The 25 Best Independent Sneaker Brands

Bigger isn't always better. And even the biggest start small. In the late '60s, a former college track star and his old coach decided to try and build a better running shoe. Before they found real distribution, other runners were recruited to sell the shoes at track meets out of the trunks of their cars. Eventually, the company was named after the Greek goddess of victory: Nike. It did OK. None of these might find the same success, but click through to check out The 25 Best Independent Sneaker Brands.

RELATED: Sneaker Report - The 10 Best Women's Running Shoes for Beginners

Founded: 2008

That's Android Homme, not Android homie. The brand, specifically their Propulsion High, has been worn by some of the most stylish musicians like Biebs and Usher on a regular basis. Known for its high-top luxury kicks designed with a futuristic aesthetic, Android Homme has also introduced a lower-priced AH line for those not prepared to drop $200-plus quite yet.

Founded: 2006

With a name like "White Mountaineering," you would expect the company to make boots and parkas — and you'd be right. But the Japanese company has expanded into sneakers, following a well-received collaboration with Vans on their Mountain Edition.

Founded: 2008

Established on the principles of "Real Running," Portland, Oregon's Skora offers minimalist running shoes made from premium materials, including Pittards leathers. The line consists of just two silhouettes right now, but the future is bright.

Founded: 2007

Luxury sneakers have long been the product of traditional luxury brands including Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. More recently, newer labels and newer designers have put themselves into the picture. Alejandro Ingelmo started with women's shoes, and has recently jumped full-on into sneakers. So far, so good.

Founded: 2010

Started by the sons of a founder of L.A. Gear, APL wasted no time in making headlines when their initial $300 Concept model — featuring their proprietary "Load 'N Launch" technology — was banned by the NBA. Independent testers have been unsure how much the tech actually helped, but the APL name was made. The new Concept 2 launched (no pun intended) in June for $175.

Founded: 2004

Pro BMXer Rich Hirsch started Lotek as an answer to all of the skate shoe brands sponsoring BMXers. Eight years later it's still going strong, which is more than you can say for several of his early competitors.

Founded: 2006

The Japanese brand is relatively young, six years in the game, and just starting to find its niche. The high-end look mixed with a variety of sneaker, chukka, and boot styles will likely find their way into your rotation soon — after all, they just hit U.S. shores in 2010.

Founded: 1999

Maybe Lakai isn't an independent company in the most technical sense. But the company, founded by pro skaters Rick Howard and Mike Carroll in 1999, sure acts like one. As part of the conglomerate that includes Girl and Chocolate Skateboards, and the one-time sponsor of Eric Koston, they're as core as it gets.

Founded: 1964/2008

Like Jack Purcell, Seavees was originally founded by B.F. Goodrich and purchased by Converse. Unlike Jack Purcell, which became a Converse staple, Seavees was shelved for four decades before being sold to a couple of guys who sought to recapture the original So Cal aesthetic. Done and done.

Founded: 2004

The goal of Pointer was simply to simplify. Make low-tech, high-style, easily obtainable footwear. Because there are a lot of people out there who don't need performance shoes and don't want to wait on line for the flavor of the week. Well, the lane Pointer fills is still plenty wide.

Founded: 1998

If we could suggest a slogan for IPATH, perhaps it would be "IPATH: Not Just For Dirty Hippie Skaters Anymore." IPATH made their name with models like the Grasshopper and the Cat, which were offered in hemp and Rasta makeups, and featured hidden stash pockets. While they still make those classic models, they've also expanded to include a BMX team and worked with Vibram to develop a proprietary skateboard sole.

Founded: 2002 

It's not often that a company hits an immediate home run, but Creative Recreation did exactly that with the Cesario, which remains a staple in their line. While one can debate their "The Original Lifestyle Footwear Brand" tagline, it's impossible to argue their impact on recent sneaker history.

Founded: 2007

Inspired by Isaac Newton and designed to encourage "Natural Running," Newton's running shoes have developed something of a cult following since their introduction in 2007. Like Skora, the other running newcomer, Newton has chosen to do one thing and do it exceedingly well.

Founded: 1999

New York's Alife started with retail stores and high-profile collaborations before introducing their own line of footwear. The hard work paid off. Their "Everybody High" model, inspired by a certain skateboard-repurposed basketball classic, is (sometimes literally) a billboard for their talents.

Founded: 2008

Sometimes less is more. Generic Surplus was founded by the same Los Angeles crew who run The Generic Man, and the shoes are just basic designs done up in premium materials and sold for reasonable prices. But they're generic in name only.

Founded: 2006

Supra didn't invent the high-high-hightop, but they took the concept and ran with it. The Skytop and TK Society became immediate staples in both the skate and celeb worlds, while endorsers Chad Muska and Terry Kennedy spread the faith worldwide. Exclusives landing via their Factory 413 store in Cali and their standalone in NYC help keep things fresh.

Founded: 2004

No gimmicks here. Common Projects offers super-simple silhouettes in super-premium makeups. No gaudy colors, no garish colors (well, not many), just gold-embossed individual codes on the outside of each heel. Those who know, know.

Founded: 2004

Started by Adbusters magazine as a response to — well, virtually every other sneaker on the market, Blackspot offers an "open-source" shoe with no trademarks that is as independent as independent can possibly get.

Founded: 1996

Maryland's Under Armour started out making performance apparel before branching out into (cleated) footwear in 2006, then off-field models in 2007. Once established in football, they built up a basketball roster starting with Brandon Jennings, who went straight from high school to Italy before being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, and are currently making inroads into the running market (which they tried to enter earlier) via their new Spine shoe.

Founded: 1986

Etnies was founded by Pierre Andre Senizergues, a French skater living in Venice Beach. The brand made an impact quickly, giving a signature model to street beast Natas Kaupas, then went on to produce timeless classics like the MC Rap and Sal 23. The list of pro skaters and BMXers who have worn Etnies is endless.

Founded: 1911

A few things about Superga: The company was founded in Turin, Italy in 1911, and created a classic with the vulcanized 2750 tennis shoe in 1925. Also, the Olsen twins are the creative directors. Yes, those Olsen twins.

Founded: 2005

Does any smaller brand bring the ruckus like Gourmet season after season? Nah. The Italian-American high end brand for the regular guy has been creaming the competition with no signs of holding back. Considering they started out making high-end canvas replicas of classic Air Jordans, they've come a long way.

Founded: 2001

After just 11 years, Visvim has established themselves as one of the premier footwear brands in the world. Perhaps that's overstating it, but the Japanese-made, Native America influenced mocs and chukkas have gained near-mythical status due to their comfort and construction. Now, if they were only more readily available.

Founded: 2001

One of the first brands to do the whole skate-lifestyle thing and do it right, Clae mixed casual style and athletic shoe comfort. If anything, they were too ahead of their time. Following a three-year absence from the game, they returned in 2007 with founder Sung Choi at the helm, and picked up right where they left off.

Founded: 1906

New Balance has had just four owners in their 100-plus year lifespan, and their basic strategy has never changed — make things better for runners. They started off making sole inserts before producing their first racing shoe in 1938. Since then, they've developed countless iconic silhouettes, tried the signature basketball market with James Worthy (oops), and maintained factories in both England and the United States while everyone else moved production to Asia. The best, and it's not even close.