How No Name sneakers are made
The No Name sneaker on this page is a women's low shoe with a rubber sole and an upper built by combining different materials: suede — leather finished on the flesh side — together with fabric, corduroy, wool or printed panels. Alongside the lower sneakers there are runners, that is sneakers with a taller, moulded sole, derived from the running shoe and absorbed into everyday wear. It is the pairing of materials, more than the shape, that gives these shoes their recognisable look.
Suede is leather finished on the flesh side: the surface is velvety and matt, it takes on water and dust faster than smooth leather and it asks for dry brushing with a bristle brush, plus a water-repellent protector before the first wear. In exchange it stays soft for a long time and does not crack. Corduroy behaves differently: it is a fabric, so brush it along the pile and keep it away from prolonged damp. Mixed uppers, where leather and fabric sit on the same model, should be treated like the more delicate of the two materials.
Choosing between a low sneaker and a runner depends less on taste than on how the day is spent. A thin sole keeps the foot close to the ground and gives a more direct stride, which suits anyone seated for much of the time; a taller, moulded sole shifts weight forward and reduces fatigue when walking a lot or standing for long stretches. Some models have a pile-fabric lining, which is warm but takes up inner room: anyone wearing a thick sock should allow for that when trying them on.
A thick rubber sole lifts the foot off the ground and cushions the contact with tarmac: that is why a sneaker built this way carries a full day better than a thin-soled shoe. To compare these models with the rest of the range, start from the women's sneakers page, where the shoes are grouped by shape and material.
