Published on August 01, 2025.

When the Classic Sneakers Level Up, This Happens

You're scrolling through the Stories of some well-put-together bloke in his forties. Outfit of the day: sharp shirt, tailored trousers, and on his feet... a pair of sleek high-top sneakers setting the tone for everything else. You zoom in. You want a closer look. No massive logos. No shouty details. Just the sort of silhouette that quietly whispers "quality" while everyone else is busy shouting anything but.

You look down at your own sneakers. They've been with you since Daft Punk still wore helmets, and it shows. The soles are worn down, the stitching's giving up, and the colours are a far cry from their former glory.

Maybe it's time to move on. To invest in something built to last, something that gets better with age. Something that suits you, right down to the ground.

 

 

Stripped back. Sharpened up.

After long singing the praises of our Classic Sneakers, many of you have also been banging on our door demanding to know when we'd be bringing out a high-top version.

So, we rolled up our sleeves and created a big sister for them. Not just a quick size-up, but a bit of reinvention. Raising the ankle meant raising our standards: instead of standard eyelets, we've gone for direct perforations in the leather — a standout detail that sharpens the look and ups the toughness, thanks to double-layered leather.

Shape-wise, it's quietly refined — slim, perfectly balanced uppers that sit just above the ankle. End result: a pair of sneakers that slide right under your straight-cut jeans or relaxed tailoring. A little island of style in your wardrobe.

High style

No one buys an Opel Corsa and expects BMW-level performance. Same logic with these Sneakers: we've gone the extra mile to build something a cut above the usual suspects. Here's what makes them different.

Globothrilla's Cubo sole. If you know, you know. For everyone else: it's the gold standard in high-end sneaker soles, made in Portugal. Tear resistance is off the charts, so these last long after lesser shoes have long folded. Same as what we used on our last low-cut versions.

The full bovine leather lining gives immediate comfort and shapes to your foot over time. The insole blends soft polyurethane cushioning with a leather finish. Smart and comfortable.

The exceptional Strobel construction—the upper is stitched onto the sole, then reinforced with an extra seam. The result? Solid yet flexible sneakers. That's why some vintage sneakers are still kicking around 40 years on. And why these could go the distance too.

The hardest part? Making up your mind

Three colour options, three distinct personalities. White in smooth leather from Poletto, ready to pick up a unique patina—ideal for worn-in, casual-street style. Navy suede from Mastrotto, bang on with anything in your wardrobe. Or khaki suede, also from Mastrotto, if you're after something just a little off-centre. All leathers are chrome-tanned for maximum toughness and comfort from the word go.

Ready to take it up a level?

Our High Top Sneakers are brought to life in Portugal, crafted by the masterful hands and expertise of Perfect Eject. Each pair proudly wears Italian leathers, hand-picked from Poletto and Mastrotto.

Preorder for 129€. Once these are in stock, the price jumps to 169€. Preorders for these gems open next Tuesday at 10 am sharp. Deliveries kick off on 31 October, and—as always—first come, first served. Of course, we hope to see your name on the list.

Fancy getting in an hour before everyone else? No need to butter anyone up at Asphalte. Just sign up for the preorder here. That's it.

The Asphalte team.

 

 

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