About Us
Born in California. Built for Tennis. Made for More.
At K-SWISS, we believe great footwear should be more than something you wear.
It should be a reflection of who you are, where you've been, and where you're going.
Since 1966, K-SWISS has combined California style with athletic performance to create footwear that moves between sport, culture, and everyday life. From our roots in tennis to our growing presence in fashion and lifestyle, we've always believed in doing things differently.
Classic at heart. Bold by nature.
Our Story
K-SWISS was founded in 1966 in Los Angeles, California, by Swiss brothers Art and Ernie Brunner.
Inspired by their passion for skiing and the precision of Swiss design, the brothers set out to create a leather tennis shoe unlike anything else on the market.
Their answer was the Classic 66—the first all-leather tennis shoe.
With its distinctive five-stripe design, clean silhouette, and premium leather construction, the shoe quickly established a new identity for tennis footwear.
What started on the tennis court would eventually become a global lifestyle icon.
The Original Classic
The K-SWISS Classic is more than a sneaker.
It represents the foundation of our brand.
Its clean lines, signature five stripes, D-ring lacing system, and unmistakable silhouette helped define a new approach to tennis footwear.
Over the decades, the Classic has continued to evolve while remaining recognizable at its core.
That's what makes timeless design powerful.
It can change with the times without losing what made it special in the first place.
Tennis Is in Our DNA
Tennis has always been at the heart of K-SWISS.
From our earliest days creating innovative tennis footwear to supporting athletes and players around the world, we've remained connected to the sport that shaped our identity.
We understand that tennis footwear needs to balance comfort, stability, durability, and performance.
But we also believe tennis style should extend beyond the court.
That's why many of our tennis-inspired designs have become part of everyday culture.
Designed in California
California has always influenced the K-SWISS identity.
The state represents a unique combination of athletic energy, creativity, optimism, and individuality.
That spirit is reflected in our products.
We combine the discipline and precision of Swiss heritage with the relaxed confidence of California to create a style that feels both classic and contemporary.
It's a combination that has defined K-SWISS for generations.
More Than a Tennis Shoe
While tennis remains central to our heritage, K-SWISS has grown into a broader footwear and lifestyle brand.
Today, our collections include:
- Tennis shoes
- Pickleball shoes
- Training footwear
- Lifestyle sneakers
- Classic sneakers
- Apparel
- Accessories
Our goal is to create products that can move with you throughout the day.
From the court to the street, from training sessions to weekends with friends, K-SWISS is designed for people who want performance and style without compromise.
The Five Stripes
Few design elements are as recognizable as the K-SWISS five stripes.
Originally inspired by the structure and craftsmanship of our first tennis shoes, the five stripes have become a defining part of our visual identity.
They represent our heritage while continuing to provide a foundation for new interpretations and designs.
Decades after their introduction, they remain a symbol of K-SWISS.
Innovation Meets Heritage
We respect our history—but we're not stuck in it.
K-SWISS continues to explore new materials, technologies, construction methods, and design approaches to meet the needs of today's athletes and consumers.
Our products are developed with an understanding that performance and style don't have to exist separately.
We believe the best footwear can deliver both.
Built for Individuality
K-SWISS has never been about following everyone else.
From the beginning, our designs challenged conventional tennis footwear.
Today, that same independent spirit continues to influence everything we do.
We create products for people who have their own style, their own ambitions, and their own definition of success.
Whether you're competing, training, traveling, or simply enjoying your day, we want your footwear to feel like an extension of you.
A Legacy That Keeps Moving
More than half a century after our founding, K-SWISS continues to evolve.
The world of sport has changed.
Fashion has changed.
The way people live, work, train, and express themselves has changed.
But our commitment to quality design, athletic performance, and distinctive style remains the same.
We carry the lessons of our past into every new collection while continuing to explore what's next.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To create footwear and apparel that combine performance, comfort, quality, and unmistakable style.
We want to inspire people to move confidently, express themselves freely, and embrace their individuality.
Because being yourself never goes out of style.
Our Vision
We envision a future where the boundaries between sport and lifestyle continue to disappear.
Where a shoe designed for performance can become a cultural statement.
Where heritage can inspire innovation.
And where classic design can continue to feel relevant for generations.
That's the future we're building at K-SWISS.
Keep Moving Forward
Our story started with two Swiss brothers, a vision for better tennis footwear, and a small California workshop.
Today, that vision lives on around the world.
From the original Classic to modern performance and lifestyle collections, every K-SWISS product carries a piece of our history.
But the next chapter is yours.
Play your game. Define your style. Make your mark.
K-SWISS — Since 1966. |
