Asking KARHU Sneaker Fans About Comfort and Appeal

There are many kinds of sneakers—tennis shoes, running shoes, and more—but lightweight, easy-to-walk-in running shoes are especially popular among both customers and staff at ZUTTO. Amid a sea of sneaker brands, popular brands each have their own reasons for being chosen, and I think the appeal of Finland's long-established KARHU sneakers lies in their reasonable prices, functionality, and a distinctly Nordic color palette unlike anything else on the market.

So we interviewed two staff members who are devoted KARHU wearers about their experience with the shoes, and in doing so, we came to understand why this brand is so beloved.

Here are the two KARHU enthusiasts we spoke with.

Product Manager S:

Has been a devoted wearer for 3 years and 2 months. Always on the lookout for brands and items that match ZUTTO's concept, she does a lot of walking for work and prefers sneakers on her feet. She pulls off a casual look that mixes in vintage clothing, and occasionally surprises with an effortlessly worn nostalgic dress.

Product Photographer F:

Has been a devoted wearer for 1 month. Since she frequently moves back and forth between the in-house studio and warehouse carrying products, she often chooses pants paired with sneakers for ease of movement at work. On weekends she'll wear sandals or pumps, but for outings farther afield, she always reaches for her favorite sneakers.

— Today we have two KARHU fans with us. What made you decide to buy your first pair?

S: Since I wear sneakers a lot in my daily life, I try to pick up a new brand whenever the timing feels right, and I chose KARHU when it was time to buy a new pair. Actually, I did worry at first that with so many colors, it might be tricky to match with clothes, but I figured that if I could get high quality at a reasonable price, it could become one of several pairs I owned. Then before I knew it, what I thought would be an occasional pair turned into something I wore every day! (laughs)

F: I often style KARHU into our apparel photo shoots, and whenever I need a casual sneaker to complete a look, KARHU almost always fits perfectly. At first glance it can seem like a tricky shoe to style, but I chose it because it actually goes with just about any outfit, any day.

▲The "Legacy Series" that S has worn for 3 years. The upper has softened and developed character over time, yet the white sections remain in great condition. (She's lost count of how many times she's washed them.)

▲After three years, some parts have worn down a bit due to her walking habits, but it doesn't bother her much, and since they're so comfortable to walk in, she still wears them regularly. Because of this, she'd like to get another pair in a different color to alternate with, so they don't wear out further—but her size is currently out of stock, and she's waiting for new inventory to arrive.

— What led ZUTTO to start carrying KARHU?

S: I first learned about KARHU 8 years ago, about a year after we introduced the PRAS canvas sneakers at ZUTTO. If you're someone who regularly wears sneakers, chances are you've worn Converse and New Balance at some point—and just as some people own both, I thought it would be good to have a highly cushioned sneaker to go alongside our canvas sneakers. That's when KARHU was suggested to me. I was drawn to the fact that it has color combinations you won't find in typical sports brands, yet still offers great functionality, and that it's a 100-year-old brand that has contributed to the history of the sneaker. New colors come out twice a year with the seasonal collections, and every single time, they're all so lovely. I'd recommend it to anyone who finds a color combination and size they love, and for those curious, I'd suggest keeping an eye on things like our newsletter.

▲From basic styles to unique colors and patterns, there's a wide selection.

F: The color combinations really catch the eye, don't they—that's my favorite part too. The fact that every pairing feels one-of-a-kind and stylish is a real testament to the sense of design that comes from being a Nordic-born brand.

S: Exactly. When I wear them, people sometimes ask me with interest, "Where are those sneakers from?" With popular brands, you often end up matching what other people are wearing, so some people get creative and customize their own shoelaces—which I think looks stylish—but with KARHU, you don't really need to do that kind of styling since it's less likely you'll run into someone wearing the same pair. And on top of that, they're comfortable to wear too.

— So how do they actually feel to wear?

F: The first time I put them on, I thought they felt a bit firm. There are sneakers out there, like the NOVESTA MARATHON CLASSIC, that have that super soft, cloud-like feel. But once you actually wear them, the fit of the insole is just incredible—it's the kind of feeling where you can't help but think, "Wow, this feels amazing."

S: It really feels like it supports the arch and the outer edge of your foot. I don't feel tired at all, so I think it's great for people who are on their feet a lot for work. Compared to days when I wear leather shoes or canvas sneakers because of what I'm wearing, I could honestly say there's no fatigue in the soles of my feet with KARHU.

— Do you actually feel less strain on your feet?

S: While I'm wearing them, I don't notice much of a difference, but I really feel it in the evening once I'm back home.。 The air cushioning must really be doing its job. Maybe it's because my feet don't get tired even while walking, but I feel like my feet keep moving forward more easily. lol

F: I've only just started wearing them, but with KARHU, every model has thicker padding around the ankle area compared to other shoes, giving a sense of security like they're already broken in, even when brand new. Normally I wouldn't choose new shoes for a trip or a theme park, but with KARHU I'd pick them without hesitation.

— You mentioned wanting to wear them on trips, but what kind of everyday occasions do you wear them for?

F: I mainly choose them on days when I'll be doing a lot of walking.

S: I also wear them on days when I'll be out for a long time. I once wore them on a light hike, andI was worried about slipping on the mountain trails, but they had a decent amount of grip, so it wasn't a problem.

— KARHU has various shapes like the Legacy, Fusion, Synchron, and Aria—is there a difference in fit between them?

F: Only the Aria is a bit special. It has an "insock construction" where the tongue is integrated into the shoe, so you can put it on like a sock. I wear the Synchron, and I like that one too.

S: There are actually a few other minor differences too, but personally I don't feel much difference in the fit, so I think it's fine to choose based on design or color preference.

▲The wide variety of package designs is also something unique to KARHU. Nordic-style designs are used, so part of the fun is seeing which design arrives.

▲Some pairs even have illustrations on the insole that match the package design. It's a part you can't see once you're wearing the shoes, but it shows the attention to detail.

Q: How do the staff choose their size?

I chose the half size up from my actual foot size.

When a model has a narrow fit, or when I really want a model that's out of stock in my size, I sometimes go a full size up, but with KARHU the fit isn't particularly narrow, so going a half size up worked out just right. Since the upper is made of fabric, it's a shoe you can choose based on your usual sense of size to a certain extent. If you've never had trouble with width before, I think these will fit you well.

I also chose the half size up from my actual foot size.

I like a slightly bigger fit, so I sometimes go with 23.5, but with KARHU, a full size up didn't make the shoes fall off, though it did feel a bit large, so just like S, I decided on my size right away without hesitation.

My actual foot size wasn't unwearable in terms of length, but the width felt a bit tight, so I chose a full size up. There's some extra room in length, but since the instep is held firmly in place, my feet don't slip around and I can wear them comfortably. If you want some extra room or have wider feet, I'd recommend going a full size up.

>> See the full lineup of KARHU products here