Reviving Czechoslovakia’s Super Special Sneakers

A team of young creatives has brought a socialist-era brand of cult Czechoslovak sneakers back to life for the 21st century.

First produced in 1951 by the Central Modelling Department of the former Czechoslovakia, Super Special Trampky (now called Super Special Sneakers), were designed as affordable hiking shoes.

The co-founders of Super Special Sneakers, Bulgarians Mariela Mitkova and Hristo Shiderov, decided to revive the shoes after spotting the trainers in a book. “In our quest for timeless design, we found [the shoes] in an old production book and we immediately fell in love with the idea of bringing them back to life,” the duo say.

Available in a range of colours, including black, pale pink, and cream, the cotton shoes are produced using the same machines, materials, and technology as the Czechoslovak originals.

Yet, the designers also adapted the old models to new lifestyles and needs. All Super Special Sneakers were covered in water repellent wax to stay dry during rainy days, and the brand also launched a new, low-top urban version of the shoes, mixing contemporary minimalist aesthetics into the sneakers’ retro look.