1-2 or -1, the model comes from Spain. If it says -2, the model comes from Vietnam.

Here is some feedback from Jerome regarding Spring Court:

I don't really like the air holes in the sole. Despite that, the pair is beautiful. I really like this ecru/cream color. Available here

This pair is indicated " -1-2 " in the cart. According to the information given by customer service, the manufacturing is Spanish here.

Note : I have seen models with a 100% linen upper at Spring Court in the past, which is rare enough to be noted. However, I don't see any in the current collection.

2. Veja , €85

The brand you probably know offers sneakers in organic cotton canvas, a sole partly made of recycled rubber, in several colors, for less than €100.

The confection is Brazilian.

This dark raspberry red color is well chosen. Available on the brand's e-shop

3. Seagale , €129

The brand offers a pair of "Breezy shoes", not in cotton canvas but in an airy mesh.

I don't like the form too much, I find in particular the guarantors too far apart. This is again a personal consideration.

The feedback I have seen on this product is positive and indicates that it delivers on its promise :

• Light, flexible
• Breathable
• Water resistant

If the style appeals to you, this seems like a perfectly fine choice to me.

They are made in Spain.

In this visual, we can see the gap between the guarantors, which I find a little too big. Available here

High-end

Let's start with a quartet of Japanese brands, all with Japanese manufacturing in the factory...

1. Moonstar (160 to 250€)

Moonstar is a Japanese clothing workshop operating since 1873.

The factory produces sneakers under its own brand (Moonstar, therefore) but also for other Japanese brands such as Shoes Like Pottery, Doek or PRAS Japan

If you are interested in the story of Moonstar, I invite you to read these two excellent contents:

• Interview with two Moonstar employees (a junior product manager and a designer), in English
• The History of the Moonstar Factory , in French

Moonstar manufacturing , particularly renowned for its expertise in the vulcanization of rubber used in sneaker soles.

I own a pair of Moonstar sneakers , here is my opinion: they are very good.

The canvas is beautiful, with a fine and regular grain. The sole is thick, dense and inspires confidence.

In France, Royal Cheese distributes several models of the brand.

Classic yet effective: the Gym Court, with a shape somewhat reminiscent of the Converse Chuck Taylor Low. Available here

The "Allweather" and "Mud Guard" models are not summer models, certainly, but they have a lot of character with their rubber insert on the upper. And this beige/green combination... yum. Available here

2. Asahi , €120

Asahi has been producing all kinds of shoes that have adorned the feet of Japanese people for over 120 years .

In our region, the mention of the brand refers to its deck shoe model, taken from Van's.

Officine Générale distributes the brand in France.

Rendez-Vous Store also sells them. At the time of writing, there is no stock on their eshop .

Van's, quality in addition. Available here

3.Shoes Like Pottery (130/150€)

Also made in the Moonstar factory, the Shoes Like Pottery sneakers are distinguished by the presence of a light blue seal on the side of the sole, and a sole bottom that is also blue.

It is on the English e-shop EndClothing that you will find the most choice.

Zoom in on the blue details of the Shoes Like Pottery sneakers.

Mustard yellow is hard to wear? Available here

4. Doek (170€)

Beige Habilleur distributes Doek sneakers in France, another century-old brand, produced by the Moonstar workshop in Japan.

This chocolate brown color is very beautiful. The inner sole is made of cork. Available here

5.Jacques&Déméter (185€)

A reader rightly pointed out to me that the French brand, specializing in city shoes, has just launched canvas sneakers .

Please note:

• The models are made in France, in Cholet
• The sole is glued and sewn. It's a Margom.
• There is a pair in linen/cotton (80/20)

I find the sole a little too thick given the nature of this shoe, which nevertheless seems successful to me. Available here

6. Common Projects (375/395€)

The high-end brand that you surely know offers perforated leather sneakers for greater breathability.

Found at Harrods .

You will also find models in cotton canvas on Margom sole:

Available here

Let's finish with three other brands mentioned by Benoît in his great summer guide :

7. Naked&Famous , around €160

I tend to forget that the Canadian brand, specialized in denim, also makes sneakers.

Made in Japan.

I am a big fan of this model: beautiful light chambray, the yellowed ecru sole is very well felt and recalls the metal eyelets. $74 at the time of writing

8. North89 , €185

What happens if you mix mesh, suede and a Margom sole?

Chocapic A nice pair of North89 sneakers, of course!

The mix is ​​bold and quite visually pretty I think.

The confection is Portuguese.

9. C.QP , €260

Very beautiful sneakers in a minimalist shape like Common Projets, in unlined cotton canvas.

The sole is a Margom.

The confection is Portuguese.

A more gray ecru here. Available here