Levi’s® for Feet Relaunches into Sneakers with the Stryder, a Faithful Rework of the Retro Runner

Throughout 2023, the Levi’s® brand has been celebrating the historic 150th anniversary of 501® jeans, one of the most enduring icons of global style and the original template from which all other jeans have descended. The brand also spent time looking back at another exciting chapter of its history, one that goes beyond its famous denim. In 1975, Levi’s® unveiled Levi’s® for Feet, a line of boots, sneakers, and loafers. After relaunching the line with boots, Levi’s® for Feet is set to bring back its beloved retro runner; the Stryder, an honest, comfortable, and premium rework of the original Levi’s® sneaker. 

The relaunch of the Stryder began with mining the Levi’s® archives. While the Levi’s® for Feet team had marketing materials and photographs of the shoes, an original pair of sneakers was nowhere to be found. After an extensive search, an original pair was finally spotted at an auction site in Japan. With its running leg logo, vibrant orange tab, and distinct Levi’s® for Feet branding, the pair provided a model for authentically reworking the sneakers. 

The faithful rework of the original Levi’s® for Feet sneaker is crafted from suede, mesh upper, and a rubber outsole. Featuring the original running leg logo, the Stryder includes a red tab and a refreshed batwing on the back heel. Perfect for both casual wear and a retro running look, the Stryder comes in white, navy, and multi-color for him and white, black, and pink for her. This premium sneaker honors the styles of the 70s and 80s with a modern and authentic refresh. 

“The inspiration from our archives is endless, always on the search to capture the spirit and nostalgia of the past while reworking and reimagining for today,” said Karyn Hillman, Chief Product Officer at Levi Strauss & Co. “From scouring the archival imagery to tracking down an original pair, we’ve truly enjoyed the process of creating an authentic rework of this beloved retro sneaker. With the prevalence of styles harkening back to the 70s and 80s, we are excited to launch this recrafted, effortless, and comfortable sneaker.” 

The Stryder is the first sneaker to emerge from the relaunched Levi’s® for Feet line, with more to follow. 

The Stryder launches worldwide in July and will be available for purchase on Levi.com, the Levi’s® App, and in select Levi’s® Stores.